Frustrating Arsenal Back To Old Habits

Frustration and disappointment are the two overriding emotions flowing through my mind on the back of Arsenal’s first defeat of the season yesterday, at the hands of Chelsea. In truth we were up against a well-prepared and decent side that dictated large portions of the game, and probably deserved the three points (as much as that pains me to say). But both of the goals we conceded in the 2-1 defeat at the Emirates Stadium were clearly avoidable, and pointed towards certain old habits that have haunted us in the past.

Pre and post match debate has largely revolved around Arsene Wenger’s decision to “rest” last weekends MOTM Per Mertesacker, recalling captain Thomas Vermaelen to start alongside Laurent Koscielny at centre back. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but this was a call that just didn’t pay off as both players were at fault for the goals conceded and didn’t look comfortable playing alongside eachother. Vermaelen sloppily gave away the two free kicks in identically dangerous positions that led to the goals, and Koscielny allowed Fernando Torres to beat him to the ball for the first, and helped the ball past a tentative Vito Mannone into the net for the second.

Kos aids Chelsea's second.

I said last week that Mertesacker should be first choice centre back in the team, and yesterday further enhanced that view as his organisation and general presence was greatly missed, and our back line looked a totally different outfit from what we’ve seen so far this season. It was a return to the dodgy, unpredictable and error ridden defending that we’ve been lambasted for in the past, and added fuel to the view that Vermaelen and Koscielny is a partnership that just doesn’t work. Injuries aside, it might be one that we now don’t see again for a while.

With little to write home about defensively, aside from further improvement from Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs, errors were also prominent further up the pitch. Having smacked both Southampton and Coventry respectively for six in our previous two home fixtures, the front unit left their goal scoring boots at home this time with another depressingly familiar case of glorious missed chances costing us points.

Gervinho scored impressively just before half time and although it was good to see him get involved, it was another unsatisfying display from a player who is capable of moments of magic, but by large is more resembling of a headless chicken. At least he’s scoring though, and you can’t fault his effort even if his execution is often amiss.

Further chances weren’t scarce either, as Santi Cazorla had several opportunities but failed to trouble Petr Cech and often shot when passing seemed a better option. Lukas Podolski was exceptionally quiet again, but did force Cech into a good late save with a placed header. And despite getting off the mark on Wednesday night, Olivier Giroud wasted what was Arsenal’s final and best chance at an equaliser having rounded Cech only to blast into the side netting.

Wenger's reaction to the late Giroud miss - who says he doesn't care?

Tough to take for the fans and Manager alike, and a nasty reminder of what happens when you play against top sides yet fail to put your opportunities away. Elsewhere, Abou Diaby went off injured early on and is now out for three weeks unfortunately. His replacement Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a solid outing, and I was impressed with Aaron Ramsey in the first half before he dipped a bit in the second and was eventually replaced. Mikel Arteta struggled a touch as Chelsea pressed him pretty well, and we’ve seen a lot better from both Cazorla and Podolski previously this season.

All in all it was a painful afternoon to take, but you have to commend Chelsea on their well thought out game plan. They weren’t brilliant themselves, but I’m sure they’ll get over that quite quickly and celebrate the three points they earned that on another day could quite easily have been ours.

There was some doom and gloom post match, which was total overreaction if you ask me. We have been progressing nicely, but if you believed that we would do this again this season then you’re either insanely optimistic, or a little bit deluded. It’s just obviously annoying that the unbeaten run came to an end so early in the season and against that lot, but it now presents us with an opportunity to show a great amount of team spirit and mental strength in bouncing back from this setback, which starts on Wednesday night when we host Olympiacos in the Champions League.

More goals will come from Giroud, now he's off the mark.

I think we can expect a few changes for that game, certainly with Mertesacker coming back in, and I’d be surprised if Wenger didn’t give Giroud, Theo Walcott and Andrey Arshavin some serious game time after they impressed against Coventry last week. Then we travel to Upton Park on Saturday in a game that would be very ideal to win ahead of a two week International break.

