Where to start this week. Wow. From a position of such strength merely a week and a half ago; in which Arteta was getting all the praise under the sun. To bottomless lows once more with 3 losses in 4 matches.
Its funny. For some reason the lows with Arsenal always seem to hit really hard.
I took a couple of days away from writing to digest the latest result. Disappointment plus the reality of being absolutely slammed with my day job. Taking time away from the constant passionate and sometimes irrational thoughts of twitter allows perspective however.
In trying to analyze the last few results and also the lack of attacking prowess this season I came to a couple of thoughts.
In a sense we can debate the tactical side of things till the cows come home. Whether or not you agree with Arteta’s tactics, I don’t think Arteta can be blamed entirely for the lack of creativity. After all it is the players, not him who are on the pitch making decisions when we have the ball.
Looking back at the matches so far it is important to note, we have had many moments of inspiration this year creating good opportunities only for a final pass or shot to lack conviction. They have not been often but they are there.
This shows that we are certainly capable, but just need consistency.
There are two overwhelming similarities on all of these opportunities or actions. When Arsenal create promising attacking moments they move the ball extremely quickly, and perhaps more importantly there is plenty of off the ball movement.
The off the ball movement both creates the space to receive but also creates space for team mates to exploit. Space is what allows players to attack their opponent 1 vs 1 or to create overloads, and thus lead to goal scoring possibilities.
The lack of movement is what I think needs to be addressed first. If movement becomes more frequent and space is created then fast interplay will be more common place. As our players move the ball fast when the opportunity is there.
Trouble is this hasn’t happened often enough this season.
Think of Bukayo Saka. How often have we seen the ball arrive to Bukayo and he is often left running at 2, 3 or even 4 defenders. Tomiyasu for all his defensive stability, doesn’t often overlap. This means the defending full back, winger and at times central midfielder can double or triple down on our young star.
Look at Bukayo’s goal against Newcastle. It came from him overloading the right with Emile Smith Rowe, Nuno Taveras and Sambi Lokonga. Movement created spaces. With space and runners the young gunners linked with speed of thought and passing and created the goal.
Easy. It really did look easy.
Arsenal need to get their movement back.
Presumably Arteta’s instructions are to allow license to roam in the final third. Structured build up through the defensive phase and middle third and then creative freedom in attack.
I really do want to see this more. Smart movement. ESR and Bukayo need to be working together. Overlapping not just from the LB but also the RB (with the opposing side leveling off and creating a defensive platform still).
If we take my example above of Saka receiving the ball on the right; Tomiyasu’s movement is key to creating space for our attackers. As said above his role in the defence and middle third is key tucking inside; but on attack he really does need to mix it up, even if not to get the ball every time, but to offer selfless movement to create space for his team mates.
This must be replicated all over the pitch. Movement, ball speed once movement has been engaged, and then supporting each other to link up the play.
A couple of small fixes and additions in consistency that will likely have huge effect on our end product.
There is of course many more issues that need addressing such as our centre forward link up, passing out of the back, mentality and attitude when going a goal up.
However addressing this concern will dramatically increase our goal output, and in doing so will give the players confidence that they know how to play and can do it well in all scenarios.
It is after all a lot easier to play when you have 2, 3 or 4 goal cushion rather than leading by 1 every week.
Just food for thought anyway.
Let’s see how it all pans out.
Kia Kaha everyone.
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