Arsenal manager Unai Emery is routinely described as a relentless workaholic who obsesses over every last detail as he bids to lead the club to success. International breaks therefore give him the perfect opportunity to analyse recent performances to the nth degree and plot future success. The Gunners went into the last international break on the back of a nine-game winning streak that catapulted them up the table and sparked enormous optimism among fans. That must have been a pleasant time in the Emery household, but the picture is not quite so rosy this time around and the Spaniard has plenty to brood over.
The Gunners returned from the last international break by securing a 3-1 home win against Leicester on October 22, a game that saw Mesut Ozil at his majestic best. They extended their winning run to 11 games with a 1-0 victory away at Sporting Lisbon, but their form has since dipped. First they struggled to a 2-2 draw away at Crystal Palace, a team with eight defeats in 12 games so far this season. A laboured victory over Blackpool in the league cup followed, before an impressive 1-1 draw at home with Liverpool.
The Reds are title contenders, having spent a fortune in the summer, but Emery will be disappointed not to have taken all three points after an error from goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Arsenal then drew at home with 10-man Sporting, before delivering a poor performance at home to Wolves. They were on the brink of defeat, only for Henrikh Mkhitaryan to nick a point right at the death when his cross sailed in. Arsenal are now unbeaten in 16-games, but they have dropped six points in their last three league matches.
That leaves the Gunners in fifth, three points behind Tottenham, who managed to beat Palace and Wolves in their last two games. They cannot afford to concede further ground to their bitter rivals, as it looks as though it could develop into a straight fight between the north London clubs to clinch fourth place in the table. Arsenal now face an extremely stern test of their mettle, as the next three games look extremely perilous, and they really need to show a newfound level of mental strength if they are to thrive.
First up, Emery’s men head to the south coast to lock horns with a Bournemouth team who sit sixth in the table after dazzling with their attacking brilliance so far this season. Then they host Tottenham in a huge six-pointer at The Emirates, before travelling to Old Trafford to take on Man Utd. It is a run that could define their season. Arsenal have the opportunity to show just how much they have grown under Emery, but they need to address several glaring issues in their recent performances.
The biggest worry is Ozil, as the mercurial German played like a god against Leicester, but has been poor in every other game so far this season. He’s been handed the captain’s armband and it is time for him to start leading by example on the pitch. Granit Xhaka needs to cut out the mistakes in the middle of the park, as his blunders keep costing Arsenal dearly. Sead Kolasinac was woeful against Wolves, and Emery must find a better option at left-back if Nacho Monreal remains on the sidelines. Arsenal need to stop starting games so slowly: they have not been ahead at half-time in a single Premier League game so far this season.
However, the Gunners are favoured to go to Bournemouth and secure victory, while they are also narrow favourites to beat Spurs. That is a sign of how far they have come under Emery, who has brought energy and aggression to complement the free-flowing passing instilled by Arsene Wenger. A 16-game unbeaten streak shows they are a tough nut to crack, and fans should be enthused by their battling performances. Lucas Torreira has been a revelation in the holding midfield role, and he will be crucial in Arsenal’s attempts to vanquish a talented Bournemouth side on Saturday.
This looks like a great game for the neutrals, as both teams love to commit men forward, take risks and play attacking football, but it could become a nail-biting affair for Arsenal fans. Last season, the Gunners suffered a 2-1 defeat away at Bournemouth, but they have beaten the Cherries four time in six meetings since Eddie Howe’s men joined the Premier League. The hosts are likely to get on the score sheet, but Arsenal have the firepower to outscore Bournemouth, and escaping the south coast with three points would give everyone a tremendous boost ahead of the north London derby.
Last season Arsenal battled at The Emirates. Ozil was majestic that day, giving Christian Eriksen a masterclass in how to thrive in the number 10 role, and fans can only hope he raises his game once again. Spurs have been unspectacular but effective in recent weeks, and they have plenty of players who can cause Arsenal problems. But they look weak in central midfield at the moment, and Torreira has a great opportunity to lead his team to victory in this crucial showdown. Spurs are not blessed with great pace in defence, and if Arsenal can open up a decent supply of balls to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang they could well reassert their superiority in North London.
