Premier League R4 - Arsenal 2 - 2 Manchester City: Still lots of work to be done

I feel conflicted after that game. I saw some good things that leave me feeling encouraged, but they weren't without some bad things that are worrying me so whether I'm optimistic or pessimistic at this point really depends on the mood. As for the result, it's a game we needed to win, but got a draw that feels like a defeat. So expect something of a mixed review today.

City were without Yaya Toure and set-up in a way that suggested they were going to try and pick us off on the counter attack. With Milner on the left stifling Debuchy, their main outlet was always going to the combo of Navas and Zabaleta down the right, with Silva and Aguero going over to that side to create overloads. All game, this was a problem for us and it's where their first goal came from.

Before that, Arsenal were the better side. They were first to the ball almost every time and were looking threatening going forward. Our midfielders won a number of free-kicks that we didn't make the most of – not a surprise there – while Welbeck's pace and willingness to press helped us win the ball back. It's during these sorts of periods that Arsenal need to take the lead, especially in a big game, and they came very close to doing that when Welbeck ran onto Silva's backpass, dinked the ball over Hart, only to see it strike the inside of the post and stay out. With a reputation of not being the most clinical of forwards, criticism rained down on Welbeck from the pundits at BT Sport, who blamed him for not being “ruthless” enough. I'm sure there'll be Arsenal fans who share that opinion, but him not scoring there was bad luck more than anything; in another game that ball hits the post then goes in.

This was made all the more annoying since Aguero went up the other end and, with his first chance, tucked the ball away to give City the lead. There was a touch of fortune about how the ball span into the path of Navas, but from there it's poor defending from Arsenal, particularly Flamini. He started to track Aguero's run, but when he got to the edge of the box he, for some reason, stopped and let Aguero run past him. If he had kept going, he would've been able to cut out the cross. That was City's second attempt on goal all half and it was against the run of play.

So there's a lesson there for us: capitalise on dominance, especially when the defence isn't keeping the goals out.

Arsenal started the second half brightly but after fifteen or so minutes City gained control of the game. They were easily breaking up play and playing at the tempo they wanted. With the crowd becoming more subdued and the momentum sucked out of us, we needed to force the issue a bit to get back into the game. This was done by pressing and tackling, two things Arsenal don't do enough of.

Simply, Arsenal could not allow City to just sit pack and leisurely play the ball around. They had to get in their faces more and win the ball back. Doing so would disrupt their rhythm and put us back on the front foot. We did so and were rewarded for it. Winning the ball back in their half, Ramsey gets in on the edge of the box, he plays the ball round the corner for Wilshere who ruins Clichy and produces an excellent finish with his weaker foot.

Now the momentum if back with us and we get another goal out of it. Again, it comes from forcing the issue, putting City under pressure and forcing mistakes from them. They failed to clear the ball, Wilshere nods it back into the box, where it drops nicely to Alexis in space and he volleys it past Hart. Two great goals but there was nothing overly elaborate about them. Arsenal didn't break City down with 30 odd passes. They just forced mistakes out of them and took advantage of them. It's all it takes.

We've shown great character to come from behind, so now it was a just a simple task of seeing the game out. The only problem was that we've been far from solid at the back this season, having shipped four goals in three games already with three of them coming from crosses into the box onto a player's head. The goals we conceded in pre-season, too, came from crosses and set-pieces. There appears to be a problem though.

It wasn't a great surprise, then, that we conceded from a set-piece yet again. Demichelis unmarked got a strong header away that Szczesny couldn't keep out. Another poor goal to concede this season.

Any chance of winning the game was lost when Debuchy went off with what looked like a serious injury, then Welbeck picked up a knock as well. We looked ragged towards the end of the game and were fortunate to come away with the point, with them hitting the post twice and having a goal disallowed for offside.

