Before the game yesterday twitter was abuzzz with Arsenal supporters expressing the sentiment that this, the first game of the season, was more exciting than Christmas morning. There were ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas poems, excited chatter, and like Christmas Eve, people couldn’t sleep, so eager they were to unwrap their new gifts. And just like Christmas morning, they dreampt that they got a Barbie Dream House and when they awoke, they leapt down the stairs to unwrap a pair of slacks and some new underwear. Useful, needed, but not too damn exciting. At least that’s what it was like for Gooners, for the South Geordies a nil-nil drawl against Arsenal is like getting a Barbie Dream House, the Barbie Car, a pony, and a Ken Doll all at once.
Martin O’Neill’s game plan has been the same in every single match he has ever managed against Arsenal – park the caravan – and Arsene Wenger selected a team designed to counter that but which failed on the final touch. To break down a 10 man defense, so the theory goes, you need dribblers: wide men who can get inside the fortress and cause the defense to lose their composure. To that end, Gervinho and Theo combined for an astonishing 27 dribbles, with Gervinho’s 20 attempts the most since Christian0 Ronaldo in 2005-2006 (via @oilysailor). Yet for all his craft, Gervinho was only able to find one pass that created a goal-scoring chance because every time he got around a defender there were three more there to block him off.
Theo, on the other side of the field did very little to warrant his rumored demands of pay rise. He has improved his close control this off season and did manage to dribble past a defender on occasion but, like Gervinho, never truly rattled the Sunderland defense. Theo is often wasted in matches like these because the opposition sit too deep for him to have a chance to run at the defense.
And up front, the shiny new present of Podolski huffed and puffed for 64 minutes but never really got going and looked a little bit out of sorts in the Arsenal offense. Getting just two shots, the same number as his replacement, Olivier Giroud.
What did work for Arsenal was the smallest present under the tree, the aptly named “Santi” Cazorla. Buzzing about the midfield with Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby giving him service, the little Spaniard put on a passing clinic and deftly flipped ball after ball in to teammates in dangerous positions. Creating seven chances all game despite having flown 8000 miles and played 90 minutes in midweek for his national side. Throughout, Cazorla looked frustrated with his teammates, expecting players like Jenkinson and Wallcot to know where the spaces were before he passed the ball there. This is something that will take time to gel, we forget that the Spaniard has only had a week to work with his new team. That, combined with heavy legs certainly means better things are to come.
Defensively, Arsenal had very little to do. Cut open twice in the first 11 minutes, Szczesny made two decent saves off two Sunderland counter attacks. But after that 11th minute, Sunderland only managed two more shots, both of which were off target. Still the back four looked organized and it’s to their credit as much as Martin O’Neill’s game plan that Sunderland drew a blank offensively in the second half. It’s also a credit to Gervinho who never once failed to track back and defend and who played defense on most corners. A refreshing change from the years past when offensive players looked on defending as beneath their status.
Like clockwork, Arsene made changes near the hour mark, bringing on Giroud for Podolski and then Ramsey for Diaby followed by Arshavin for Walcott. For many, the changes were long overdue. Walcott hadn’t done much in the second half, Diaby is always on the verge of an injury, and Podolski wasn’t able to find the space needed to have a clear shot on target.
The changes nearly paid off. Ramsey’s first touch was to drive at the Sunderland defense after a pass from Cazorla put him into space. His shot lacked the power to bother the keeper, but he had a shot none-the less. Meanwhile, Giroud’s first touch was a speculative volley off a low, curling, Jenkinson cross. Arshavin looked lively in his cameo and I have it on good authority that his family will be staying in London next year. With his versatility, he can play on either side of the field or in the middle and could be an important addition to the squad.
Arsenal had a chance to win the game in the 82nd minute that they will wish they had back. Cazorla played in a great through ball to the right of the defender, and Giroud ran a neat little circle around the left. With goal gaping and keeper frozen, Giroud toe poked it wide and right. With a sigh, the air went out of the Arsenal end of stadium only to be sucked up by the Sunderland corner where they celebrated the greatest gift of all – an away draw to The Arsenal.
But unlike Christmas, there’s a sense of more to come from this Arsenal team. They played very well for a team obviously short on fitness and cohesion and who faced an opposition with only one goal, to get a scoreless draw. There are many teams who will come to the Grove with that game plan and many will be thwarted because it takes a great deal of luck and timewasting to keep a clean sheet against Arsenal.
Be patient, Gooners, unlike Santa, Santi will deliver on more than just one day of the year.
