Morning guys.
I saw this headline on the BBC yesterday morning:
“How Arteta’s response to Brighton loss may shape Arsenal’s next chapter..”
What a ridiculous statement to make. One off day doesn’t shape a season. Players are human, they have bad days but the problem at Brighton was too many had a bad day on the same day. Freaky really but it happens and Arsenal are no exception. It’s horrid to witness I know but that’s because we care and we want Arsenal to win each and every time they play.
I’m pretty sure the players will not be repeating such a performance any time soon and certainly not this lunchtime at The Emirates Stadium in front of 60,000 home fans.
Unsurprisingly, Mikel Arteta swerved questions about the Manchester City goings on and rightly so. Until the outcome of the clubs appeal is reached, there’s little to say really and speculation sometimes can bite back hard.
So, Leeds Utd. They’ve had a really good start to the season. Their best results have come on the road, beating Nottingham Forest 1-0 and taking at point off Brighton. They also battered Newcastle Utd at Elland Road as well as holding both Crystal Palace and Brentford to a draw. They are yet to lose a game. A bit like ourselves, goals haven’t always been easy to come by.
Mikel Arteta confirmed yesterday that Christos Tzolis will miss today’s game as well as the fixtures over the next few weeks but both Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa could be available to face Leeds. Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie are good to go, as is Max Dowman if needed. That’s better injury news than I expected.
Talking Tactics with Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke:
Farke’s switch to 3-5-2 last November was a tactical masterstroke, losing just five of their 32 league matches since. The shape is designed primarily to nullify opponents, with at least eight starters known for their defensive resilience. Leeds are a robust, physically dominant outfit. Using a solid 5-3-2 off the ball, they turn the ball over regularly, thanks to a tigerish midfield trio constantly pressuring their opposite numbers, especially Ethan Ampadu and Stach. Statistically, Leeds rank second in press sequences so far this term, so we can expect them to close us down with hostility.
Discipline and concentration mean they’re the only Premier League side yet to make an error leading to a shot. That, plus having so many players comfortable in their off-the-ball work, limits the quality of chances they face, and their average of 0.09xG per shot faced is the second-best tally behind us. However, starting with two or three natural attacking players means creating goalscoring opportunities hasn’t been easy, and only three sides have managed fewer shots on target than their 18. Despite this, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor have struck up a terrific rapport as the front two, and the former is excellent at sniffing out where to be inside the box, has searing pace and is top class in the air.
Oh to have searing pace in our attacking unit eh, but we do, kind of. Noni Madueke has pace but much of the time his final decision making can let him down. Ebe Eze has every trick in the book in his locker but we don’t see enough of it when he plays. One of the two is likely to start on the left in the absence of Tzolis and my money is on Madueke if he’s fit and healthy. Despite Arteta’s positivity over Havertz, I think he’ll be on the bench at best with Mikel Merino or Viktor Gyokeres leading the front line. Both have had a good international break as far as scoring goals goes and Arteta needs them to bring that form into the Arsenal team. Not just today but for the next eight months. Especially Gyokeres because he’s the one who for some reason, has been kind of cast to one side yet if Arteta needs a clinical striker on the end of the chances we create, I think he’s the more likely to hit the back of the net. Havertz and Gyokeres are just different and it seems Arteta prefers the difference our German gives the team.
Daniel Farke said pre match that it’s the worst time his team could be playing Arsenal because the whole stadium will be buzzing after the announcement of Mikel Arteta’s new contract. He also said that last season, Arsenal were the only team Leeds played which his side had no chance of beating either home or away. He did add that Leeds have come a long way since and today presents a chance to show just how much they’ve improved. They will respect us but they will not fear us.
Personally, I think Arsenal need to have the same approach. Respect Leeds but don’t fear them. Don’t play with fear because of what happened at The Amex, play without fear in spite of the performance against Brighton.
Catch up in the comments.
Kev, my own comments.
Rico, book is about the advent of data analytics in football.
Must admit, I couldn’t give a hoot about what some old Liverpool buffoon thinks about Arsenal Merlin.
Morning all.
New post up.
Don’t Arsenal have an analytics dept and don’t they study opponents looking for any weaknesses that could be exploited which might explain why Arsenal have won all but one game this season, yes they lost one game, you know like almost everyone else…
Merlin, do you copy and paste your comments or are they actually your own?
https://r.bing.com/rp/KNV36Olt8iPjvcwMIsg4iysSZLc.svg
“How to Win the Premier League” is a 2024 Sunday Times bestselling book by Ian Graham, Liverpool FC’s former Director of Research, offering an inside look at football’s data revolution and how analytics shaped Liverpool’s 2020 Premier League title.
Remember that quick TAA corner which caught Barca sleeping and Origi tapped in a simple goal?
It was the Data Analytics Dept that spotted Barca had a tendency to appeal to ref all their corners instead of staying alert to defend it. Liverpool spotted it and instructed their ball boys to quickly put the ball in place.
The problem is that ArtetaBall had quickly being predictable without spontaneity and opportunistic football from brilliant individuals.