This is where I'm conflicted. I should be happy with the point because we did well to come from behind and almost lost it towards the end. It's something we can build off. On the other hand, we got ourselves into a winning position but threw the three points away by not being able to defend a set-piece. We've conceded 6 goals already, most of them from crosses or set-pieces, and only have 6 points from a possible 12. On top of our defensive problems, Ramsey and Ozil aren't performing well, either.

If we pick up our performances and form after this, then we can look back on this as a good point. If we fail to beat Villa next week we're suddenly looking at one win in five games which would be worrying form. There's a lot of improving we need to do.

Disappointing result for a good performance. Szczesny, Alexis, Wilshere outstanding. Good debut from Welbeck aswell. Hope Debuchy is OK but it doesn't look good.

Dortmund comes next, would be a great boost of confidence if we win there, we really need it now. But a draw AGAIN wouldn't be the worst result if we do the job at the Emirates.

what a way to welcome back PL.. terrific match for a neutral.. but against City at home, it is 2 points dropped than a point won..

as expected both teams played their attacking games.. City were without Yaya.. while Arsenal started Welbeck in the 4-1-4-1 lineup.. our attack looked good today.. Welbeck had a decent debut and went close on goal on 2 occasions.. Alexis was excellent today.. winning fouls with his dribbles and a good finish.. he needs to improve his passing.. Wilshere has been looking in good form this season.. and this 4-1-4-1 is really benefiting him.. inspiring goal to mark his return.. Ramsey was going for brilliance and is trying too hard atm.. Ozil has been really poor and is totaly out of confidence.. no idea why he was playing 90 mins today.. Milner and Fernandinho were physical and did a great job breaking our attacks, while Kompany was solid..

it was the chaos and lack of organisation in defence which costed us today.. tbh, the result could have been worse if City werent unlucky in the last 10 mins, when they hit the post twice and were restricted by an offside.. the lack of a quality defensive mid showed up again today.. Arsenal was open to counters very easily and the slow pace of Metskr was exposed.. with Ozil, it was almost like we were playing with 10 men.. and the left flank of Monreal & Ozil was totally raided by Navas and Zabaleta..and not to mention our terrible zonal marking for the 2nd goal when no one takes any responsibility..

and it is a terrible injury to Debuchy and looks like he will be out for a while.. defence which is already on short on numbers will be stretched to the limit in the coming weeks..

I can't believe Wenger didn't address the DM issue as neither Flamini or Arteta are good enough for Arsenal, imo.

Art Morte wrote:I can't believe Wenger didn't address the DM issue as neither Flamini or Arteta are good enough for Arsenal, imo.

What I cant believe Wenger brought in Oxlade in the 85th min and Ozil stayed on the whole game.

Wenger, Arteta and Flamini are lost, in 3 years when the Genius leaves Arsenal we will replace them all at the same time. As long as we have the same Wenger mentality, yes we will never beat big teams.

Best we have played so far this season, on another day we would have got the 3 points. Koscielny, Jack and Alexis were our best players today. Alexis was unplayable at times, he is getting fitter and stronger. Very good finish for the goal, he put in a massive shift today as well.

I agree with Jay regarding the form of Ozil and Ramsey so far this season. Ramsey is trying too hard to make things happen. He needs to get that simplicity back in his game, he is going for shots when the angle isn't really there and trying through balls when they aren't really on. Ozil is struggling at the moment but there was a few moments of quality there today, he just needs games to get back to his best.

Its a disappointing result overall but you have to take the positives, we are still unbeaten despite not being at our best. A slow start was always bound to happen with the world cup year, new players, new systems etc. It wasn't going to go smooth any means but when we click and get a few wins we are going to have a good season.

Defensively I agree that we need to improve but were always going to struggle especially after loosing Sagna and Arteta, no defence looks watertight anyway. Chelski are the in form team and they are shipping goals as well.

