If one thing is apparent, Arsenal has rediscovered its goal-scoring ability. In the last six league games, they have scored 25 goals, which is a stark contrast to their clear pre-xmas troubles in front of goal. Arsenal had only 37 goals in the first half of the season, in 20 league games. If they can sustain their impressive form in front of goal, they will undoubtedly score more than that in the second half.
One may wonder why or how Arsenal has found its goal-scoring form. Here are seven reasons why the Gunners are back on track in front of goal:
1. Attacking Style of Play:
Arsenal is well-known for its aggressive style of football, which emphasizes fluid passing, movement off the ball, and creative playmaking. Their emphasis on attacking football generates multiple scoring opportunities during games.
2. Tactical Adaptations:
Mikel Arteta hasn’t shied away from employing new tactics. He hasn’t stuck to his 4-3-3 formation; he has at times opted to use a 4-4-2 formation (with Havertz and Trossard as the two forwards) or a 4-2-4 formation (with Jorginho and Rice as the midfield pivot). Moves to convert Ben White to play an inverted role and Jakub Kiwior to play as a typical fullback show Arsenal’s tactical adaptability. These adaptations, for sure, help Arsenal be effective and score at ease.
3. Key player performance:
The presence of skilled and prolific goal scorers on the team greatly contributes to Arsenal’s ability to score frequently. Players like Bukayo Saka, who’s stepped up with seven goals in six games, plus Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz, who have brought another dynamic to the Arsenal attack, have seen it click.
4. High pressing and counter-attacking
: Arsenal has used high pressing and counter-attacking techniques to quickly transition from defense to attack, catching opponents off guard and creating scoring opportunities with quick offensive maneuvres.
5. Set piece mastery:
Arsenal’s effective execution of set pieces – corners, free kicks, and penalties – has frequently resulted in them scoring. Arsenal’s set piece coach, Nicolas Jover, has greatly improved this Arsenal team. There’s no team as deadly in corners as Arsenal, who’ve scored 19 of their 62 goals from them. They are sure to score more…..
6. Strong team cohesion and chemistry.
These two are required for a team to be effective in front of the goal. It is clear that the Gunners have acquired a shared understanding of one another’s playing styles, resulting in smooth combinations and link-up play.
7. Confidence and Momentum
: When a team performs well and achieves positive results, they frequently gain confidence and momentum. A winning attitude, self-assurance in their abilities, and positive momentum from prior games have all contributed to Arsenal’s propensity to score a lot of goals.
By midseason, Arsenal’s major weakness was their dismal goal-scoring record. But they have now found their form in front of goal, and we can only hope it continues and can propel them to a league triumph in May.
COYG!
Sam P
LOONEY TOONS! Revenge is sweet
Watch the latest podcast from our friends from DublinArsenal discussing our win over the TOON ARMY and looking towards Sheff United
Do you want to read our whole collection of history articles? Check out our Just Arsenal History section
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
Also, Saka and Martinelli have changed their game slightly Martinelli has shown up on the right wing on occasion and Saka plays inside a bit more they both have more freedom and are harder to track by the fullbacks and wingers And Odegaard is a roaming playmaker playing deep, and playing short
I like paragraph two the best our tactical tweaks have made an impact We need to use the right one versus Porto because Porto had our number I’m thinking the four-two-four formation might be the one
I don’t think Porto had Arsenal number. That game could have ended 0:0 A 94th minute stunner is a big luck on Porto side. And it can happen in football. I bet they won’t be that luck at the Emirate stadium. UCL champions league stats has never favored Porto at Emirate since Wenger time.
nice playing keep it up.but still need standing 9
The unity of the team and midfield stability due mostly to the role of Declan Rice and Odegard also need to be highlighted.
BOT, interesting that you mention Porto, as I believe this will give us all an insight into how far MA has progressed as a manager.
He knows how they are going to play, what tactical they will use and how they effective they were in Portugal.
It seems that, apart from Timber, he will have his complete squad to choose from and I can’t wait to see what tactics, formation and “dark arts” he uses.
The article writter forgot to add defensive solidity. The forward players expresses freedom to ttack at will when they have confidence in the their backline.
It seems MA have learnt tactical well
Where are the goals against Porto?
Where were the goals against Porto?
A surprising omission from that list is the TREMENDOUS DEFENSIVE SOLIDARITY, which frees attacking creative players to strut their stuff , free from fear of couinter attacks.
I think, big picture, is that we’ve developed optionality to pick apart deep defensive opposition. For example, Havertz and trossard offer two different ways to pull defenses out of their planned organization.
And they are doing this all in context of defensive cohesion! I hope Arteta does an interview on how he thinks about coaching this team.
Raz If he ever gives that interview you mention , you can bet he will give NO tactical info at all That would be stupid and he is a wise man.
IMO many fans think they have a right to know far more about what goes on in training and tactics then we should ever EXPECT to be told.
I prefer a manager who keeps that type info to himself, instead of pre warning opponents what to expect. That is a dim idea and MA is the exact opposite of dim.
You will notice I AM SURE, THAT HE IS VERY GUARDED AND DELIBERATELY VAGUE ABOUT EVEN GIVING LATEST INJURY UPDATES, SENSIBLY TOO.
There’s not actually that big a difference in how we’re playing between now and before Christmas. We were still creating lots of chances, and giving away so few. It’s just that we are finally taking our chances.
That’s generally true about the chances, and statistically, but there have been significantly subtle changes tactically. We’re seeing Ben White come into a more central position far more often, Saka is getting in the half-space more often, Odegaard is coming deeper (when Jorginho isn’t playing), and Martinelli has had more of a license to roam. Kiwior is now creating a back 3 at times to allow White that central role and Martinelli that freedom.
I don’t think any of these factors above made the difference since the winter Dubai trip. We had all these from beginning of last season. What I think making the difference now is the fitness and physical condition of the players at this moment. An almost forgotten crucial part of football. Especially considering the way Arteta plays. This time’s pre-season training was prefect. The players went almost Navy SEAL platform. Odegaard, White, Jesus and Zinchenko had their cheekbones exposed. Gabriel, Trossard and Kiwior looked leaner and trimmer. Tomiyasu, Nketiah and Saliba gained speed and power. That’s why the boys had a slow start to the season. They were exhausted. Now, I’m pretty sure less physical focus in training as technical aspects had increased. The team is in peak physical condition at the moment. A duration of hot sunlight summer in Dubai trimmed any excess fats during Christmas and made the players more lighter, more mobile and red fire blooded. COYG!