There have been ups and downs since Mikel Arteta replaced Unai Emery on the Arsenal bench in December. There have been positive periods, more difficult periods, positive results and negative results. Consistency, however, was always missing. Consistency in performance, style of play and obviously in results. Finally, it seems that the Arsenal manager has found the right formula and, with that, his reconstruction work is finally back on track.
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Norwich’s 4-0 demolition on Wednesday at Emirates Stadium, where the Gunners were in total control as rarely before this season, proves it. Even though they benefited from the mistakes of a poor and relegated team, Arsenal has finally shown some significant progress. Arteta always knew where she wanted to be. Now it starts to seem like he knows it Such as want to do it and with who.
During the pandemic, when he was in daily contact with his players via videoconferencing, and since rebooting, Arteta has had a lot of time to evaluate his team. He insisted on having the right mentality as individuals and as a club. Those who don’t work hard enough and don’t have the right attitude won’t play. Mesut Ozil, who wasn’t on the team again on Wednesday, is one of them, while Matteo Guendouzi was also dropped from his clash with Brighton’s Neal Maupay. On the other hand, Dani Ceballos worked hard and earned the right to start, as he did against Norwich with a very good performance, particularly in the first half. Ozil and Guendouzi may still be back on the team, but for that to happen, Arteta will first have to see a positive response from them. After the Norwich victory, he was asked about Guendouzi and a possible return after dropping him for the previous three games. “Things will have to change [from him] and they haven’t changed yet, “he said, underlining once again how important attitude and behavior is in training and during matches.
However, in addition to the staff, it was important for Arteta to find the right system. You can have great ideas and ambitions in your style, but without the right tactics it won’t lead anywhere. The Spaniard has fumbled a bit, but the 3-4-3 formation he has played in the last three games is clearly his favorite formation and what we should expect to see until the end of the season.
Not only does he put David Luiz in the sweeper, his best position, but he also seems to fit perfectly with the other players on the team. Granit Xhaka now has more protection behind her. Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin are more likely to defend themselves than to defend themselves and therefore are more effective in wing roles. Here, we have seen Scot make another very good performance against Norwich, exerting a lot of energy up and down his left wing and showing undeniable quality with his left foot. With Tierney by his side, it also means that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can enter a little more, especially when Alexandre Lacazette goes deeper to get the ball.
The Arsenal captain reached a milestone on Wednesday, scoring his 50 and 51 goals in the Premier League only in his 79th game, reaching these numbers even faster than the great Thierry Henry (83 games). “He can be so decisive at any time for us. He is willing to be with us. He is happy, he can see what we want to do. He can still improve too. I am positive and I will remain positive that he can stay here for many years,” added Arteta when asked about the contractual situation of the Gabon striker.
As for Lacazette, the Frenchman is going through a period of drought and at the moment he lacks confidence, as we have seen with the two chances he lost against Norwich, but his connection game remains precious for the team. With this system, the team is also more balanced in this way. Arsenal controlled the pace of the game well on Wednesday and Arteta was very happy with the team’s performances, the game models, the diagonals and the game changes and the off-ball movement. His reaction to his team’s second goal, scored by Xhaka, proved it. With an excellent buildup from right to left, Aubameyang in the middle space and the escape from the Swiss midfielder, was the perfect goal and the type of goal that the manager dreams of.
“Tonight has been part of the process of what we want to do here. We have to respect what we are doing. We have had a difficult season but the players are so willing and so on board for what we are doing. I am very happy with the attitude and players’ understanding of what we are trying to do and tonight has shown it, “said Arteta after the game.
Spanish was also remarkably vocal throughout the game, in English, in Spanish and sometimes even in a little French. He was always behind his players, repositioning, encouraging and even screaming. It was good to see him show his leadership skills and challenge his team and even better to see his players respond.
Arsenal have now won three trotting times in all competitions, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The club’s next two games, against Wolves on Saturday and Leicester on Tuesday, will define their season. Both teams sit above the Londoners in the race for the Champions League seats, respectively with six and nine points ahead. Arteta and his players still believe they can enter Europe and two wins would keep them very much in the hunt for fifth place. Two wins would confirm and improve all the team’s progress in the last three games and provide a springboard to finish the season strong.
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