GoonerJay29 wrote:
This is where I'm conflicted. I should be happy with the point because we did well to come from behind and almost lost it towards the end. It's something we can build off. On the other hand, we got ourselves into a winning position but threw the three points away by not being able to defend a set-piece. We've conceded 6 goals already, most of them from crosses or set-pieces, and only have 6 points from a possible 12. On top of our defensive problems, Ramsey and Ozil aren't performing well, either.

If we pick up our performances and form after this, then we can look back on this as a good point. If we fail to beat Villa next week we're suddenly looking at one win in five games which would be worrying form. There's a lot of improving we need to do.

don't be conflicted, just be pissed. wenger is holding this team back because he is stubborn. formation, organisation, defending philosophy, balance, shape, substitutions; there are just too many things wrong that don't need to be. and i see no improvement on the horizon

EL Patron wrote:

I agree with Jay regarding the form of Ozil and Ramsey so far this season. Ramsey is trying too hard to make things happen. He needs to get that simplicity back in his game, he is going for shots when the angle isn't really there and trying through balls when they aren't really on. Ozil is struggling at the moment but there was a few moments of quality there today, he just needs games to get back to his best.

its clearly the 4-1-4-1. ramsey is getting the cesc fabregas treatment, CM to AM. ramsey had great tackling, distance, interceptions and passing numbers to go with goals last season; a perfect b2b goalscoring CM. but just like the formation wenger wants to mend whats not broken. wenger loves his AM toys but hes just bought too many of them.

ozil has his weak personality to blame since the day he came in really.

This zonal marking off corners is a disaster, I know we don't have the tallest players, but this system is clearly not working and allowing Demichales to run right in was asking for it.

Ozil in his preferred role could probably cause havoc but it seems as though Wenger fears his lack of workrate will kill us in the middle of the park. But if the only place for him is the wings, then I would rather play Santi or Ox there tbh. He provides better work rate and more movement, and I know hindsight is wonderful, but I really think we could have been more effective today if Santi/Ox had played today instead of Ozil.

And its clear what an impact Welbz is going to have compared to Sanogo and Giroud. Him and Sanchez pressing at a high tempo is only going to help us, can't wait till he develops his hold up play.

Title of the thread should say... Ten men Arsenal comes up with a draw

I know players need run of games to regain his form or to familiarize himself with new position but by the time Ozil could do it, we might be left so far behind in term of points.

The only way the shape is effecting Ramsey is that it's giving him a little too much freedom which is encouraging him to try to do more than he perhaps should be doing. In the 4231, he had to balance his attacking and defensive responsibilities, which requires a simpler approach to the game - simpler passes, more grafting, and less need to create. Now, though, he has a DM behind him doing most of the defensive work so he has to spend more time going forward trying to create.

A return to the 4231 suits everyone but Wilshere. When Wilshere plays like he did today you want him in the side every game but at the same time you want your best players in their roles. Somebody gets marginalised one way or another, so it's tough for Wenger.

The other alternative is to play a diamond, with Alexis up front with Welbeck.

Twoism wrote:I know players need run of games to regain his form or to familiarize himself with new position but by the time Ozil could do it, we might be left so far behind in term of points.

and we have Rosicky, Podolski and Campbell rotting in the bench..

.....

Not much to add again.

Loved our performance for most of the match. Disappointed not to win it though. We played miles better than we did against Everton, Besiktas(h+a) and Leicester. Our pressing was great while the flair was back as well.

Sanchez might as well be the best dribbler we have had since hleb.

Also Wilshere looking at his best. Hope it continues.

Did some screenshots of the goals, just to highlight where we (and they) fell short defensively on them:

Spoiler:

GoonerJay29 wrote:Did some screenshots of the goals, just to highlight where we (and they) fell short defensively on them:

Spoiler:

Jay Amazing job, that was great to read.


Wenger’s critical decision making leaves much to be desired.

Giving Ozil any zone to defend on corner kicks is crazy.

Zonal marking means putting the good aerial ball winners in the positions where the ball is most likely to arrive/most dangerous positions.

