Gunners rue defensive errors

Swansea 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal’s defensive frailties were laid bare once more yesterday as the Gunners failed to hold onto a late lead against Swansea, allowing their hosts to force an FA cup third round replay, which Arsenal really could have done without.

Arsene Wenger’s side had clearly not learnt anything from the cheap goals they had conceded against both Newcastle and Southampton as their sloppy defensive errors cost them dear yet again. Having worked extremely hard to overturn a deficit to take the lead with only seven minutes remaining, Arsenal immediately appeared nervous at the back and incapable of defending crosses into the box. This is an area in which Wenger would be expecting Per Mertesacker to dominate with his immense height, but the German international seems to hide when the going gets tough. His performance yesterday only served to highlight the fact the Gunners still lack a real leader at the back, a situation which Wenger has allowed to fester for far too long. One incident in the first half yesterday, particularly emphasized just how poor Mertesacker is when faced with an aerial challenge. Defending from a free kick which was swung into the Arsenal penalty area, the German was far too easily out jumped and outmuscled by former Gunner Kyle Bartley, despite being the favourite to win the ball. Earlier in the first half, Mertesacker had also displayed his distinct lack of pace, as on this occasion he allowed Danny Graham to outmuscle and get in front of him before firing a shot on goal. In such areas Mertesacker should be prepared to put his body on the line to prevent the opposition from having a goal scoring opportunity, but unfortunately the German does not possess the fight required and is far too weak. Luckily for Arsenal, Bartley’s header hit the crossbar.

The German is also extremely poor in possession. He does not have the ability to spray the ball from side to side and open up the play and as a result mostly ends up passing the ball square or a few yards forward to a deep lying midfielder. Unfortunately for Mertesacker, the Premier League has moved on and evolved, such a forward pass is now predictable and extremely easy to read. As a result, the player who receives this ball will more often than not be immediately pressurised, forcing him to pass the ball back. This then leads to Arsenal’s play becoming slow and ponderous with very little invention. If only Wenger had decided to spend a significant sum on Gary Cahill when the Englishman had entered the final year of his contract at Bolton, the Gunners would have a defender who can not only defend at the highest level, but who also has the ability to accurately pass the ball further than five yards. Ball playing centre halves are now a necessity in the modern game, gone are the days when a defender would only be expected to put his head in where it hurts. Unfortunately, while Arsenal do possess two centre backs who are not afraid to bring the ball out from the back (Vermaelen and Koscielny) neither is enjoying a great season.

Although, during the first half yesterday, Arsenal’s midfield were completely swamped and just could not get themselves into the game, the start of the second period saw the Gunners growing into the match and creating chances. Giroud showed desire to meet Wlacott’s pass, only to see his effort saved by Vorn before the Frenchman volleyed straight at Vorm and Ramsey could have been awarded a penalty. Yet although it appeared only a matter of time before the Gunners broke the deadlock, it was Swansea who took the lead through Michu. The Spaniard had barely been on the field a minute when he easily flicked the ball over the stranded Mertesacker and ran through on goal to bundle the ball past Szczesny and give the home side the lead. Szczesny may feel disappointed not to have saved Michu’s shot as the ball seemed to go right under his arm, but nevertheless, Michu should not have been allowed to get into that position in the first place.

Although Arsenal continued to attack, it did not appear as though it would be their day as both Giroud and Walcott missed glorious chances to restore parity. However with nine minutes left, Podolski showed his natural goal poacher’s instinct to swivel in the area and divert the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Two minutes later and the visitors were in front thanks to a wonderful effort from Kieran Gibbs. The Englishman’s excellent volley from Giroud’s pass flying past Vorm to give Arsenal the lead.

Yet the Gunners’ poor defending came back to haunt them once again. With every ball that Swansea sent into the Arsenal penalty area, the visitors became more and more nervous. Despite only having seven minutes to hold onto their lead, the Gunners succumbed with three minutes left. Danny Graham was allowed to drift past his marker as Arsenal defended from a corner. Arteta, who was on the line, must have seen that the Englishman was in far too much space, but did not close him down and as the ball fell to him, Graham was allowed to control it and shoot past Szczesny to send the tie into a replay.

Arsene Wenger’s side now face an extremely busy January as along with this replay they must also play the rearranged Boxing Day fixture against West Ham. With the Gunners squad being clearly the poorest which Wenger has had in his time at the club, Arsenal will clearly struggle during this period. The manager only has himself to blame.