The early promise last summer which saw us win the FA Cup and the Charity Shield, our hopes for the season just gone soon turned into disappointments. Whatever the reasons might have been, and I know we’ve already discussed some in our comments, the reality is, Arsenal finished in a position which neither you or I hoped for at the beginning of the season.
The defensive department saw us concede 39 goals in 38 matches. Bettered only by Manchester City with 32 goals and Chelsea with 36 goals. Our defence stood firm twice against Man utd (2nd) and once against Chelsea (4th). We ended the campaign with 12 clean sheets. So one fourth of the clean sheets came against two teams who finished in the top four.
One might ask, how did we finish in eight place just a mere 6 points away from fourth place, which in Arsene’s philosophy, is a trophy in itself?
The answer does not lie with the defence. We conceded 20 goals in 22 games (since January 1st) and 19 goals in the previous 16 games. There were matches where a mixture of howlers committed by defensive personnel along with VAR decisions which contributed to Arsenal losing games which in all fairness should have won. Those mistakes cost us around 12 points in my opinion.
Does the answer lie with the performances we saw from the attack?
The League table shows that Arsenal scored just 55 goals in 38 matches, the 9th best attack in the EPL. Even Leeds, who finished below us scored more goals. Our goals were split between Lacazette (13), Pepe (10), Aubameyang (10), Saka (5), Nketiah (2), ESR (2), Gabriel (2), Martinelli (2), Own goals (2), while Elneny, Tierney, Odegaard, Luiz, Bellerin, Willian and Xhaka all finished with 1 goal each. These statistics show that those who played in attack contributed 43 goals between 7 players. The most noticeable let down being Willian with just 1 goal and 5 assists. The midfield as a whole managed just 5 goals between them as did the defence.
If one was to compare the teams of Arsene Wenger between 2007 until the day he left one would see that the chances Arsenal created were much higher than they are now. The problem we had was profligacy in front of goal. Many were the games in which we created enough chances to secure 3 points, a goal difference of +100 at the end of the season, the top scorer of the EPL and so on. Many were the games were I had the feeling that someone was going to be on the receiving end of a thrashing, only to be disappointed at the end of the game by the lack of goals scored.
Last season there were certain matches during which we struggled to create clear cut chances. Sometimes we could only muster up a single shot on target and maybe a couple off target during the entire first half. It was simply tedious never ending passing, and very rarely would the players shoot from outside the box. It has to be pointed out that whenever any of the players shoot (Elneny, Xhaka, Odegaard) the chances are that the ball is either close or else a screamer hits the back of the net. Do the players shoot enough? In my opinion the answer is no.
It is true that from January onwards our form improved and we began picking more points than we did before the Boxing Day win against Chelsea. However, whenever Saka and/or Tierney didn’t play the team struggled to get behind defenders and cross. Even when the two managed to get behind defenders and cross the ball, often there was no one in the box to meet it. The look on Tierney’s face whenever he did all the donkey work only to be let down with no one meeting his cross always spoke volumes.
Even though much of the foundation stones are already in place, (Saka, Pepe, ESR, Martinelli etc) Arteta and Edu have a lot of work to do with regards to the attacking department, including the need for a creative player and a striker who can not only score but can link up with the others for the benefit of the team.
In my opinion, we need also need a deep lying creative defensive midfielder who will offer the team better options in attacking areas.
Basically, next season Arsenal have to create and score a lot more goals if we’re to finish higher in the League.
Written by Devilgunner.
IMO our biggest issue with attacking is the speed of our passing, 2-3 of our players this season like to take their time on the ball.
Looks good for them, but hurts our entire style of play.
Hopefully this will get addressed over the summer.
Morning Devil, all.
Thanks for the article Devil. Officials decisions aside, last season was a huge disappointment. As you suggested, the FA Cup win, including the journey to the final offered a lot of hope.
The final few fixtures of this last season have done similar perhaps. Even so, other clubs will strengthen this summer and Arsenal simply have to do the same in the areas you point out, and in others too.
