Arsenal v Villa; the tactical review « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News, supporting the club, the players and the manager

By Arvind

That was a nice comforting win and while I was nervous till the end, logically we never looked like losing it. So lets try and see how we played this game, tactically.

Starting off, there was a dreadful challenge by Heskey on Djourou. Isn’t that at least a yellow card? Why are players allowed to hang their elbows out like that?

The attacks for Villa, mostly came down the left hand side, as usual. The problem here is partly with  Gibbs and partly with Gervinho and the closest midfielder. If your full back has burst down the wing and is in the attacking third and loses the ball, there are 3 things that need to happen:

— The right back needs to ensure he is also not forward and make it a wide back three. This enables the Left sided centre back to be closer to the ball and make a clearance.

— The left back needs to try and get back as soon as possible

— Most importantly the midfielder closest to the left wing has to make a run towards the ball and close the attacker out.

What happens with Giibbs is, he is good going forward and took his goal well; but at times forgets to get back for some reason. He’ll make 1 tackle or attempt to win it back but invariably if he misses it, doesn’t get back quick enough. Suddenly he’ll realise there’s danger and sprint back, today we didn’t pay for it…another day we might. He needs to learn that balance. And obviously its not just him; similar to Sagna and Walcott; the left side need to develop a similar understanding. Gervinho did track back today but there’s some way to go to making it seamless.

Just last week I wrote a piece saying our right side was our major weapon these days, and that was true again today. Having said that though, I thought Gervinho and Gibbs did really well too. Gervinho’s feet move faster than his brain though, right now, and when he learns to calm down a little more; he’ll be that more dangerous. He doesn’t hide though and his tricky feet are an asset in a tight game where people are sitting back.

A beautiful little moment, although quite inconsequential was a piece of play by RVP on the left. Gibbs hadn’t come forward this time and there was a hole on the left. The ball came to RVP. Most strikers would do a 5 yard pass in ward and run central, waiting for the build up. RVP quickly saw a gap on the left wing and ran there; allowing the central players more space. A simple thing but so beautifully intelligent if that makes sense.

Talking of which the simplicity and execution of the second goal was top top class. Our so called DM hits at least 1 gorgeous pass a  game and our so called brainless right winger takes 2 fantastic touches (one from the diagonal ball from LB) and scores. Theo has got so so much better. I don’t understand his critics; honestly. And overall the understanding between Rosicky, Theo and RVP is near telepathic these days. Very very nice to watch. And all with a very high work rate up front…pressing from the front in the true sense. There was a super passing move which ended in Warnock miraculously clearing; it all shows what I’d said in my previous article..Arsenal at pace and with possession are near untouchable. We’re slowly getting there…

The last little moment in the first half which brought a smile to my lips, was Arteta winning a header against Heskey.. ha ha..

The second half was tighter but we rarely looked troubled. Djourou had an excellent second half I thought and was the better of the 2 CBs. Not that Tommy Verm did anything wrong. I just thought DJ did really well today. He realised he wouldn’t be fit enough to go up for corners and stayed back; he also made a couple of vital interceptions and tackles. There was one cross from our right side, watch how Djourou approached the ball, both hands behind the back; take the ball on the body… Corner. Classic.

Mikel Arteta had a lot of space to run into today and didn’t put a foot wrong. He was much further forward today than he usually is, and that’s because Villa were so so poor today. He’s really very similar to Denilson, and had the Brazilian done a little more and been a little more physically strong, we wouldn’t have bought Arteta..but overall while I feel sad for Denilson the way Arsenal fans treated him, I’m happy we bought Mikel. Top class. Hungry. And a super free kick…

Oh and that Alex Song? He isn’t a DM like Mascherano. Anyone reading this and who doesn’t already know…. Arsenal do NOT have a DM currently. Its an unbelievably fluid system where every midfielder gets forward and back. Good stuff. And Song is truly box to box. And dare I say it…its him who is closer to being a sort of Vieira replacement now..than any…

And on Alex Song….how was that tackle late on, on him, not a red card? Clear ankle breaker. Shit. Terrible…

There isn’t much to say about Little Mozart. This run of games have truly shown what a fabulous little player he is, and why he is truly what they call him. He runs and runs and runs all the time…offensively and defensively, and a large part of our form has been his resurgence. Its a joy to watch him play, and when the team’s on form, it looks even better..

And Andre Santos was a little rusty..and Chamberlain in the box… not a penalty. Good tackle I’d say. Ramsey had a lovely little cameo with 1 turn and shot.

Everything is positive and its a great time to be an Arsenal fan. Do chime in with your thoughts : )

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Being there: conversations at the game on Villa, Liverpool, Tottenham, the coffee and racism

Our last match – how the referee did.   Everton 0 Arsenal 1

Wrong calls by the refs.  We compare Arsenal,  Chelsea, Liverpool, Man C, Man U, Tottenham

The season so far: Liverpool or Arsenal – which club is in the better position today?