For Arsenal, in particular, Unai Emery has lost his first two games as Arsenal head coach. Nonetheless, what can be gauged from these games, if anything? How can this latest game shape his views and development in the future?
Chelsea started the game very well, and Arsenal were dead in this phase.
However, a lot of kudos must be granted in this respect to Arsenal, considering how dominant Chelsea were in the opening stages. Arsenal did well to come back to level the game, but possibly came unstuck in the second half by defending too deeply.
Defensive lapses also cost the team in all three Chelsea goals, and this is evidently an area for improvement in the coming weeks and months.
Chelsea possibly warranted the win for being more clinical when it counted. The additions of Hazard and Kovacic late in the game also turned things in their favour somewhat, considering they had much possession in the second half, but couldn’t convert it to telling chances.
But akin to the City game, from an Arsenal standpoint, there are plus points to note and observe. And in fairness to Emery, many of the pundits and commentators are stating that it will take time to institute his style and rectify errors apparent under Wenger.
Goals from Pedro, Morata, and Alonso for Chelsea, and Mkhitaryan and Iwobi for Arsenal, helped create an entertaining game at Stamford Bridge.
Emery was appointed to correct the defensive and organisational deficiencies apparent in Arsenal over the past few seasons. Did we see evidence of this at the weekend’s game? And has Cech’s performance improved following the mistakes he made against Manchester City? What about the midfield and attack? Did they execute the press well?
What exactly were the positives and negatives from the game? Let us have a look.
#1 Aubameyang needs to score soon
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is a world-class forward, with a record that puts him amongst the best in Europe in recent years.
However, in this game and in the City game, he was poor. He had a glorious chance to equalise after Chelsea scored initially, and then another later in the first half.
It could be the new system, or manager, which he is adjusting though he clearly did very well in the latter part of 17/18.
Few will be panicking at the moment. But a striker of his quality needs to score, and soon. The other “mega-strikers” in the league have scored thus far, including Salah, Kane, Aguero (Community Shield), Lukaku and Vardy. Aubameyang needs to keep up, though it is very early in the season.
Perhaps, he needs to play with Lacazette, or some other attacking support, to recover his form. It’s way too early to suggest there is a deeper issue at hand here. And he did score 10 goals in 13 games in 17/18, and amidst much turmoil at the club.
#2 Arsenal’s defensive frailties still present
All of Chelsea’s goals stemmed from defensive errors.
Sokratis and Mustafi did well in large part, especially in containing Chelsea’s second-half possession domination.
Though the goals for both Pedro and Morata were due to the poor overall organisation, as much as individual errors.
This can and will improve if Emery and the players can work hard at it.
Though facing attackers of the quality of Sterling, Aguero, Hazard, etc. will be difficult for any team. This doesn’t ameliorate lapses in concentration and positioning, which were evident in the Chelsea game.
As said, this can be corrected in time, and it shows, if anything, what progress needs to be made.
#3 Emery’s style is emerging
Cech and the defence were more adept at playing from the back, certainly vis a vis the match against Manchester City.
And this in time can and will improve, if the proper attention to detail is executed.
Moreover, the midfield and defence did press more, and Emery has stated he expects his players to enhance their fitness and expend more energy.
This was not a critical point under Wenger. However, given the demands of the contemporary football, a pressing style is elemental.
We can see how well this style manifests in a few months time. But for now, it’s developing and showing some signs of advancement.
#4 Emery’s touchline presence
It’s unfair to say that Wenger never was active on the touchline. However, Emery definitely is more direct in giving instructions from this position.
At the Man City game, he was near constant at the touchline in delivering instructions. The Chelsea game was no different.
This shows a change in attitude and the attention to detail that was lacking under the latter part of Wenger’s tenure. This isn’t to knock Wenger at all.
However, it was self-evident that the team needed more guidance and structure. It looks like Emery is the man to deliver this, but patience is desirable in this case.
It will take time to implement what is desired, and cannot be a quick fix.
#5 Guendouzi can aid Arsenal’s midfield balance shift
Few had heard of Guendouzi before he joined Arsenal, and for a player who was in the French Ligue 2, he has done very well to face both City and Chelsea.
He brings a mix of good passing, tackling, and positional sense, and represents the kind of new midfield balance that Arsenal has been lacking over several seasons.
Without any melodrama, he is reminiscent of Vieira in how he plays, in that he provides a strong midfield presence. It’s apparent that this is something the club has lacked in recent seasons, and given his youth, Guendouzi can be a prospect for years to come at Arsenal.
Emery, and the football executive team of Mislintat, Sanllehi, and Fahmy, all require kudos in spotting his talent.
# 6 Maintaining intensity for as long as possible
After going down 2-0 in the opening minutes, the team did well to come back to 2-2 at half-time.
However, it begs the question that intensity levels should not be as erratic.
A consistent rate of intensity would have ensured a draw at the least.
This is something, like other points, that can be worked on. However, this was a trait apparent under latter Wenger and something that needs to be eradicated or lessened greatly at the very least.
There were many fans wondering how Arsenal could step it up so rapidly after going 2-0 down. More work on fitness and concentration levels is patently required.
#7 Context
Playing both City and Chelsea was always going to be hard.
It’s self-evident that City is far ahead of Arsenal at the moment. All the same, Emery needs to be given time amidst this context since it’s futile to assume things can be turned around instantaneously. However, there is time to improve, and context is required.
Had Arsenal played two supposed lesser teams, such as Bournemouth or Brighton, the results may have been different. Note that many of the other top six have played “easier” teams, hence their enhanced starts.
The next game for Arsenal at this point is at home to West Ham United. Old boys Wilshere and Perez may feature, but given West Ham’s issues, it could be a good time to get a win on the board.
Any histrionics or angst demonstrated at this stage, whether at the team or the manager, is surely misguided.
#8 Ideal formation to be used against West Ham
With the aforecited points in mind, this would be a viable formation for the West Ham United game:
Xhaka has no place here since his style doesn’t fit into the overall picture. He’s not a bad player, but it’s pretty much evident that he needs a different midfield structure to progress.
Guendouzi and Torreira must also combine and start, and Ramsey can add better-attacking balance in this context.
I would retain the same defence and Cech, as per the Chelsea game, since they need to be more organised and this will come into the fore with proper training and structural work.
Aubameyang needs to start, despite his poor form of late. Though it’s time for him and Lacazette to start together and combine well as we know they can.
Danny Welbeck may be a surprise, but it’s interesting to see how well he can adapt to Emery’s pressing style. He clearly has the energy and pace to complement it, and he is evidently a player who can bring goals combined with work-rate.
It’s interesting times at Arsenal, but let’s see how things progress and develop.
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