A snapshot of Arsenal (Positives Needs & Hopes) [IPS 0-4 ARS]

‘A snapshot of Arsenal’

An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective

You meet a stranger. A football loving stranger. In a pub in Cornwall with a thatched roof and a beautiful beer garden. A pub that somebody reading this is going to buy for me one day. I speak it into existence. Skelly’s mum said that he does this kind of spiritual voodoo. Maybe Myles will buy me a pub? Or maybe you will due to your gratitude for my writing silly Arsenal blogs. A totally fair trade.

Conversation quickly turns to Arsenal. They state that they are too consumed with their South American club and haven’t watched Arsenal in years. They ask for an idea of “what my team looks like these days?”

I have my laptop with me and so I start to show them Ipswich v Arsenal. They ask why this game? I tell them that it is a good snapshot of Arsenal as a whole. Flaws, habits and successes. As the game starts I point out that Arsenal are establishing control. That Arteta calls it ‘domination.’ We are exhibiting the fluid version of our control as we play with more rhythm and fewer touches. A habit we are trying to create and improve upon. They notice after 15 minutes that we are quite creative and dangerous at corners but perhaps a little too predictable. A successful and perhaps, a flaw.

They become passionate when observing that we look ‘inevitable’ but are also wasteful in and around the box. They then ask which category this falls in. I respond by stating that we are only inevitable on occasion and Ipswich have lost hope which is the largest contributor to their observation. I tell them that the wastefulness is one of our biggest flaws. I explain that our wingers frequently beat their full back but the issue is that those in the box don’t make themselves as available and obvious as they do outside the box. They ask why we are so good outside but struggle inside the box. I explain that part is just the numbers and their low block. That’s fair. It’s also fair to point out that we are not deceptive or determined enough. It’s observed that we are complicating it. Taking a touch in the box when not necessary. I start jumping out of my seat in agreement as it’s been my soapbox for a while. I point out that it’s on the top of the box, also. I state that our players aren’t passing the ball in a way that would encourage a shot. That they are too used to ‘pinging’ the ball at each other. I carry on by talking about the box problem. That our fans are frustrated by this because they remember Van Persie and Giroud who played on less successful teams but had both deceptive movement and more determination. My rant continues as although we don’t have players that find this natural, it should be taught and demanded. Specifically I point out that 50% of all of Arsenal’s crosses are cleared at the near post and if we ever beat that zonal defender, our front post attacker is always glued to a more aggressive defender. I point out that a solution is having our wingers pass the ball to the gap rather than trying to find a certain player. Much better than believing we can get the ball through minuscule gaps,

I calm down and point out that a natural striker will improve this next season if for no other reason than a true striker feels more pressure to score a certain number of goals. Also, that we are good at the back post cross but don’t always have the specialist in the air to capitalize. We move on as my blood pressure has been mentioned.

They now mention that we have a conductor. A handsome Norwegian chap with unjustified facial hair. That most everything goes through him and that physically and positionally he is elite but that he is undecided in front of goal. That he is capable but rarely plays with one touch. An admiration for him being a ‘trier’ is commented on. He certainly doesn’t hide, I respond.

They comment that the referee makes a good decision to send off their left back. I have to say that they have witnessed a miracle. I also mention that we very occasionally get a call like this to ensure that we don’t conspire to theorize that we are part of a corrupt season. I finish by saying that this is a token gesture in a game that is going one way anyway.

They ask about the ‘coach’s brother.’ I tell them that he is playing two different positions this season. That as an eight he is playing ahead of the ball rather than behind it as he did in Sociedad. That since he got rhythm he has stood out where he hadn’t earlier in the season. Also, that he had successfully moved to striker with impressive results. They point out that he looks like the best player on the field. I respond that he is increasingly showing this. That he is getting more tools out of his box each week. He started with goals. Every once in a while. His general play was safe as he was learning the system. He is now at the place where he is a regular difference maker. Both in his goal contribution, and with the weight of his passing to create opportunities for others. Where he separates himself from most everybody in the squad is his composure in front of goal. He doesn’t snatch at anything but plays with the same elegance inside the box as he does outside the box. Many thought that he would end up being just a squad player, but his contribution is getting larger each game. He is also doing this at the International level.

It is finally noted that every player on our team, including our defenders and goalkeeper are willing to quarterback the play and are technically able to do so . That the statistic I show, as seen below in this image, is not an outlier, but a constant end of game statistic.

Finally, that it is obvious how well we are coached. The word used is ‘reliable.’ Not a word that is ordinarily celebrated, but the observation is that both when Arsenal have the ball that there are at least two options for the player in possession and that when the ball is lost, everybody’s physical effort to regain it and getting into shape is consistent.

My new friend is impressed and comments that the addition of a box hungry striker alone would likely see Arsenal win major silverware. That the other signings will be of help, but that their evaluation is that Arsenal are brilliant compared to the team that they support and are light years apart.

Going to jump past PNH today and go to…

SCOUT MAX

Oihan Sancet

Arsenal’s interest came out yesterday. I talked to Max and he told me that he has ridiculous statistics for a midfielder. I believe it is 14 goals in 22 games this season. He is apparently in the Aaron Ramsey mode. A different kind of midfielder than we are seeing these days. Not really a twinkle toes dribbler or a Merino late arriving finisher but a box to box player. After watching him for a short while I noticed that he has a tendency to shoot with his first touch. Just off the back of that I would at least have interest in him as this is one of the qualities that Arsenal need.

Ibrahim Maza

Don’t feel bad. I hadn’t heard of him either. Apparently, Leverkusen are looking at him to replace Wirtz who will likely go to Manchester City or similar. Live wire attacking midfielder who can also play on the left-wing and center forward. No current link with Arsenal but always good to have a tip to keep an eye on before they become the next big thing.

TWEETS and THOUGHTS:

First let’s giggle at Erik. Haven’t been able to in a few months.

I did not know this. Rather impressive.

Again, rather impressive.

Flowers to Gabby.

On his way back to influence.

Arsenal are watching him. Tricky, tricky dribbler. Nypan alternative.

Didn’t think he had so many. I predict he will have 15+ goals alone next season.

Not the first to say something like this.

Future Arsenal winger here. My nephew, Oscar. Look at that head up. Look at the balance. Look at his posture. Look at how the headband matches the kit. Look at how his coach looks like a cross between Unai Emery and Steve Bould. I believe that Arsenal have pulled out of talks with Nico Williams and are looking at Oscar.

FINAL THOUGHT:

It’s probably good that Liverpool will win the league before we have to play them. I’ve often wondered if coaches in these situations talk to each other before the game and agree to play weakened teams. The Liverpool game is directly after our PSG away game and we are hoping that we will prevail.

Liverpool has certainly had a very good season. This was somewhat unexpected. It is true at the same time that Liverpool have been favored by referees and the injury angels. If they would have had our luck then Arsenal would be going to the final day at the very least.

I hope this doesn’t come across as bitter because that’s not how I feel. I think that Liverpool put the FA in a very precarious position after the referee completely screwed up when they played Tottenham. I think lawsuits were threatened, and whether it was said specifically or not, the PGMOL has been their Santa Claus. Perhaps it’s unintentional, but I don’t think so.

Ryan agrees with me. Let’s get ’em, Ryan!