22nd October - reviewing Arsenal vs Norwich.
Well, that was an extremely frustrating game for us on Saturday. I can't quite believe how we lost that game, but the facts are this, we were poor, and we lost. It seemed we were complacent, and Arteta said it, "we expected to win", this concerns me. We absolutely have to improve for the game against Schalke this mid-week, if we don't we will loose. But what specifically was wrong with our game this weekend, and why did we become the first team to loose to Norwich this season? This is what I aim to discuss in this article.
Firstly, before I start, the international break is NOT an excuse whatsoever for our loss. I have heard many people say this, both media and fans (both Arsenal and Non-Arsenal), but it simply should not be an issue. So, that's that out the way.
On Saturday we were simply very poor, let's face the facts, we were playing a team that had not won a game yet this season, and quite frankly seemed to be in real "dire straits", whilst we had been in okay shape going into this game, so it was expected that the team would get a comfortable win at Carrow Rd. However the fluid, quick passing based game that we are very much used to seeing from our team, was (it seemed) a million miles away from our game. Quite frankly we never started, there were hardly any chances created. This was partly because of how Norwich played and how they tried to contain our threat, but also and probably more significantly as well, our passing was slow, predictable, and un-imaginative. We basically never, apart from Gervinho on one occasion right at the end of the game, got anyone in behind their defence. This shows a number of things. 1) We were not agressive enough with our passing, to look to get the ball in behind for players to run around on to. And 2) The passes that we did try to do were of poor quality. When The Gunners are at their best, the way we all love to see them play, (the sexy sexy football), we work the ball around the centre of the field, manipulate and suck their players in and then whip out, get it to the bye-line and hopefully square it effectively, to an attacker to tap in. This is something we saw many times last season with a certain United striker benefitting, and also this season as well. This what we absolutely did not do at the weekend. I cant remember any other occasions other than the one, and only one, that I mentioned above (for Gervinho). For the up-coming games this has to improve. The fact we did not break a team of Norwich's stature, especially with their form so far this season, is extremely concerning. To nearly 70% possession and not score, is worrying. We dominated the ball, we put in hundreds and hundreds of passes, but to no prevail. As I said, and I will reiterate this point, we hardly any threatened them, and with this much possession to not threaten them at all, is not good. I hope this improves, and to be honest it will. We wont be that poor again, I am sure (fingers/ toes crossed).
Furthermore, and this is very much a regularly re-occurring theme this season, and to be honest a number of seasons before as well, this is our absolute lack of threat from corners and set pieces. Against Norwich. We had over 10 corners on Saturday, and we didn't not threaten John Ruddy from one of these moments. This is something which requires attention, I believe. I know that the club has a philosophy of keeping the ball, pass and move, interchaging of positions e.t.c. And this is clearly what we practice on the training field, and this season to be fair, we seem to have really been drilled in defending as well. But one thing it seems we do not to enough on, is offensive corners. I think I am right in saying we have only scored from one corner so far, Koscielney against City, and for the amount of them that we get, that would equate to an extremely low hit rate, thats for sure. I hope Steve Bould is given more of a licence to work on this because this is something that he was very effective with during his playing days, as we have heard many times with the near post flick on e.t.c. I hope the team starts getting more effective from these opportunities. We really have to, it's not good enough. On games like the one on Saturday, where we could not get any real chances, it would be great nick a goal from a set piece. That is what team of league winning quality and spirit do, look at City last year, often when they needed a goal to nick a win, they would nick one from a set piece, especially away from home, and this is my point. We must improve.
Normally at this point I would discuss and name my man of the match, but this week I am not because there were hardly any moments of quality in the game. The usual candidate this season, Santi, he was nullified and was no where near the form he has shown so far this year, Gervinho was effectively non-existent, and when he did get the ball he did some stupid and gave it away, Giroud hardly touched the ball. The one man who I thought could make a difference, The OX, came on and went off again basically straight away, so all in all, there wasn't a man of the match. It was a dire game. The only thing I will say on a positive note, is that it was good to Serge Gnabry given a run towards the end. This young German, is super super talented, and I am sure we will see much more of him this season and beyond, I hope we see him more alongside his countryman, Thomas Eisfield who has been doing very very well for the Under 21s, and also did well for us in pre-season.
Saturday, was a day to forget. But every season, along the journey, there are always days like this really. It seems to happen to most of the big teams, and it shows why the Premier League is such a great league, everyone can loose to everyone on the day. We were very poor, that is the facts, but we will bounce back, hopefully on Wednesday against a very useful German side in Schalke. Seems like ages since our last home match (Olympiacos) and I can't wait to get to the Home of Football once again!!!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!!!
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