We're not changing our style dramatically, as I heard someone say we would do, its just swapping attacking fluidity for defensive stability. Only a few positions have had the roles slightly tweaked, but it has reduced the number of chances we create. There are a few positions in which this is evident. Full Back: If you watch our first 2 games, you will notice that our full backs don't charge forward as often as they used to. In previous seasons, it wouldn't be uncommon for both of them to be on the touch line near the box of the opposition when we're attacking. So far this season, it has been uncommon to see even one of them that far up the pitch. They are staying further back and also tighter to the CBs. What this does is group our defence together as often as possible and negate the effect that counter attacks used to have, as we now have enough players there to deal with them. Central Midfield: We know how defensive Arteta is playing, but the difference is that he is more disciplined than Song in this role. He doesn't charge forward and attempt hollywood passes at every opportunity. Whenever Song did that last season Arteta would cover for him. If Arteta wasn't playing, no one would cover and our defence would become more exposed should we lose the ball. That's what happened in previous seasons. Also, Diaby is not playing that far forward. He is only slightly more attacking than Arteta, meaning we sort of play with 2 half-DMs. This gives us a lot more solidity than previous seasons. Wingers: Theres no other way to say it: our wingers don't play as high up the pitch as they used to. In the past, they seemed to play on the shoulder of the full back, looking for space in behind. So far this season, they take up position in between the full back and midfield. This allows them to run at the defence when they get the ball, but it also keeps them further down the pitch to help out in defence should we lose the ball. And it isn't just positioning, they have been told to sprint back and help defend. I don't think I was the only one that noticed Podolski running back to help Gibbs out in defending a counter attack. These 3 positions have obviously had the influence of Steve Bould, as they have subtly but effectively changed from last season. However, what they do is give us less options up front: With the full backs not as far forward, if they are being used as part of the machine to keep the ball, they force our play away from the opposition box. Perhaps this is a ploy to force the opposition further out and to give space in behind, but so far it hasn't worked. With Arteta and his partner (Diaby so far) playing deeper, there are far fewer creative people in midfield. Cazorla has done all of this work so far, and it's telling. He was subbed off for Ramsey because he was exhausted and had become ineffective. In the second half he was no where near as influential as he had been. The pace of the PL does that to new players. It also makes it a lot harder for us to penetrate the defence of the opposition, and we still haven't found the net because of this. The wingers contribute to this. With both of them playing deeper in order to run at the defence, it is unlikely that Cazorla will have an option to play in behind the defence, bar Giroud. This also reduces the number of chances we get. In order to play around this, I would like to see only 1 of Podolski or Gervinho playing on the wing. Walcott should be on the other, so that there is always an option to play in behind, something Walcott is willing to provide. With this more defensive style, it is up to the attack and midfield to up the pace in the final third to move the opposition around and fancy an opening. I suspect as soon as we manage to do this we will keep it up and bring in lots of goals. But until then, expect a few more 0-0 draws.
I think the goals will come. Podolski and Giroud both came close against Stoke. I'd much rather see us winning games by a single goal, than scoring two or three only to be pegged back for a draw. I like the fact that we look stronger defensively, but you're right to point out that the attack will have to work harder to score goals.
Just as long as we don't become like Liverpool last season... dominating games and failing to kill teams off. I think yesterday we lacked a little bit of creativity in the final third... Gerv wasn't great and Podolski should not be used out wide IMO.
We have to remember that Podolski, Giroud and Cazorla have only played two competitive games together, it's not uncommon for it to take a while for them to settle in. I think the goals will come, but I agree with Wenger that we lack a bit of cutting edge in the final third. Kevin Mirallas said that Arsenal were trying to sign him before he went to Everton, so it could still be that we're looking to sign a striker.
If you take away Chamakh and Bendtner (who would be useful if he stayed) we don't really have any strikers apart from Giroud and Podolski. I think we need a good back up striker before the window closes.
I agree that Bendtner could still be useful. If he goes, we will have sold 3 strikers and seemingly buried another one under the patio . . .
I've not been able to watch MOTD yet, i've only seen the Spurs game, so this was an interesting read for an (almost) neutral. Perhaps a return to "1-0 to the..." is back on the cards...