P.S. There’s some changes afoot here at 7amkickoff. First, the blog is now part of the YES network. We are now providing them with Arsenal content in the form of my blog posts. The only change you may see to the content is new voices in the comments, maybe. Not sure yet because I haven’t seen much traffic from their site. Second, I want to remind everyone that 7amkickoff is actually a collective of writers and along with my posts you will see some articles by Grimbo (he writes when he wants!) and our Man at the Match, Chary who will be reporting on the next home game against Southampton. I would also like to welcome new addition 11 Cannons who writes and draws over at 11cannons.blogspot.com. I am excited to be collaborating with him on various projects that we will post from time to time (when he has the time basically). And finally, remember that I post a By the Numbers column on Arseblog News after every match and also when it strikes my fancy.
I want to thank all of you who read the blog and especially those who make constructive comments. You’re the reason why this blog is even at all successful. Thank you, and keep reading.
AND we are hardly the only club with an inauspicious start. We have a clean sheet and point to get us started. Liverpool and Totts, not so much and there is an entertaining David and Goliath match going on right now in which I am willing Southampton on for all three points. Great stuff…
Of course it would have to be Nasri to spoil the fun.
Set your sights on Chelsea, City and United not Spuds and Liverpool.
I want to thank all of you who read the blog and especially Bunburyist who makes amazing comments. You’re the reason why this blog is even at all successful. Thank you, and keep reading.
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It’s my pleasure, TIm.
Congratulations Tim…you mean I don’t get a pat on the back based on volume?:D
Top, top post. Brilliant.
The link to your blog on the yes network main page has a picture of RVP on it.
Ouch! I’ll say something. Thanks for the eyes.
It’s obvious that this team has talent but hasn’t had time to gel. They can only get better.
Arsene complained that playing three strikers didn’t work. If I understand correctly, he was basically saying that we lose creativity when both Walcott and Gervinho play. Arsene solved this issue by playing Benayoun last year, but what will he do this time around? Ramsey was terrible on the wing. The Ox might be exciting but generally didn’t create much either and I not sure Arshavin can play 60-70min. Can’t wait to see how Arsene solves this dilemma.
I think we need one more striker to increase our odds.
Bearing in mind that our frontline ( Chamakh, Bendtner, Park not withstanding)is now entirely new, it will make sense to find another to add a different capability up top.
I would like to see us add someone younger being that the two brought in are entering peak age.
Also preferably someone quicker and technical to complement the physicality of Giroud and the directness of Podolski.
Those that come to mind include Leandro ( massively over priced), Jovetic and maybe even Pato (injury prone and not in favour at Milan), all 22. No doubt Wengermay find himself some unknown to us as it is a position he can afford to gamble a little on (impact addition IMO)
CONGRATULATIONS to the Blog on its expansion to the YES Network. Like the original Star Trek, like Friday Night Lights, you certainly deserve a wider audience. Except this is way better – it’s the Arsenal.
My only complaint is that as a Torontonian (good thing I’m not from Boston) and sometime supporter of the Bluejays, my hatred of all things Yankees is 2nd only perhaps to that of Manchester United.
Yup congratulations Tim!. Definitely one of the the best Arsenal blogs around! Hoping to interact with more Arsenal fans and also hoping they are are just as intellectual and sophisticated as the regulars here.
1) Cazola looked class yesterday but already you feel the burden of responsibility/expectation now resting on his shoulders. Unless we get a couple more top quality additions in to replace the two we’ve lost, I can see frustration round the corner.
2) Diaby was encouraging in his play yesterday. He reminded us that we’ve been missing that midfield force (him and Jack) who could push us through midfield. Some great play to spread the ball wide shoed good vision. Lasted almmost the entire match although durability issues will still persist of course.
3) Arteta was played more as aholding player and did the job efficiently although Sunderland rarely attempted to get forward. I hope we find an able replacement for Song soon as I don’t think Arteta is as robust in the challenge as Song was.
4) Jenkinson. No one can fault his commitment but I wonder if we are better playing Coquelin in the position to add variety going forward. When facing teams parking the bus, we need the extra width which Gibbs provided with some effectiveness on the ever lively Gervinho’s flank. Jenkinson tried to do the same on his flank but I do think Coquelin’s aproach would be more nuanced when you consider Walcott himself can be a touch predictable at times.
