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Arsenal: Has the Gunners’ defence turned a corner?

  By O-Posts Team | March 24, 2024 - 18:53 | , ,
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Defence is all about organisation and understanding. That is something Arsenal have not had consistently this season. At the beginning of the season, it looked promising for the Gunners. 3 clean sheets in a row got Arsenal fans thinking whether a corner had been turned. Unfortunately, this didn’t come to fruition. An injury to Laurent Koscielny, our best defender last season, meant he couldn’t muster a run of games as well as Thomas Vermaelen and Wojciech Szczesny’s poor form were largely the reasons.

But for the 2nd leg against Bayern Munich, Arsene Wenger decided he’d had enough. He dropped Vermaelen and Szczesny and started Fabianski and Koscielny in their place. For the first time in a while, Arsenal looked like a solid defensive unit. Mertesacker and Koscielny understood each other and looked a good partnership. Mertesacker used his height and aerial strength to win the ball and if anything got through, Koscielny used his pace to clear any trouble.

Our back 5 also communicated plenty, which was refreshing to see. Fabianski was vocal and confident and Mertesacker organised the back line very well. Against Swansea, Wenger stuck with the same back 5 and his decision was proved correct. Lukasz Fabianski didn’t have a save to make all game and the only time Swansea looked dangerous was when Carl Jenkinson lazily passed the ball right to Michu’s feet.

You could argue that these two teams had nothing to play for but considering how I’m used to seeing Arsenal defend, I’m pleased with how solid we’ve looked since that dreadful loss at White Hart Lane.

Dropping Szczesny has hopefully been the reality check he needs to start performing again and has shown him that if he doesn’t up his game, he won’t play. Also, I think this could be Thomas Vermaelen’s last season at Arsenal, with Barcelona apparently interested. I for one wouldn’t be sad to see him go. He is a shadow of the player he was when he first arrived here, and I have found myself get more and more frustrated with his rash challenges and lack of focus costing us goals.

For now I would stick with the same back 5 as we have in the last two games for the rest of the season. Then in the summer I’d buy a replacement CB for Vermaelen (Chico Flores would be my pick) and an experienced goalie for Szczesny to learn from, and to apply some much-needed pressure to that no. 1 spot.

 

Written by Charlie Smith

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Arsenal: Top Four Finish Still Alive For The Gunners

  By O-Posts Team | March 15, 2024 - 19:18 | , ,
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On Wednesday, Arsenal were the last English team to be knocked out of the UEFA Champions League despite beating Bayern 2-0 at the Allianz Arena. But, despite their efforts, they were unfortunately knocked out by the away goal rule.

Barely 5 minutes into the match, Arsenal were ahead through the big Frenchman Olivier Giroud after pace man Theo Walcott stirred in a curvy cross to the box which Giroud calmly converted into the back of the net. From then on, it was end to end stuff from both sides, although Bayern enjoyed most of the possession and chances against a well drilled and organized Arsenal defense.

Bayern, without creative mid-fielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and top striker Mario Gomez left on the bench, had to rely on the brilliance of winger Arjen Robben. He had his moments in the game, but personally I believe if he had made some decent crosses into the box instead of selfishly going for glory every time, it surely would have been a different ball game.

Captain Thomas Vermaelen was dropped to the bench, an obvious message from Wenger passing a to his skipper that being the captain doesn’t guarantee you a place in the squad. Koscielny was brought in to replace him. And without doubt, the partnership of Mertesacker and Koscielny in the heart of the defense in Munich has been Arsenal’s best defensive display all season.

Drilled, hungry and ready for battle - we witnessed a different Arsenal side. The forwards were tracking back to help with the defense along with the mid-fielders. On the night, the Arsenal team were brilliant and I still find it hard to fault where this team got it wrong. Maybe if the lines-man didn’t rule Theo offside, Bayern would have had one of the most miserable Champions League nights ever.

They finally got a second courtesy of a decent header by Koscielny, but it was little too late to get a decisive result as Bayern maintained possession for the rest of the game to book a place in the quarter final.

The work rate of Welshman Aaron Ramsey didn’t go unnoticed. Carl Jenkinson and Gibbs put on beastly showings, and Rosicky was one of the best players of the night. Having a player like Rosicky in your team is like having a security dog, ready to attack (bite) at any slightest chance. His ability to track back and help with the defense along with his clear vision for the deadly pass, that reminds me of one Cesc Fabregas, was Arsenal’s catalyst to a brilliant display.

This sort of performance is what the Arsenal fans pay to watch this team, and it is the duty of the manager to maintain this mouth-watering display in the English Premier League for Arsenal’s race for a top 4 finish.

Only time will tell with a crunch tie fixture against Swansea next on Saturday. A win should be a stepping stone for Arsenal. They can only continue to fight and hope other results go their way.

 

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