Its games against Everton and the like that will truly tell us where we are. Teams who usually are defensively sound and don't concede many while at the same time have the ability to cause us problems of their own. 1-0 to the Arsenal is a very good scoreline, we are still making it far too easy for attackers but, a shut out against Everton is a shut out. If this team can tighten up a tad I don't see why we can't get something by the end of the season. The big worry of course is what happens if RVP cannot play. Honourable mention to Song who seems intent on making me eat humble pie .. we are not there yet so you Song lovers can keep quiet Come on you Reds !!!
Yeh, not the best game to watch and frustrating at times, but we got the three points and it will be games like this that will determine where we finish in the league this season. We were very good defensively especially against cahill and fellaini who are tricky players to deal with especially in the air. I think that koscielney is forever improving and looks a really good player on the ball and brings it out from the back really well. The thing is though although a win like this is good as we have shown that we can grind out results it really should have been more comfortable as ramsey and gervinho missed good chances in the first half. Still i'm not complaining and now we will see how spurs and chelsea do.
I'd take 1-0 every time. It's not a case of making significant changes though, just a new team learning to play together.
I don't think they are major changes. I think it's more about the defenders learning to play together rather than a complete turnaround in their approach. True that we have been playing a bit deeper, which is cutting out the 'ball over the top' but that's a natural progression which comes with communication and organisation. It's no wonder our defenders struggled at the start of the season. They were all thrown in together due to injuries. Now that they have settled together and they are organised, we're starting to see that they are a solid group of players. There has been no revolution in our approach though, just natural tweaks and repsonses to mistakes in some of the early games.
I also think the midfield has played its part - breaking down a lot of the attack. We are still vulnerable to a counter long-ball.
Because new players necessitate making adaptions to suit. It's taken time for Wenger to get to know how to utilise them best and it's taken time for the players to get used to each other's game.
Because a change in personnel, will necessitate adaptions in how we play. It has taken time for Wenger to get to know how to get the best from them, and it's taken time for the players to get to know each others game and the system playing together. It's been natural process of settling in and making adaptions to suit.
Sorry, but I don't think we've made major changes. We've made natural adaptions to suit the new players as they have settled into their new roles.
Anyone relishing the return of Santos as some kind of wonderkid needs to have their head read We still need to buy a decent LB imo.
I can't say I have seen any real change of defensive ploy, the team seem to be less bumbling than before, tighter - with far less mistakes being made which is a big contributing factor. None of the players seemed to know what they hell they were doing at the beginning of the season - there was far too much naivety. Was playing Jenkinson, for example, a good idea ? He looked utterly clueless and we got cut apart for fun on the RH side. Is it a case that Santos has become more solid on the left ?
It wasn't surprising that they struggled at the start of the season, they were all thrown in together, in a new team, because of injuries to our established players. Now that they have settled in, their play has improved dramatically.
One more thing has changed: Arteta. The guy has class, he's the archetypal "keep it simple" player. He doesn't do it fancy, he just does it well. I remember a lot of people saying he was injury prone and he'd break down very quickly etc. - he's played 17 times already this season and it's not even Christmas yet. I do think he's going to need a break for a game or two at some point, but what's great is Wilshere will be back, and Rosicky looks good when he comes on Suddenly the midfield isn't such a concern.
Sagna will have to earn his place in the team when fit. The back 4 looks solid without him ATM esp when a versatile player like Kos can play RB. --Kos----Met----Verm---Santos Our best defenders IMO.
All teams need an Arteta type, someone who keeps the ball moving with minimal fuss. Players of this ilk are Fletcher at Man U and Xavi at Barca. I'm happy with the role Arteta is playing, he isn't that creative, never was, but he keeps the ball so well which is fundamental to being an Arsenal midfielder.