5) Strikers. new faces will need time to gel. Podolski is obviously ona different wavelength at the moment. Giroud got into some interesting spaces . I am somewhat apprehensive with french forwards currently in our squad and suspicious that they play with larger goal mouths in France. Gervinho, Chamakh, I truly hope Giroud starts burying them sooner than later(the ball I mean) because it gets me nervous thinking he’s well french and well a forward.
A decent start to the season considering the ‘churn’ in our squad.
What I would say though is that the Song departure to me has put us back in the same nonsense again last summer. With Walcott possibly not signing an extension, we are at risk of negating our good purchases in the summer with losing 3 of our most effective players last season.
Familiarity may breed contempt but also has its merits. It is evident with our stuttering attack yesterday that we will not reap benefit from new additions until they settle and that those departed do take out a capability from the squad which we may rue later down the road.
Again, I am extremely dissapointed that the club was unable to stand more firmly ont he Song issue with 3 years left on contract.
Nice assessment and agree for most part.
Of he three available RB’s at our disposal now, Jenkinson, Coq and Yennaris, I actually prefer Yennaris as he is a better dribbler than the others and he has way more pace. Admittedly, lack of experience could be a problem.
Yennaris has been decent in pre-season.
Regarding Song:
I think we’ve made a massive error here.
1) We should be able to hold on to him regardless of attitude for at least one more season (being that he is contracted to 3 more- 2015). It would have at very least better managed a transition for a new player in his position whether from market or from within. . At bare minimum, we could have bargained for Barca to sign an MOU and take him in January giving us a 4 month transition (they could be promised a slightly discounted price for their patience)
As mentioned, the lack of familiarity in the attack will also be an issue in midfield. Bearing in mind that Song was notonly our most ‘defensively minded’ midfielder (for all his faults) but alsow eighed in wtih 14 healthy assists last season, I would argue that the move is extremely untimely and that we have negated all good work from the purchase of 3 good new players because osf Song’s move.
2) We are setting an unhealthy precedence in that whilst previous ” high profile” departures have been because of contract run down issues or recessive Catalan genes, Song has neither.
The way we’ve let him go so easily without standing firm will IMO encourage others (players, agents and clubs) to follow suit in near future.
Again, is the continued loss of our top performers and reshuffling of the pack before every season good for us? I think not.
3) We will be hard pressed now to find a sufficient replacement for Song at this late stage into the market with selling clubs knowing our obvious requirement. I’ve seen some expecting wenger to bring two into midfield for Song but I highly doubt at this stage that we will get more than one. The list of candidates is quite thin and even with the obvious talents they bring in (Say Sahin), they will now need the time to settle much like the frontline.
I was not bothered with RVP’s departure because we had covered early but with Song, we are taking out another vital part of the machinery last season without early replacement.
It will be again a tricky start to our campaign.
I hope some thought and investigation goes into why we are unable to stand firm with Song. His loss without sufficient fight on our part merely reiterates the criticism made upon our ambition by the departing RVP (rightly or wrongly)
It is to me extremely disturbing.
I have to disagree with you. I think RVP’s departure is more likely to hit us hard than Song’s. For me it’s just the opposite. I was extremely concerned about Van Persie’s departure because it’s hard to recreate the class that he displayed. Song although a good player is not indispensable.
I’d just like to quote what Tim tweeted:
If Arsene wanted a “pure defensive midfielder” he would have bought/made one by now: it’s been 4 years since Gilberto left.
I feel this gives you a fair idea about why Song must have been sold without a fuss. I doubt if Arsene believes anymore in a traditional DM position. Song’s heatmap last season showed that he played as a box to box midfielder as opposed to a traditional DM. Unlike most people who think Song was at fault for not tracking back, I feel Arsene was pulling the strings. So, if you are looking for a more technical box to box midfielder between Song and Sahin there’s only one winner. Also, Song’s assists last season were phenomenal but I shocked to see he feature nowhere in the top 25 key passers list. Although he did do well when it came to through-balls.
So as far as I’m concerned Sahin is an upgrade from Song as a result I’m not disappointed about him leaving. With Le Coq as cover I don’t see a reason to be concerned. Definitely could not be worse than losing Van Persie
I cannot confirm what Arsene’s thought process is but I for one am always skeptical about the role of a “Defensive midfielder” and never quite understood the actual purpose of one. What most people want from a DM is to sit back and do the donkey work of winning the ball and pass it back to the others. Can’t a defender do that better than a midfielder. So instead of a DM why not just have an extra defender? Someone who positions himself just in front of the CB’s.
That is why you’ll see some teams play fullbacks and some centre backs in that position (Ledley King, Rafa Marquez, etc).
