Another day, another step closer to Christmas time. That joyous time of year. Particularly so in my house hold, with kids trying to behave as polite as can be in the hope of a day filled with presents and fun! On top of all the countless preparations, mowing lawns, cleaning and the massive rush before finishing up work for the year, Arsenal have a big schedule. West Ham this weekend. A massive 6 pointer.
And to add the cherry on the cake I have given myself the time consuming job (I should probably call it a journey though) to write 31 Arsenal related blogs in December. In all seriousness though I am truly loving honing my craft, and trying to bring information, thoughts and discussion to as many people as I possibly can.
In saying that if you have had the chance to follow along so far to my journey, please leave me a comment below. I’d love to know which of you out there I can personally thank for giving me the time of day.
On to my thoughts ahead of the game vs West Ham. I was super pleased with large aspects of our performance against Southampton – as discussed in my previous post here (have a read if you haven’t already).
Let’s however talk about our pressing. As both a form of defence and attack. It’s what Liverpool and City do best. Klopp and Pep both hardly allow the opposition to have the ball. It is possibly the area that we have the biggest gap to catch up to the big clubs.
Fairly simple science really. If the opposition doesn’t have the ball they can’t score. Done in most part by passing the ball well; however the faster you win the ball back upon losing it in the first place the less possession the opposing team will have to cause problems.
Let’s not forget also. If the ball is won high up the pitch with the opposition not set defensively, we are not just keeping our own net safe but also increasing the amount of high quality chances we get and hopefully goals we score.
City, Liverpool and the old Barca teams often work on a 10 second pressing system after losing the ball. Idea is to press hard and fast as soon as the ball is lost and if played through to regroup underneath the ball to then look for the next pressing opportunity. They obviously use an opposition set piece (ie goal kick, throw in, free kick etc) in the same scenario.
Back to Arsenal, and judging off Mikel Arteta’s press conferences and his passionate arm gestures and shouting on the sideline, this is exactly how he wants his young Arsenal team to play.
The key point there being “young.” Arsenal have an average age this season of 24.1. They don’t seem to yet have the mental capacity to fully cope with this system. They are trying, and trying well I must say. We press better with Odegaard on the field. Apparently the man is a real leader and doesn’t shut up all game. Constantly bringing his team mates forward, which is exactly what we need if only also to add more of this.
Arteta probably needs this side to gain a little more confidence in themselves and possibly a new striker before we are ready to step up a level. Someone with not just a little more intensity on the press but also more purpose. Pressing has to be done with purpose.
An old striker of ours would fit this system perfectly by the way. Think about it.
I’ll give you a minute.
Alexis Sanchez. Honestly how good would that be. I can imagine it. He would also fit well as a player who can link up, create for himself, run in behind or come short. Anyway let’s not get caught up in a fairy tale.
Back to the present and of late we have Lacazette or Aubameyang leading the line. Unfortunately for both they just really aren’t cut out for it anymore. Auba half the time looks as if he lacks the purpose as mentioned above; whilst Lacazette doesn’t have the mobility he used to.
Small steps though small steps.
To be fair though I thought the Southampton game was slightly better. So onward and upward. Who contributes most to the press is up for debate. I’m not talking about stats by the way. I’m talking about as a footballer who is respected by their peers, who is the one driving everyone else on ensuring the team is not there for the taking.
Odegaard? Martinelli? Saka? ESR? Auba?
A few options, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.
At least I hope there are multiple players learning this skill. I really do. There is nothing else more motivating in this world than seeing your mate putting the hard yards in and thinking you can do the same. To be successful with your mate, but also to ensure you are not the only one letting team down.
It is real. It is the reason why Arsenal need these young leaders to develop and nurture these skills. As soon as that happens we will see Arsenal back at the top.
I said it earlier in the week. We are improving. I’m happy to have faith with where we are right now.
Are you?
Kia Kaha.
