Laurent Koscielny says Arsenal must continue to focus on defending as a team if they are to keep up the momentum that has seen them climb to fourth in the Premier League table.
The Gunners kept a second consecutive league clean sheet in their 1-0 win over Burnley today and the Frenchman thinks solidity at the back is the perfect foundation for the attacking players.
Speaking to Arsenal Player after today’s win, Koscielny explained: “It’s always important for a defender. It’s not just the back three or the back five, though. When we play like this, we defend together and help our team-mates.
“Like we did last week [against Sp*rs], it’s easier for everyone on the pitch when we work together and then afterwards we have the quality to get forward and create opportunities to score.
“We need to keep this in our heads and continue like this.”
For the second season in a row it took a late, late goal to secure the points at Turf Moor. It was a result that was hard to come by.
“It was a difficult game,” admitted Koscielny. “They had the same points as us and play very direct football.
“They cross very well and up front they have some players who can score headers, so it was very difficult.
“They’ve only conceded two goals at home before, so we knew it was a difficult game here for us to get the three points. We are very happy because Burnley played well in the first half and put lots of pressure on us.
“We stayed focused on our defensive job to keep the clean sheet, so we are very happy.”
on paper, we have the best defence in the league. possibly offence too. we’re just missing the midfield.
lol
mancity have the best offence… by a mile
Are you serious? Their back 4 are very suspect and it in midfield and attack where their strengths lie.
true, city have the best offence. but sanchez+lacazette+ozil should be close, no?
He is saying on paper
That’s an interesting paper you got there mate.
i wrote it myself! it’s free, if you want to subscribe.
On paper we are the best club mate.. Rich history, great manager, great city, financially sound, awesome fanbase.. but, on paper.
Extended highlights link not working
highlightsfootball dot com has it
All the naysayers who made sport of Arsenal’s defensive frailties are suddenly quiet. Nobody wants to own up to the fact that Arsenal actually know a thing or two about defending. We’ve never looked like conceding in the last two games. Long may it continue.
One thing is clear: a solid defence will certainly push you up the table.
Except when it took an excellent fingertip save from Cech to deny gudmundsson
Suddenly we are pressing all over the pitch, helping out the defence, and winning the physical battles. It’s like a new team, and I like it.
LANT
I like this
Hopefully it stays that way through the holiday season. We always seem half drunk in december.
Its clearly easier to win games if your team can score and the opposition cant. Seems the Arsenal squad has finally woken upto that fact.
Thought our defense was excellent today. Not only they did the basics well but they kept possession really well and you could see their desires to initiate attacking moves from the back …and take two pops out of the box in Montreal’s case !
Rock solid today Koscielny. We were caught out once but his positioning by refusing to charge the man basically saved it for us. It is a shit load more boring but against Burnley defending like that is about as good as a goal because if they had scored we would never have won.
We like defenders that have a rick in them but I think this is more down to how we play. When he is on, Koscielny is easily one of the best centre-backs in the world.
Our back was solid. They were awesome.