Gunners win again in Europe

Arsenal 3-1 Olympiacos

During his first season with the Gunners, Per Mertesacker was often lambasted, with several football pundits failing to understand why Arsene Wenger had decided to bring him to the club. Yet this season, the German international appears to be the glue which holds Arsenal’s defence together. He was pivotal in helping the Gunners secure three consecutive clean sheets in their first three games of the season, thanks largely to his exceptional positional sense and organisational abilities. Mertesacker’s importance to Wenger’s side has been highlighted further by his absence in the last two games.

Against Chelsea, the German’s aerial ability was sorely missed as Arsenal conceded two soft goals from deliveries into the box, while in the Champions League victory against Olympiacos, on Wednesday, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny played as though they had only just met for the very first time. Misplaced passes, poor positioning and rash tackles allowed the visitors to place pressure on the Arsenal defence and create several opportunities which other teams would have taken. Vermaelen, particularly in the last two games, has seemed to be far too nervous when the opposition have possession in and around the Arsenal penalty area. As a result, he has developed a tendency to dive into needless tackles, which the opposition can either evade and thereby taking Vermaelen completely out of the game, or if they are unable to do this, the Belgian ends up giving away a penalty or a free kick.

This worrying trait was seen far too often during Wednesday night’s game and must be eradicated if Arsenal are to improve on their game when they do not have the ball. Another worrying aspect of the Gunners’ first half performance against Olympiacos was the fact that they were not really able to dominate the midfield as you would have expected them too. The visitors were happy to allow the Arsenal centre halves to have the ball, but as soon as it was played forward, into the midfield, the visitors would press forward, often stealing possession. The fact the Gunners struggled greatly to overcome this tactic, does not bode well for the weekend game against West Ham, who you can be sure will employ the same tactics in an attempt to stifle Arsenal’s creativity.

The first half performance was largely disjointed and simply not good enough and yet against the run of play, Arsenal took the lead in the 42^nd minute. The visitors should have taken the lead earlier on when Paulo Machado somehow managed to miss the target when all alone, right in front of the goal and Gervinho made them pay for their profligacy. The Ivorian collected a loose ball and fired a low shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner. Arsenal did not deserve to be in the lead and on the stroke of half-time; Olympiacos got their just deserts as Leandro Greco’s fine cross was met with a terrific header from Mitroglou, who had managed to sneak in between the Arsenal centre backs to guide the ball past Mannone.

The Gunners needed to respond in the second half and their performance did improve, enabling them to exude more and more pressure on the Olympiacos goal. In the 56^th minute, that pressure told as Gervinho cut the ball back from the by-line, finding Lukas Podolski. The German’s first touch was slightly heavy and the chance appeared to have been lost. However Podolski would not be denied and he fired his shot low and hard, through the goalkeeper’s legs to once again showcase his incredible finishing ability and give Arsenal the lead once more. The visitor’s resolve seemed to have been broken by the Gunners’ second goal and the home side seized the initiative, although they could not find the killer third goal.

Kosicelny headed over the bar from six yards out, when completely unmarked, while Giroud’s goal bound effort hit an Olympiacos defender and flew wide. However Arsenal would not be denied and sealed the win in the last minute of the game, as Giroud’s nod on released Ramsey for the Welshman to confidently clip the ball into the net.

Although the Gunners were not at their best, their great spirit and togetherness enabled them to come through a stiff challenge. However both Vermalen and Koscielny must improve their performances as they are currently undermining the fine defensive work which is being carried out by the rest of the team. With Andy Carroll and Sam Allardyce’s penchant for a long ball, the Gunners’ defence will be sorely tested on Saturday. All Arsenal fans will be hoping Mertesacker will overcome the virus which saw him miss this game as his sheer presence should provide the stability and composure which the defence has sorely missed in the last two games.

