‘One Battle after another’

‘One Battle after another’ 

An Arsenal blog from a coaches perspective

I’ve been told the movie is really good. We have 10 inches of snow right now, which is extremely rare. I think I’ll watch the movie today.

The headline might be misleading if the movie is a sappy, romantic comedy about an agitated couple that can’t get along.

I saw Anthony Gordon‘s interview last week. He seems like a very dedicated and smart guy. What he really wanted to say was that it is unfortunate that physicality has become the most prominent feature of the Premier League recently. To the point where winning duels are the most talked about feature of each fixture. Being an Arsenal fan I still forget that Mikel has intentionally built a duel winning team. Did he recognize what was happening or is he the trendsetter?

This game started in an unusually extra scrappy and panicky way with one on one battles being the only thing to talk about.

After the first goal, Arsenal started to calm down. The football wasn’t fluid, it was more that Arsenal started to win their duels and dominate that way. We only looked like we were going to score from the ‘almighty battle’… An Arsenal corner. Even though it is organized and each player has their role it looks like a Royal Rumble where the strongest man wins the header.

Fluid and beautiful football is never likely to happen in the backdrop of the most vocal and unnecessarily upset fans in the league on a freezing cold day. It was even less likely to happen when it started absolutely bucketing with rain yet Arsenal grew in physical and mental strength. Even though the game was prime for mistakes, we made as good as none. Everything was physical up until the fourth goal when Leeds gave up the battle.

If Arsenal don’t win anything this season, it won’t be because they can’t contend with one battle after another.

In fact, it is more likely to be the reason why we do.

POSITIVES:

Odegaard:

A strange place to start perhaps as he absolutely wasn’t the talking point. After the analysis recently being quite suffocating, including my own, I wanted to recognize that there were a couple of positive changes. He played with more physical bravery and I saw a similar two touch turn and forward pass that Kai used on Wednesday, to set up Jesus’ goal. This is the big complaint about MO and I hope he was encouraged by his more direct play and taking fewer touches.

Madueke:

Not wanting to go over the top as the issue with him isn’t that his end product is bad. It is rather that it is inconsistent. He is a supremely capable player. The kind that you would imagine could be a game winner in the World Cup for England. His consistency lies in his ability to beat his man. To the point where he might be one of the best in Europe at this. I’m always surprised when he doesn’t at least give himself an opportunity to deliver because of how quick he is over 3–5 yards.

It’s fair to notice that his job is one of the most difficult where most of the other players simply pass and move. He’s asked to do something significantly more complicated and often against two players. He needs to be recognized for his ability to even get into situations where he can smash it out for a throw-in like he did against the Almighty Carrot. We just simply expect him to have a more threatening end product more often than not.

Gyokeres:

This might well have been the first game this season where he looked at the level that is needed. As you might know, I was a huge advocate and a massive fan and even claimed that he would end up being the best striker in Europe. He doesn’t have to become a brilliant footballer to do it as the guy who currently holds this title barely touches the ball most games. He just needs to show success in his actions on a consistent basis. His goal was one of my favourite this season. His movement in the box was perfect and the fact that like most of his goals it happened in the 6 yard box, then it becomes the problem solver that Arsenal have been crying out for. Added to that the fact that he used his super power in his strength makes you wonder if any other striker would’ve scored that particular goal as they would’ve been out muscled and second to the ball.

Timber:

Here is an interesting comparison for you.

Jurrien Timber is the defensive version of Bukayo Saka.

The exact same strength. Absolute masters his one-on-one duels and his best asset is his decision-making. Maybe they were created in the same lab?

VG and Kai…

My friend, Kevin Howell, who writes a great match report on Highbury House, was telling me that he is impressed with their understanding. I won’t admit to seeing it as much in this game, but I’m sure I’ll see it on the rewatch. I think I was blinded by the swords and shields on the battlefield to see the intentionality today. Not only is this particularly impressive because they’ve just started playing together, but with MO struggling to be the positive that he is capable of being, it will be really important that his replacement can connect with our main goal threat.

Zubimendi:

Here is another epiphany… Is there a race between Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi to be the best all round midfielder in the world?

