This was a promising game albeit with some old concerns. Although this Arsenal team is still a work in progress, it had enough to match a relatively strong Spurs team. One would bet on Arsenal having longer runway.
Spurs employed a negative approach, not unlike their City plan. And it worked for them because our transition defense is in tatters. Whenever they drove forward we made mistakes. The first goal had a litany. 1) Xhaka beaten in the air, 2) Luiz pulled forward out of position, 3) Leno weak save leaving ball in goal area and 4) Sokratis not tracking Ericsson run.
Our players don’t know how to communicate and pick up assignments. The same was seen with Son consistently coming in on counters, cutting in to the centre away from Kola, and then the central defenders and Xhaka not having clarity on who closes him. This needs better communication. This issue could’ve cost us more goals from Son and Kane.
The only other major negative for me was the disconnection of attack and midfield for a second successive week. Last weekend Ceballos got dragged deep. This week we had space to be progressive but lacked playmakers in midfield. We could’ve dispensed with Xhaka or Torreira for Ceballos. I understand what Emery was doing - he wanted to ensure we didn’t concede. But it failed.
On the other hand, there were numerous positives.
- Guendouzi was a midfield boss. Incredible lofted assist to go with 74 touches, 30 final third passes and 3 successful tackles.
- Aubameyang really worked hard from the flank, troubled the fullback and moved well all game. Elite movement for the Guendouzi ball that completely lost Vertonghen
- We put them under pressure for long periods. They had shots but attacked more sporadically. We tended to press them back. Even leading to our first goal there was a Pepé shot and then the Pepé assist.
- Our drive in the second half was too much for them. By the 80th minute they were visibly playing like a lower table team, fouling and time wasting. Our effort was typified by Lacazette who led the team in recoveries and was at times putting in a tackle at the top of our box before he left. This is particularly encouraging because Spurs have a reputation as an energetic team - remember how they bullied Ajax
- Another comeback. This team has exhibited real character with another revival in the derby. It’s mettle we had grown unaccustomed to over the lean years.
On this basis, we just need to integrate the first choice fullbacks, figure out a reliable back 2 and then determine how we want to arrange our middle 3 in the next 4-6 weeks. And then we will have a decent team. But it’s coming together.
