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This has been a far better start to the season when compared to the last one for Arsenal – statistics say so. Points-wise there isn’t that much of a difference. Arsenal had managed 7 points from their opening 6 games, compared to 9 points this year. However there were 3 losses – to Liverpool, Manchester United and Blackburn – compared to just one against Chelsea thus far. Arsenal had also conceded 14 goals in these 6 games, compared to only 3 this season. The team definitely looks more resolute at the back.
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Goals scored were 9 at this stage last year, which has been bettered by 1, however 6 of them were against hapless Southampton. However last year, the team went on a great streak for the next 13 games, collecting 29 points from a possible 39. This period also saw 14 goals from Van Persie in a team total of 26 goals. And this is the man, crucially, Arsenal don’t have this year.
So where are the goals going to come from?
Giroud has broken his duck for Arsenal in the Capital One Cup, but not in the Premiership yet. Worryingly, he has also looked short of confidence in front of goal. His body language has looked almost defeatist at times, possibly feeling the burden of a club and its fans wanting someone to quickly ease the pain of losing their main man to a key rival. He is more of a physical presence in the box when compared to Van Persie which can trouble defenders, however he favours his left foot while Van Persie was more two-footed, so the defenders have a lesser problem in that respect. Of course Van Persie had the advantage of being well settled in the team; positionally aware of where he needed to be to be found by the likes of Song, Arteta and Walcott.
Podolski has shown glimpses of the asset he can become for this Arsenal side in the future. He has shown the ability to make driving runs into the opposing boxes, capable of taking defenders with him, which was something Arsenal had lacked earlier. He also looks more assured when presented with goal scoring opportunities, as shown against Liverpool and Montpellier. Interestingly, he hasn’t completed a full game in the Premier League yet, having been substituted by Wenger in each of the 6 games played. The manager clearly doesn’t want to overstretch him, not wanting any early season burn-out. This is also an indicator of Arsenal’s lack of depth in the forward line.
Walcott has only been a peripheral figure this season, and possibly will remain so till his contractual negotiations conclude. He has ambitions of playing in a striker’s role rather than on the wing, but it remains to be seen whether Wenger will oblige.
Luckily for Arsenal, or one may say he is just overdue, Gervinho has stepped up to be one of those goal scorers this season. He already has 3 to his name in the Premiership and 1 in the Champions League against Montpellier. However he is not the answer. Despite his ability to run at defenders and cut in well from either wing, he looks devoid of ideas once within the 18 yard box – the only exception being his quick turn and goal against Chelsea at the Emirates.
It’s certainly not all doom-and-gloom though. On the contrary, Arsenal do have the makings of a side that can mount a serious challenge for trophies this season. Steve Bould appears to have drilled the defence into being better disciplined and they look more assured even though the vulnerability to set pieces still exists. Midfield-wise, Arsenal are in good shape with signing-of-the-season Cazorla, Diaby and Arteta providing a good combination of creativity, ball-winning and passing capabilities. The impending return of Jack Wilshere is only going to boost this area for Arsenal, and they certainly deserve a proper striker in front, a finisher of the flowing moves that they will orchestrate.
Towards the end of the summer transfer window, Wenger felt that Arsenal have enough cover up front and that he was no longer looking at any more forwards. However from what we have seen so far, he might want to reinforce the attack in January. Problem is, strikers don’t come cheap and Arsenal will not want to part with too much. And the way Wenger operates, he will take the harder way out, persisting with and willing his current forward line to come up with the goods. However if there isn’t an improvement come Christmas, I do hope Arsenal have an active winter transfer.