Agree Hobart. Compare the speed of our attacking play now to back when Arsene Wenger was successful, it’s miles apart.
I he Arteta ditches this constant slow tippy tippy football next season and goes with more power and pace.
Rick, our defence is better now than at any stage Bould was coaching and we are already producing better defenders through the academy, so maybe that’s a factor in why he was sacked.
Kev, I don’t see any point in us going backwards.
As much as I loved watching Ramsey play, unless he upgraded us, it comes back at a ridiculously good price, there is no point imo.
He’d do well for us, no question at all, but is he a game changer right now?
It’d have to be a brilliant deal for us.
Speed of transition to use the modern vernacular is our downfall.
We need midfielder’s that break quickly from 30 yards out . ESR does it and always looks dangerous and Willock if he brings his new found form with him is a better bet than a returning deal for Ramsey who is definitely at the wrong end of the age scale.
To often we get so far and stop because there is no second wave following up.
Scott, if were producing better defenders through the academy then Bould has been part of that.
The question which will always remain in my head about Steve Bould is as a first team coach under Wenger and Emery, how much coaching of the defence was he actually asked to do or permitted to do.
The way we defended during those times, I’d suggest the answer is little to none.
Rico, has he?
Until recently, he was assistant to the manager.
We can guess that he didn’t have much to do with the defending, but that’s all it is, a guess.
Morning Rico and all nice story Devil.
Just think last season and the first half of this season we would have been happy to sell Pepe and yet he came second in the goal scoring this year with Auba and Laca winning it just 3 goals more.
No thank you don’t want Ramsey back but would be happy to sell Bellerin
Good morning all. Improvements we need to make? Top of the list: Transfer policy and dealings!
One transfer deal we do not need is Ramsey plush cash for Bellerin. Or Ramsey plus cash for the tea lady’s cat. Regardless of what he did or did not do before departing for the greener grass (barrow loads of euros) of Juventus, he has hardly set the Italian League alight and would be a waste of a squad place back at Arsenal
May be Kroenke and the current board want every one in the coaching department to do with Wenger out so they can blame Wenger only for the mess we are in.
Personally except for the last 3 years or so I am grateful for all the success Wenger brought us.
Good post Devil, afternoon all.
I think everyone was grateful except for the last 3 years…. or maybe six Geoff! but trouble was, while we hung around going nowhere, we lost the chance of someone like Klopp changing things around. Maybe Arteta can be that guy, got to give another full season and we should know. Zonal marking will always worry me, plus a striker who can’t hold up play for others. Or a striker as Captain!
Good Afternoon Rico and all. Thanks everyone.
Ramsey??? I never wanted him to leave. But now I would prefer Willock to him. Because Willock has shown that he can score. Even from midfield. And if Ramsey comes back, even if free, he would take his place. And tbh I always favour the home grown kids. That is what irks me with Willian who took Nelson’s place.
So unless its a top top player I would leave ESR and Willock to fight for the number 10 place. And if Saka and Pepe are to be the wingers and Martinelli as a striker with one of Laca and Auba staying (I prefer Laca to stay at all costs) then all we need is another winger up top since Nelson can occupy the other spot.
Laca holds up play and links well…..something which Auba does not. And in my next post I will show why holding on to Auba instead of Laca would be a recipe for same old same old happening over and over again.
Indeed Scott, I was guessing as we all do unless someone from inside the club says otherwise.what was Bould doing prior to replacing Rice though?
Morning Geoff. Weird eh, I hope he starts the new season as he ended last otherwise we’ll be hoping he’s sold. Lol
Potter, totally agree re the speed of our game. It’s currently pretty tedious and quite boring to watch.
Absolutely agree re Ramsey, he made his bed so to say…
Rico I finally got to watch the video you put up yesterday as my computer would not play it for some reason yesterday and that young kid you showed looks pretty quick. I would like to see him in a practice match along side Saka and ESR
He is quick Geoff, looks good with his feet too. I reckon we’ll see him in pre season if he signs the contract.