Defensive errors prove costly

A week, as the old saying goes, is a long time in football. Just ask Laurent Koscielny. A week ago the Frenchman was the hero, with his stunning late goal against Manchester City ensuring Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the new season. Against Chelsea, on Saturday however, Koscielny’s hero status disintegrated, as two defensive errors enabled the away side to take all three points from a game in which Arsenal deserved more.

The Gunners began the game well, enjoying the lion’s share of possession; however they appeared nervous and undecided on the ball. Abou Diaby in particular was caught in possession a number of times, before being substituted early on due to injury. Chelsea on the other hand, having added several technically gifted midfielders in the summer, seemed more purposeful in possession. Whereas Arsenal’s passing was sloppy at times, Chelsea’s was intricate and slick as they seemed content to sit back and catch the Gunners on the break. Yet Chelsea were not able to really trouble Vito Mannone even though the home side’s defending, which has been lauded for its stability since the start of the season, was far too rash and indecisive on Saturday. In the 20^th minute Vermaelen’s reckless tackle on Hazard provided Juan Matta an opportunity to deliver the ball into the Arsenal box and disaster ensued. First of all not one Arsenal player attacked the ball as they simply allowed it to sail into the area. Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was supposed to be marking David Luiz, lost his man and although Mata’s delivery was too high for the Brazilian, it was perfect for Fernando Torres. The Spaniard was able to score by hooking his foot round Kosielny, who was so preoccupied with tussling with Torres that by the time the ball arrived the Frenchman actually had his back to the ball!

A few minutes later it could have been worse, as Arsenal surged forward in an attempt to restore parity as soon as possible. Santi Cazorla’s penalty appeal, for a shove in the back was dismissed by referee Martin Atkinson and before the crowd had time to draw breath, the ball had been lofted through to Fernando Torres. Yet as Kosielny had his body in between the ball and Torres, all seemed fine, until the Frenchman dithered allowing Torres to steal the ball away from him and advance on goal. Luckily for the Gunners, Koscielny managed to chase back putting Torress off and the chance was lost.

It was a moment the away side would regret as just before halftime, the Gunners were back on level terms. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s low ball into Gervinho was controlled by the Ivorian with his first touch, before swivelling and firing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. It was a wonderful strike from the man who had missed so many chances in the previous game against Manchester City.

It was the perfect time to score and as the second half began, Arsenal were clearly in control. Unfortunately, with Chelsea camped in their own half, the Gunners were unable to capitalise on their period of dominance with Oxlade-Chamberlain and Cazorla miss-firing when set up for a shot. In the 53^rd minute, the home side were made to pay thanks to another show of shambolic defending. As Chelsea attempted to hit the Gunners on the counter attack, Vermaelen committed a foul on Torres, allowing Mata to deliver another free kick from a very similar position to the one which had to the goal. Once again no Arsenal player attacked the ball and to compound matters, Koscielny’s needless attempt to do so only served to help the ball on its way into the bottom corner of the goal.

After such a positive start to the second half, you could say that it was unfortunate on the home side, but in truth with such suicidal defending, they only had themselves to blame. Arsenal may have been stunned still continued to believe and pressed forward in search of a second goal. Lukas Podolski’s headed effort was well saved by Cech when it seemed destined to sail over him and into the net. It just didn’t appear to be Arsenal’s day as David Luiz stuck his foot out to clear a cross and the ball flew just wide before second half substitute, Olivier Giroud’s shot was deflected and Cech’s last ditch attempted save saw the ball trickle just wide of the post. But the best chance was created for Giroud in the last few minutes of the game. Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain combined well, the Englishman sliding the ball through to Giroud, who had made a good run into the box. Giroud could have attempted to clip the ball over the onrushing Cech, in similar fashion to his goal against Coventry, but instead he decided to round the keeper. This however had the effect of narrowing the angle and with the goal at his mercy; Giroud could only fire the ball into the side of the net.

