Arsenal Face a Different Test

March 22, 2014- What should have been a day of celebration for Arsene Wenger ended in humiliation when Arsenal were trounced by Chelsea 6-0 at Stamford Bridge.  The Frenchman was celebrating his 1000th match in charge, and one could argue that sunny day in East London was the worst of them all.  

With Lukas Podolski and Tomas Rosicky patrolling the wings, Arsenal were stagnant and pedestrian in the face of a Chelsea thunderstorm of attacks.  To make matters worse, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain took a wild swing at Eden Hazards shot heading wide, made contact, and was unjustly mistaken for Kieran Gibbs.  

Gibbs was subsequently sent off, Chelsea converted the penalty to make it 3-0 inside 17 minutes played, Laurent Koscielny was injured and subbed off at half time, and Arsenal’s three substitutions (Mathieu Flamini, Thomas Vermaelen, and Carl Jenkinson) pretty much summed up the nature of the match for the Gunners.  

Regardless, the men left on the bench included Kim Kallstrom, Yaya Sanogo, and Serge Gnabry, so glory for Wenger on his big day was never an option.  Sunday, Arsenal return to Stamford Bridge in hope of snatching a point, or perhaps even three.  

Wednesday’s 4-1 dismantling of Galatasaray gave fans a glimpse into perhaps a new formula for success at Arsenal.  Aside from the obvious lack of personnel with which they faced Chelsea last season, Arsenal were without any pace on the field, something they added in the summer by signing Danny Welbeck and Alexis.  

Together with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, the pair constantly ran behind the Galatasaray defense and gave Mesut Ozil runners with which to aim his lovely passes at.  Welbeck’s hat trick grabbed the headlines, but Alexis and Ozil were almost as impressive in their all-around displays.  

Coming off such a successful outing, Arsenal fans will be inclined to ask for more of the fireworks from their Champions League outing on Wednesday.  Chelsea, however, are not Galatasaray.  This Arsenal squad is furlongs better than the one that travelled to Stamford Bridge in March, and so is Chelsea’s.  

Enough cannot be said about the impact Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa have had at Stamford Bridge.  Coupled with Jose Mourinho’s flexible and pragmatic tactical approach, Chelsea have the best record in the league and are showing no signs of letting up.  

The goal creators and scorers grab the headlines, but Chelsea’s biggest strength is their defense.  John Terry’s performance on Tuesday was imperious as ever, as was Branislav Ivanovic’s.  With Nemanja Matic providing the cover that Arsenal’s back line so desperately needs, Chelsea’s foundation complements their creative attackers.  

Thus, It will be a surprise to see such a positive lineup on Sunday when Arsenal play Chelsea across London.  If Mesut Ozil and Alexis are to be relied on defensively, Chelsea will no doubt score goals.  Santi Cazorla, positioned ahead of Mathieu Flamini but behind Ozil, put in a yeoman’s display on Wednesday, but his inclusion there would surprise me.  

Jack Wilshere, so often picked in big games by Wenger, will likely start next to Mathieu Flamini in a midfield duo after a weeks rest and a quick run out against Galatasaray.  Arsenal’s hopes will lie on the shoulders of these two, who imperatively must protect the back four and stay disciplined in a hostile environment. 

Being the conservative tactician that he is, Wenger likes to stick with lineups which yield results.  Given the magnitude of Wednesday’s result, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Wenger field the exact same XI.

This is Wenger’s biggest flaw each year, since top teams adjust and know exactly what to expect when they play Arsenal.  Wenger’s stubbornness prevents him from coming out with a steely attitude of buckling down defensively, but that stubbornness is only indicative of the faith he has in his attacking players.  

It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Arsenal and Chelsea open the floodgates and take part in a free-flowing goal frenzy of a match.  Then again, Jose Mourinho will also be weary of Arsenal’s momentum after Wednesday’s win and may fancy a risk-free gameplan.  

Like Germany did to Brazil in July, Chelsea have that ability to soak up pressure and lure the opposition in, only to pounce with a quick blitzkrieg counter attack.  Regardless, Arsene Wenger should proceed with caution on Sunday, a point being a terrific result in the first of many premier league road tests this season.  

Alexis' Playing Style Indicative of Upbringing

On June 28th in Belo Horizonte, Chile nearly spared Brazil eventual humiliation at the hands of Germany  but were cruelly eliminated from the World Cup on penalties.  Led by Arturo Vidal and Alexis, Chile were one of the main attractions in their four game stint, providing entertainment at every turn.

