Defensive stability the key to success

Montpellier 1-2 Arsenal

Under the guidance of new assistant manager Steve Bould, much has been made of Arsenal’s greatly improved defensive record. Four games into the new season and the Gunners have only conceded one goal, as a result of a goalkeeping error. At this stage last season Arsenal had already conceded 14 and were on their way to racking up an unprecedented 49 in the goals against column. The old frailties when defending against long balls and a tendency for being caught on the break were witnessed game after game by the frustrated Arsenal faithful, but Pat Rice’s retirement has signalled a stark change.

Steve Bould has greatly improved the defence

 

With Bould’s meticulous work on the training ground, there appears to have been a great transformation in the mind-set of the whole team. Gone are the days when the players would rush forward in gung-ho fashion as soon as the side had possession as well as that often lethal split second lapse in concentration when possession was lost. These damaging traits, which have cost Arsenal so dearly in the past, have been replaced with a more defensive minded attitude, as the whole team can be seen to be defending as one unit. Where before there were gaping holes for the opposition to exploit, now there is organisational strength.

 

This was particularly evident during the second half display against Montpellier in Tuesday night’s Champions League opener.

Having fallen behind to a harshly awarded penalty in the 9^th minute, the Gunners rallied well and were soon ahead. Santi Cazorla, who has so often been at the heart of Arsenal’s attacking play this season, was at it again. Playing a neat ball into Olivier Giroud on the edge of the box, for the Frenchman to prod it through to Podolski, who had cut inside from the left flank. One on one with the goalkeeper, the German international was coolness personified as he made the goalkeeper move one way before angling the ball in the opposite direction and into the back of the net. Two minutes later and the Gunners were in front. Giroud played the ball out wide to Carl Jenkinson, whose low cross found Gervinho right in front of goal and the Ivorian simply couldn’t miss. The interplay between Arsenal’s attacking three in the first half was exceptional, their constant movement across the front line, making it extremely difficult for the Montpellier defenders to pick them up and indicating an increased understanding between the forward players which bodes well for the season ahead.

 

However the second half was a completely different story as the home side began to press the Gunners high up the field, placing great pressure on the Arsenal players, forcing them into making errors. As a result, Montpellier were able to launch attack after attack, but the Gunners held firm. In previous seasons they may have capitulated under such intense pressure, but they showed great determination as they restricted their hosts to only one clear cut opportunity towards the end of the game. Younes Belhanda was able to find acres of space in the Arsenal penalty area, escaping Per Mertesacker’s desperate sliding tackle, when the German really should have stayed on his feet. However Belhanda could only direct his shot straight at Vito Mannone for a simple save, enabling the Gunners to seal all three points. While the extremely poor retention of possession in the second half is slightly worrying going into two big league games, the fact that Montpellier had so much possession but were generally unable to penetrate Arsenal’s defensive line highlights the great improvement in the Gunners’ defensive game.

 

The team work between both full backs so far this season, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson has been most impressive. In the previous campaign, Jenkinson was often caught out of position, leaving the defence exposed to a quick counter attack. This year however the full backs have been working in tandem, so when Gibbs surges forward in support of an attack, Jenkinson has learnt to curb his attacking enthusiasm and more often than not, he has remained in a position which permits him enough time to recover should Arsenal lose the ball. Consequently, with more men back, the Gunners are able to regain possession a lot quicker and launch another attack.

Jenkinson: imrpoved defensive awareness

 



Per Mertesacker also seems to have improved greatly, with the German particularly appearing to be stronger in aerial challenges, most impressively in the away game against Stoke. Although still susceptible against skilful players with the ball on the ground, such as Luis Suarez, Mertesacker seems to have built a strong understanding with Thomas Vermaelen at the heart of the defence with the two working well together to cut out any danger and quickly recovering from any mistakes made. Additionally, with last season’s most improved player, Laurent Koscielny, sat on the bench, Arsenal now possess impressive defensive options and Steve Bould also appears to have drilled the back four on their defensive shape. With the Gunners’ back line so often in disarray in recent seasons; it has been refreshing to see the Arsenal defence in one line across the field, working as one unit.

In front of the defence, Alex Song’s departure and the failure to recruit another defensive minded midfielder during the summer transfer window were seen as negligent decisions by the media and fans alike. However Wenger has so far been vindicated. Although his last season at the Emirates was his best in an Arsenal shirt, Song was far too often pre-occupied with the attacking side of the game which resulted in him frequently neglecting his defensive responsibilities. His replacement at the base of the Gunners’ midfield this season, the vastly experienced Mikel Arteta, has so far been a masterstroke. The Spaniard is extremely disciplined in sitting back and helping to shield the defence alongside his central midfield partner, Diaby or Coquelin, allowing Santi Cazorla to get forward and orchestrate Arsenal’s attacks. Playing a similar role to his compatriot, Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid, Arteta never shirks a tackle and is so comfortable in possession he provides a seamless link between defence and attack. With only four league games played, he has been quietly masterful so far.

 

The acquisition of the hard working Lukas Podolski has also had a great influence in establishing Arsenal’s new found defensive ethos as he selflessly tracks back to help the side maintain its defensive shape, which has also rubbed off on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gervinho on the opposite wing, enabling Arsenal to have a solid midfield line in front of the back four, making it extremely difficult for the opposition to break them down, as was witnessed in Montpellier. In addition, although Giroud is yet to open his goal-scoring account for Arsenal, his defensive work at opposition corners and free kicks has been most impressive, enabling the Gunners to exude confidence when defending such situations, where before they were forever nervous.

 

Although the media have heaped praise on the Gunners for their new found defensive stability, there are those who still question whether or not this is merely a false dawn. After all, Sunderland and Stoke sat so deep when playing against Arsenal, that they were never really able to mount any serious attack and the much maligned Liverpool do not currently possess a great attacking threat, while the game against Southampton was effectively over before halftime. However the first three games of the season perfectly highlighted the great improvements the Gunners have made to their defensive game.

 

Against Sunderland, Arsenal had all the possession, launching attack after attack, but were also disciplined enough not to be hit on the counter attack. Away to Stoke, where the Gunners notoriously struggle under the inevitable aerial bombardment, Arsenal held firm and were never under any pressure, even from the Stoke long throw, which given previous visits to the Britannia Stadium, was extremely impressive. The Gunners were under pressure however in the first half against Liverpool but were able to soak it up well and gradually impose themselves on the game, striking on the counter attack to seal their first win of the new season, a tactic which could work well against the top sides in the league.

 

Of course there will be sterner tests ahead, in particular the next two league games away to Manchester City and at home to Chelsea. If the Gunners are able to maintain their impressive shape and withstand the expected onslaught from the champions and Chelsea’s new attacking midfield additions, then they will not only deserve the numerous plaudits they will receive, but will also suddenly be considered serious contenders for the league title as a solid defensive unit is always the foundation for any successful side. With this in mind, after the summer gloom following the sale of Robin Van Persie, the next two league games could significantly raise expectations around the Emirates stadium.