Great disappointment greeted the final whistle, with the general feeling being that Arsenal had simply thrown the game away. Although they had not been at their best, the home side were still more than a match for Chelsea and caused them plenty of problems. Yet the Gunners’ defensive frailties returned to haunt them and cost them the game. Having made such a positive start to the season, there had been talk of Arsenal challenging for the league title, but with defending like that the Gunners have a long way to go before being able to mount a serious title challenge.

Goal fest at the Emirates

 

Arsenal 6-1 Coventry

Another home game at the Emirates stadium and another 6-1 won for the Gunners as Arsenal began this season’s League Cup campaign in style.

As has become his custom during his time at the club, Arsene Wenger provided his fringe players an opportunity to impress; making eleven changes to the side that drew 1-1 against Manchester City. Three youngsters made their first team debut for the club, as the highly rated Argentine goalkeeper, Damien Martinez was handed his first start for the Gunners and although his services were largely uncalled for, Martinez acquitted himself well. While the industrious Martin Angha was deployed at right back and Serge Gnarby made a very impressive 20 minute cameo appearance.

Points shared at the Etihad

Manchester City 1-1 Arsenal

 

 

 

At the final whistle yesterday, Arsenal supporters were experiencing a range of emotions. There was great pride in a fantastic performance at the home of the Premier League Champions as well as the immense satisfaction of watching your side simply refuse to give in and ultimately achieve just reward for their endeavour. Yet there was also a tinge of frustration and disappointment as the Gunners created enough chances to have taken away all three points from the Etihad stadium.

 

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.

Gunners hit Saints for six

Arsenal 6-1 Southampton

Following the recent international break, Arsenal returned to Premier League action in sumptuous form on Saturday, defeating Southampton 6-1. It was as if the Gunners hadn’t been away, as they picked up right where they had left off in the 2-0 win against Liverpool, simply playing Southampton off the park. The visitors just could not live with Arsenal’s crisp one touch passing, with the home side able to link up so well with each other, often creating chances at will.

Nigel Adkins’ side did slightly play into Arsenal’s hands, as unlike Sunderland, in the first game of the season, they did not sit back and defend in numbers, in an attempt to grind out a 0-0 draw. Southampton in fact admirably adhered to their own attacking principles as more often than not, they opted to play the ball out from defence rather than lump it up to Rickie Lambert. The negative aspect of this tactic however was that the visitors played a relatively high defensive line, allowing plenty of space in behind for Arsenal to exploit and this coupled with the fact that in the first half in particular, Southampton tended to sit off the Arsenal players, was a recipe for disaster. With no real pressure being placed on him Santi Cazorla was able to majestically control the midfield, his piercing through balls creating havoc in the Southampton defence.

New boys sink Liverpool

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal came away from Anfield yesterday with a renewed self-confidence, as the Gunners produced a majestic display to record their first victory of the new season, with the added bonus of new recruits Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla. grabbing both goals.

Arsene Wenger’s side entered this game amid great pressure from the media, as journalists and football pundits alike had been quick to point out the detrimental effect upon the team’s attacking ability, rendered by the loss of Robin Van Persie. Goalless draws in the opening two games of the season had not helped either as the players still appeared to be adjusting to their new teammates. Yesterday however, the team gave a performance reminiscent of Arsenal of old.

Without the ball, the Gunners were calm, controlled and organised as they defended resolutely, easily dealing with any pressure placed on them by Liverpool.  Not once did Arsenal look to be in any real trouble, with Vito Mannone only being tested towards the end of the game through two long range efforts by Jon Jo Shelvey. That said it all really, as in contrast to last season, Liverpool were simply unable to get in behind the Arsenal defence to cause the Gunners any problems.  The whole team worked as one unit, with Podolski and Oxlade-Chamberlain working particularly hard to track the runs of Liverpool’s wide players. As a result, the away side were able to invite Liverpool onto them, safe in the knowledge they were more than capable of breaking down the home side’s attacks before striking on the counter attack.

Hard working Ox