How important is it for Arsenal to be sharing the goals around?
Mikel Arteta and his squad have started the second half of the season off with a 5 star performance (pun intended) against Crystal Palace on the weekend. In what was a dominant performance for the Arsenal lads. We managed to see the goals and assists shared around and finally we looked like we had a plan and confidence to do the simple things that seemed to be holding us back.
In a season where our attack has looked to be the issue, the match against Crystal Palace was a game that I think every Arsenal fan was praying for. A game where we genuinely looked in control, looked dangerous when coming forward, weren’t overthinking and were playing with utter confidence, something us Arsenal fans haven’t seen for a while. The last game I remember looking so good was the opening game in the UCL against PSV where we also walked away winners after scoring 5 goals, but the game against Palace felt different.
We’ve looked lost for a while now and especially in attack, last season our attack were linking up perfectly with each other and the midfield and our defence seemed to be the problem. Fast forward a year and it’s the opposite way around, our defence looks solid and our attack are struggling. With our attackers just not living up to expectations, it’s put a lot of pressure on their shoulders, and you can tell it’s been weighing heavy on their minds, and for me that pressure is probably what’s stopping they from flying.
All of our attack seemed to be doing too much and couldn’t get the basics right, overthinking and messing about with the ball, instead of taking a shot or making a quick pass. Last season we saw the ball constantly passed forward and lately we’ve been passing backwards and getting caught up instead of the fast movements we got so used to seeing last season.
And I think that’s something they worked on in Dubai and it has clearly sunk in. We looked a lot more comfortable, confident and clinical on the weekend. We took our chances when we got them and looked in complete control throughout the game. With all our players getting in on the action and not just the attackers.
They looked like they really worked on their connection as a team and the importance of taking their chances when they’ve got them, because until the summer and we can bring in a world class striker, the whole team is going to have to fight for every chance and hopefully the goals keep getting spread around the group.
Do you think the Palace win could be the turning point of Arsenal’s season?
Daisy Mae
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Yes that’s exactly what it showed, in fact because of that emphatic win we now have zero issues….great!
You can only beat what’s put in front of you, but Palace were awful! It was a decent performance, but the big change was that we actually finished our chances for once.
Hopefully that will give us the confidence to push on again.
Of course some on here are miserable what ever happens, like fake fan Lee Gunner!
NO , the Palace win did NOT show that we now do not need a striker. Of course we DO need one and that ought to be obvious to all!!
We have needed a top quality striker ever since “Auba retired” whilst still playing in his last two seasons, having been a PROPER and INTERESTED ONE for only the first two of his four seasons here.
For the final two years he conned us all ,including the manager who agreed that ridiculous wage contract.
Just like l said in a recent post here; in terms of immediate need, a midfielder (box to box) a winger (to compete/replace Saka) and a defender (for Saliba) comes before a striker. That’s what I believe.
Not saying we don’t need a striker but we need to fix these other areas first.
We all saw the excellent link-up between the likes of Partey and Xhaka with our attackers last season. This made our attacking play unbearable for teams, most especially within the opening 30mins or so. We run at opposing teams relentlessly and in most cases end up scoring a goal or two before half time.
Now, this is exactly what is missing this season.
Zubimendi is been talked-up lately, let’s see how much of that is true. Saka needs rest and competition in that right flank for his own (personal growth) and the team’s growth. Then comes the issue of a direct replacement for Saliba. We shouldn’t have to wait for him to get injured before a drastic step is taken.
why do some folks like making conclusion based on small sample like one or couple of games? Last game didn’t prove anything. It was a good win but it didn’t prove that our scoring woes is over or we are in the title race.
Well our striker didn’t get a shot in, again, so I fail to see how we still don’t need a striker
How many goals did our striker score against Palace? How many goals have our strikers scored so far this season?
Saka and Martinelli are constantly double teamed on the wings, and add to that 2 strikers that are not finishers. No wonder we struggle to score when we slow down our build up and focus more on possession than our open & direct play of last year.
I have always argued that our challenges are not all about a striker. Martinelli and Trossard seem to have bounced back. The lesson learned from the match and how Gabby scored 2 goals from set pieces, is that any player can take opportunities to score goals. Some teams make their strikers decoys, while others score. Unity, cooperation and taking up opportunities are vital to our scoring goals and wining matches.
I have always argued that our challenges are not all about a striker. Martinelli and Trossard seem to have bounced back. The lesson learned from the match and how Gabby scored 2 goals from set pieces, is that any player can take opportunities to score goals. Some teams make their strikers decoys, while others score. Unity, cooperation and taking up opportunities are vital to our scoring goals and winning matches.
We need another powerful midfielder more than a striker.
Vlohovic would be an excellent addition in the summer, while a player similar to Zubimendi or Onana we need like from yesterday.
we still need one just that he has to be world class or with potential to be one. The issue with having a good team is getting an upgrade is difficult and very expensive,
We need goal scoring strikers. Nketia and Jesus are not. Though, that may be difficult now to get. But with the
squad we have, goals can still come if he does the right thing. Everyone but our coach agreed that Saka needs rest. It’s clear that our “big German game changer” has no clear cut role in the team and so, should be dropped to the bench. Unfortunately, our coach thinks otherwise. Until we takes care of the little things, a lot of embarrassing moments are still ahead of us.