Believe? No, Something Better Change!

In what is starting to feel like listening to Believe by Cher (a song I absolutely detest) on repeat, Arsenal slipped to a third successive Sunday evening home defeat; this time to a Wolves side who were frankly comfortable throughout (give or take a short spell of Arsenal 'pressure' towards the end).

Whilst we are aware that it's tricky for Arteta to change much when they're playing every three days, I think that it's fair to say that we should be expecting considerably more from this Arsenal team. They seem to be lacking confidence, motivation and much of a cohesive plan, and questions may soon start to be asked of the manager; for all that he did deliver the FA Cup and speaks very well to the press. Leaving the Cup Final success aside, it's starting to be quite difficult to see much progress in the year since Emery was sacked.

There's a torpor that needs to be addressed, as the team sink passively to a distant 14th in the table and face - should they lose at The Toilet Bowl next weekend - finding themselves no less than 11 points behind Tottenham after just 11 games. Completely unacceptable.

In the continued (and it's apparently going to be a few more weeks yet) absence of Thomas Partey and of the suspended Pepe, Arsenal lined up much as expected, with the Ceballos/Xhaka axis restored in midfield and Aubameyang flanked by Saka and Willian, with Willock in the hole behind. Now, there's no reason why this formation cannot be made to work, but Wolves seemed quicker to almost every ball, and to be much clearer about what they were required to do. Several players put in disappointing performances... to add to a litany of other disappointing performances already this season. 

I speak particularly of Xhaka, who simply doesn't seem to be putting in much of a shift; and of Willian, who looked like a world-beater against Fulham but has flattered to deceive ever since. And even Aubameyang looked somewhat dispirited, as even playing down the middle he is starved of opportunity to make a mark and is clearly short of confidence.

The game got off to a sickening start, as an accidental clash of heads betwen Luiz and Jiminez - I was listening on the 'no crowd noise' feed (as I always do - I can't stand the fake effects) and the sound was horrendous; like the sound of an egg being cracked open - from an early Arsenal corner saw the former needing stitches and a bandage, and the latter a stretcher following a lengthy spell of treatment. 

By all accounts Jiminez, despite suffering a fractured skull(!) is going to be fine, but he was clearly badly concussed, needed oxygen, and had to be replaced. As for Luiz; well, I felt that the decision not to replace him at the same time was dubious, and his sluggish response for Wolves second goal and the decision to replace him at half time would suggest that the medical team got it wrong.

Certainly, at a time when the news indicates that links are being made between heading the ball, concussion and even dementia in later life, something drastic needs to be done about the protocol that allowed Luiz to stay on the field. A 'concussion substitute' for a start; after all, you'd have to be pretty cynical to fake something like that!

Both sides were affected by the incident, but it was Wolves who regained their equilibrium first, looking more motivated and crisper in possession than a sluggish Arsenal. The ever-dangerous Traore 'roasted' Tierney on the left - a rare sight indeed - following a smart passage of play, and crossed for Dendoncker who crashed a header against the bar (it would probably have been easier to score). And Neto reacted first to fire past Leno. Defensively, nobody covered themselves in glory here, and Bellerin in particular needs to look at his positional work.

Arsenal got themselves level very quickly, as following a corner Gabriel rose highest at the far post to nod a Willian cross powerfully into the net. 

Hardly deserved, to be frank, and it wasn't long before Wolves hit Arsenal with a sucker punch. Saka's misplaced pass to Aubameyang on the edge of the Wolves area led to a swift breakaway, Traore out-skilled and out-muscled a weak-looking Xhaka on the half-way line and found Neto, who drove in on goal and got a shot away. Leno failed to hold it (disappointing) and once more almost the entire Arsenal defence was slow to react as Podence cleverly lifted the ball over the sliding Gabriel and then hammered it home beneath the advancing keeper. Not good enough, from front to back.

At which point you'd have hoped that Arsenal might have turned it up a notch, but apart from the first 5 minutes after half time and a short spell around the 80th minute mark there was very little for Wolves to worry about. Aubameyang had a fair chance with a header and substitute Nelson fired over, but there was very little to note. That it took Arteta until the 81st minute to bring on Lacazette is also a bit of a concern. 

The brightest sparks were, frankly, youngsters Willock, Saka and Nelson, but they can't be expected to do it on their own and they're not getting much support from around them. There is very much a case for Elneny and his defensive/running attributes to come back into the side in place of Xhaka on Sunday - just to see someone making an effort would cheer this supporter up a bit.