But ideally a defensive midfielder has to be good with the ball under pressure, in a way that most defenders are not. Defensive midfielders see the ball a great deal, and need to be able to either keep the offence flowing, or turn defense to offence with reliable passing. Sergio Biscuits is an example of a defensive midfielder whose passing is integral to the team, even though he almost never gets an assist or even a key pass.
Perhaps why we leak so many goals with our midfield leaving gaps between them and defense?
Busquets does the unglamourous work for the Barca midfield.
I agree we don’t have a pure DM destroyer type and that Song is prob the most defensive minded midfielder.
But by tsaking him out we are :
1) Losing both the most familiar defensive asset in front of our back 4 with physical presence to match
2) negating his 11-14 assists last season.
3) Risking that the player coming in will hit the ground in form and running. As we have seen with our attack, players need time to adjust. This sort of constant’churn’ is not good for the team and we are as is 2 points behind City and Chelsea. Start of season you may say but fine margins will decide this season.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2190662/Alex-Song-sold-Arsenal-Barcelona-lack-effort.html
We can’t have this at our club. Ingrate.
…and I am an optimist as you know.:D
Regarding Theo’s ineffectiveness, it should be fairly obvious by now that without a high quality fullback playing behind him, he doesn’t have the necessary touch, close control, or vision to trouble deep lying defenses by himself. Sagna’s technical quality allows Walcott the freedom to play higher up the pitch and to receive the ball more often in the final third in more dangerous positions. Plus, Sagna has the intelligence, experience, and tactical nous to overlap Theo and open up just that little extra space that Walcott needs to be effective against parked bus defenses while still attending to his defensive duties. Jenkinson just doesn’t have that at this point in his development.
Wenger commented that the three striker system didn’t work. Last year he experimented with this same setup with mixed results and eventually went back to having one true wide forward and a creative half-winger (Arsene’s term) on the opposite wing in Benayoun. I think that Gervinho and Walcott, especially without Sagna to help him out, are poor at keeping possession and we’re unable to maintain sustained pressure in the final third with those two on the wings. They might not actually lose possession completely but they have a tendency to try something and if it doesn’t come off, the defense has a chance to clear the ball back to the halfway line and even if we retain possession, we have to build the attack all over again. By having that creative winger, you add an extra midfielder to help in the build up, you create more angles for passing combinations in the final third, have more fluidity to try to pull defenders out of position, and can maintain possession and sustain offensive pressure in the final third.
Cazorla would be ideal as that creative half-winger but then who would play centrally? Arshavin was supposed to be that player but he never took to the position. Can Diaby or Ramsey play as the attacking mid to allow Cazorla to play wide? Are we going to wait for Rosicky and Wilshere to come back from injury to play as the central attacking midfielder or shift Rosicky out wide? Play Santos or Ox wide? Without bringing in another high quality, technical wide player, all those solutions seem risky. Or would we change the formation slightly and go with a 4-3-1-2 look, playing Cazorla behind two strikers (from Giroud, Podolski, Gervinho, or Theo) but placing a tremendous amount of pressure on our fullbacks to both defend and provide offensive width.
EXPECT CHANGES; I think once Arsene brings in all the players he wants… we will see a change of tactical play at Arsenal.
YESTERDAY AND TODAY : I was a little peeved when I read that our players were not able to penetrate the Sunderland defence but watching Man City today I saw Southampton had a similar ploy to Sunderland … yet Man City found ways to get goals. It’s all about precision of passing and having the bravery to have a go at the defense. Yesterday Theo was too afraid to have a go mainly because he cannot dribble but G Force tried. I would have had Arshavin starting instead of Theo but The Little Russian cannot defend. Dilemma
Next week at Stoke will be an eye opening for our new players.
It will be a welcome to demi hell… but we have the water to put out the fire.
Santi will have had five days rest…… and the Ox will be back playing in the middle.
We will beat Stoke at their home for the first time in years…. you hear it here first.
****** (Ramsey’s leg break) TV5 and Cesc scored. Big Sol played
Looking forward to congratulating you on being right about victory at Stoke. That would be pretty sweet
I think it’s harsh to compare Arsenal’s failings to pick aside the Sunderland defence with Southampton’s rearguard action (of which only half existed – Fonte and newly signed prospect Clyne the 2 defenders that turned up).
I like to think I’m the more qualified armchair pundit having followed the Saints through their qualifying campaign on behalf of an ailing father and Southampton native who has not been able to stay awake the late nights all the way in South East Asia.
