Kevin Whitcher
I received a text from regular reader Pete Mountford at 27 minutes into yesterday evening’s game. “Whoever kidnapped the real Walcott please keep him”. Two goals up, both scored by the number 14, are we seeing the occasionally sighted flash in the pan Theo, or has there been a change in the player’s ability to deliver consistently after over ten years of waiting? Time will tell.
Two changes from the team that took Chelsea apart at the weekend. Coquelin’s injury meant Granit Xhaka was able to play against his brother for the second time in four months, whilst David Ospina looks set to continue getting his game time in the Champions League.
As against Chelsea, Wenger’s side began the game with real intensity and established the early lead. The passing and movement was a joy to behold, the belief running through the side palpable. One wonders if the absence of Giroud from the starting line up is the reason for the turnaround in the authority of the side that we have seen since the draw in Paris. Arsene Wenger is continuing with Sanchez as his main forward, and the Chilean should certainly have added to his recent goal tally last night as the opportunities flowed.
Because Sanchez moves at pace and with intelligence, central defenders find it harder to keep tracks on him, and his combinations with his team-mates are more difficult to prevent. Giroud does take up intelligent positions, and can play in a similar fashion in terms of his movement around the pitch (although he will not drop as deep as Sanchez), but he is obviously far less zippy, and thus easier to counter. Giroud has effectively become a plan B, the big man to throw on if defences are proving too hard to unlock and the percentage game of crossing balls into the danger area is required.
The other change is that, to these eyes, there seems to be more forward passing, as opposed to sideways. Players are making more sprints into the box whereas before they would seek to take up positions that ensured they were an option to retain possession. It all felt a bit more considered with Giroud in the side. Because Sanchez is more mobile and better at the intricate play that Giroud, moves to unlock stubborn defences seems to be coming off more and believing that they will receive the ball, colleagues are getting into danger areas to get on the end of passes with more frequency. The purchase of Lucas Perez, as opposed to a more traditional type on number 9, is further confirmation that Wenger has considered the problem of breaking down massed ranks, and settled on this solution. If so, fair play to the old dog for adapting his tactics.
Arsenal dominated a match with tons of chances. On another day, their profligacy might have cost, but last night was a game when they could afford to get away with the inability to increase the two goal lead they established early. Both goals were the result of excellent build up. In such an open game, Basel did carve out a few chances of their own, but nowhere near as many as the home team.
After the interval, the Gunners took their foot off the gas and played with less intensity, although chances were still created. Mohammed Elneny came on to face his former club and covered a lot of territory, playing in Ozil’s position as the German was moved wide.
There is no question that after a patchy start to the campaign, that Arsenal have started to find their groove. Maybe it just took time to get used to playing with Alexis as the central striker, but if so it’s certainly working now. Defensively, since the horrorshow against Liverpool, things have generally tightened up, albeit with a large slice of fortune in Paris. Mustafi has settled in and looks a good buy so far, quietly authoritative.
So things are looking promising, although we all know that’s not the first time we have felt optimistic at this stage of the season when the team is performing well. The real question is whether or not injuries can be avoided, and if they cannot how well the replacements slot in. It’s a long season, and the past has taught us that we really cannot predict with any confidence that the club will be in contention at the business end until chocolate eggs have been eaten in quantity.
Even so, the football played last weekend and last night has been hugely entertaining to watch, and devastatingly effective. Let’s hope for more of the same at the weekend against Burnley.
Ian Wright Signed Autobiography competition winners
The winners of the competition we ran on Monday are as follows –
Robert Main (Pinner), Liz Prowse (Worcester) and Angela Smith (Leyland)
You will be sent your prizes direct from the publisher. Well done and thanks to all that entered.
The current issue of The Gooner will be on sale at the away match v Burnley. Buyers at the ground also get a free A2 size poster of Alexis Sanchez. The issue can also be bought online here. (Issue 261 has been delayed until the game against Swansea due to the rain affecting sales at the Southampton match.)
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