I’ll be honest and say that I didn’t know that MZ was as dominant in the air as he is. I also didn’t realize how physically able he was either. To add to my shame, I will also admit that I didn’t see him as a goal threat. Maybe he has never been a goal threat and the coaching staff picked up on a hidden talent? I do believe that the near post run and intentional near post flat cross has been used many times this season and MZ seems to know exactly how to execute the header by taking some of the power off the ball rather than adding to it and sending it over the bar.

Arteta:

Surely Mikel’s biggest strength is related to his communication ability.

One of the reasons that I never panic  before games this season is because the coach is gifted at saying the right thing at the right time and in the right way.

It sounds like the players were given the floor and the opportunity to talk, which is never a bad idea, even if it leads to confrontation. As a member of the male species, I can attest to how guys can flourish after conflict because they forgive quicker. There is a safety in that that protects from feeling like truth can’t be spoken.

I also enjoyed his tactical switch today. Moving Declan Rice out of the pockets and in more of a double pivot is always going to get more out of him.

Playing in the pockets with his back to goal is not his game. It’s the game of a player whose strength is cuteness in small spaces and even though Rice can do whatever he’s asked to do he has areas in his game that are stronger than others.

Jesus:

Much like Madueke, Jesus is scattered in his output, which is why he hasn’t been trusted in the latter part of his Arsenal career. When he is hot, he is fire hot as his ability has never not been elite. I suppose you just never know what you’re going to get with him. His goal was typical of him. A first touch that most players couldn’t execute and then a piece of deceptive footwork to gain half a yard and a glorious finish.

Solidity:

Almost as much as the points, Arsenal needed to return to solidity. I remember David Raya making one save that my Auntie Marion could’ve saved. Again, I wasn’t worried as the standards at our club are so incredibly high so anything that is effort related will never be a long-term issue.

NEEDS:

Injuries:

Apparently Merino has an injury that will see him out for a couple of weeks. We need to take time bringing Saka back, especially if Noni can continue that form. That’s the joy in having such a deep and balanced squad. In the past, we felt the need to rush players back as the drop off was obvious.

Funny/Frustrating:

If you have a chance to watch the stoppage time in the Chelsea game, I would advise it for two reasons. Cole Palmer just hit the highest shot in the history of football over the cross bar from 7 yards. If you were challenged to hit a football out of the stadium from 7 yards you couldn’t do it. Not like Cole.

Then there was as close to a fight as you will get. The point I wanted to make is how frustrating it is that when a player falls over after being tickled on the chin or chest bumped then it is almost always a straight red card. If the authorities want players to stop cheating or exaggerating, then they have to recognize the offense when there is no acting involved. Video replay was not supposed to be for a situation where a player accelerates towards another and grabs him around the neck. Again, Auntie Marion.

Todibo finally got a red card, but there were at least five minutes wasted trying to make a decision that was bleeding obvious.

HOPES:

Because I’m in the middle of multiple snow days and I don’t have to work, it doesn’t really matter what the date is. I just looked at my phone and it’s January 31st. I suppose today or tomorrow is the last day of the transfer window. It’s just such a credit to our owners and leadership that for the first time ever, we aren’t asking for anything and there are zero rumors.

Semi-Final:

Do I care if we get to the final? Yes, but I’m not going to get down if we don’t. I’d imagine we will anyway as we are a goal up, but I’m far more concerned about injuries against Chelsea. I get particularly concerned when we have to play against Moises Caicedo. He’s one of those players that the referee should just book before kickoff because he might as well.

I’d love to see a big game from Eze.

TWEETS and THOUGHTS:

When Arsenal win the quadruple someone has to surely ruffle his lego. Then before it naturally restores itself back to perfection, someone has to take a picture.

 

Stealing a gem from Liverpool. Yes, please.

I keep seeing these. This should be the actual narrative.

FINAL THOUGHT:

Maybe Arsenal will lean into this powerful central spine for tough away games now. We had Saliba, Gabriel, Rice, Zubermendi, Kai and VG.

Regardless of our desire for Arsenal aesthetics, this is leaning into one of the greatest strengths in our team.

Fight for the game in the first half and earn the right to play your football in the second half. Seems perfect for tricky away games to me.