By AllezKev.
Morning all.
With 20 matches behind us and opinions still varied among the fan base, maybe a reflection on individual players and their performances to date in the Emery era, prior to the North London shoot out is due?
So far it seems that most of the players, both pre and post Emery, have responded positively to the new more intense coaching and tactical style implemented by the new coach and his staff. Some have taken some surprising leaps in their development, some have taken baby steps while others have stalled and some unfortunately, haven’t improved at all but have gone backwards. This is understandable given the varied tactics Emery employs on a game by game basis and after the 20 odd years playing one way, not preparing differently for different opponents and training one way.
We all have have our views on certain players, but these are my five who I think have taken advantage of the changes at the club and have enhanced their careers at Arsenal.
1. Despite arriving in North London as the clubs record signing for a goalkeeper, Berdt Leno had to be content to start this season with a seat on the subs bench as Petr Cech, maybe politically, was preferred as the first choice goalkeeper. I was initially surprised by the decision Emery made, but it took Leno out of the spotlight and allowed him to settle and following Cech’s injury to seamlessly take over the gloves. Negative comments and rumours had followed Leno from the Bundesliga to England, you know that old chestnut ‘He’s got a mistake in him’ as if other goalkeepers are faultless, but for the games I’ve seen him play I’ve seen no proof to substantiate those derogatory remarks, in fact I think that Leno has shown what a good goalkeeper he is. His reflexes are excellent, he’s needed to be behind our generous defence, he spreads a calm among his defence and us fans with his footwork and distribution and being German he has that confidence that we like to see from our best goalkeepers.
We may still have defensive issues, just as many other teams, but Leno isn’t one of them.
2. Last season there were many fans despairing at the form and fallibility of Hector Bellerin as his game seemed to have fallen off of the edge of a cliff with nobody seemingly available to help him. Nobody on the coaching staff could, or was allowed to, work on his deficiencies and many fans seemed to agree that he should be replaced.
The fact that he was a vegan was suggested as a reason for his loss of form. He was criticised, ridiculed even, for having an interest in art, clothes, an interest in politics and current affairs, even his hair was used as a stick to beat him. Now I think he is key member of our team, where the full backs are expected to do even more than under Wenger. More tactical and structured coaching it seems, have ironed out some his faults. His crossing into the box, once a subject of derision, is now a major part of our attack whilst his defending has improved enormously and is again looking the player who saw off and replaced Mathieu Debuchy.
3. Only a few months ago Alex Iwobi looked to be going nowhere, pictured partying with some friends when he maybe should have been at home preparing for a game he was criticised by both club and national fans for a string of forgettable performances for Arsenal and Nigeria. He seemed to be driving down a dead end street. This summer he bulked up, worked on his fitness and strength and suddenly we find him lasting the 90 minutes and becoming an influential member of the squad, a realistic option on the left flank where his close control and dribbling are an asset to a team who rarely run with the ball. He maybe needs to add a few more goals to his repertoire but the Emery effect has certainly had beneficial results for Alex, not least in his confidence. No longer does his head go down when something doesn’t come off for him and he is very much a key component of Emeryball.
4. Matteo Guendouzi has just settled into life at Arsenal as if he’s been in North London all his life. Confidence has not been a problem for Matteo as he plays in the center of our midfield as if he owns it, controlling the tempo and sending in defence splitting passes with accurate through balls. No safe sideways passes for him. Still only 19, he has eclipsed Mo Elneny and pushed Aaron Ramsey out of the picture so imagine how good he could be in a couple of years time? Popular with his teammates, capable of coming on from the bench and taking the initiative straight away from the opposition, he is a classic Mislintat discovery who Emery can eventually mould into a player who maybe can be as dominant as Patrick Vieira.
5. Finally Rob Holding, who many thought was inferior to Calum Chambers and was probably earmarked for an early exit from Arsenal, has instead become the regular centre half partnered by either Mustafi or Sokratis. Holding is quite understated in style, he reminds me a lot of Per Mertesacker in that many of his interventions don’t catch the eye. A header here, a block tackle there or a toe poke at a vital point of an enemy attack. He doesn’t go in for the showy Mustafi sliding tackle that gets you noticed, instead he tends to stay on his feet, shepherding the opposition attacker into a less dangerous position. He’s the bloke who covers his full back when others have switched off. That’s why Emery likes him and plays him in almost every game. Rob is the Mr Dependable of our defence. Calm, quiet even but he can put his foot in or take one for the team if need be.
Those are my five, who are yours and why?
Morning Kev, all.
Good post, thank you.
Leno, Torrieira, Guendouzi are great signings imo. Sokratis and Lichtsteiner too for different reasons.
I know he’s still got errors in him but as well as those you mention, I think Xhaka has improved and the only reason he stands out after a game is after hit does something stupid and I think those occasions are lessening. Lacazette is better too, he’s certainly working harder for the team and he looks happier than he did last season.
Morning all!
HH is playing up this morning, either that or I am.. The post layout/headline kept defaulting to something different than what was meant to publish..
It seems ok now…
Hi Jm, are you confident this weekend?
Good post Kev, morning all. I think Torreira has taken away some uncertainty, and enabled others to show their worth. Its quite amazing that out of five signings, none have been a disappointment.
