Two points dropped yesterday from a game that, on paper at least, should have been an easy three points. However, it was clear from the outset that the exertions of Wednesday night’s excellent performance against Borussia Dortmund had taken their toll on a team already overworked. Despite the disappointing result though, there were many positives to take from the performance.
We have our Walcott back
For much of his Arsenal career, Theo Walcott has been on the receiving end of a great deal of criticism, particularly for his decision making in the final third. When I have spoken about his performances in the past, it has been centered more around the disappointment that such a clearly talented player had seemingly lost his way. Recently though, a new found maturity seems to have entered his game which is clearly of great benefit to the team.
It has been noticeable, right from pre-season, that Walcott’s role had become much more loosely defined, being allowed to switch flanks with Gervinho on the left and being able to float across the front three with ease. While the old frustrations persisted for some months, his recent performances are showing that he’s starting to relax into his new role.
Yesterday saw a fine assist for Vermaelen’s goal and, but for some shoddy finishing from Ramsey, it would have been more. A 96% passing accuracy yesterday1 showed vast improvement from a player more used to seeing around 30% of his passes going astray1, and although only one found its intended target yesterday, his crossing has improved immeasurably of late.
Aside from the slightly more relaxed approach to his play, there are a number of factors that are could be contributing to this player’s improvement, but one has to imagine that a clear run of games without an interruption from injury has been of most benefit to him. Long may it continue.
Attack vs defence
After all the talk of Arsenal being a one-man team (where have we heard that before?), a number of individual performances have gone largely unnoticed by those unconnected with the club. While it is often difficult to see past the dazzling glare that Robin van Persie has created this season, the more defensive, gritty performances from his team-mates have been cast into the shadows somewhat. Alex Song’s performance on Wednesday is a prime example of attack being more regularly lauded than defence. We have all seen his development over the years into arguably one of the world’s best defensive midfielders, but it took a mazy run and a goal-assisting cross for everyone else to sit up and take notice of his talents.
Early on in the season, Song was, at times, being asked to protect the whole back four on his own, and covering for both full backs in the process. Wherever he went, he left gaps elsewhere and we were lucky not to be punished for this more regularly. The difference now, however, is the addition of Mikel Arteta.
I’ve long been a fan of Arteta’s talents, and I was delighted to see him join the club on deadline day. While I always saw his potential as a back up to fellow Spaniard, Cesc Fabregas, Wenger has chosen to use him in a far more defensive role that any of us expected. He has proved an inspired signing for the club, not just for his experience, but because he seems to be something approaching the complete midfielder.
It is almost inevitable that each game will see him at the top of the list, not just for number of touches, but for passes made as well as passing accuracy. That an 89% passing accuracy1 yesterday represented a disappointing haul for him shows just how accurate he can be. He also managed to complete a quite impressive 11 long balls out of 13 attempted1.
One thing that has surprised most about Arteta this season though, has been his defensive work and ability to break up attacks. His role at Everton was far more advanced and so this aspect of his game was largely hidden, but not so much that Wenger didn’t already have him earmarked for a more defensive role when joining Arsenal. Three tackles and as many interceptions yesterday1 put him on a par with our defenders, and the importance of his willingness to dig in and help out the defence cannot be underestimated. Add to that the quality of his passing and his ability to get our attacks going, and you begin to see just how important he has become for this team.
What a shame we didn’t buy him sooner.
Conclusion
Yes, it was two points dropped, but not at all through lack of quality. Tiredness played its part, but as is so often the case with these sorts of games, the opposition goalkeeper produced a man of the match performance and, on any other day, we would have won this game easily.
Despite the quality of the opposition, the League Cup game against Manchester City this week will almost certainly see much of the first team given the night off, so we should hopefully see a slightly more energetic performance from the boys when they return at the weekend against Wigan.
Gary Speed
The news of the sad death of Gary Speed broke just as I sat down to write today’s report. While it is unfair to speculate on the reasons surrounding his death, I feel it would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to a man who graced the world of football so elegantly and with such great dignity for so many years. His sad passing is a tragic loss to the football community and I’m sure all Arsenal fans will join me in taking a moment to remember him both as a professional and as a gentleman.