Kevin Whitcher
The usual five talking points ahead today’s Premier League match at home to Brighton.
A better idea of the Freddie effect
It would be churlish to be critical of Arsenal’s interim head coach after the display at Norwich, which saw familiar defensive frailties. In fairness, the team started the game well, and then came back twice after going behind. It was progress, even if it wasn’t a win. Ljungberg had a solitary session with the team before that game. Assuming they had Monday off, he’ll have had three more in preparation for this evening. Not a long time to be sure, but he alluded to the fact that he was aware of what needed working on in the post-match interviews at Carrow Road. And this in itself was refreshing after the evasive / bland answers Unai Emery used to trot out. Let’s see if there is any discernable change in the solidity of the team this evening.
Time for Torreira?
Lucas Torreira came on after 70 minutes on Sunday and for me, was the most obvious example of what a change in manager can do. It seemed like he was doing everything to convince Freddie to start him, fed up of watching matches from the subs’ bench. The reality is that, short of moving David Luiz or Calum Chambers into central midfield, the quality of the club’s defensive midfielder options aren’t great. Xhaka and Guendouzi sadly don’t cut it, in terms of decision making and discipline. Torreira has played more than capably there for Uruguay, and one assumes Sampdoria. He has to be given a run in the side under orders to shut up shop and protect the central defenders behind him. We’ve seen he can do gung ho under instruction and join the forward line, but the team right now need to focus on stopping the concession of cheap goals. So for a while, let’s see Lucas start matches, and hold a position.
Another Thursday evening count the crowd?
The combination of last week’s home defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt, and the reality that less than 20,000 turned up to watch it forced the board’s hand, and there is a view that the decision to part ways with Unai Emery was actually made after the home draw with Southampton. We’ll definitely see a bigger attendance this evening, no question about that. But let’s get realistic here. Granted, Emery’s gone, but the buzz about Freddie has definitely been hampered a bit by Sunday’s result. It’s a Thursday evening, synonymous with stayaways for the Europa League, and it’s December. I have no clue how many season ticket holders have Amazon Prime and can watch it there. On that note, if you want to catch tonight’s game and Bournemouth away on Boxing Day, and do not have Amazon Prime, sign up for a free 30 day trial here, then cancel before 30 days are up (end of December is fine) and you won’t be charged a penny. As for the physical attendance this evening, I’m predicting 40,000. People are just in the habit of not going on Thursday evenings I am afraid, new face in the dugout or not. Nowhere near as eerie as a week ago though.
Stick or twist with the starting selection?
I’ve already put the case forward for Lucas Torreira, but Freddie will have had a look at his players on Sunday and made note. I expect to see some changes. Bellerin (if now fit again) and Tierney in. If Holding is fit, I expect to see him also, otherwise it will be Sokratis. So Chambers, Kolasinac and Mustafi out. In midfield, I suspect Guendouzi and Willock could step down to make room for Torreira, with an extra attacker coming in – specifically Pepe. We are at home here folks. Ozil to drop back into the number 10 position, so a 4-2-1-3 formation. There certainly have to be changes in defence after the two goals conceded last weekend. Hopefully Bernd Leno will not be so busy tonight.
Arsenal have to start winning again
So we all know that the festive period looks challenging to say the least, although at least the Gunners will be at home v Man City, Chelsea and Man Utd. Trips to Everton will surely see Arsenal facing a new manager and Bournemouth on Boxing Day could go either way. The team need some momentum and after eight games since a win in all competitions, the next three provide some kind of chance to get back to winning ways. Tonight, followed by trips to West Ham and Liege provide that opportunity. Fortunately, the teams around and above Arsenal have been dropping points as well, so the half decent start to the season means that at least the club are still in contention. But fail to win this evening and we might as well put all our eggs in the Europa League basket. Because if the team cannot beat Brighton at home, then by the end of New Year’s Day they will be permanently ensconced in mid-table. Shades of the mid-70s and early 80s here. How low can Arsenal go?
Conclusion
Can this team keep a clean sheet? Can they stop handicapping themselves with abject defending? How much can Freddie do with three training sessions and the personnel he has to work with? I have to go for a home win – through a mix of the law of averages and desperation. But no clean sheet. I’d 100% back more than 2.5 goals for this one, because I am sure Brighton will score, and have to believe that Arsenal will win. The alternative really doesn’t bear thinking about…
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Watch Arsenal’s two December matches on Amazon Prime Video for free!
Amazon are streaming 20 live Premier League matches in December, including Arsenal v Brighton on December 5th and Bournemouth v Arsenal on Boxing Day. You can sign up for a free 30 day trial of Amazon’s Prime service, and then decide at the end of it whether you wish to continue with it on a paid for basis (£7.99 a month).
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