Adam Keys
While it was only our first win of the season, the performance yesterday was fantastic, the kind we’ve been craving for a number of seasons; disciplined, clinical and business like, whilst still playing the kind of football we are so fond of.
This time 12 months ago we had conceded 10 goals, and only picked up one point, everyone was writing Wenger off and we were facing an uncertain future. This time around we are yet to concede a goal and we’ve picked up 5 points, things aren’t really looking that bad for a club in crisis according to some pessimistic, anti-Arsenal pundits.
The main difference this season is the way we defend, we have started playing and defending as a team. Everyone is contributing and carrying out their responsibilities, rather than relying on team mates to carry out individual roles.
We’ve lost the last of our stars and now have a team of talented players without big names and the ego that comes along with their status. This means everyone has to step up and play their part, both defensively and going forward. Steve Bould’s influence has been widely praised by a number of players and you can see why, we look more organized, which in turn leads to more confidence.
Man of the match, Abou Diaby was exceptional, winning everything in the middle of the park, showing neat footwork to get out of tight situations, giving the ball accurately to team mates and making those surging runs through the middle that put the fear of God into defenders. If Diaby can stay fit this season the sale of Alex Song will not be heavily felt, especially when/if Wilshire ever gets back to full fitness. However this is a massive ask for a player who normally only stays fit for around for four or five games at a time. Like Song, Diaby is not a conventional holding midfielder, he loves to push forward, so it is essential that he plays alongside another disciplined midfielder who knows his job and does not lose concentration and drift forward as the game goes on.
This is where Arteta comes in, he was exactly that player at Anfield, sitting in front of the back four, shielding them and giving the ball accurately to his team mates to start an attack. The Spaniard has always had a terrific work rate and has never been scared to put in a tackle, but now playing in a more defensive position we could see the best of him. Arteta is not a creative midfielder like Fabregas or Carzola, but much more a typical central midfielder who can play with the ball at his feet. With him playing in the holding role, we have a player who can start a move off with simple, accurate passing whilst also staying disciplined enough not to push too far forward that he will leave the defence exposed. His passing accuracy is as good as anyone, so he will not give the ball away stupidly in the way a less gifted, more defensive player may do. At 30, our vice captain is not short of experience, he plays until the final whistle, so it’s extremely unlikely you’ll see him switch off towards the end of the game the way younger players tend to do. Most players that are successful in the holding role are approaching the latter years of their career, as experience is crucial.
As for the final link to the midfield trio, our new maestro, Santi Carzola, do I really need to say anything? A goal and an assist, he tired a little in the second half, but when this guy settles into the pace of the Prem he is going to be one of the best players in the league and one of Wenger’s best signings for a long time.
Going forward, Theo Walcott should take a long hard look at Lukas Podolski, the man worked his socks off, offering Gibbs protection the whole way through the game and winning a number of tackles at the back. While he is not the most exciting player to watch he is extremely effective in that left wing position as he tracks back and his final ball is accurate.
The partnership of the two new boys, Carzola and Podolski was another highlight of the game, with them linking well for both goals and both providing powerful finishes. The understanding between the pair will only improve as they play more games and we could have a very exciting strike force on our hands, we are only three games in after all.
Championships are won over the course of the season, and we have a long hard campaign ahead of us, probably the most competitive to date with every team, other than Tottenham, strengthening very wisely. A well organized defense is key to a successful season and if we can iron out the mistakes at the back we can certainly have a very positive campaign. Whether we can challenge for all four trophies remains to be seen, but things are not looking so bad after all, we do have the best defensive record in the league after three games!
