Kevin Whitcher
If you’d have seen this line-up in a crystal ball 12 months ahead, there would have been a few eyebrows raised. Alexis and Ospina? New signings, one definitely to excite. Bellerin and Coquelin? So Arsenal didn’t replace Sagna, and what happened to Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta? But one thing that few would have thought seeing the eleven names was that Aaron Ramsey would be playing wide attack instead of Santi Cazorla.
His hand forced by injuries, Arsene Wenger has seemingly stumbled upon what seems to be an effective Arsenal midfield unit. Ozil as the advanced playmaker, fine. That makes sense. Coquelin, ok, if one allowed for his development. But a Cazorla-Coquelin axis? Few could have foreseen that. Especially with Ramsey in the same starting eleven. However, the reason it is working is because the team are now playing a high pressing game. In contrast to the excellent performance against Manchester City, the focus on denial of space is far deeper into opposition territory. It unsettled Liverpool and it led to the goal, and other chances, against Burnley. In truth, it’s what certain better sides have done to Arsenal enough times, with success, so it may be a case of fighting fire with fire as a tactic. If you can’t beat them with stunning one-touch football, join them. Critically, the personnel in the current front three are willing to work hard, and there are plenty of candidates in reserve who should be able to harry equally well.
Behind them, Ozil, in his favoured position, does enough work to make a contribution when his team are not in possession, mainly blocking off channels or forcing quick passes rather than actually tackling, but it’s a job that needs doing. When he does get possession, the team ticks if they are making the right supporting runs. Behind him, the aforementioned Coquelin and Cazorla both work diligently and complement each other. Coquelin is not as skillful as Gilberto, but he is a more instinctive screening midfielder than any other option at the club. If he has been tied down to a new contract, this summer must be used to ensure that Arsenal have a player of similar qualities to compete for his place, or play alongside him as needs be. It has long been a weak spot and addressing it demonstrates how much more Arsenal could have achieved in recent seasons. Ironic that the player was on the books all this time, but that’s another debate.
So to Turf Moor. Certainly a performance that will not live long in the memory for aesthetic reasons, but nevertheless a highly creditable one. Burnley were very well organized, and although in the bottom three, that they have not already been cut adrift is a credit to them given their resources. They work hard, but were ultimately undone by a forced error that handed the Gunners the initiative. The misplaced pass intercepted by Coquelin was exploited to the full, with Ramsey demonstrating his finishing ability as the ball ping-ponged around the Burnley box.
Ramsey stated after the game that he would be far happier swapping places with Santi or Ozil, which is fair enough. However, the squad is stuffed with players who can play centrally, or in the case of Theo Walcott, believe they can. Aside from the latter, I am struggling to think of a natural wide player outside of the defenders. Sure, the likes of Alexis can do a fine job there, but note how often they opt to drift in rather than take the ball to the by-line and cross. A natural wide man always looks to beat his opposing full back.
The modern game though, is changing. Wingers are a slowly dying breed. Arsenal certainly indulged in a lot of tikka-takka at 1-0 up which would have had the travelling fans exasperated were the game level. Yet, with a lead, it is merely a form of clock eating. The acceptable side of means-to-an-end, result football.
Burnley inevitably had a sniff on occasions in the second half as they took a few more chances, but Arsenal held firm, with Ospina once again looking the part. Mertesacker was caught for pace badly in one incident very early, and other sides will look to isolate him. He’s a fine reader of the game and a quality defender, but there is always a worry, especially if the team are playing a high pressing game. Let’s see whether Chelsea view him as a vulnerable spot in two weeks’ time. That now is a far more significant game than it might have been, although victory for Mourinho’s side in the derby v QPR this afternoon would take the edge off it a little. One suspects Chelsea might play for a draw at Arsenal in any case, such is their comfort margin.
One thing that may need addressing before the Chelsea match is the continued tendency to overplay at the back. I know possession is king for Wenger, but there were a couple of heart in mouth moments yesterday which we could do without. Burnley passed up the chance to capitalize.
In conclusion, a hard fought, unglamorous three points. But three points that Arsenal have sometimes failed to achieve in these situations. The team is developing a winning formation - unchanged from the Liverpool game - and the only change I can foresee for the next Premier League match is the possible return of Debuchy if match fit. The title seems a distant dream, given the gap, but at least there is a buzz, and genuine signs of progress. Winning just two of the opening eight fixtures (including three home draws) ultimately created too big a mountain to climb. That’s history now, but hopefully the lessons will have been learned (with regard to having a defence ready for the campaign) and will not be repeated.
As a footnote, I watched the French League Cup Final last night. PSG hammered Bastia 4-0. Two points of interest. The referee was miked up and his words relayed to the TV audience, in the same style as rugby internationals. I hope this experiment is repeated in England as I am certain it would lead to far less dissent, as well as clarifying an official’s decisions. And Bastia’s chances went from slim to none when at 0-0 in the first half, they had a player red carded for a foul that led to a penalty and PSG’s first goal. The man dismissed? A certain Sebastien Squillaci…
I am now on Twitter@KevinWhitcher01.
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