Arsenal restored order at the
Emirates with a huge 2-0 win over second place Liverpool, overcoming two setbacks
in a seven day period less than a week ago, against Dortmund in the UCL and
Chelsea in the Capital One Cup. It was a dominating performance that included
sublime goals from Santi Cazorla in the first half and the indomnitable Aaron
Ramsey in the second, with excellent pressing, pinpoint passing and strong
defense in between. A few thoughts from a game that restored some faith that
this Gunner team could actually challenge for the title right on through to the
end …
1) Are we better without
Wilshere? This is the question that I continue to ponder as I watch the flow
and control of the game improve whenever he is off the pitch. Cazorla was the
real creative force in this game, with Arteta serving as the fulcrum and Ramsey
as the box-to-box force, while Ozil was largely anonymous and Rosicky pushed
forward with resolve. Even in a game where we lacked a strong defensive mid
(Arteta just doesn’t patrol the middle like Flamini) and no natural wingers, we
were still able to get around Liverpool’s back three with ease – particularly on
the right with the surging Sagna.
2) Pressing up is our best
strategy: When Arsenal sit back and absolve pressure, bad things too often
happen, as we lose our organization or discipline or push forward and get
caught on the counter. But when we press across the field, as Barcelona does
whenever they lose the ball, we become a true force to be reckoned with and can
beat anyone in the world. In fact, it was this approach that led to the second
leg win over Bayern last season and could very well give us a result against
Dortmund on Wednesday.
3) Striker/DM: even with all
the positives from the game, one couldn’t help notice that Giroud missed two
chances to score and give us a two-goal cushion, with the first a one-on-one
with the goalkeeper Mignolet. Top-class strikers need to score with those
opportunities and it is clear, after the pathetic performance by Bendtner in
the Capital One Cup last week that we need a second striker to keep our
momentum pushing forward to the end. I also think we need a second defensive
midfielder to backup Flamini, as there is really no one to take that role at
present. The team played brilliantly together and Liverpool had few chances to
score, or even get off decent shots (Suarez did have two decent chances he sent
wide), but a quality striker or DM might have made the result even more
impressive. Given that we are still in the Champion’s League and have the FA
Cup starting next year, backups will be a necessity.
4) Depths from Despair: it’s
incredible to consider that before the season most, including me, thought we
had too thin a squad and now, forgoing the aforementioned needs at striker and
DM, we are packed with talent across the field. Even with Ox, Podolski, Flamini
and Walcott out, we seemed head and shoulders above Liverpool at almost every
position – with better finishing, better passing and better control across the
pitch. Suarez and Sturridge might be the best striker pairing in English
football at present (though Rooney and RVP certainly have their own argument to
make), but we kept them split up and off the ball most of the game. Even as the
press continues to doubt our credentials, as perennial Arsene and Arsenal
haters, Wenger has built a quality team that combines youth with more seasoned
internationals.
This is just the first step
in a trying period for the Gunners, who next take on Borussia Dortmund at the
Allianz and then head to Old Trafford to face a United team that seems to have
found form after the inconsistent start. After that, things don’t get much
easier with a strong defensive unit in Southampton and a trip to Cardiff. But
if the Gunners continue to play at the level seen Saturday, a trophy might be
the long-awaited award the team finally brings home.
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