To be fair, Arsenal have not just got a new manager but we also have new defenders as well to try and minimize our awful errors that were a massive problem last season. We conceded a record amount of goals (for Arsenal) and we have already let in 5 this season, albeit against very good teams. Arsenal’s legendary keeper David Seaman thinks that we still have a lot to learn if we are going to reduce our goals-against column.
Seaman said on Talksport: “Arsenal worry me at the back.
“Petr Cech is having to make a lot of saves and there’s some defensive stuff going on there that’s… it’s not schoolboy, but…
“They want to hold a high line, and yet they’re still holding a high line when there’s no pressure on the ball.
“You do not do that, and they found that out against Chelsea where they were just knocking balls over the top for fun.
“Going forward it looks strong, but they’ve got to take chances. There was some really good chances against Chelsea and it was frustrating, especially because you know Chelsea have got quality up front and they will punish you.”
“At the moment they are not fully confident of playing out from the back, everyone can see that. It’s about getting the balance right.
“If teams are pushing in on you and doing it really well, you have to knock it long some times. Then, by doing that, it spreads out the field and you can start from there.
“Just mix it up. We were really trying to force it all the time and it becomes really easy to defend that.”
I know it’s hard to judge after just two such difficult games, and of course the defence is also trying to come to terms with the new system, but should we be still worried about the defence? Or perhaps we should wait to see how we get on in the next few games against slightly easier opposition?
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