Then it is off to Old Trafford, which has been an extremely unhappy hunting ground for the Gunners over the past decade. They have not won in the league there since a late strike from Emmanuel Adebayor clinched victory back in 2006. Last season, they lost 2-1 as Marouane Fellaini bundled in a stoppage time winner. Doom and gloom surrounded the club at the time, as the majority of fans were fed up with the spinelessness that had begun to define late Wengerdom. Emery now has the perfect opportunity to usher in a glorious new era by succeeding where Wenger failed for the last 11 years and plundering three points from Old Trafford.
Man Utd have already lost four league games this season, and their defence is all over the place. Arsenal have the talent to rip them apart if they approach this game with the right attitude and Arsenal fans would love to see Emery get the better of Jose Mourinho.
If he can pull it off, Arsenal would head into the Christmas fixture period full of confidence, and fans might start daring to dream of silverware on the horizon.
Good morning Rico, has the onset of winter brought on this bout of doom and gloom?
Fear not, Bournemouth will be battered, the Spuds mashed and United unravelled. 😉
Jordan Nobbs has an anterior cruciate ligament injury which will have likely ended her season and put in doubt her participation in the Women’s World Cup next summer. Let’s all wish a full recovery.
Morning Cicero, I didn’t write this one. It certainly doesn’t reflect how I feel about Arsenalight now.
Read that about Nobbs, awful news for her and the team.
Elneny is wanted by Leicester apparently…
Ah that explains it, I really thought you had succumbed to the November blues. So back to your cheery self tomorrow? 😉
Indeed, I have to post these every now again Cicero, pays for my coffee… lol
Morning all, rather gloomy and wet one.
I felt the same Cicero, didn’t feel like a rico report, then the Betting Link in the middle confirmed it!
rico, would it be possible to have a line before reports start, saying who wrote them? Often I see you explaining to people its not you.
I now go to the end of report first, to see if its another writer from here, but sponsored posts don’t show it.
No problem Rico, the odd post from the web just emphasises how good your contributions are.
Just got ready to take the dog out, boots, coat, hat gloves, when down came the rain mixed with hail and sleet. Including wind chill factor -3 c.
Hi Andrew. Tricky one as I’m not permitted to specify who it comes from. Perhaps I could just put ‘not by rico’…
Thank you Cicero.
-3?? I’m surprised the hound wants to step outside in that temperature, mine doesn’t…
Sounds an interesting brand name, ‘Not by Rico’ lol.
Like ‘not on the high street’ lol
Now, if it’s ‘not by Rico’ will it be a new brand of scent or sent??? Stinky joke, that one😀
Is been a real Stavanger day here today, all day and now into the evening…..when winter comes, eh? The breeze has a real biting chill to it, too.
Norfolk? A county of extremes. When the wind blows from the east in winter it usually arrives with Russia all over it! Same in summer but it brings hot dry weather and folk pray for rain! Considered moving that way, in fact we had many really good holidays and even days out in Norfolk but the weather always seemed to spoil itself. We shelved the idea of a permanent move but still have the occasional outing.
It’s too miserable to talk football today. Sorry.
We had sleet today Wavy, bitterly cold with the wind.
I’ve just watched a recording of the England U21s 5 – 1 away win against Denmark. What a joy to watch an England team play attractive, flowing football. Skill, pace, confidence and a complete lack of fear. The senior squad need to up their game or this lot will overtake them in no time.
Reiss Nelson laid on a tap in for the fourth goal. The rest of the season at Hoffenheim and then straight into our first team for 2019/20.
Wavy, Norfolk has the least rainfall of any county in England, away from the coast there are thriving market towns and villages with a real sense of community. Yes for the winter months it can be cold and windy but that’s made up for by early Springs, fine Summers and lovely Autumns. What’s more we are barely more than 100 miles from The Emirates, about two and a half to three hours drive. Think again, you know it makes sense! 😉
100 miles Cicero, that’s just over an hours drive isn’t it? 😇
Morning guys.
New post up now.