During Mikel Arteta’s first year at Arsenal, the team has imrpoved in certain areas.
Defensively we look well organised and structured. The improvement against the top sides has been a major positive change. We now look like we can compete in those big games.
For years the team has lacked structure, and been naive in the approach to big games.
For the most part under Arteta we’ve lined up in a 3-4-3. We’ve had big issues creating chances, only scoring 9 goals in 9 PL games this season.
Apart from a decent first 15 minutes, the performance against Leeds was pretty poor, but I feel like it was a positive step forward in the evolution of this team.
For the team to progress in an attacking sense, the switch from a back five to a back four needed to happen.
Aubameyang:
Auba centrally is a big step forward. He didnt have the best game, but we really struggled to progress the ball through midfield. Luiz and Partey’s return in-particular should help with our ball progression. Play your best player in their best position.
Willock:
Willock picked up the ball in dangerous areas, playing in the number 10 position, but isn’t decisive enough with his passing and struggles with his back to goal. He’s got the athleticism to play on the right hand side of a midfield three, and can make late runs into the box, where he’s difficult to pick up.
I’d love to see us play with two number 8s rather than play with a number 10. With Partey at the base of the midfield he has the athletisicm to cover ground and prevent counters, but also to play forward through the lines.
Saka & Nelson
With Pepe suspended and Willian injured, it’s a great chance to see Saka and Nelson either side of Auba. Saka was brilliant when he came on, lets see what we can do starting as one of the front three.
The need for continuity
Mikel mentioned after the game one of the reasons for the lack of goals, has been down to a lack of continuity in the starting XI. Arteta is still searching for solutions and doesnt know his best XI. If we start seeing a more settled starting line-up we may see players develop better relationships on the pitch.
I think we’ll see Arsenal stick with a back four from now on in the majority of games. With Pepe and Willian potentially out, Arteta could be tempted to shift Auba out to the left. Hopefully he gets a run of games centrally and scores goals.
We’ve had some tough fixtures in the first nine games of the season. With the fixtures we have over the winter period, hopefully we can put a run together and strengthen come January.