re: Arsenal 2019/2020 Season Thread - FA Cup Winners - #14

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I can't really blame our cbs too much

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Uh, yea you can

that was a solid (depressing) read, thanks for sharing

You can blame them for individual mistakes, but we've had an awful lot of individual mistakes that lead to goals, which points to a structural issue.

The entire issue is two-fold. First there is improper spacing. Players too far from one another, players left on islands, players not working as a unit, and players set against the opposition in improper passing angles. Second is that while we are dedicated to playing out from the back, playing out from the back has to take advantage of gaps in the defensive shape, as well as offensive pressing. The point should be to catch the opposition defense out as they transition from a high defensive phase to a deeper defensive transition phase. That is why Klopp and Guardiola set their teams up in the way they do, as teams are most vulnerable from transition phases.

If we are playing out from the back for its own sake, as it looks like we are doing, then I don't understand the point. There has to be systematic movement of the ball and players up the field, but I don't see that movement and spacing. Our movement off the ball puts defensive players in isolation, with few options, and leaves them on the back foot. Xhaka isn't the player to play deep in midfield, as he can't cover ground, has no athleticism, can't tackle, and can't dribble out of pressure. Xhaka is there to make first-station passes to the wings, something he can do well, especially from the right-center of the field to the left side with around the corner passes, which could be devastating in the right system. Instead he's asked to do a job he isn't suited for, and can't do. Torreria would be wonderful at the base of the diamond, as he's more aware defensively, and is more than capable of playing passes into feet, though I don't think he has the long ball capability of Xhaka. Xhaka can work in a midfield two where his defensive responsibilities aren't as significant, and he can work in a midfield three, but not as the deepest lying player in defensive settings.

The problem with playing the diamond, however, is that opposition teams can easily out-flank a lone DM, making runs to draw his attention away while another player comes to occupy the space. In fact, because of the triangular spacing the midfield often takes, even all 3 players in correct positions can be out-flanked, especially in the channels. That's the problem with the diamond, and why Emery continues to use it away from home with Pepe and Auba upfront together is confounding.

The fact that we don't have systematic movement off the ball when playing out is why I don't think Emery is the man for this job. He's had more than a year to implement his system, and the players still aren't executing the basics of this sort of style at all. Maybe it is a language barrier, but I also think that Emery is a conservative coach by his nature, and will defend a lead by playing a low-block, which is a system that we aren't suited for at all. We don't have towering CB's or strong midfield players. We don't guide the opposition players into cul-de-sacs with our pressing, regardless of what block we are in. We have yet to show real capability on the break.

I could forgive Emery the poor play if I saw positional improvement, especially with regards to our spacing, or if I saw superb interplay in the offensive third, but at this point we can't defend at all and we can't attack. What exactly are we good at? Even the poor play in Wenger's last year was punctuated by good offensive interplay. Even last year, especially in the 1st half of the year, we had good offensive interplay.

In short, I don't think Emery can curb his conservative, small-club mentality when holding a lead. His system is nonexistent at the moment, and I don't think he's the right fit to lead us into what the modern game requires, which was Wenger's shortfall.

Excited to see the three youngsters. Strange that Nelson didnt get the start. I guess Holding isn't match fit enough yet. Hopefully Xhaka starting today means he will be benched this weekend.

Torreira down...great


Giving up a crap load of shots while not creating any. The Emery way lol


Nice counter. Finally took one of our chances.

Mustafi and David Luiz starting.... mother of God we really are banter FC hahahahah

Saka having a great match so far.

Holy crap what a finish by Saka.

AUBA!!!

No doubt. Auba has 15 goals in his last 15 matches.