Would like to have seen more from Ramsey, but outwardly, his attitude is at least getting on with the job, and supporting kids around him Thursday. Maybe his new twins are also taking their toll!
Still unsure on Iwobi and MickyT, think Nelson may eventually displace one or both of them. And Ozil will always remain an enigma, brilliant one minute and lacking fight the next.
Overall, so much more positive than I can remember in the last eight years.
Perhaps if Ramsey had shown more Andrew, he wouldn’t be leaving. Trouble is, Ramsey has had too many years under Arsene Wenger.. imo anyway.
I still think the Shawcross incident has marred Ramsey he goes to all the right places but often flicks rather than controls the ball when it’s tight. If he is going then goodbye and thanks for all the fish. In my opinion he is already replaced with a combination of Torriera and Guendouzi and with the slight difference in set up he is no longer needed to be squeezed into the team somewhere.
Whilst Iwobi has made progress I still see him as a back up to a true winger , the one we haven’t got yet.
Good morning Kev and all. That’s a very fair summary of things so far.
I think it quite possible that the addition of Stephan Lichtsteiner is having as much effect off the field as on it. He seems to be the type of player who can pass on his experience and aggressive style of play to his new team-mates.
Sokratis, too, has added a bit of steel and strength to the back line and may have been a factor in the growing stature of Rob Holding. Whilst I’m happy that Laurent Koscielny is regaining fitness, I’m not looking forward to his first team return, I think we need to stick with Holding and Sokratis with the addition of, an improving, Mustafi when playing a back three.
The ace in the pack, however, is Lucas Torreria undoubtedly the best and most needed signing for several seasons
Must have been awful going through what Ramsey and perhaps that did have an impact on his game but he’s never really been an Arthur or Martha. He’s never been fully committed to one role and that’s not of his own doing entirely. Just as it wasn’t for Ox, Walcott and so many others…
I really like what Lichtsteiner and Sokratis have brought with them, they aren’t to be messed with that’s for sure..
Potter, with all due respect to Ramsey I feel he has had ample time to get over the trauma of the Shawcross tackle. He has always had the tendency to off-load the ball rather than carry it into a contact situation, often to the detriment of a developing attacking move.
I see Emile Smith Rowe as a natural replacement in the attacking midfielder role, whilst Ramsey’s defensive efforts are no longer relevant with the signings of Torreria and Guendouzi coupled with the rejuvenated Granit Xhaka. Let’s not forget that we still have Mo Elneny in the shadows.
People here might think I’m crazy, but I kind of prefer Elneny to Ramsey…
Me too Rico.
Afternoon Gooners.
Afternoon Rico, thanks for the edit.
I could have mentioned more than 5 players but I wanted to hear the opinions of others.
Agree totally Cicero, Lichtsteiner has been a great signing, I really like him, his attitude and example are 1st class. I know he’s 34 but I’d really like to see Arsenal extend his contact for another year, his influence on our youngsters is invaluable.
Interesting analysis Kev, thought-provoking too. Am with you on your comments.
I happened across a video of one of my big Arsenal favourites, Dennis Bergkamp – perhaps he wasn’t as prolific a scorer as Messi, but he certainly had some of those special, silky skills to outwit the opposing players, to score or, lay the ball off. It would be nice to have someone like that and so this is where I’m heading with Iwobi. Works hard but too often just dribbles into trouble and loses the ball.
Am not a great fan really so thinking we ought to get Reiss Nelson back for next season from Hoffenheim.
Özil – £350k a week!! Is that what he really gets paid. Yes, I know that’s what the papers say.
IF he had an “off day” once very…..7 or 8 matches I’d say he was worth it but he hardly clocks in, then he’s “ill” or has “blister on his big toe………
For me, needs to move on or prove his worth on a regular basis.
With Spurs tomorrow and Man Utd the next fixture following, I think this is surely where we really define our season. Frankly we’ve done far better than I expected and Emery definitely gets my vote for what he’s achieved so far.
Thanks Andorra, tomorrow, Mesut Ozil has the perfect stage to show that he’s the top player his followers on Twitter, say he is, after no game in what – three weeks?
Of course I’d like to think that he’s going to make the difference, be the oil in the Arsenal engine, maybe even score a memorable goal (or two), show Emery that he was wrong to leave him out at Bournemouth. I’m hoping that he replicates his Bayern performance from a few years back.
I’m also wondering if Emery will go with 3 at the back again, because Kolasinac worries me as I’m sure that Tottenham will target him, with Son running into the space he vacates when he charges forward and walks back.
It’s unlikely given the trip to Kiev, but a part of me would prefer to see Ainsley Maitland Niles at left back, especially if Emery goes with a back four.
Hi Kev, my pleasure.
Andorra, does Ozil have 7/8 on days in a season? Answers on a postcard….
Cicero, I thought you might. Lol
Postcard on the way Rico. ….lol
I like M-Niles but wish he could cross with his left foot. By slowing play by cutting back to the inside stems the momentum of the other players running into the box.
Perhaps he could look at Henry videos and copy the way he (and Bergkamp) used to do it
by curling the ball over or around the keeper at the far post.
Fingers crossed for tomorrow.
Ha ha Andorra.
I really like MN but he’s no left back…. I think Kolasinac will play…
Morning all
New post up now