First of all, it was a fantastic win at our own stadium in front of our fans yesterday against Burnley. That must have boosted confidence among the players. And confidence and momentum are key.
Looking at the last few matches generally, starting from the draw with Hull followed by 3 consecutive victories against Anderlecht, Sunderland and Burnley, there is a growing sense of optimism. You can see it in Arsene Wenger and the players being interviewed.
Let's start with goalkeeping department. Szczesny seems like a good shot-stopper but he looks like a very impulsive keeper at times, rushing out needlessly, causing himself to drift into no man's land, as he did against Burnley last night when the score was still at 0-0. I always worry when a backpass is made to our dear Szczesny because he likes to pick a pass out too slowly. I guess he's taking it upon himself to launch a good attack, which is applaudable but he must know that his first job is to provide security to his defence. I hope he does less of his switching foot when he receives a backpass. For now, with Ospina out, he will very likely start ahead of Martinez in games. Maybe Martinez will be like Fabianski, featuring in FA Cup maybe? Now that we have no more League Cup after losing to Southampton.
Defence wise, Arsene has decided to pair Mertesacker and Monreal as CBs for now, while awaiting for Koscielny. Monreal is doing fine, but perhaps it's because he is facing "not-so-formidable" oppponents for now. Chambers has been a revelation at Arsenal. He is doing way above expectations. At 19, and having the versatility that Arsene craves so much, he looks to have a bright future ahead of him. But with Debuchy coming back, he could be playing second fiddle to Mertesacker and Kos (when he's back). It seems likely he could be shifted to CDM as well, replacing Flamini. He puts in decent crosses by the way. Gibbs at LB looks secure.
Flamini looks real shaky in midfield, most probably because he's old now. He puts in strong challenges but is error-prone in my opinion, especially against strong teams. It is here that we may need reinforcement in January although I doubt Arsene Wenger would do much about it because he has Chambers. But I'm pretty sure he will make a move for a CB, which he has to. Arteta is decent, keeping possession and things tidy.
Up front, it is a no--brainer that Cazorla cannot play on the left. He's poor there, just like Ozil in that position. Cazorla should play centrally but with Sanchez playing in that position now and doing ever so well, Cazorla has to make do there and alternate with Sanchez. When Ozil is back, I foresee Sanchez moving to the left wing and Oxlade or Walcott on the right. Talking about Walcott, he showed glimpses of what he can bring to Arsenal last night against Burnley.
It looks like Giroud is coming back. And I must say, the ST position can be alternated between Welbeck, Giroud and Podolski. Podolski made Arsenal so much more dangerous after coming on yesterday and he ought to be starting games in my opinion actuallyArsene Wenger may consider playing 2 strikers, perhaps Podolski with Welbeck and Cazorla with Flamini in the centre midfield in a 4-4-2 formation. Sanchez can play left while Walcott on the right alternating game to game with Oxlade Chamberlain.
On another note, Ramsey looks like he is on track to rediscovering his form, which will be great. For now, Arsenal looks to be in a promising position. Going forward, I still think they should be more direct like against Burnley, put more crosses instead of tiki-taka play outside the 18 yard box.
I'm sure this Arsenal team is class and with the purchase of a CB, which is priority-uno, and maybe a CDM (Khedira?), and Arsenal will be a force to reckon with when their injured players come back, we will be able to launch a better competition against our big rivals in time to come.
COYG!
Looking at the last few matches generally, starting from the draw with Hull followed by 3 consecutive victories against Anderlecht, Sunderland and Burnley, there is a growing sense of optimism. You can see it in Arsene Wenger and the players being interviewed.
Let's start with goalkeeping department. Szczesny seems like a good shot-stopper but he looks like a very impulsive keeper at times, rushing out needlessly, causing himself to drift into no man's land, as he did against Burnley last night when the score was still at 0-0. I always worry when a backpass is made to our dear Szczesny because he likes to pick a pass out too slowly. I guess he's taking it upon himself to launch a good attack, which is applaudable but he must know that his first job is to provide security to his defence. I hope he does less of his switching foot when he receives a backpass. For now, with Ospina out, he will very likely start ahead of Martinez in games. Maybe Martinez will be like Fabianski, featuring in FA Cup maybe? Now that we have no more League Cup after losing to Southampton.
Defence wise, Arsene has decided to pair Mertesacker and Monreal as CBs for now, while awaiting for Koscielny. Monreal is doing fine, but perhaps it's because he is facing "not-so-formidable" oppponents for now. Chambers has been a revelation at Arsenal. He is doing way above expectations. At 19, and having the versatility that Arsene craves so much, he looks to have a bright future ahead of him. But with Debuchy coming back, he could be playing second fiddle to Mertesacker and Kos (when he's back). It seems likely he could be shifted to CDM as well, replacing Flamini. He puts in decent crosses by the way. Gibbs at LB looks secure.
Flamini looks real shaky in midfield, most probably because he's old now. He puts in strong challenges but is error-prone in my opinion, especially against strong teams. It is here that we may need reinforcement in January although I doubt Arsene Wenger would do much about it because he has Chambers. But I'm pretty sure he will make a move for a CB, which he has to. Arteta is decent, keeping possession and things tidy.
Up front, it is a no--brainer that Cazorla cannot play on the left. He's poor there, just like Ozil in that position. Cazorla should play centrally but with Sanchez playing in that position now and doing ever so well, Cazorla has to make do there and alternate with Sanchez. When Ozil is back, I foresee Sanchez moving to the left wing and Oxlade or Walcott on the right. Talking about Walcott, he showed glimpses of what he can bring to Arsenal last night against Burnley.
It looks like Giroud is coming back. And I must say, the ST position can be alternated between Welbeck, Giroud and Podolski. Podolski made Arsenal so much more dangerous after coming on yesterday and he ought to be starting games in my opinion actuallyArsene Wenger may consider playing 2 strikers, perhaps Podolski with Welbeck and Cazorla with Flamini in the centre midfield in a 4-4-2 formation. Sanchez can play left while Walcott on the right alternating game to game with Oxlade Chamberlain.
On another note, Ramsey looks like he is on track to rediscovering his form, which will be great. For now, Arsenal looks to be in a promising position. Going forward, I still think they should be more direct like against Burnley, put more crosses instead of tiki-taka play outside the 18 yard box.
I'm sure this Arsenal team is class and with the purchase of a CB, which is priority-uno, and maybe a CDM (Khedira?), and Arsenal will be a force to reckon with when their injured players come back, we will be able to launch a better competition against our big rivals in time to come.
COYG!