Following Chile’s unfortunate exit from the World Cup, Arsenal capitalized on the availability of Alexis and made him the most expensive Chilean player in history by signing him from Barcelona.  Since then, Alexis has drawn the adoration of the Emirates crowd, and has scored in each of his last four appearances.  

Alexis, known in his home country as ‘El Nino Marvailla,’ or ‘the Wonder Kid,’ has enjoyed a fine start to his Arsenal tenure.  Aside from his impressive goal output so far, the Chilean has put on regular clinics in perseverance off the ball, often leading the line of pressing high up the field.  

Coming from the boarding school-like environment of Barcelona, Alexis must feel like an absolute rockstar at Arsenal.  He is given positional freedom, he’s almost guaranteed a spot in the side, he doesn’t have to drive the same car as the rest of the team, and he’s scoring goals.  

Times weren’t always this easy for Alexis. 

The third child of four, he was born into poverty in Chile.  His father abandoned the family when Alexis was a toddler, leaving his mother to work multiple jobs in order to at least try and provide for her children.  She would clean fish for the neighbors and sell flowers in her spare time just so the family wouldn’t starve.

From the age of six, Alexis was always working.  To make whatever he could, the youngster would perform acrobatics and dance in the street for people’s spare change.  Sometimes the tough boy, known to his friends and family back then as ‘the Squirrel’ for his endless reserve of energy, would even box in the streets just to earn a small keep.  

When the family didn’t have food, poor Alexis would resort to knocking on the neighbors’ doors looking for a spare piece of bread.  They gave him what they could, but poverty was the norm in and around the entire city.  

Growing up in Tocopilla, which literally means ‘Devil’s Corner,’ Alexis knew he was destined to be either a fisherman or a miner…that was unless he could escape the hard life he was handed through football.  

Not unlike Ronaldinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexis honed his skills as a child in the muddy streets of his hometown.  Unable to afford boots, Alexis played barefoot; his remarkable ball control is a testament to the surfaces on which he learned to play football.  

Eventually, Alexis was discovered by Club Arauco youth coach Alberto Toledo, who insisted on bringing the youngster to the club.  There wasn’t a chance in hell Alexis could pay the club fees, but Toledo couldn’t turn down the chance to bring in a lad with such irresistible quality.  

One game, unable to find transportation to the match on time, Alexis arrived late to discover his team had already gone down 1-0.  Like Bobby Boucher arriving at halftime in the Bourbon Bowl, Alexis came on and scored eight goals, more than enough to atone for his tardiness.  

It’s no surprise Alexis plays with the conviction and heart that he does.  While at Barcelona, Alexis injured himself when Barcelona were down a man and out of subs; Pep Guardiola was furious for having to play with nine men, but how can you be mad at a guy for playing hard?  

The way he plays on the pitch is representative of a life of hardship.  Nothing has ever come easy for the Chilean, and he of all people knows hard work can get you everywhere in life.

The one thing every Arsenal fan can agree on is how impressive Alexis’ work rate is.  His upbringing molded him into this tireless superstar, and Arsenal should rest easy that they have a player of massive character at the Emirates. 

Arsenal Find Balance, Ozil Enjoys Himself

Arsene Wenger firmly defended record signing Mesut Ozil in his pre-match press conference yesterday.  The Arsenal manager, along with the always-loyal contingent of Ozil fanatics, stuck by the German through his extensive dip in form, a shred of loyalty which paid off today at Villa Park. 

The obvious and correct assumption to make about Ozil’s excellent performance today is that playing him centrally makes all the difference.  Starting underneath Danny Welbeck, Ozil’s license to roam the pitch was returned to him.  

In recent matches, Ozil would start on the wing and still drift into the middle of the park, but starting him here makes a huge difference.  

This way, Ozil was able to pick up the ball in the middle with 360 degrees of options with which to choose from as opposed to being bogged down on one of the touchlines.  His movement off the ball was fantastic as well, maintaining a certain level of fluidity with his playmaking mate Cazorla.  

Early on, it was evident Ozil was enjoying himself.  His first touch was astronomically more confident than it has been since the start of the season, and a side that lacked Arsenal's two best players from last weeks 2-2 draw benefited as a result.   