Worth remembering that it’s a long old season, and we can only hope that days such as yesterday don’t occur too frequently. Plus with Jack Wilshere playing his first competitive football for 12 months on Monday, and with Bacary Sagna and Tomas Rosicky not too far behind there’s still plenty of reason for cheer and optimism for the future.

But in the here and now, the prime focus must be eradicating the errors that crept their way back into our game and ensuring those old habits stay away. And let’s hope for a positive and confident response from the players on Wednesday.

Follow me on twitter: @mattlittlechild

Deserved Point | Per-fection | Things Are Looking Good

Firstly, let’s have some context.

Manchester City are the English Premier League Champions, and before the game today had a home record in the League that read 31 played, 29 won and two drawn. No defeats at the Etihad Stadium in that period, the last being against Everton back in December 2010. They’re a billion pound team, funded by the oil rich Abu Dhabi United Group with various connections of economic value, which makes them almost unmatchable in today’s transfer market.

Yet here we sit, after Arsenal’s earlier visit to the home of the club described above, and I don’t think I’ll be alone in saying that I felt we could have come away from the game with more than just a point.

Don’t get me wrong, it was a fantastic point. One that if we were offered beforehand, I would’ve snatched it from you before you could blink. But it says a lot about how much we’ve improved, and how well the current squad are playing, that we sit here slightly disappointed about only getting a point at Eastlands. Because for the majority of the game today, we were a lot better than the defending Champions.

For the first 30 minutes we were the only team playing football. Gervinho wasted a great one-on-one chance with a heavy touch having been played through by Aaron Ramsey, and Santi Cazorla twice tested Joe Hart with long-range efforts.

The passing and build up play was exceptional, but there was a growing feeling that as long as we didn’t capitalise on the chances and possession, the more it was likely we’d find ourselves behind. And five minutes before half time, that’s what happened. David Silva’s corner was headed home by Joleon Lescott, with Don Vito Mannone creeping off his line, and City went into the break 1-0 up with their tails wagging.

But there was always a sense that this Arsenal team wouldn’t back down, whereas in previous years we might have. Cazorla and Ramsey were instrumental in driving Arsenal forward, with the former forcing a stunning save from Hart deep in the second half. From the resulting corner, the ball fell to Laurent Koscielny who smashed it home and Arsenal had their well-deserved goal.

Ooo I wanna dance with Koscielny!

Gervinho had a chance to win it, but blazed it high and wide after some nifty work from the Ivorian, and despite Koscielny almost suiciding our lead in the final moments the game ended with the spoils shared.

Once again, it was a game where the positives vastly outweighed the negatives, with our unbeaten start to the season continuing. The ease in which we passed the ball around Man City was a joy to behold, and the continued brilliance of Cazorla arguably makes us the most attractive side to watch in the League this season. Even Jamie Redknapp comically said “you’d pay to watch Arsenal’s midfield”, slightly failing to understand the mechanics behind viewing professional football, but clearly emphasising the quality that they possess.

Aaron Ramsey’s selection raised a few eyebrows pre-match, but having been thoroughly impressed with his substitute appearances so far this season, I was delighted for him to get the nod, and he didn’t let anyone down with a workman like and creative performance. Reminiscent of his fine form before his horrific injury, and no doubt playing alongside Cazorla will bring the best out of the Welsh captain, whose previous fine form was aided by his connection with another Spaniard who now resides in Barcelona.

Another fine display from Carl Jenkinson.

Defensively we were again outstanding. Carl Jenkinson is getting better every week, and his performance levels are so abundantly higher than what they were this time last year. He’s living the dream playing for the club that he loves, and was unlucky not to be named Man Of The Match, but arguing against Per Mertesacker getting the gong would take some doing.

