Unai Emery says he and his players continue to analyse their defensive shape as they look to stem the flow of goals conceded.
A 13-game unbeaten run in the Premier League underlines the impressive work that the Spaniard has done at Arsenal since his summer arrival, however, his attack have often had to bail out the defence who’ve already let in 20 goals; the same as 15th place Crystal Palace.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match with Huddersfield, Emery said his players are gradually improving but that there’s more work to be done.
“First we want to create one style, one idea,” Emery said. “A stronger idea with good positioning on the pitch and with the ball, good communication between us to dominate the match.
“But we know the opposition they also want to do the same. And without the ball, don’t concede a lot of metres on the pitch. And be more far away from our box when the opposition team have the ball.
“The challenge is improving this because we are conceding more goals than we want. Our balance is positive but we can improve that. Every day we are working with the movies and with tactical moments on the pitch before the matches, we are repeating that.
“And we want confidence in every match and we are improving in this. For example the last two matches against teams like us, their mind is to be in the top four, I think the team – not for 90 minutes because it’s impossible to do it for 90 minutes – but more or less we control a lot of minutes in these matches.”
While we’ve been far from perfect this season, it’s hard to sniff at a 20-game unbeaten streak that spans three competitions. Sead Kolasinac certainly believes the Gunners are a stronger outfit this season.
“When you don’t lose a game for that long, the belief is there for everyone,” he told Sky Sports.
“Last season we didn’t have a run like this, but when you’re 20 unbeaten you have lots of confidence and belief and sometimes things take care of themselves. We’re stronger in what we’re doing this year, probably.
“The manager always prepares us very well for games,” he added.
“We watch a lot of video, and speaking as a full-back he and his staff will show us what we’re doing well and what we need to improve, and that helps a lot when you’re shown things.
“It might be that you weren’t standing right in one game, make sure you stand in a better position in the next one. That means you learn from game to game and become better, and it’s a key to success.”
Happy they are learning and improving. Need to cut out the silly mistakes and we’ll keep the run going.
Fingers crossed for today.
well the best way to stop conceding goals, would obviously be, to buy better defenders
That’s not that obvious nor is it necessarily the best way, because you are always making a bet with new personnel. Working with philosophy, method of preparation i.e. training, tactics, communication is a much more stable approach. Albeit the progress might be slower and more incremental.
i Recognise the shortcomings in kolasinac’s game, but he has considerable strengths, if we can get Kolasinac to improve his defensive positioning and passing? We’ll be in possession of the league’s best left.
I wonder if he could even play left midfield? He’s not great in possession, but he’s an absolute handful, a real powerful runner and very good crosser who puts the opposition on the back foot.
He’s just come back from injury and is still playing himself into form, but from an offensive standpoint, he’s offering much more than Iwobi, Mkhitaryan and Ozil have this season.
Since our fullbacks are obviously instructed to provide with with their overlapping runs, in order for our nominal wide players to tuck in and create numerical overloads in the half spaces, I don’t think it would suit Kola as much to play as a wide forward because he would have a lot less space to work with.
Wingback is clearly his best position, I think.
Almost all of Kolasinac’s good offensive work in the last few games has come through combinations with Iwobi, who’s clearly worked hard to bring Kolasinac (who’ll never be a great passer) into games. It’s unfair to say Kolasinac is offering more than someone when he’s only able to because of that person. That said, Iwobi and Mkhitaryan need to be offering more in their own right. Also, Ozil’s been out for a few weeks and had some bad press in the meantime, but he’s certainly contributed this season. Kolasinac has potential but he’s been decent for just the last two… Read more »
Right, it’s been Iwobi and recently Holding playing behind him who’ve fed him the ball and allowed Kolasinac to play his natural game, and suddenly he looks again like the player who made that storming start in his first few games.
We’re gonna miss Holdini! I want whoever scores a goal today to run to the bench and lift up a shirt with Holding’s name on the back
There have been times over parts of last season, and maybe this one as well, where it seemed that Kolasinac might not be the LB we were hoping for. But if this coaching staff manages to improve his defensive contribution, to add to his offensive ability, we will have a real player on our hands. Hope he manages to develop the way Hector is on the other wing.
I’ve never really understood the criticism aimed at Bellerin, he’s a brilliant young right back.
Is this Sead Kolasinac’s first interview? Guess he hasn’t had a good run in the side for a while.
What do you guys think about Xhaka dropping back to cover for Rob Holding and giving Guendouzi another start as reward for his performance against Utd?
As much as I want to read a book by Wenger (whenever that happens) I’d love to have a pint or two with Bould and ask whats been going on over last few years and how much influence he’s had or not
This isn’t an anti-Bould comment and glad he was retained for if nothing else he’s honest and understands The Arsenal as well as being a good defender
I haven’t looked at the ‘by the numbers’ but going by optics, we have definitely improved by leaps and bounds cutting out silly mistakes, no defender is immune to mistakes we have to bring it back to an acceptable rate and I don’t feel we are far away.