However, the positional shift is just part of the reason why Ozil enjoyed such a fruitful afternoon.  Without Alexis and Jack Wilshere in the side, more space was allocated in the middle for the German, and as a result there was much less congestion in the area of the pitch he is most dangerous in. 

Wilshere had been arguably the best Gunner in the past two fixtures, but he can’t play every game, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Aaron Ramsey on the bench next time out for Arsenal.  He needs a rest, and his dip in form has reached a boiling point.  

Similarly, Alexis’ exclusion was also necessary, as the Chilean has been tireless in his recent performances which have yielded three goals in four games.  Santi Cazorla deserved his start today, as did Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who has been a spark plug in each of his substitute appearances for Arsenal.    

Without a doubt though, the confidence Arsene Wenger instills in his players was on full display today.  Ozil, so often criticized both fairly and unfairly in his Arsenal tenure, has always had the support of his manager.  

Patrick Vieira, captain of the Invincibles side from 2003-2004, claims that the French manager’s biggest strength is the trust he has in his players.  Through thick and thin, Wenger has trusted Ozil and made sure he keeps the billing as Arsenal’s biggest and most important signing.  

Wenger could have subbed the German later on, but opted to leave Ozil on the field; he was simply enjoying himself too much to be taken off.  

Going into the match, Aston Villa were lauded for their early-season form, but Arsenal had other ideas.  Playing Ozil underneath the striker had a lot of to with it, but the balance that Arsene Wenger found in his side was phenomenal.  

Today Arsenal featured a side without one player playing out of position; something we’re not very accustomed to seeing.  It isn’t necessarily about getting all of the best players on the field at once, it’s about getting the right ones, something Arsene Wenger nailed in today’s statement win on the road.  

Arsenal Must Improvise

Do what you can, where you are, with what you have was always an idea instilled in me growing up.  The transfer window closed two weeks ago, yet what seems to be the biggest concern among Arsenal fans still is the failure to sign a defensive midfielder.  

Rather than sit in front of a computer and find a creatively profane way to berate Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, or Mesut Ozil on twitter, one must look at what the club have available to them at this exact moment.  

Yesterday’s game against Borussia Dortmund was indicative of the fact that Mikel Arteta is not the answer at the base of midfield for Arsenal.  Arteta appears to be getting slower by the fixture, and his once sharp ball-retention isn't what it once was.  

Anyone who watches the Gunners knows that Mathieu Flamini is just as subpar of an option.  His intensity and work rate are outstanding, as is his on-field leadership.  Like Arteta though, he is slowing down physically.

Per Mertesacker and Laruent Koscielny have not been as sharp as they were last season thus far, but there is hardly any cover in front of them.  Arteta’s listless display showed a change is absolutely necessary, but since buying a top player is not an option for a few months, the Gunners must improvise.  

It wouldn’t be so farfetched of an idea to try and play Aaron Ramsey out of position at the base of midfield.  The Welshman has endured a poor start to the season, and albeit he has scored some clutch goals late on in matches, his overall quality cowers to that of last season’s.  

Ramsey is a tough tackler, an excellent passer, and his work rate is outstanding.  Arsenal fans will point to the fact that his offensive game lifts the team, but right now the Gunners are so thin in front of their back line that other needs must be addressed.  

Ramsey’s struggles are not as well-documented as those of Mesut Ozil, but they are arguably just as bad at the moment.  Dropping him into a deeper role may not be the flashiest move in the public eye, but who else does Arsenal have right now?

Ramsey would, of course, have to improvise as well.  His license to streak forward would have to be suspended, as would his affinity for audacious moves with the ball at his feet.  In the long run, it’s a stretch to say Ramsey’s future is in the defensive midfield.  But, that’s what Arsenal need right now and over time a simpler approach will benefit the Welshman’s overall game.  

People tend to forget that when Mikel Arteta was purchased from Everton, he was a #10, and not a steely midfielder.  Arteta has logged a few decent performances since Wenger moved him to a deeper role, but he doesn't have enough gas left in the tank to be the player Arsenal need.

For all the offensive weapons Arsenal have in midfield, they can afford to temporarily play someone out of position who has the quality to succeed there.  Jack Wilshere is another option, but he isn’t in the same physical mold as Ramsey and has a history of poor temperament. 

