For many years now the Arsenal defense has been a bone in the neck for them, and this season wasn’t far from that as well, it has cost them many matches and dropping points that could have gone in the bags for them along the way.
The attack line and the midfield so far has been exceptional, creating lots of chance and scoring lots of goals as well. Which I am very sure many of the gunner’s fans would be pleased with those two department but still one thing still stands as a problem to them, “the defense”.
The incompetence of their defense against Liverpool few weeks ago away at Anfield against Liverpool saw Unai Emery’s team beaten by 5-1 score line to become the gunner’s worse loss this season. The second Solo goal from Roberto Frimino in the game proved that they are a lot to be done by the gunners in their defense line, Frimino dazzled pass two to three gunner’s players before finding the bottom of the net to score his second and hand Liverpool the lead in that match minutes after Arsenal took the lead through Maitland-Niles. Arsenal went on to give away two penalties in the match that sums up how awful the defense was on that night.
Another occasion can be seen in last week’s lost against Westham united as the defense failed to clear their lines properly and 20-year old Declan Rice make them pay as he slotted home the only goal of the game to hand the hammers all three points.
They a plenty of occasions throughout the season were the arsenal defense has fallen short and were made to pay, the boxing day game against Brighton, still poor clearance from the defense cost them a valuable two points as the game ended draw.
The EFL game against Tottenham too was very disappointing especially the way the first goal was conceded; it was as if the whole backline was placed at paused when Dele Ali found Heung-Min Son in space who had a free run at goal to smash in a wonderful finish before Dele Ali himself scored in the second half to eliminate the gunners from the tournament.
There is long list of how the backline has been disappointing this season, not only to the games they have lost or drawn but also some games the gunners have won the defense weren’t as solid has you would expect them to be.
We are Solid in defense
All the cry of a bad and awful defense for most part of the season all disappeared in the game againsrt their London rivals Chelsea as the gunners humbled them to a two first half goals that stood to become the winner of the game.
From the picture above you can see the far variation from the gunner’s defense and that of Chelsea defense who has one of the best backline in the premier league which has only conceded just 19 goals this season compared to Arsenal who has conceded 32 goals so far this season.
Laurent Koscielny is unargueably the man of the match as he carried out all defensive responsibility almost to perfection and even went on to score a goal in the match. His blocks, interception and clearance was at the best as he made things very difficult for Chelsea to materialize anything in the final third, he was seen occasionally throwing his body to block shots at goal and that proved very vital for the gunners.
He also had the help of the Greek giant Sokratis who also played an important role in stopping all the blues attack, Hector Bellerin who was later injured in the game proved dominance as well in putting Alonso and Williams at bay and Kolasinac on the far end did well in stopping Pedro and Azpilicueta from making any positive impact in the game.
Summary
In all, in the game it is fair to say it was good defense that won the game for Arsenal, two assist from the defenders one from Bellerin that found Lacazette in the box who made some nice quick touches before firing home the first goal and another from Sokratis who found his captain alone in the box with the ball just missing his head but his shoulders had enough power to take it pass kepa to find the top of the net.
Good defense from Arsenal cancelled Chelsea’s in all aspect of the game, so one question many will want to ask after seeing the brilliant performance pulled out last night, is Unai Emery right about his defense? As the coach is not looking for any additions.
What is next?
The gunners will be looking to keep up the pace when they host Manchester city at the emirate stadium in the FA Cup fourth round on 25th January this year.
See you next time 👏👏
Comments