Has Wenger got Arsenal right at the perfect time?

If Arsenal keep playing the way he have been doing in the last three games, with 11 goals and some very impressive football in the last three games, then the international break coming up will be even more unwelcome than usual. Before the Gunners join up with their respective national sides there is a Champions League game at home to Basel and then a trip to Burnley in the Premier League.

The way Arsenal are looking at the minute you would expect us to win both those matches and if we do then things will really start looking good for the season ahead. Not many of us agreed with Arsene Wenger’s comments earlier in the season about this Arsenal squad being the best for years and having the tools and the balance to compete with the best.

Right now, though, you would not get too many Gooners arguing that the prof was right all along and seems to have finally got it just right, as he suggested in the post match comments on the Arsenal website after the pasting of Chelsea.

He said, “I feel, especially in the first half, we wanted to play with high pace, put them under pressure, play at a very high collective connection and speed of passing – it worked quite well. It’s one of those moments in your life as a manager where you think ‘today is a great day’. In the first half, I think it was nearly perfect. In the second half it was a bit in-and-out but in the first half, we have shown great quality. We played with style, with pace, with movement – and that’s the kind of football we want to play.

“I felt that in the last three weeks, our team was on the way up. Today was a good test for us to see if that’s real, if we could continue to move upwards. Would Chelsea stop our progression? Overall the quality of our performance today confirmed that we are on the way up. From the goalkeeper to the centre forward, today you cannot fault any performance. Now let’s continue to improve. There’s still room for improvement. Let’s show as well that we can defend together the style of football we want to play.

“Coming out straight after the game, I’d be tempted to say yes, because it’s one of the games where what we wanted to do worked very well. Yes, it’s one of the best performances in recent years.

“I’m hungrier[than 20 years ago]. Because I know I have not 20 years in front of me. As well because I feel more the responsibility, you’re not 20 years somewhere and you don’t care about things. I’m more conscious of what Arsenal is all about, so I think the weight of keeping people happy and making people happy is heavier than when I arrived.

“It [ending the winless streak against Chelsea] was relevant for us because it helps us to win a big game. Between winning a big game and winning the Premier League is a long way to go. At the moment Man City looks to be well in front, but if we can maintain our performances and the quality of our performances and be consistent we might have a chance.”

We are currently in third place and one point behind Tottenham and five behind Man City but next weekend sees those two meet at White Hart Lane and a draw would be ideal for us. Then after the international break sees Arsenal play seven games in just 24 days and this could prove to be a vital period for our chances of a major trophy.

Two games against Ludogorets should see us top of our Champions League group and a win over Reading will put us into the quarter-final of the EFL cup. The four Premier League games are; Swansea at home, Middlesborough at home, Sunderland away and then the first north London derby with the spuds coming to the Emirates.

So if Wenger really has got it right and got Arsenal in top form, is it the perfect time for us to take control of the season?

Bob.

Tags Basel Man City

14 Comments

  1. Just my opinion, but I don’t think Wenger is doing anything different on the training ground or dressing room. This is the same system and philosophy. But it is based on better quality.

    Yesterday, if we look at the squad Coquelin came off and Xhaka went on. That is a big step from a couple of seasons ago where we had zero dms! Also Iwobi, coming through the ranks, is an additional player of quality. At the back Mustafi again is additional quality that wasn’t there a few years ago and off course Sanchez and Ozil and two marquee signings.

    For me personally something was very telling. We stopped being as fluid when Giroud came on. Then it became about delivering the ball to the striker whereas prior to his inclusion it was about slick interchanging and clever positional play by the attacking 4.

    The conclusion for me is, Wenger has a great system but you need amazing players to play it. Yesterday’s squad was probably the best he has had since dismantling the invincibles.

    1. I think it’ll be difficult for Giroud and RamRambo to gain their spots back. The competition for available spots/ squad depth is definitely good for the team.

      1. I personally don’t see any place for Giroud other than what he did yesterday which is add a bit of height and power at the end. For me, Sanchez, Perez and Welbeck are all ahead of him to start in the central position. If anything, yesterday showed why pace is so important.

      2. its nice that after very long we finally got a very decent looking bench…the team is also motivated and i believe competition for places have made players step up..
        the feeling of it that the CB is solid gives players extra boost and confidence.i also feel that the likes of Walcott feel challenged by the young Iwobi hence giving his all…generally,the team is clicking well..i believe injuries will not trouble us this time round…i will also be happy to see rotations as we got decent a and b teams
        where would have wilshere played? i think he would be number three in any position in pecking order..
        nb:if peres turns good and welbeck returns a beast he can always be ,i see a sonner selling of Giroud

  2. Congratulations to Arsenal on breaking the Chelsea hoodoo.
    My high points yesterday was how Sanchez constantly organised pressing Chelsea off the ball…and how Kos and Mustafi pocketed Costa, who got a yellow card out of frustration.
    Good job lads.

    1. When wenger try to justify his selection of Sanchez as CF only few believe him, even after three consecutive wins with him up top.
      Wenger was right the guy is scoring for fun.
      We are more of a threat now than ever even with our back to the wall, because with that lightning quick forward we can always score. Iwobi, Alexis, Walcott and Ozil.

  3. I think the combination of Iwobi, Alexis and Walcott is only going to get even better. You also have Xhaka coming. It’s tough to say. The next 3 games will be very revealing

  4. Truth is that if Wenger selects his starting 11 right, like he did yesterday then we stand a chance as the type of play we watched can threaten any opponents. But lest we forget, the captain (BFG) is out injured, and so is Ramsey. Giroud is back and at some point we may see them starting ahead of Mustafi, Walcott & Iwobi which may turn to be disastrous. The reason Mancity are 5 points clear is that Wenger chose not to place Koscielney (even) on the bench for our first league match (against Liverpool). The positive from the defeat was the uncharacteristic money spent on Mustafi which turns to be a right move.

    That said, I feel that Mustafi and Xhaka’s signings gave us what we have lacked for years. Coquelin’s injury would have turned out disastrous had it not been for Granit Xhaka. We also have Ramsey and Elneny should Carzola get a knock (God forbid). The introduction of Giroud slowed down the attack & for sure Arsenal would not have scored three had he started ahead of either Walcott, Iwobi or Alexis as pace in the attacking third is what split Chelsea. Let him stay on the bench for now! When Welbeck recovers then we will be spoilt for options upfront!

  5. Excellent win now move onto basel, I think a couple of players ran themselves into the ground n should be rotated to not risk injury.

    Santi fir El Neny
    Theo fir Ox
    Monreal for Gibbs
    Now i would say bellerin but I don’t even think debuchy is fit???

    I don’t think the replacement are too inferior n should be another brilliant opportunity for them to stake a claim and remind Wenger how good they are also.

      1. Basle champions league to big a game if u ask me, I think Gabriel is comfortable centre bk and r.bk if I’m not wrong and he’s no slouch.

        Just throwing that in there, really hope coq isn’t injured long term that would be a Massive loss

  6. Some Thought Le Prof had lost his marbles by playing without a striker,now they have to check for their own marbles

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