Calum Chambers is also an idea, and probably the best immediate solution.  However, Chambers’ talents right now need to be allocated to covering the thinnest back line in the premier league, especially given the fitness of Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal.  

The idea of Ramsey being utilized where Arteta currently is wouldn’t be a proper utilization of the Welshman’s talents.  However, it is a temporary solution, and could very well be the best one for Arsenal.  

Arsene Wenger will be keen to sign a defensive midfielder in January, but until then sacrifices must be made with what pieces are already at the club’s disposal. 

Ozil Returns at the Right Time

Arsenal sat atop the premier league table for more weeks than any other team last season.  They proved to be steady against mid-low table teams, but the biggest setbacks always came against the title contenders.  Arsenal were promptly routed away from home by Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool as their title hopes faded along with the fitness of several key players.

After a busy summer in the transfer market, Arsene Wenger still has time to complete more business.  The task at hand right now is a visit to Goodison Park on Saturday which will be a formidable early season test for the Gunners.  It's imperative that Wenger gets it right with his struggling team this weekend so as not to show early-season vulnerability.

Mesut Ozil sounds ready to rejoin the side, as do Lukas Podolski and Per Mertesacker.  Similar to last season, Ozil joins the Gunners belatedly, this time the reason being Germany's triumph in Brazil.  Arsenal looked sluggish against Crystal Palace and were lucky to survive with three points, then drew 0-0 in Turkey with Besiktas on Tuesday.  The Gunners are hardly looking in form as of yet but the addition of the German could be a huge lift for the squad.

Alexis' form will likely improve in time as well as with the return of the Ozil, also allowing Aaron Ramsey to sit a little deeper and conserve his energy.  Then again, a stoppage time goal against Palace negated the need to worry about Ramsey's short-term fitness.  In the long run however, less ground covered will equate to a longer season for the Welshman.

Ozil will be immediately tasked with penetrating Everton's defensive core of James McCarthy, Gareth Barry, Sylvain Distin, and Phil Jagielka.  Even without Ross Barkley, Everton are an exceptional team with outstanding defenders.  The key for Ozil will be his movement off the ball and whether or not he combines well with Alexis and whoever else will feature up front.

Olivier Giroud will likely get the nod over Yaya Sanogo as the former continues to find consistent form in front of goal.  If Giroud could be a little more precise with his finishing, it could mean the difference for Arsenal against Roberto Martinez' men.  Santi Cazorla had a much better game on Tuesday, but Gunner fans wouldn't be too disappointed to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain get the nod.

It will also be interesting to see if Calum Chambers makes an appearance at a position other than center back.  With Mertesacker back in the squad, Chambers could see time at either defensive midfield or right back.  Chambers could negate the need for an extra defensive midfielder, but it remains to be seen if he has the steel to consistently disrupt play with physicality.  Arsenal will need to good showing from whoever plays alongside Ramsey.

With all things considered, this could be Ozil's chance to make a splash in the league from the get-go as he did last season.  His cutting-edge creative abilities are undoubted, but it's his work rate in league play that needs to improve the most.  That, along with his long-term durability in the premier league are what people will be most keen to criticize.  With Germany he showed more hunger to chase the ball, and perhaps a taste of gold will elevate Ozil's desire for more trophies.

Wenger Would Be Wise to Consider Reus

The close of the transfer window draws nearer and nearer by the day, and Arsenal are looking more and more like they will once again be the last to complete their business.  Marcos Rojo has already signed for Manchester United and more signings are certain to be on the way.  Mario Balotelli joined Liverpool today, likely ending Brendan Rodgers’ transfer dealings for the summer.  

Arsenal on the other hand, have been quiet since snapping up Calum Chambers from Southampton for a cool 16 million pounds.  Mathieu Debuchy, David Ospina, and Alexis has also joined the club, giving Wenger a formidable crop of new faces.  But given Olivier Giroud’s recent inability to make contact inside the six yard box, the Gunners’ situation has become more complicated.  

One option that has been relatively quiet for a few weeks now is the idea of bringing in Marco Reus.  It was reported that Arsenal had a deal in place to sign Reus before the World Cup but the German forward was subsequently injured in one of the final warmup fixtures.  Thanks to Bayern Munich, the world now knows that there is a 25 million euro release clause in Reus’ contract with Borussia Dortmund.  

