Claudius wrote:
Mikel on yesterday’s game
I thought we were really good both defensively and offensively and attacking-wise we had movement that is exactly what I want and exactly what we try and teach the players to do. In other moments we became a little bit sloppy in certain moments when we thought that the game was won. That’s something we have to improve. But overall it’s close to what we want.
If this is how we want to play, what was happening for the first 3 months of the season? Have we been waiting for ESR and Martinelli to be ready to play? Why did we stink up for so long
Several factors, but primarily injuries and a poorly balanced squad means we had restricted options in terms of shape, selections/roles and balance.
Essentially Arteta has been doing a juggling act to date, which has seen a number of players struggle in less than ideal circumstances/positions/roles.
The availability of Martinelli and ESR has been significant - not just because of their quality and capability, but also their desire to play on the front foot in terms of attacking intent.
That said IMO perhaps the biggest impact has been in terms of the balance we now have in attack. One of the biggest issues we have had in terms of goals has been trying to improve our right flank once teams looked to close down PEA on the left. We haven't been able to do so effectively until now, and the difference has been both the linking play by ESR AND Martinelli's availability.
Saka can now be moved across to the right flank where he is far better suited to the role than either Willian (who prefers to play wide), or Pepe (who prefers to make inside runs towards the area to get into shooting positions) = Willian is more likely to pass/cross, whilst Pepe is more likey to want to shoot. By contrast Saka likes to play in the half-space along the vertical edge of the opposition area as seen for his cross that eventually resulted in Laca's 1st goal - something not seen often enough from either Willian or Pepe in that narrower position. IMO it is his positioning along thee edge that has defenders in 2 minds as to if he will look to shoot or cross from that position. Similarly being on the edge of the area also means defenders need to be careful about conceding fouls in the area, whereas they need not hesitate when Willian and Pepe are wider. This then creates extra time in and around the area not only for Saka on the ball, but also for other attackers to make runs into the area to provide options.
The finishing touch to this new balance IMO is since the 2nd half v BHA we also see ESR playing more to the right side in combo with Saka, whilst we still have the Tierney-PEA/Martinelli combo on the left. Not only do we now have 2 effective creative partnerships on each flank, the added bonus is they also stem from different areas of the pitch to give as asymmetric impact that makes it more difficult for defenders to negate.
I also think we will see more of the attacking play from the right looking for the runs of PEA and Martinelli from the left as much as providing supply to Laca as CF.
Lastly by having an effective #10/CAM who looks to move and link, it also means the CF role not only has close support and passing options making their link play more effective, but they are less required to drop deeper and can remain closer to goal t be better positioned in terms of chances created.