In fact, for me there's little to lose by trying something different now. The back 4 currently picks itself - no matter how disappointing they were in this game - but they're not being adequately protected and midfield needs shoring up immediately. The continued loss of Partey is very bad news, but Xhaka must surely drop out. Not that we saw much of Ceballos yesterday, to be fair, but he at least has a higher upside than the Swiss slowcoach. The defence is not being properly shielded, and 'transition' is slow/poor. They need to up the tempo, and that's one thing Xhaka is utterly incapable of doing. 

After that, I'd sling the kids in now and tell them to express themselves. There's not much more to lose, but much to gain. Frankly, I'd also consider slinging Ozil back in, if only I could...

And it's a massive game on Sunday. We're going in the wrong direction fast, and They Who Must Not Be Named are going at a similar speed in the other. The opportunity to turn that around must be grasped. Luckily, Arsenal will hardly need any motivation to do that. I'd hardly say that the team are in a relegation battle - it's easy to name at least 4 worse teams in the division - but all the Top 4 optimism has faded away.

A quick note on the Europa League... and it's 'Big Bloody Deal'. Arsenal are in a group with three really poor sides, so one can read little or nothing into 4 wins out of 4. What it should mean, however, is that on Thursday the 2000 fans allowed into the ground (my attempt to buy tickets failed miserably - what a terrible system Arsenal use; I presume it's the cheapest they could buy) should see an XI made up entirely of Under 23s, thus allowing Arteta the opportunity to work for a full week with his 'first team'. Bring on Smith Rowe, Balogun and Miguel Azeez, please.

And come on, Mikel. Sort 'em out! No more Believe. Instead how about Something Better Change - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrypvBET39o

Until next week, when I hope to be more cheerful... although I somehow doubt it :( 

Guns, but no Ammo

 And so, in drawing somewhat fortuitously at Elland Road, Arsenal have now gone just 4 minutes short of 8 hours of Premier League football without registering a single goal from open play. Which, with the fire power available, is utterly unacceptable.

The Pepe sending-off early in the second half should not overshadow the headline take-out from the game, which was once more the lack of creativity in midfield; of which we have been aware for many months now - indeed, since Mesut Ozil (who for me continues to cast a shadow over the squad) was initially omitted from Arteta's thinking - for whatever reason. For all the German's faults, and there are many... well, talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face! 

Yes, I know that there's no point harping on about it. The decision has been made, and we're living with the consequences of that, but nobody can tell me that he wouldn't make a difference to this side. Certainly, judging on yesterday's performance, Willock is apparently not the answer; and Ceballos is not cut out for the role in the same way as Fabregas, Cazorla and even Nasri were. But it's about a lot more than that; it's about the shape of the team, and it's about attitude.

I have to say (without hindsight) that at no stage was I concerned about actually losing the game - despite the sending-off (I'll come back to that), and despite Leeds hitting the post three times and Leno making two or three decent saves. Leeds work very hard, but they're an essentially limited outfit compared to what we should expect to be seeing from Arsenal. And Bamford was having one of those days... Man for man, and on paper, there should be no contest. But, as we well know, football matches are not played on paper, and there's a lot more to sport than simply having superior talent to the opposition. Concede 67% possession to any side (unless you're doing it deliberately) and you're likely to struggle.

Of course, many players had been away over the Interlull (plus in the case of Willian the foolish trip to Dubai), and so there's not necessarily been much opportunity for Arteta to put into action much of what he perhaps wanted to do following the Villa game. He did make a number of tactical - as opposed to forced - changes, which included moving Aubameyang back up top, and drafting Willock and Pepe into the starting line-up. But nothing clicked at all, as along with Willian all had disappointing matches.

I'd be prepared to stick with Auba up there, as there were occasions late in the game when, combining with Saka and Nelson, there was more than a little glimpse of what can be achieved. The rest of the changes need a little more thought, however.

Much credit to the defence throughout this game. Leno had an excellent game, dealing with everything that was thrown at him - and that was a lot. Bellerin's side of the pitch was targeted, but he mostly did well (with little help from in front of him), and indeed made one lung-busting break in injury time that almost led to a goal. Gabriel had another solid game, ably abetted by Holding, but the defensive star of the show was once more Kieran Tierney, who is quite fabulous in every way. But I want to address the midfield, and what the fact that it doesn't work means for what's up ahead of it.

Without the unfit Partey, there were problems. Xhaka had another of his 4/10 games, rarely properly showing for his goalkeeper or central defenders, limp in the tackle, failing to read the play and generally ineffective. Ceballos was sharp, both of brain and of foot, but had too much to do (and got kicked an awful lot). And this led to supply line issues, with the quality of ball going forward generally poor and making things difficult for those trying to make things happen further up the pitch. 

