Kevin Whitcher
Firstly, a word about the policing at yesterday evening’s match. I saw at least two large groups of Napoli fans walking from the direction of Arsenal tube station to the stadium singing and chanting loudly without any police accompaniment of any description. Similar evidently occurred on the Holloway Road side of the stadium with the consequence of the attack on the Piebury Corner shop and its customers. Whoever was in charge of yesterday’s policing operation should be relieved of their duties as far as football matches are concerned. When German fans come over, there are usually significant measures taken to ensure there is no trouble. Why not Italians? One thing’s for sure. There will be trouble at the return fixture, and I, for one, am relieved I will not be travelling, much as Naples is a fantastic place to visit under normal circumstances.
Onto the football, and an incredible display by Arsenal. This game was a confirmation that things have changed this campaign, with no argument about the opposition not being of the quality to give Wenger’s team a serious examination. Granted, they were without Higuain, but the Gunners were short of two normal starters in Cazorla and Walcott.
I think we are seeing a different Arsenal even from that which finished last season unbeaten after the Bayern and Spurs defeats. There were a few skin of the teeth wins as the team put together a run that ended up with the fourth place spot, and a lot of nervy moments near the conclusion of matches. This season, the matches have seen a far more composed side, able to deal with danger in a more controlled and disciplined way.
With the selection of Arteta and Rosicky ahead of Wilshere and Gnabry, I was interested to see how the formation would look. In truth, I never got to grips with it, and neither did Napoli. Would Ramsey play his normal game as a deeper midfielder, or use the presence of Arteta to play more forward? If he did, who would be the player behind Giroud out of himself, Ozil and Rosicky? Because the players consistently switched positions, it was impossible to say. I’d have to have a look at the heatmaps for the players in this game, but Ramsey was everywhere, one minute covering Kieran Gibbs – as if the scouting had revealed a specific danger on that flank, the next doing Theo Walcott’s job attacking down the right wing. An incredible display, and he was not alone. Both Arteta and Flamini were hugely influential in Arsenal’s keeping a tight lid on Napoli’s threat, restricting them to speculative shots from outside the area.
Wenger’s team defended brilliantly at the top level of football, as if the lessons of that home defeat to Bayern Munich have been taken on board and the tactics adapted. The only real weakness was Rosicky, although on his first game back from injury, no great surprise. Jack Wilshere could certainly benefit from a rest, and with the Italians consistently guilty of niggly fouls that the referee failed to spot, perhaps it was as well he was not on the pitch. Giroud took a lot of punishment, but Arteta even more. It was interesting that Flamini was not so targeted. You could almost equate it with the Napoli fans electing to attack Piebury Corner restaurant rather than The George pub.
The goals were superbly fashioned and taken. Ozil’s first for the club a thing of sublime beauty. Subsequently, the home team simply worked hard to prevent any hint of a comeback. In terms of cancelling out the opposition, the midfield trio of Flamini, Arteta and Ramsey does look like the best choice for the more testing matches. Wenger is obviously comfortable with sacrificing an element of the flair provided by Wilshere when required. In the light of last night’s performance, and indeed the contribution of Gnabry before, a valid question is whether Theo Walcott’s return would actually have a negative impact on the team, because the movement across the line provided by the wide players in his absence has been less predictable and more effective, if only because the players concerned look better in possession. I have always considered Walcott best as an impact sub, and currently, I think this is how he should be used. It’s not a problem the manager will have to worry about for a while anyway, but nevertheless, a good one to have.
Naturally, the run of wins has raised confidence and expectations about the team. And this is of course the feeling that we, as supporters, do want. Whether Arsene Wenger is doing anything different this season is one for the debate, but this viewer sees a different approach on the field, symbolized by the barking, gesticulating and hectoring provided by Mathieu Flamini, so credit to the manager for recognizing something of that style was desperately missing. Perhaps that opening day defeat may have been the best thing that could have happened in terms of the whole season. That sense of complacency has not been seen since.
Arsenal fans are like bridesmaids that have been jilted at the altar more than once. They can see the bright future, but are all too well aware that things do not always work out as planned. It is too early for many to really start believing for the simple reason they don’t want to experience the same feeling of let-down again. However, there is no question the team is playing better this campaign than they have since, well, probably Flamini’s previous season at the club. Long may it continue.
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