January Reset Means Narrative Change

A lot has been going on since Arsenal went into Christmas top of the table. Both on and off the pitch. And I’m sure that we’d all agree that the Dubai break could not have come at a better time.

Not that we need reminding, but… a slightly unlucky defeat to West Ham, in a match that Arsenal dominated but couldn’t find the net, perhaps raised a few questions.  But the manner of the follow-up defeat at Fulham rung a number of alarm bells as the team looked tactically deficient against a side that, on paper, they ought to have seen off comfortably. Fulham had Arsenal exactly where they wanted them, exploiting the space out wide left by Arsenal’s inverted full backs to scythe them apart, and constantly channelling Arsenal’s forwards down blind alleys. Arsenal got exactly what they deserved from that game.

Against Liverpool in the FA Cup, it was an entirely different story. Starting with Havertz up front for a change, Arsenal carved Liverpool apart for the entire first half. A half-time score line of 6-1 would have been an entirely fair reflection of the way the half went; a missed header from close in by Havertz, in particular, may haunt me for the rest of my days if I dwell on how the home team squandered chance after chance. The German should actually have pocketed a first half hat-trick. But they went in scoreless. 

Adjustments by Klopp at half time made the second half more even, although the 0-2 final score was not a fair reflection of the way the game went. But that added up to three defeats in a row and - as we soon began to read - recriminations left, right and centre. The Arteta Out brigade, forever awaiting their opportunity to put the boot in, were suddenly all over our timelines. Ludicrous, frankly.

Of course, the stats made for painful reading at that juncture. Just three goals scored from Arsenal’s previous 80 shots. And 6 goals conceded from the previous 10 shots on target faced. But they are only stats; a small sample and not, surely, an underlying trend? To be fair, Arteta may possibly kill for a 20 goal a season number 9!!!

Thus leading to all the inevitable questions about the Transfer Window. Toney? Ohsimen? A flying winger? Central midfield or defensive cover? Or, as it’s beginning to look increasingly clear, nobody… In the current climate, and as both Everton and Forest have discovered, FFP is going to be a big factor in this Window. 

For me, a centre forward would definitely be helpful. Perhaps a bargain buy on the back of Newcastle’s FFP woes? Or an out-of-the-blue signing to match that or Reyes or Arshavin. But, at the end of the day, the club must stay within the guidelines.

The week or so in sunny Dubai really helped, as Arsenal came back reinvigorated against a Palace side that didn’t have the luxury of a break, and who are currently in pretty awful form. And the bare facts revealed a 5-0 hammering. Although…

Arsenal moved the ball around much more quickly than in previous games; sacrificing Arteta’s much-vaunted ‘control’ for more pace and verticality. Yet it took two well-worked set pieces to break the deadlock (more excellent work from Nicolas Jover); but nothing, by half time, on the ‘open play’ front. And the three goals that put a gloss on the performance were all breakaway goals. The first, a swift move following a Palace corner, was a beauty (props to David Raya, and Gabby Jesus, of course). 

And the final two nails in the Palace coffin were driven home with Henry-like precision by a reinvigorated Gabriel Martinelli.

So what can we read into that. Only that stats remain stats. Bigger tests loom on the horizon. And, if Declan Rice’s apparent hamstring pull requires a break of a few extra days, then let him miss the Forest game in order to be ready for Liverpool - an absolute Must Win - at the weekend. With Partey not quite back, we may have to rely on Jorginho in Nottingham, but that’s fine. Arsenal ought to be able to cope with Forest, for all that our record there is poor, and we saw on Gameday One how dangerous they can be on the counter attack. 

I’m hoping that we can soon see my ‘dream’ midfield of Partey, Rice and Odegaard; a midfield to match anything in World football, in my opinion. Tell me I’m wrong! Another month, maybe?

So it’s a big week. Liverpool is Massive. Most eggs need to go into that basket. And we don’t have to wait long to find out if reinforcements are on the horizon. With Salah out, it’s an opportunity. Not that Klopp doesn’t have plenty of alternatives available to replace him: Jota on the bench, anyone?…

Talking of Klopp, it was a surprise to read of his announcement last week. He’s elite, and there aren’t that many elite Managers out there to replace him. Personally, I’d definitely recommend Stevie Gerrard. Or Frank Lampard… And at the same time I choose to laugh at links between Mikel Arteta and Barcelona.

Ok - Forest away, then Liverpool. There is little or no room for error now. Bring it on. 

COYG!