But those players scarcely helped themselves. We can definitely see why Chelsea were prepared to let Willian go (let's face it; they don't need him). Willock needs more than one game on which to base any conclusions, but there wasn't too much of a spark. And as for Pepe...

There's always been something about the guy's body language that grates with me. Like he doesn't really care (and I do have it on good authority that his heart isn't 100% in it here in London); although he does show genuine flashes of skill and top-class ability. But here he let himself down in his 'battle' with Alioski. He shouldn't have got involved, but he did, and as we all know if you put your head into somebody else's face in a football game you're asking for trouble. Alioski made the most of what was essentially nothing, and Pepe got his just desserts.

That was on 51 minutes, and what had already been a struggle became a rearguard action. Not that Pepe had done much, but you're of course generally better off playing 11 v 11 than 10 v 11 (despite Sky putting up a graphic that showed that Arsenal had managed more wins than defeats in the 90(!) games in the Premier League era where they had had a man sent off). As Arteta said, Pepe's actions were 'unacceptable', and he'll miss three games - and will then face a fight for his place.

And so Arsenal hung on, and not without incident. But they also had one or two chances on the break, including one for Saka which he would probably take 6-7 times out of ten. Credit to their keeper there. But a total of 4 shots, no goals and a single point are simply not good enough returns in a game like this.

There is definitely a case for getting both Saka and Nelson into this side (and possibly Maitland-Niles too). If we don't see Pepe (enforced), Willian or Xhaka for a while that wouldn't bother me. I'd like to see the versatile and exciting Saka in 'the hole', creating for Auba and others. What's to lose, as what's happening now isn't working. But the key thing for Arteta to work on is 'transition' - moving the ball forward as swifly as possible and finding the best paths in which to do it. It has to happen quicker, and with more confidence and incisiveness. The team needs players who are swift of brain as well as feet, and these are the type of player that I'd be looking to get into the side.

And so Arsenal wallow in the lower half of the table - although all is not yet lost; it's early days. And for obvious reasons I have no desire to look too far up. All I can say is that for next weekend - and I don't say this too often - its Come On Chelsea!

But for Arsenal it's the return fixture against Molde in the Europa League and then Wolves at home; a game of some importance and one in which I'd hope to see a change in both attitude and performance. This cannot continue.

Until next week. Stay safe, guys.

Abject Arsenal embarrassed by Villa

 

Arsenal fell back to earth with a crash yesterday, as all the good work achieved in the previous weekend's victory over Manchester United was flushed down the toilet by what was unquestionably the side's worst performance under Arteta, and rivals any of the appalling stuff churned out in the last days of Unai Emery.

There is literally nothing from which the side can take heart from this performance. Individually and collectively, the players were under par, and were comprehensively outplayed by a vibrant Villa side that had little difficulty in dealing with anything that Arsenal attempted to throw - it was more like a gentle lob or two - at them. Apart from maybe 10 minutes towards the end of the first half, and another 10 minute spell in the second, Arsenal were palpably second best.

From the way Arsenal set up, to how they played and to how much desire they showed, everything was wrong. Clearly, whilst Arteta has solved the problem of how to play against the better sides, there is much to be done against the blueprint for so-called lesser teams playing against them; the 'low-block', comfortable containment and hit Arsenal on the break. Yesterday, I found it hard to give any Arsenal player (and specifically the Manager) a mark of more than 5 out of 10 as they failed to adapt to what was in front of them.

And in Grealish (in particular), Barkley and McGinn Villa have precisely the sort of player that Arsenal are crying out for. Players with quick feet and brains, and an element of bravery. And this was clear to see all evening. Whilst Arsenal appeared - to my total exasperation - to be happy to knock the ball backwards and sideways when in possession, Villa were decisive and incisive all night. 

Indeed, that was the case from the very first minute, when Villa scored what looked to me like a perfectly good goal. And whilst one might argue that this one was chalked off for a simlar reason as Lacazette's against Leicester, I think that most people would agree that both were perfectly good goals and that the Law is an ass. For all that the letter of the Law would argue that Barkley was in Leno's eyeline when McGinn shot, I doubt that even my father's favourite pre-war cartoon character, Ping The Elastic Man, would have had any chance of saving the rasping shot.