If this is true, Arsenal should strongly consider bringing in the German forward.  Even with his recent injury layoff, Reus is still a world class talent.  Furthermore, at that price, Arsenal would be given more flexibility to add a defensive midfielder or center back.  It’s starting to look like Calum Chambers could feature heavily at center back, so bringing in a steely midfielder is probably still top of Arsene Wenger's wish list.  

When the opportunity presents itself to add a talent the level of Reus however, making the purchase should be a no-brainer.  In a similar position last summer, Arsenal added Mesut Ozil to a team already stocked with a large supply of attacking midfielders.  Wenger justified the transfer fee by stating he couldn’t pass up the chance to sign the German, and he is now has a similar chance with Reus.  

Reus would fill more of a void than Ozil did at his position, and would be a huge step up from Olivier Giroud.  Reus is a center forward by nature, and while Giroud’s holdup play has been excellent, the quality of his finishing is below par with strikers at the other top teams.  Reus plays winger regularly for Borussia Dortmund, and just like Alexis he can play anywhere in the attacking third.  

It would be a perfect storm if Arsenal managed to sign both a quality defensive midfielder and a top striker, but signing Reus would be more than an increase in talent at the club.   Arsene Wenger will likely wait until the final few days of the window to complete his business for the summer, something Arsenal fans are all too familiar with.  Activating Marco Reus would be a top, top signing, and is an option the North London club needs to strongly consider.  

Can Everton Survive Without Barkley?

Considered by many to be the answer to England’s problem at the playmaker role, Ross Barkley looked ready to further improve his star status in the 2014/2015 season.  His injury which could sideline him for months is an unfortunate one, not just for the Toffees but the entire league and the Three Lions too.  

After a disappointing 2-2 draw at Leicester City on Saturday, Roberto Martinez is under even more pressure to deliver a result against Arsenal at the weekend.  However, the Spaniard was coy on the prospect of bringing in a replacement for Barkley this week.  He does point out that even with the idea of a grueling European schedule, Everton have enough depth to cope with the loss of such a scintillating player.  

Martinez admitted that Everton cannot replace Ross Barkley, and he’s absolutely right.  I say that because Barkley has such high value and given the club's commitments to both him and Romelu Lukaku, I can’t imagine the Toffees spending anymore money this summer.  

Thus, other players will take their turn stepping into the 20-year old’s shoes in the attacking midfield.  Leon Osman has been a loyal servant to the Merseyside club, but Steven Pienaar, Steven Naismith, and Kevin Mirallas will platoon the position as well.  As I wrote the other day, Muhamed Besic has yet to feature for the club and may very well be an excellent replacement.  

At the weekend, Everton will host a sluggish-looking Arsenal.  The Gunners haven’t impressed since their 3-0 romp of Manchester City in the Community Shield, but Mesut Ozil will likely return to the lineup.  In his first appearance, whether it be off the bench or in a starting role, I don’t expect the German to be at his best, but the prospect of him joining the Arsenal attack is scary for Everton and will boost the performances of his teammates.  

James McCarthy and Gareth Barry must put in a good shift in the defensive midfield if they are to slow down the creative players for Arsenal.  Per Mertesacker could also return for Arsenal, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the impressive Calum Chambers features again alongside Laurent Koscielny.  

Some may look to this fixture as a must-win for both teams, but I would argue it is more of a must-win for Arsenal.  Arsenal have to establish confidence against good teams this early in the season, while Everton are under much less pressure to deliver a title-challenging campaign.  

Long-term, I wouldn’t worry too much about Everton.  Roberto Martinez’ reputation precedes itself, and this is a good enough team to the point where losing one player, albeit their best player, won’t bring them down.  Seamus Coleman will probably be fit for the Arsenal game, a big boost for a club in need of one.

Martinez has shown he is adept at overcoming challenges, and even with the absence of Barkley they should be able to create chances and defend well like they always do.  Lukaku will be fit soon, while Everton can always count on loyal performers at the back like Leighton Baines, Sylvain Distin, Phil Jagielka, and Tim Howard.  

If Everton were to not pick up three points against Arsenal, it would be far from the end of the world.  Away to a newly-promoted club and home against a top four club is never an easy tandem of fixtures to begin a season with, but the schedule lightens for the Merseyside club in the coming weeks.  Under the pragmatic Roberto Martinez, Everton should be fine with the vacancy left by Ross Barkley.