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Mikel Arteta’s long-term vision clashes with the current situation at Arsenal.
It is an understatement to say that your attempt to switch to a back four has failed. The last four Premier League results playing like this are: three lost, one tied. It is in relegation form and Arsenal is in crisis.
Going into Aston Villa’s game last month, Arsenal had the best defensive record and had just won at Old Trafford for the first time in the league since 2006. All with the last five with whom they won the FA Cup and Community Shield. .
Coach Mikel Arteta needs to find a way to immediately stop Arsenal’s relegation form
It is true that they lost to Villa with five defenders and the lack of creativity in a game that they should have led was alarming, but I don’t think the coach should trade it for a result.
Clearly Arteta’s plan is to play 4-2-1-3. But for that to work, you need two world-class central midfielders. He may have one in Thomas Partey, but the Ghanaian will be out for a while after being rushed back too soon from injury for Tottenham’s game.
Arsenal are still looking for the right balance in midfield, unlike Spurs, who have the perfect duo in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Moussa Sissoko, prepared to go to war for their coach.
Which brings me to Granit Xhaka. Of course, he will be under fire after Sunday’s dismissal against Burnley, and with good reason. It just doesn’t move across the field fast enough. He has made some huge mistakes, so many, in fact, that you’d be surprised if there was a way back under Arteta.
Arsenal concede from a corner and Burnley run out 1-0 winners at the Emirates on Sunday
If seasoned players can’t do it, it’s time to trust a young man at the heart of midfield. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a player from England and was excellent in that position against Rapid Vienna. He has a great rhythm, he is good in possession and he knows how to defend.
When Arsene Wenger was a coach, he sat us down at the beginning of the 1997-98 season and told us he was going to change from five back to four. But he had Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit, so he knew he could dominate in the center of the park.
Besides, it was a clear plan. There were potholes in the road but we got over it. There were no cuts or changes and we won Double. With Arteta, five, four, five, five have returned. The defenders’ heads must be spinning.
In the goals that Arsenal conceded against Tottenham, you could see that the full-backs were caught, perhaps thinking that they were still playing five at the rear and had protection from three central halves. They didn’t and the Spurs outnumbered them at halftime. When you switch formations, it’s the wingers who are under the most pressure to adapt.
Granit Xhaka is not the world-class central midfielder Arteta looks for in the 4-2-1-3 formation
Arteta has an idealistic vision of how to play the game. But Arsenal has become a percentage team that pumps balls into the area. It is not the suitable service for the forwards. We suppose that Arteta wants to play like City does, with triangles, small passes, trying to go around the back or go down the sides of the defenses, but I don’t see it. It’s just crosses from the deep. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wants the players on the baseline to cut him off or go through the sides of the central half. But he had to wait until the 90th minute to have such a chance against Spurs.
I admire Willian at Chelsea, but it’s like he’s on vacation at Arsenal. The first thing I’d do is play him down the left where he was a hit at Chelsea. And play Bukayo Saka to the right where it looks most effective.
Against Burnley, Arsenal were trying to play from behind, but the players looked very uncomfortable. It looked dangerous and Burnley felt they would have a chance for a mistake.
Arsenal will play Southampton on Wednesday and their energetic, high-pressure forwards will enjoy the idea of the Gunners playing from behind.
This is a tough time for a rookie coach, but Arteta has to be strong and show real leadership, show some fire and spark.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is an option to replace Xhaka and company in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.
Problems behind the scenes don’t help. With players like Mesut Ozil, Sokratis and William Saliba all frozen, he feels like he could turn toxic as results slip and fingers point.
Some of these problems Arteta inherited. About £ 100 million was spent on Pepe and Saliba, who has not played. The £ 72 million for Pepe is staggering when you have Saka, one of the best young players we’ve seen in years.
And then there is Ozil. If Arsenal stay with 4-2-1-3, the German could re-enter the scene. It may be the number 10 that Arsenal lack to bring some creativity. At the moment Arteta is asking Alexandre Lacazette to play that role but that is not the future of the French. He doesn’t work backs and tackles like Ozil did.
Arsenal are in a crisis of confidence and without the right midfielders, Arteta may have to return at five.
The 4-2-1-3 must be put on ice as the team navigates these stormy waters. Then you can implement your long-term vision.
Willian’s move to Arsenal from London rivals Chelsea has certainly not worked out
