4 Things we learned from Emery’s first Arsenal win

Arsenal finally got on the Premier League scoreboard at the third time of asking, courtesy a hard-fought 3-1 victory over East Londoners, West Ham.

Like in their previous two games, Arsenal again fell behind when Arnautovic fired a low shot beyond the outstretched Petr Cech. However, West Ham’s lead lasted only five minutes and parity was restored when Monreal got on the end of a flowing Arsenal move.

Arsenal then went through the gears in the second half and went ahead fortuitously when a cruel deflection off Diop ended up in the back of the net. The Gunners finally sealed the game in stoppage-time with Danny Welbeck grabbing a much-needed goal.

Though the Gunners weren’t at their fluent best, they showed signs of improvement in the attacking third while also showing a bit more solidity defensively. With a relatively easier run of fixtures ahead, Emery would hope his troops can use the victory as a catalyst to get their season up and running.

Through this article, we would look at four things that we learned through the course of the game. Here are the takeaways from Emery’s first win in the English top-flight.

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#1 Arsenal are still vulnerable in the wide areas

Mkhitaryan would need to improve on the defensive side of his game

Arsenal started the game with Mkhitaryan and Iwobi occupying the flanks. Emery would have hoped that the aforementioned pairing would provide Arsenal’s full backs with more protection. However, it wasn’t to be.

The West Ham full backs had a field day in the attacking third and troubled the Arsenal full backs by creating numerous two-on-one situations. The whole blame can’t be pinned on Mkhitaryan and Iwobi though. Bellerin and Monreal were effective going forward but were very shaky going the other way.

Bellerin had a tough time contending with Antonio while Monreal fared slightly better against the likes of Felipe Anderson. The most worrying aspect for Emery would be the lack of improvement in Arsenal’s defending in the wider areas.

Against City, the two goals they conceded were created on the flanks while the winner against Chelsea was conceded in similar fashion.

If Arsenal are to seriously challenge for the top-four, they would need their wide frontmen to put in shifts and track the opposition full-backs. On the other hand, Emery would also like his full backs to be a little more water-tight and not afford space to the opposition wingers.

The news of Arsenal’s vulnerability on the wings would have spread like wildfire in the land. The sooner the Gunners can rectify their problems on the wings, the better equipped they will be to fly high in the Premier League.

#2 Arsenal need to pull off the ‘high line’ better

Arsenal need to perfect the high-line

Unai Emery and high defensive lines have become synonymous over the years. However, at all of his past teams, he had a center back quick enough to make the recovery tackle if the line went wrong. In an Arsenal back line devoid with pace, a lot of work needs to be done before the Gunners can perfect their manager’s preferred defensive line.

Arsenal conceded against Chelsea when Morata broke the offside trap and slotted coolly past Cech. In the game against West Ham, Arnautovic and Antonio broke the trap on a number of occasions. If West Ham’s strikers had been clinical, Arsenal could have found themselves in serious trouble.

The first pre-requisite if you’re deploying a high line is to apply pressure on the ball. Through the course of the first half, there were numerous instances where West Ham players waltzed through the heart of the Gunners midfield and had the time to pick a pass. Though they couldn’t punish the Gunners, it looks like a catastrophe waiting to unravel.

Emery is very comfortable playing the high line and he needs to continue doing so. The one aspect he can ask his team to improve on, is not give the opposition midfielders the time and space to exploit the high-line.

The high-line is in perfect sync with the pressing tactics Emery wants to employ. Though a change in method is not needed, a better application is the need of the hour. With time at a premium, the Gunners need to get their high-line functioning at optimum capacity.

#3 Xhaka and Torreira look a better partnership than Xhaka and Guendouzi

Torreira changed the game for the better after coming on

For the third time running, Emery decided to start with Xhaka and Guendouzi in midfield. The latter didn’t have a huge impact this time round and was guilty of over-playing a little. Similarly, Xhaka did not enjoy a spectacular game but he was much more solid after Torreira came on.

Throughout the first half, Xhaka and Guendouzi got attracted to the ball and left space in the middle. The likes of Snodgrass and Anderson mercilessly exploited the space left behind. While Guendouzi’s commitment and application is commendable, he still has to mature a little. With maturity, he would improve his positioning and not get caught out as he was on occasions today.

After the introduction of Torreira, Xhaka could function as a deep-lying playmaker. It was in the playmaker role that Xhaka has enjoyed his best spell this season. He got on the ball and played his trademark cross-field passes with remarkable efficiency.

With three weeks of training behind him, Torreira should finally get his first start in the Gunners’ next assignment in Wales.

The first signs of the Torreira and Xhaka partnership are good and if they are able to form a steely partnership in the middle of the park, the Gunners would move a step closer to fulfilling their ambitions.

#4 Aubameyang and Lacazette need to play together

Auba and Laca would want to play together from the outset

After an unproductive first half, Alex Iwobi was hauled off at half time. Lacazette was introduced to provide the spark in the final third and he didn’t disappoint.

The most exciting and encouraging aspect of his performance was his link-up play with Aubameyang. Five minutes into his appearance, he was set-up by a clever Aubameyang touch. In addition to this, there were numerous instances where the duo combined to drag the West Ham defence all over the place.

With Aubameyang coming in off the left wing, a lot of space was created for Monreal to make rampaging runs. With the defence so preoccupied with the threat of the front two, Ramsey also enjoyed a new lease of freedom and had a much better second half.

All signs point to the fact that Arsenal are a better attacking side with Aubameyang and Lacazette playing together. At this juncture, it is up to the Arsenal boss to devise a method to fit the Frenchman and the Gabonese in the same staring eleven.

If they continue showing the spark they’ve come up with till now, Arsenal would surely not have any problem scoring goals throughout the duration of the season.