It all started with Sunderland who knew physicality and hard tackling will unsettle Arsenal players, and will breakup their rhythm before Arsenal get their flowing football started.
Huzerler spotted it and initiated a high press plus man-marking to knock Arsenal off their strides and never allowed Arsenal players to settle down with time and space to pick their passes. Of course, tactical fouls or intelligent fouls galore to stop Arsenal in their tracks whenever a breakthru’ was spotted. It needed discipline and a high degree of fitness that all Brighton outfield players can run and press intensely all day.
Farkes managed to remain unbeaten (before Arsenal) by packing the midfield with intense pressing and tactical fouls. That was why Arsenal was struggling with all their predictable short passes in final third, passes easily intercepted and pressed to hurry their passes which more than often when astray.
With Rice sitting between two CB as libero to defend against Leeds quick counterattacks, especially with Farkes intentionally overloading the flank knowing that both Arsenal FB will be caught high up when their attacks broke down. Thanks to Rice and Konsa and Raya, it was goal-less in 1st half.
2nd half?
Look again why Justin remained unmarked at our left flank. Madueke stopped running and tracking Justin all the way into our box. Cala absent from left flank. A free man who picked his spot and scored. Of course, we can said Gabriel should have done better but hey, why was a Leeds player free to shoot at goal … like Brighton players scored their 1st two goal with our Defence retreating and gave them time and space to pick their shots outside the box?
Back to the drawing board and more data & video analytics on what went wrong and why our Midfield setup was being overwhelmed and pressed out of control by Leeds?
When will Arteta coach Odegaard and MLS not to be so predictable in their passes into the box and square balls across the box that Leeds players so easily anticipated and intercepted.
Rest assured that all EPL and CL Cup managers will analyze Brighton & Leeds games and will find vulnerabilities to exploit against Arsenal.
Over to Arteta to outfox them.
Goodnight all.
I’m in shock…. 😂
A big game today with Leeds arriving unbeaten, credit to Daniel Farke for what he is building there, but a huge three points, and the whole team deserve praise for turning around another deficit.
We’d have all taken this before kick-off after Brighton and the form Leeds have been showing, so I’m happy.
Speaking after the game, goalscorer Justin admitted he was impressed by Arsenal’s mental toughness.
“[Arsenal’s] mentality is unbelievable,” Justin told TNT Sports. “What their coach has instilled in them since he’s been at the club, he’s been there so long now, and everyone works. No matter what the score is, they’re always fighting. That’s what we’re striving for.”
Leeds boss Daniel Farke agreed, saying: “Congratulations to Arsenal, it’s down to the mentality Mikel has implemented here. Arsenal is the most consistent team in Europe, one of the best in the world.
“Out of very little they were able to equalise. They used the momentum with another well-taken goal. We tried everything to find another answer to equalise the game, it was not to be.”
Maybe we’re just hanging on until January with a player already in the pipeline. 🤷🏼♀️
Have to agree again, we have depth in numbers and strength but what we need right now and who we have is two different things. I wonder if one of the under 21’s would be an option, like Scanlon.
Without Tzolis we are badly short of wingers , Madueke is fine as long as you don’t want an accurate finish and Saka is woefully out of form and doesn’t seem to take players on and appears to be lacking the pace he once had.
Eze is not a winger and now we have an overload in midfield with Guimareas, Merino ,Zubimendi and Eze sitting on the bench and shoving Eze out wide is not the answer and is not fair on him.
With Dowman in the wings waiting ,Lewis Skelly , Rice and Odegaard, Arteta has to pick his teams with the opposition in mind .
It was a trait that Wenger had to let teams worry about us but we although having good players we do not have the calibre of players that Wenger had .
Agree re Gyokeres and he’s always looking to get in to the box. Havertz however is often further back, trying to be the playmaker.
Against teams that press hard and fast we need Gyokeres up front to occupy defenders and prevent them pushing up and joining their midfield . Havertz is suited to open play but today he was anonymous and boy did we miss Martinelli as an out ball recipient.
‘The squad is thin’, are you on medication JM..?
We have a very deep squad imo, just missing one addition on the left.. Oh to have a lightening quick winger who isn’t afraid of anything or anyone.
Well, it was no deep fried Mars Bar (my hubris levels were up after the AB’s torched the Aussies), but three points is three points. Not sure about a “thin squad”, JM. Every player on that bench would be starters in most EPL teams.
Apparently, Hincapie has picked up an injury in the warm down… Couldn’t make it up really..
If De Zerbi can get his players scoring goals, Totts might be a half decent team..
Ten Spuds hold out for a one all draw.
Oops, 1-1.
Totts down to ten men and now 1-0 down…
I can’t take any credit Cicero. The genius behind the scenes is my saviour..
Watching the game at Old Toilet, first half Spuds on top, second half United doing a bit better, two mediocre sides.
Back up and running Rico, well done.
Sloppy first half, passes went astray, balls lost, no presence in the box when we tried to counter-attack. Much better second half after the subs came on. MLS looked jaded, Bruno looked more direct.
Raya my motm. He kept is in the game, again!
Three points is all that matters.
