NFL
By: Ty Reeves
Trust the process? Is the process actually starting to work, or did Arsenal play two bad opponents? At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who you play, all that matters is the result. The Gunners have walked away with six crucial points in their last two Premier League matches. They picked up back-to-back 1-0 wins over Norwich and Burnley.
All. Three. Points!
0-1
(FT)#BURARS pic.twitter.com/qh9acR1Ccf
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 18, 2021
Now neither game contained the best football. However, the team did what they had to do to secure the much-needed wins ahead of the London Derby this weekend. Even when you win, there are always positives and negatives. Luckily for Arsenal, there were more positives than negatives.
Has Arteta found his preferred players?
Over the past two games, we have seen some changes to the Arsenal lineup. After social media controversy, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has made his way back into the squad. The versatile player started against Norwich next to Sambi Lokonga, leaving Thomas Partey on the bench. He then came off the bench against Burnley for the final 30 minutes of the match.
Maitland-Niles shows in flashes what he is capable of on the pitch. He’s a pacey player with quick feet. He flies into tackles in the midfield and is very good at recovering the ball. The department he lacks in is awareness. He has a tendency to spend too much time on the ball and gets dispossessed often. If he could lower the turnovers and keep his aggressive play high, he might actually be able to make a name for himself in the Arsenal midfield.
Another player who has been immense since joining the club is Takehiro Tomiyasu. The Japanese defender has cemented his place as Arteta’s first-choice right-back after joining the club on deadline day. He has been exceptionally good defensively. Against a Burnley squad who is known for their aerial ability, he won 100% of his aerial duels.
Aaron Ramsdale also had an impressive game. Although he didn’t have to make too many saves, he was good on set pieces and made what was a game-saving tackle. He’s proven that he’s better than his track record shows and that there’s a reason why he’s won player of the season at his last two clubs. And one thing all Arsenal fans can agree on is his passion for the game is unreal. Bernd Leno might be in trouble if Ramsdale keeps this up.
New attacking-minded methods?
Against Burnley, Arteta debuted a lineup that was very attacking-minded. A squad that usually features two defensive midfielders, saw only Partey in front of the line. Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Nicolas Pepe were all featured in the starting lineup.
Martin Odegaard puts Arsenal ahead at Burnley with a beautiful free-kick!
(via @NBCSportsSoccer)
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 18, 2021
This is the most attacking-minded lineup that Arsenal has put out in quite some time. However, the Gunners were only able to get three shots on goal in the 90 minutes against Burnley. At times the field looked crowded, with the overall play of the team being very stagnant. Is it possible that the Gunners had too many creative players on the field at once? There’s only one way to find out. Start the same lineup against Spurs.
Is it time to give Lacazette another chance?
Goals have not been coming in numbers for Arsenal in the Premier League. They only have managed to score two goals in their first five games of the season, only one coming from open play.
It seems as though Aubameyang isn’t the potent goal scorer he once was. He currently has four goals in all competitions this season. It’s not that he doesn’t put in the work on the field, he just doesn’t look to have that killer instinct in front of goal anymore. Plus the way Arsenal wants to play football, it might be more suited to Lacazette’s play style.
The Frenchman has shown since he’s been at Arsenal that his worth ethic and hold-up play are the best in the squad. It seems Arsenal wants Pepe and Tierney to stay wide with Saka cutting inside between the defenders. With these tactics implied, it would make sense to give more minutes to Lacazette who can drop deeper into the field, receive the ball and play out wide.
Lacazette also has a very good scoring record against Spurs scoring three goals in the last four meetings between the teams.
What to expect going forward
Even though facing Tottenham is the big task ahead, the Gunners first have to play a mid-week match in the EFL cup. Even though the game isn’t the main event of the week, Arsenal will look to advance as the competition could lead to European football for the Gunners.
As far as Sunday goes. I would expect to see a similar team that faced Burnley this past weekend. Spurs come into the game off a crushing defeat to Chelsea. Before that, they tied their Europa Conference League match against french side Rennes and lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace before that. And to make matters worse for Spurs Harry Kane hasn’t scored in four appearances for the team.
For the Gunners, defense is going to be key against Spurs. Gabriel has been key to the defense since his return to the squad. Tierney and Tomiyasu have both played well, now it seems the squad is waiting on Ben White who is still adjusting to life in the heart of the Arsenal defense.
Moving through the field, Partey will be the one pulling the strings. Without his presence in the midfield, we are simply just not as good. Arteta told the media that, “He’s the Anchor. He’s the one who reads what is happening and makes the rest better.”
Ty’s Starting XI vs. Spurs
Even though Ramsdale has been good in the past two games, I believe Arteta will go back to Leno for the derby. The defense will remain unchanged with Sambi and Partey starting next to each other. The forward midfield three will feature Smith-Rowe, Odegaard, and Saka with Pepe dropping to the bench to rest. Aubameyang will lead the line.