Arsenal failed to heed the warning, moving the ball around at a snail's pace as Villa comfortably held them off. In midfield, Partey looked under the weather (and went off injured at half-time, which explains a lot of that) and Elneny showed that whilst he may be suitable to slot into a team set up to defend, this sort of game is not the ideal scenario for him. On the flanks, Saka had one of those nights in which nothing went right, and Willian looked like he really couldn't be bothered - wasting Arsenal's best chance of the first half with a wild slash at a nice set-up by Aubameyang and being generally profligate in possession. Auba himself looked fed up to be consigned to the left touchline, and Lacazette looked utterly devoid of self-belief.

Villa took the lead on 25 minutes. Willian gave the ball away for the umpteenth time - and didn't show too much enthusiasm to win it back. From there Villa toyed with the right side of Arsenal's defence, pulling them out of position (Grealish and Barkley combining well), and from Targett's cross Saka - who had switched off for a split-second - diverted the ball into his own net (Trezeguet would have had a tap-in, to be fair).

But Arsenal should have been level at half-time. A typically pinpoint Tierney cross from the left was met by Lacazette, but from six or seven yards out he failed to hit the target or work the returning Emi Martinez. A poor effort that encapsulated a poor all-round performance from him. And this was during one of the few phases of the game in which Arsenal actually looked like achieving anything at all of note.

The introduction of Ceballos at half-time made a difference, as his vision and the quality of his passing added an extra dimension for a while, but the abjectness of what was around him soon meant that he sunk back to their level And whilst he was singularly responsible for Arsenal's most outstanding moment of the game, that's nothing to shout about as I'm actually referring to a miraculous goal-line clearance from a Grealish piledriver after Villa had sliced Arsenal apart on the break yet again.

Arsenal's best chance of the half fell to Rob Holding, who failed to sweep in a pass from his partner Gabriel, but from then on everything fell apart as Villa punished Arsenal with two goals in swift succession. Firstly, Luiz's crossfield ball was brilliantly volleyed back across goal by Barkley for Watkins to nod in from two yards out, and then Grealish's fantastic 60 yard driving run (having been released swiftly and decisively by Martinez's throw) and cleverly slid pass gave the centre forward the opportunity to smash the ball through the legs of the onrushing Leno. 0-3, and frankly 5 wouldn't have flattered Villa. The only consolation for me is that Watkins is in my Fantasy team :(

So, what's wrong with this Arsenal side? Firstly, the shape. And secondly, the attitude of some of the players. 

As to shape, I don't see the point of the way Arsenal press against a team like Villa. Against a Liverpool or a Manchester City, yes, but that demands a different style of play. This doesn't help Lacazette, whose primary qualities are not being used correctly, and the rest of the team looks out of shape as Aubameyang is welded to the left touchline, Willian looks to be going through the motions, and in central midfield there's far too much 'umbrella' passing (side-to-side and backwards). Defensively, I can see that Arteta may feel that Partey gives him the defensive cover to be able to go to just two central defenders, but I'd like to see David Luiz back in there alongside Gabriel and not the inconsistent Holding.

As to mentality, I feel that some of these players need a shake-up or some time out of the side, and Arteta needs to look at trying something different. For all that I can't make sense of Pepe's body language sometimes, I sense that he's a better bet going forward than Willian, and Aubameyang now must surely be given an opportunity down the middle. 

So, if it were me, I'd be looking to line up after the Interlull (at Leeds; not an easy place to visit), like this:

Leno

Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney

Ceballos, Partey, Xhaka/Elneny

Pepe, Aubameyang, Saka

Lacazette needs some time out, I've seen enough of Willian for the moment, and I'd like to see the likes of Willock and Nelson given an opportunity from the bench. I'm not suggesting that they're the answer, but they can't do any worse than what we saw yesterday from certain individuals.

Just a quick recap of the Europa League game on Thursday now. Another sluggish start and early goal conceded - two Arsenal defenders out of position for that; Mustafi and Kolasinac (plus ca change) - but from then on Arsenal imposed their class. But that's no big deal, to be frank. They're waltzing the group, as one might expect, but they're up against sides who would struggle in The Championship. Another good showing from Willock, and that's why he should feel disappointed not to even make the bench for Premier League games.

So there's much for Arteta to ponder. It's games like this that actually make one wonder if Arsenal have made any progress in the last year. It's up to the fledgling Manager to sort things out quickly as he surveys the Premier League table from the depths of 11th place.

I'll be back in a couple of weeks. Stay safe, guys.

Partey = the reincarnation of Vieira?