It’s amazing how many people doubt the credentials of our Big Fucking German. Those who write him off due to his “lack of pace” are moronic beyond belief, as I can’t think of many defenders in the League with a better understanding and reading of the game. Koscielny partnered him due to the absence of captain Thomas Vermaelen, missing with a virus, and Kos’ quality showing gives Arsene Wenger a wonderful selection headache. One that we’ve dreamed of having at the back for years.

For me, Mertesacker has to start every game (assuming complete fitness). At times last year we saw that Kos and TV5 didn’t work too well together, but I think the BFG compliments them both and as such is the first name on the sheet defensively. It’s hard to leave any of the three out, but that’s why Wenger earns his big bucks. It’s his problem, and as I said it’s a problem we’ve been longing for. It’s clear that Steve Bould’s influence is having a prolonged positive effect on the back unit, and let’s hope it lasts.

Further up the pitch, and stand in captain Mikel Arteta had another controlled game, but there were questions over Abou Diaby and Gervinho, both of whom we’ve seen better from in recent weeks. Lukas Podolski was quieter than expected and eventually replaced by Theo Walcott, with Olivier Giroud and Francis Coquelin also getting some game time without setting the world alight.

Overall, a very impressive display and a real show of mental strength to come back from 1-0 down at the home of the Champions, especially when you consider the fine home form they have as I outlined earlier. One look at the players celebrating that unfolded with Koscielny’s equaliser shows you exactly what we’ve got; a squad of professionals all willing to play for each other and the badge on the shirt, with no overinflated egos and no “reliance” on any one individual.

Celebrating the equaliser like a true squad.

And that, I believe, is the explanation that supports our fine start to the season. We’ve successfully negotiated three difficult away trips to Stoke, Liverpool and now Man City without defeat, and the foundations have been laid to go on and achieve bigger and better.

Next up in the League we host Chelsea, who despite topping the League haven’t been overly convincing in their early fixtures, making it a winnable fixture if the squad maintain a similar attitude to what we’ve witnessed so far this campaign.

Before then we play Coventry City in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday, where we can expect to rest some of the first team players legs and give a chance to the fringe and younger players knocking on the door. This includes the likes of Johan Djourou, Andre Santos, Andrey Arshavin and Maourane Chamakh who have all barely been involved in first team duties to date. Plus hopefully some minutes for promising youngsters like Serge Gnabry, Thomas Eisfeld and Craig Eastmond who have all impressed in Terry Burton’s Under 21s side.

We have a decent looking squad, so it’s important to ensure the reserve players are as fresh as possible. There will be a time when the likes of the above are called upon to replace injured, suspended or fatigued players, so it’s a good opportunity to see what they can do as it’ll be a rare opportunity outside of the training ground for them to make an account for a starting birth.

Until then we can celebrate another fine result today and head into the working week with our heads held high. Things are looking good, and long may that continue.

Follow me on twitter: @mattlittlechild

Up And Gunning | What A Difference A-bou Makes

Finally, we’re up and running. And just how good does it feel!

After two disappointing goalless draws to get the season underway, it was third time lucky as The Arsenal breezed aside a fairly lacklustre Liverpool side, to take away all three points from Anfield. And despite some shaky early moments with some suspect passing at the back, we never really looked in any trouble.

Especially not after we took the lead just after the half hour mark, with Lukas Podolski grabbing his first for the club. It all came from a Steven Gerrard fuck up, that prompted Santi Cazorla to attack the Liverpool back four at pace before sliding Podolski in who finished coolly into the far corner.

Goal scorers Cazorla and Podolski celebrate our first.

The same two then linked up again for Arsenal’s second, with just over 20 minutes to go. Cazorla played a one-two with Podolski just outside the Liverpool area, and the little Spaniard drilled it home from a tight angle just in front of the travelling away fans, with the help of a horrendous piece of goalkeeping from Pepe Reina to get his Arsenal account underway too.

Despite some late Liverpool pressure, 2-0 it remained to provide us with our first win of the season, and yet another clean sheet that will no doubt delight Arsene Wenger, Steve Bould and co.