I didnt see how many people Arsenal usually leave up for corners, but I see 10 Arsenal players so naturally that means in this case 1.

I would love to know who that 1 is (it seems to me Alexis and Welbeck are in the box defending) because of the Arsenal starting 11 he might be the one I would least want in the box. Sure Wilshere is smaller, Flamini is smaller and Alexis is smaller..but all 3 of them will fight tooth and nail and dont care how undersized they are.

We had 11 men to defend that set piece against 4 city players and they still scored and we left one completely open to as he pleases.

i am hating this free role for everyone formation. everyone congregates at the edge of the box, lose the ball and we get countered, flamini /monreal slides in and we have 2 vs 3.

wenger first tells ramsey to simplify his game and then tells back to force and complicate things in free role. its so predictable, everytime an arsenal midfielder gets some goals he is given the free role at the peril of defense, balance and discipline, it happened to fabregas,song, now ramsey and all the other amigos.

A very, very good game to watch, I must say (which came with the customary heart-attack-a-minute as an Arsenal fan).

I was disappointed at full-time, if i'm being honest. We were so close to a mammoth result against the champions, but we just couldn't hold on. The manner of the goal conceded was a real sickner - something we have to cut out, letting in another header.

There were some really good performances; Alexis, Koscielny, Debuchy and of course Wilshere, who's second half was his best display in months. I also thought Welbeck had a promising debut (he probably should have scored that chance, someone like Alexis or Walcott would have) but overall it was promising (particularly with a hefty number of media & fans with an agenda against him, which is a little bit bizarre).

On the flip-side, some players are just not performing. Ozil really has step up. He has been poor for a long time now. Playing left doesn't help, neither does playing on the right, but it's something we'll need to do in this formation when playing Wilshere & Ramsey.

I'm genuinely worried about Ozil. Very worried in fact.

I also thought Monreal had another shaky game - though, he wasn't as bad as some previous games.

It's good to have a strong bench for once. I suspect Chambers, Gibbs, Arteta, Cazorla and Chamberlain will all start in Dortmund. Rosicky and Bellerin could come back into the squad too, perhaps.

All in all, not a bad result, at least we showed can compete with the best. But Chelsea are flying already. When we visit them this month, that'll be our true test.

At that point in the game, I'm wondering why Wenger didn't take Ozil off and replace him with Gibbs. I know Ozil's good on the counter attack but it wasn't like he was playing a free-role. He was on the left hand side so was required to defend. We've seen repeatedly that despite his best efforts he's just not good at defending. Besides, Chamberlain and Alexis were both on the pitch so it's not like we were short on the counter-attacking front.

Little things like that can really cost you a game.

Thought Arteta came on way too late. He should have been brought on when Debuchy got injured. The pace was gone from the game and he wouldn't have had to adapt to the furious pace beforehand.

A defensive injury was the last thing we needed and it's frustrating not to have picked up many points yet, but it was a good game and there are worse things than a draw. We need a morale-boosting win though. Let's hope for one on Tuesday.

I have to admit after the game I felt annoyed. It felt like a loss to me, simply because I felt we played so well. Anyway that's life, one ball in from a set piece and that can all change.

I just felt like the game was winnable. City were weak with a few players missing.

Kompany had an absolute blinder, and made Welbecks debut look average even though he actually did exceptionally well.

Navas was dangerous on the wing and of course Aguero was on another level.

Wilshere was immense.. before the match I was talking him up as a DLP in the Wilshere thread, although I still think given current cirumstances and for the sake of the team we should try it.. But clearly our ideal set up for this generation should be Ramsey and Wilshere in front of a new DM (or chambers). Rambo and Wilshere never seem to click, when one plays well the other doesn't, but when it does click I'm going to need some Kleenex and scented oils.

So anyway, its not the end of the world, I'd have taken a draw before the game tbh given our form.. just disappointed because it was ours for the taking. At least Nasri was pants.