Well, I thought it was truly a game of two halves. We looked a bit off in the first half with poor passes being a big problem. But, once the subs came on it was a different game imo.
In hindsight, Havertz shouldn’t have started…
The difference when the subs came on was noticeable , we got a bit quicker and their defence was pressured. Food for thought
I’ve already posted that with this team, it’s going to be a struggle right to the end in every match.
The players aren’t fresh and their performance levels fluctuate constantly; they look stiff and restricted in their movement. Under any pressure from the opposition, the whole team looks shakly; the squad is thin, the style of play is predictable and they are running out of ideas.
Compared to last year, the goalkeeper offers less security, the defense looks shaky, the midfield isn’t producing and the forwars aren’t takin shots. If they were taking few shots before, they’re takingeven fewer now.
Bruno lucky he never got a yellow card for his goal celebration with the fans
it’s still a win but not convinced by todays performance
Saka missed a simple goal
Superb goal, looking a different team now. Rice hadn’t looked on it till then, revitalised now.
Lovely goal by Bruno G
What a difference the changes have made. 2-1
looks like the Leeds goal has woken us up
The Brighton blueprint need a positive approach . Dont think I can remember Rice giving it away so often
at last Calafiore with a ugly goal
1-1 Well done Calafiori
Oh dear but it’s been coming…
Even better..
Merino AND Gyokeres Havertz is doing nothing and all Madueke just keeps doing is running into cul-de-sacs.
Guimaraes too at some stage. Definitely need a bit more dynamics from midfield. I think we’d benefit from Merino or Gyokeres in the box too.
Leeds look way more dangerous for all our possession,a good spell from us just before half time though.
To me the game is crying out for someone with energy,Max Dowman perhaps.
not impressed with the first half, we are luck not to be behind
What a great ball into the box from Madueke after a super pass from Raya
we seem to be letting them get back far easy to defend. Now there is a short break Odegaard needs to get everyone for chat and restart
Afternoon Andrew, thanks. It was a bit of a slog – a bit like this game trying to get through Leeds. The offsides are frustrating, totally avoidable but it’s just laziness imo.
Afternoon rico, house. Spent last hour going through recent HH posts, kudos rico for keeping going, can’t have been easy during this so so long break. Few posts I’m surprised at, but as late to the party I’ll leave it at that.
Would have like to see Gyokeres start after his goals, but very pleased to see Havertz fit. Sure G will get some minutes today, same with Merino who has been incredible yet again.
What a bench! Fit Mosquera can’t even get on.
So far offside after offside! Sort it out. Also like to see our wingers keep switching but they don’t seem to like causing this uncertainty.
Finally, a good time in OZ not this 3 am matches
I reckon Leeds will start fast and try to unsettle us. Possibly a replica of what Brighton did. We need to be at it from the off..
Maybe playing four international games kept him out Kev. If Havertz isn’t 100%, it’s a risk
Calafiori is in the line up
Yep Potter/Rico, I was a little disappointed to see Kai start although I wonder if he can do the 90 minutes or should he anyway?
Seems as if the Rice rumours were baseless, fortunately for him…
Me too Potter, me too. But yes, I hope Havertz does well.
Morning Kev, Cicero, Geoff, Limey. That’s a long list. 😜
Havertz starting is a huge surprise..
Afternoon Gooners, good post Rico, yes Geoff I agree with you over Viktor he might push for a move in January. Maybe he’ll get a start vs Lille in midweek?
Noni or Bakayo on the left or will they constantly switch flanks, that should be interesting? Leeds look a huge team and I’ve had to revise my view on them given their results this season, today could be tough.
Love the look of our bench, so much power, so many options, almost too many, isn’t it flipping great?
Raya, White, Konsa, Gabriel, Rice, M L S, Saka, Odegaard, Madueke, Havertz.
well it’s Havertz starting , To say that I am disappointed is an understatement . However I hope he gets a hat trick
Good morning Rico and all.
Just a thought, Calafiori on the left wing?
Morning Rico/all
I would go with Gyokeres and fitness depending either Havertz or Merino on Tuesday against Girouds mob. I agree if Gyokeres doesn’t start either his future must be in doubt(maybe a January move for Alvarez is being lined up)
The other big question is who plays left midfield. Eze or Madueke probably.
The Brighton game was a hell of a beating,hopefully the break will have done us good.
Morning Rico and all,
If Viktor doesn’t start, I feel he will push for a transfer in January even though he has come out said he is happy at Arsenal, and I for one would not blame him.
I think we’ll see both during the match Stuart, which one starts is the conundrum. I’d like to see Viktor get the nod and score a couple of goals. If he doesn’t start, I believe his days are numbered.
Thanks Rico. As I posted a few days back, I really enjoyed the international break due to the quality of the displays by England and Spain in particular. Mikel M’s second goal against Czechia was Bergkampesque in its loveliness. I’d choose him to start up top in Kai’s absence, but I’d be equally happy (but perhaps a little surprised) to see Gyo get his mojo going.
Our beloved All Blacks battered the Aussies like a Scottish Mars Bar this evening. I’ve got a feeling The Arsenal might do the same to Leeds. COYG.