From being a point off 4th place following the famous victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, the mood at Arsenal has changed completely. The Gunners are win-less in four Premier league games, picking up a lucky away point against Leeds United at Elland Road.
We currently sit 15th in the league table and the perfect way to describe our situation would be that of a fish trying to escape a fishing net. To get out of this mess, we need to understand why we are where we are. And no, I’m not going back to 2015 to study why Arsenal are in such a mess today; rather, I will seek to explain why we are 15th and how we can get out of here, and fast.
As simplistic as this sounds, there are 2 things that determine a football match: The goals you score and the goals you concede. You must be thinking, ‘Oh, thank you captain obvious!’ But the reason I say this is because Arsenal are doing well in one, and not so much the other.
Arsenal have the 4th best defensive record in the Premier league this season, conceding just 14 goals in 11 games. However, we are 16th in goals scored which is dicey even for a team trying to stay up in this league.
The players that fans are currently blaming are in defence and central midfield, which I think is far from the primary issue. As highlighted earlier, we defend well and play out from the back much calmer than before – for example, we had 36 final third entries against Spurs but couldn’t make the difference.
We haven’t had an open play league goal since October 4th (Gabriel Vs Wolves was from a set-piece second ball) and this has clearly had an adverse effect on the belief our front 4.
There has been a lack of movement in the front 3 in the last 4 league games. People will be very quick to criticize the midfielders for slow build-up, sideways passing, but when no one is consistently making themselves available in between the lines or making well timed runs, it makes the midfield pivot’ job that much harder. When we had Mesut Ozil playing earlier this year, for example this issue wasn’t there which further corroborates the need for that type of player to help link the play.
At this moment, we only have 1 player of that profile in Emile Smith Rowe and I believe he offers more than any player we have tried this season at #10. Play him, Arteta labelled him as an ‘incredible talent’ – let’s give him game time in the league.
We need our inventive players on either flank.Playing Nicolas Pepe is a must. His knack to make something happen from nothing and create that spark has been sorely missed in the last 2 games. The other flank can be a battle between Reiss Nelson and Bukayo Saka. I believe Saka has been overplayed and Reiss has earned himself a chance in the league after his performances in Europe.
Nelson-Smith Rowe-Pepe would arguably be our most innovative 3 to play behind the striker. We need initiative and inventiveness – these are things that cannot be coached. Without this, we are going to have more of the same – balls out-wide and hopeful crosses for 90 mins.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s form and confidence is currently at an all time low. He has been our best forward over the last couple of years and we desperately need his goals again. There are 2 schools of thought to help him return to his best:
1.Keep playing him in the hope that it clicks one game.
2.Bench him for a couple of league games so he can return with a fresh state of mind.
Personally, I’m leaning more towards 2 because he’s started every league game this season and things are not showing signs of improving.
Of course, it is far from his fault. The team is not creating chances at regular intervals. But I also think he is very low on confidence and on half chances where he normally scores or tests the keeper, he has been underwhelming. Keeping that in mind, I’d give Eddie a start up front for a couple games to see how that goes. I’d even consider Moller or Martinelli (if he’s fit) considering they are good aerially and we’re currently spamming crosses with no one being able to convert from Kieran Tierney’s beauties.
Whilst playing a few relatively inexperienced players is always a risk, desperate times call for desperate measures. We need to prioritize profiles over experience. Willian is yet to score a league goal for Arsenal and it has been over 3 months. Reiss Nelson may frustrate you on a few occasions, but he’s young and will grow from these experiences, not to mention he actually shows better signs in the last third than Willian does.
In January, we must do everything to bring a quality creator. I am hopeful that by then:
1. Aubameyang would have got back to his best.
2. Pepe continues his post sending off form.
3. A step up from a Hale-ender, whether its Smith Rowe, Saka or Nelson
You can shift as many defensive and central midfield personnel around, but our current record at the back is good and that is something you don’t want to lose too much. In certain moments, like we did in the Europa league, I wouldn’t be opposed to playing someone like Willock in central midfield, coming into the box from deeper.
Against certain sides, we can definitely commit more players forward. Freddie Ljungberg touched upon the issue we had on counter transitions and Mikel is doing everything he can to ensure it doesn’t become a basket-ball like end to end game.
With this squad, you cannot get the best of both worlds – defence and offence. A lot needs to be addressed between January and Summer, but for now, let’s try and salvage the season by attacking better and watching the young players developing. Hoping Mikel turns it around. COYG.