Just watched a you tube video of 21 year old midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga who is coached by Vincent kompany and he said that the young midfielder can also play well in defence and at the same time can score goals and will one day make the big time, another player linked to Arsenal but does look good like a talented player.
Yep, I saw a rumour on NN saying we were after him but just like so many, probably rubbish.
Seems that Nigel Winterburn and I are on the same wavelength…..
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1445659/Arsenal-transfer-news-Philippe-Coutinho-Martin-Odegaard-Joe-Willock
Why should we neglect one of our own and fill the coffers of other clubs with money we should use on other areas? One only has to look at his statistics goal to game played ratio to see that we have a gem on our hands.
I just hope we dont sign Coutinho. He is just after the money.
Does any one know if Onana won his appeal as I have seen different stories claiming he is worth anything from 2 mill to 7mill and even 12 mill but nothing about his appeal.
Rico I saw the story some were else but the kid Lokonga does look good and worth keeping an eye on, who knows maybe Arteta and Kompany are friends we can only hope
CAS will deliver the onana verdict next week.
Me too Devil..
I read the report Devil which said the result should be out within the week. It’ll be interesting to see if we’re really after him.
Geoff, there are lots of younger players to keep an eye on. 😆
I simply cant understand why the club does not go down the route of getting players like they did with Martinelli, Guendouzi, Holding plus homegrown players. the first three I mentioned between them costed less than 20 million. Why do we have to keep signing cast offs from other clubs like we did with Cech, Luiz and Willian from Chelsea?? Dont the club ever learn??
According to the Mirror…Buendia is off to Villa as the clubs have agreed terms.
While Atletico Madrid want Bellerin and are willing to offer Trippier in part exchange plus cash (honestly I find that hard to believe)
I prefer Max Aarons.
Trippier will be 31 in September, too old in my view.
We’d do better to keep Bellerin. Too many clubs seem to think they can shovel off their old timers on us, it’s time Arteta and Edu learnt to raise two fingers to them.
Until anything is official, I’m not getting too stressed over signings 😀
Fabrizio Romano
@FabrizioRomano
·
46m
Aston Villa are confident to complete Emi Buendia signing in the next hours, as
@charles_watts
reported earlier today. Arsenal opening bid was turned down days ago – #AVFC now in advanced talks with Norwich , last details to complete the agreement around €35m. 🇦🇷 #transfers
Sky Sports
VILLA AGREE RECORD FEE FOR BUENDIA
Emiliano Buendia is on the verge of joining Aston Villa for £30 million.
Villa and Norwich have agreed a fee which is a club record for the Villains, and a record sale for Norwich. The attacker has completed a medical in Argentina.
Just goes to show how rumours can cause problems as Arsenal were reported to have offered £35 million so why would Norwich accept £30m?
Were Arsenal ever even interested in him I wonder.
https://dailycannon.com/2021/06/karl-hein-keeps-2nd-consecutive-clean-sheet-for-estonia/
A good result for Karl Hein.
Very good for our young keeper.
Trippier for what? Only mistakes!
It’s the goalkeeper, it’s Trippier, all wrong. By any chance, is the board on the lookout for the U21 European Championship?
BBC are saying that Villa bid £33m plus £5m with add ons, so that could top £38m, Arsenal probably couldn’t afford it or decided against it.
I mean we outbid Liverpool for Nicolas Pepe and their fans probably thought at the time that they should have got him. Although I dare say they don’t think that now and maybe we might think the same about Buendia next season, Villa are obviously selling Grealish and now won’t be sniffing around Smith Rowe who I think is better than Buendia.
Of course, on social media you’ll get many Arsenal fans losing their shit, but that’s normal these days and expected, the thing is would Buendia have turned us into a top four team for sure and if the answer is no, then we move on…
With the amount of talented players around 20 – 21 years old why would you look at someone in their 30s
Kev, Bissouma will, if he does similar work to last season at Brighton, imo.
Good morning folks
Personally I would not go after a player who is over 25 years. Only in exceptional circumstances. If he is between 20-23 the better
Morning all
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/06/06/not-another-arsenal-missed-out-on/