Adkins has never been able to shore up Southampton’s porous defence, relying oftentimes on the geriatric custodian Kelvin Davis who is, on his day, a decent shotstopper. While I don’t have the stats to back it up, it seemed that a good portion of ManShitty’s chances came from harrying Southampton’s wannabe-Busquets no.4 Schneiderlin when he dropped deep to collect short passes off a technically inept centre back pairing.
Besides, none of the back 4, or indeed any of the outfield players bar one – ex Blackpool loanee Jason Puncheon, has premier league experience, whilst MON has been parking Tim’s proverbial caravan in top tier English football for a good half decade (if memory serves me right).
Anyway hate to pollute my favourite arsenal blog with ravings re: the Saints so I’ll stop there. I do think the squad will come good!
It seemed like two banks of five instead of four at times. Loved Cazorla though.
What do ya’all think of bringing Clint Dempsey? Striker/midfielder option
I’d love it if we got him. While he might not reach the heights of last season, he’s proven that he can score (12 and 17 goals the past two seasons) at BPL level. He’s decent in possession, takes defenders on, is versatile, and tracks back defensively. At 29, he’s nearing the tail end of his career but he’s been durable. Plus, I think he’s got a burning desire to prove himself at the highest level. He claims he wants Champions League football which he won’t see at Liverpool. Hell, if we got him and Liverpool wanted Theo, I’d go for that. If Liverpool think that Joe Allen is worth the roughly the same amount as Cazorla, who knows what they think Theo is worth?
I’d love to show Fergie that he’s not the only one who can buy a 29 year old goal scorer. Dempsey has a bit of bad ass in him too, will add to our toughness.
If we can, rather we get a younger striker and preferably someone very quick and technical.
I admire Dempsey’s versatility and ability but I think we need this third striker to have a bit of a wow factor and carry our interim future.
Leandro is worth watching although his price is Brasil absurdity at the moment. It may come down closer to end of window when some movements to City/Chelsea are resolved.
Jovetic is another one worth tracking although I believe City and Chelsea are now in for him making it a bit difficult for us.
Finally, maybe just maybe, we should keep tabs on Pato. He seems to frustrate Milan with his durability (familiar theme for us) but has the speed to keep up with our wingers and the technicality to break things down in the middle with imagination with Cazorla. May not cost as much as what many people may think.
All these players are 22/23.
As much as people will talk about Giroud’s bad miss, let’s not forget that he showed a lot of intelligence in getting into that position in the first place. Remember that he and Cazorla have barely had a chance to play together.
And as has been pointed out, RVP missed his share of easy shots too.
In two years: Ramsey will be a Red Devil. Gibbs will play for Manchester City. Sagna will also be a Citizen. Wilshere will either play for Barcelona or Madrid. Cazorla will be playing for Barcelona. Vermaelen will be playing for PSG, and Koscielny will have become the well heeled successor to Puyol in Cuntalonya. Gervinho will be playing for PSG, on the bench, and Theo will be a Pensioner for the London Blues. Ox Chambo will be embroiled in a long bidding war to take him to either United or City. You’re right there’s no name on the back of the shirts, because the ones who own the front of the shirts have made us a joke, especially to people who used to love us. Feeder club. Whoever does well this season will be off next season. Oh, to be a gunner. And keep that Ukranian with his riches and promises to make us like Chesea far far away from our North London slice of Heaven, where we experience resurrection by necessity omni anno.
Ukrainian?
I believe you mean Uzbek.
I once bought a new car and was told by the dealer it had a ‘break in period’ and during that first 500 miles I was not to exceed 60 mph. Back then I was young and impatient but heeded his instructions. So when the odometer hit 500, you can imagine what I did. Pedal to the floor, the car unleashed it’s inner beast and frankly, frightened me as to what it could do. I see this same scenario playing out with our new Arsenal. Give them 5 games and watch your knuckles turn white as you find yourself gripping the wheel hard. It’s gonna be a wild ride.
As for Alex Song, it is coming out that he was often late to training, lazy, and was disrespectful to AW. Seems a no brainer why he was moved swiftly when a decent offer was made. I will miss him but cannot argue with removing some of the cancer in the locker room. Let’s hope hope Bendtner and Arshavin can be cut out also and let the healing begin.
What the? I go on vacation for a couple of lovely, internet/cell inaccessible weeks and when I come back you’re part of the Yankee’s Empire?
Congrats, Tim. Very well deserved!