It was a very mature performance from the back five, despite the aforementioned suicidal passing, with Vito Mannone again looking comfortable between the sticks. And although Per Mertesacker picked up an early yellow card he was outstanding in handling Luis Suarez, who persisted in spending most of the match on the floor, like the diving little racist that he is. It was good to see Laurent Koscielny get on the pitch too, albeit for only a few minutes at the end. Given the fantastic defensive start we’ve had to the season, it’s going to be very interesting to see how all three of our main centre backs are used.

The midfield trio of Mikel Arteta, Abou Diaby and Cazorla are becoming a better unit game by game, and there were clear signs of further progression today. Arteta’s coordination and execution as a holding midfielder are exemplary, as he again bridged the gap between defence and midfield with total aplomb. With every new game this season, it’s becoming apparent why Wenger decided against buying a new “DM” given the brilliant job Arteta is doing. I still have serious concerns as to how we’d fare should he get injured, but that’s a thought that shall remain grounded in the hope that such an event does not happen.

But even though Arteta was impressive as always, and also not forgetting the essential contribution Cazorla provided, the day belonged to one Vassiriki Abou Diaby. It was the game of his life, with a powerful and confident display that was simply magical to watch. He has his doubters, but this is a player who Wenger rates extremely highly, and after today it’s not hard to see why. He’s set a very high standard for himself to maintain, but it’s clear he has the quality necessary to make it at the highest level, and if he keeps fit and gets more game time it’s not far-fetched to imagine further improvement. Let’s hope so anyway.

Diaby put Gerrard and co to the sword.

Up top there was again no Theo Walcott, who didn’t even get off the bench. This furthers speculation that maybe not all is rosy between Walcott and Wenger, and the less he plays the more it’s likely to believe that he could be heading for a January exit. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started in his place, yet didn’t quite have the impact he would’ve hoped for. His potential is obvious though, and you are always going to get inconsistencies with youngsters as they break through. His time will come though, and it’s certainly no reason to be disheartened.

Podolski had his best game yet, often dropping deeper as we’ve seen a lot in the first couple of games, and his link up play with Kieran Gibbs on the left was particularly impressive, as well as his telepathic understanding with Cazorla. Olivier Giroud again failed to score despite having a couple of good chances, but his movement and work rate was admirable. I’m sure once he gets off the mark he’ll be fine, but he definitely doesn’t look too confident right now, as he continues to adapt. Gibbs yelling in his face after his first half miss probably didn’t help that too much either, as nice as it was to see some burning passion from our young left back.

After the Armageddon like reaction to our lack of transfer activity on Deadline Day, it’s refreshing to sit here and be able to write about something positive after today’s win. Although I was hopeful there would be a couple of further additions to the squad, I can understand why Wenger opted against it. Especially in defence and midfield, where our depth is more apparent than most are giving us credit for.

Tomas Rosicky and Jack Wilshere are both reportedly back after the International break, and whilst it would be unfair to place too much on them both too soon (especially Jack), it will be fantastic to have them both back in the mix. Plus, it will create fiercer competition for places in the starting eleven; ensuring complacencies we’ve often seen from players in the past don’t have to be tolerated.

Returning duo?

My main concern is up front, as we’re only a couple of injuries away from relying on Andrei Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh, which would hardly be the most comforting of situations. But let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. That we keep a fit and competitive squad, and see where they can take us. Only then would it be fair to judge the side and, more importantly, Wenger.

The away support for the team was again fantastic today, and completely drowned out what would have otherwise been silence given the poor reception the Liverpool faithful provided for their own. Liverpool did a damn good job in abiding to their ridiculous new slogan, “We Come Not To Play”, as that’s exactly what happened today, and there doesn't appear to be much improvement to their side after a disappointing last League campaign.

But still credit to our boys for going to Anfield and getting the job done in impressive style. We’re now up and ‘Gunning’, so let’s use this win as a platform to build around and no doubt future positive results will follow.

Follow me on twitter: @mattlittlechild