Arsenal removed a large monkey from their backs as they won in the Premier League at Old Trafford for the first time in 14 years - when, you may recall, a late goal from (the much-loved) Emmanuel Adebayor earned The Gunners the spoils - and thereby took three points from a so-called Big Six club for the first time in 29 attempts. I say 'so-called' because United looked anything like a top team throughout the entire match.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's expertly-taken penalty - Pogba's tackle on Bellerin meaning that even (the much-loved) Mike Dean had no choice but to point to the spot - was the difference between the two sides. Well, that was the statistical case; but I think that it's fair to say that Arsenal dominated the game on every single level almost from start to finish.

The last couple of Premier League games have been frustrating, in that they ended as narrow defeats when there were opportunities to be more decisive in certain situations and perhaps pick up some points. But here - despite the narrowness of the scoreline - there can be no doubt who were the better coached, motivated and dynamic set of players on the pitch. Mikel Arteta and his team were superior to Manchester United in every single measurable way.

To be honest, I was concerned before the game. Arsenal were coming off two rather pedestrian performances in those losses at Manchester City and home to Leicester, and United were coming off a thumping 5-1 Champions League victory in midweek. But I soon started to relax, as the visitors began to dominate from the start.

The selection of Mohammed Elneny had raised a few eyebrows, but he had a really good game, never stopped running and his partnership with Partey dominated the poorly-constructed United midfield. And I think that we all saw from very early on yesterday why Arsenal signed Partey, as he immediately looked to me - as has been since discussed by every pundit I've read and listened to since - like we were watching Patrick Vieira again. Roy Keane, who let's face it should know, made that very comparision. I was hoping to make that point in isolation, but it now looks like I'm jumping on the back of a very long bandwagon :(

I listened to (comedian and massive Gooner) Alan Davies' interview with Arsene Wenger over the past week, and when discussing Vieira Wenger had said that he a) was never afraid to receive the ball, no matter how much coverage he was in, b) read the game superbly and was always up for the fight and c) always looked to play the ball forward. And that's precisely what we saw from Partey yesterday. I am very excited by what he can bring to the side over the next months and years, and I suppose that it's up to Arteta now to see how he puts the pieces of the jigsaw in front of Partey together to get the side making more chances and scoring more goals. We are lucky to have him; every team in the division needs him (one can almost start to wonder if Arteta could fit Ozil back in the side now?).

There are those - Gary Lineker included, I note - who described the game as dull. But for me it was like a game of chess, with Arsenal always seemingly a move in front. I really enjoyed it - right up to the last 15 minutes, which felt very, very long...

On the whole, it is difficult to find an Arsenal player who didn't have at least a half-decent game. Rob Holding, back in the side after injury, put in an assured performance alongside the formidable Gabriel, and Tierney and Bellerin got at least 7.5 out of 10 for their efforts. Central midfield worked well, as I've mentioned, and both Saka (who could/should have done better with a first half header) and Willian (who hit the bar following a 1-2 with Auba and perhaps also should have hit the target) both contributing well. Auba still looks a little isolated out on the left, but is a major threat when he moves infield, and Lacazette's contribution should not be under-estimated as he worked tirelessly (well, that's not actually fair, as he did tire midway through the second half as usual, to be replaced by Nketiah) as the first line of pressing/defence. A game plan well-constructed, and well-executed.

I will reiterate something I've said before; that - and especially away from home - the lack of a crowd helps Arsenal. Arteta is constantly barking instructions (in several languages) and it really helps the system. However, I must also add that in many ways this crowd-less football leaves me cold. I personally can't stand the artificial crowd noise, and am always on Sky Channel 402 instead of 401, but I badly miss the real atmosphere; actually being at the ground. It makes me sad that we're missing out.

As for United.. well, I frankly don't care but they're in a mess. Trying to shoehorn Pogba and Fernandes into the side is looking difficult (perhaps Greenwood should drop out and they go back to a 4-4-2?) but once more Ole's not looking too safe at the wheel. Here are two managers on entirely different career paths:

So Liverpool are once more top of the table, following another Salah 'dive' controversy. I detest it when forwards look to initiate contact or blatantly over-react to the slightest touch. And unfortunately Spurs won again, and have gone second in the table. Two points to make here: 1) Kane once more (like Salah) was 'clever' in winning his side a penalty; looking to 'make a back' for his opponent by backing in but not jumping should also be outlawed in my opinion; and 2) don't worry - it's Spurs, and we're only a point behind them in any case.

And so to next weekend and a PPV game at home to Aston Villa. Let's hope that they continue to leak the goals that they have started to leak. But before then on Thursday there's a Europa League game at home to Solskjaer's old club, Molde, when we can certainly expect to see a much-rotated team.

OK. Stay safe and well locked down and snuggled up, please. COYG.