Kevin Whitcher
I suspect Arsène Wenger loved last night’s game. Lots of attacking football from his side, who outscored visitors Leicester to put themselves at the top of the table until someone wins by more than a goal over the weekend. And there is no question it was a thoroughly entertaining 90 minutes, confirmation of the reason neutrals often tune in to Arsenal matches.
I haven’t seen any post-match reaction, but it would be no great surprise if the manager pointed to the absence of four of his senior central defenders as a reason for a far from convincing defensive display. It was reminiscent of the match against Liverpool that kicked off last season in that respect, although at least this time, the Gunners were on the right side of a seven goal thriller.
Yet the absence of Messrs Koscielny, Mustafi (although fit enough to be on the bench?), Mertesacker and Gabriel were not the reasons for the concession of the first two goals. Individual errors by Cech, and for the second by Xhaka led to the chances Leicester converted. For the third goal, it was the old set piece weakness that saw no-one picking up Jamie Vardy from a corner. I am not convinced it was the personnel so much as the zonal marking system that was to blame here. So really, is anything going to change once everyone is available? Arsenal conceded 44 goals in 38 matches last season. You won’t win titles leaking them at that rate.
The midfield is still in need of a commanding individual who will dominate. Xhaka can play some lovely Hollywood balls when he isn’t giving away possession in his own half, and Ramsey is a decent box to box player. But defensively, forget it. Coquelin, at one time, looked like the solution there, but time has exposed him as the player who probably should have remained at Charlton. Elneny is a tidy link man who is capable of a last ditch intervention, and firing shots wildly over the bar. But the fact the manager was willing to let him go during the summer tells you all you need to know. A key defensive-minded player is needed for the shape of the team, but Arsene doesn’t do defence if he can buy an attacking player instead. I do not know if new Southampton signing Mario Lemina is the type of player required, although I am aware Ivan Gazidis wanted to buy him, based on stats, but Wenger has complete control of who the club go for, so he has ended up at St Mary’s. Hopefully another target will emerge and be secured before the end of August, because God knows, this team needs one.
Going forward, Arsenal played some good football in spells, and some rank football in others. There seemed no real consistency to this performance, no sense of control. A back three of Holding – Monreal – Kolasinac did not convince. Monreal in the centre did not feel right, although with two left footers, there seemed little choice. When Arsenal were chasing the game, Holding was hauled off, and the team switched to a nominal back four of the Ox on the right, two left-sided full backs in the centre and Hector Bellerin on the left. It was certainly different. Whether it was tactical inspiration or lunacy, it worked. Arsenal clawed back two goals to win the game.
Overall, it felt like a disjointed effort. The team is far from settled. The manager needs to have his best eleven available and play them consistently so they can establish a groove. However, one fears for the defence with such an open approach, and if Arsenal do go gung ho at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, the whole thing could unravel. The team’s confidence has seemed brittle for a long while now. Credit to them for turning the game last night around, but it really does not augur well for the much promised title challenge. New signings Lacazette and Kolasinac had mixed games, but it’s early days. There is enough evidence to suggest that both will come good.
Ultimately though, this was merely confirmation that Arsene loves his teams to go forward, often at the detriment of security at the back. So if possession is lost, they can be exposed all too easily. Oh for a Gilberto Silva. Nothing is going to change this season. Neutrals will be hugely entertained. Gooners will be delighted and frustrated in turns (as they were during the game last night). Arsenal’s priority is getting back into the top four, with its financial benefits, but as for winning trophies… well, let’s hope for a kind draw in the FA Cup.
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