The Swiss Army Knife POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES There’s a groove developing. A little swagger. Beyond the natural boost of confidence earned when you start winning and keeping clean sheets, what are the details? 1) INDIVIDUAL IMPROVEMENT Have you noticed? We have 11 players that we can pick who are either on a run of […]
It is ‘that’ time of year again, crazy season, the January Transfer Window. Because of the unusual end to last season and the consequent later summer window we find ourselves back here swiftly. The mid-season opportunity to strengthen is of course, always trickier for clubs, with value harder to find and for Arsenal, Edu and […]
Formations/tactics (4-2-3-1/4-1-2-3) Mikel Arteta retained the 4-2-3-1 that has proved to be successful for the Gunners in their last three games, although an evident trend was Willock pushing forward regularly, with Elneny operating in a single pivot. Pressing & Defensive shape Arsenal utilised a 4-4-2 press when Newcastle were deep in their own half, with […]
January 2 December 0 POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I kid you not, I wrote that headline on my notepad before the game. I looked at the line up and wasn’t entirely disappointed as the key players needed to be rested, but I saw Willian and some of his buddies and predicted that the ‘December crew’ […]
For the first time since the opening game of the season, I genuinely enjoyed watching the entirety of an Arsenal match. In fact, I didn’t want it to finish and I can’t remember the last time that I felt that way. Even our recent win over Chelsea had some nervous moments, such as them being […]
Formations/tactics Mikel Arteta retained the 4-2-3-1 deployed in the last two Premier League encounters, with Martinelli given a much-needed rest following the number of minutes the Brazillian has played in the last three fixtures across all competitions. The Spaniard recognised that his side would come up against a stubborn deep block, and adjusted accordingly, bringing […]
A World of New Feelings POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES Do you remember frustration, anger, hopelessness and possibly a desire for a new coach? That was the 3rd week in December. Two weeks later and I don’t know how you feel but I feel relieved, excited, hopeful and energized. Two weeks. Just two weeks later. I […]
The same starting eleven, with the exception of Aubameyang replacing Lacazette. Another victory. What a difference a few days and a sprinkling of youngsters can make. Instead of looking at the teams below us, we are now starting to look at those above us. Hopefully that continues with further improvement too. Whilst our first half […]
The Seagulls have been a tough opponent for the Gunners since their promotion back in 2017. But yesterday, it was Arteta’s men who prevailed. In this article, I analyse the game in detail. Formations/tactics Mikel Arteta retained his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 system, but with Aubameyang coming in for Lacazette to lead the line. Elneny […]
It certainly makes a change to be writing about Arsenal in a positive frame of mind, rather than either a wholly negative, or at best hopeful one. Yesterday felt, to me at least, like a win that could have come earlier, were it not for indiscipline, but a performance that was long overdue. There have […]
