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In the week, prior to the beginning of the match Coventry City worked very hard in their training sessions to fight against possession obsessed Arsenal. They even played 11 v 12 matches in their every training session. The game kicked off with rain bucketing down heavily and Arsenal were expected to boss the whole 90 minutes against the lower league side in Coventry City. Referee whistled at the end of 90 minutes and the score board indicated 4-0 to the Gunners.
But, the story was different as Coventry City made Arsenal to work hard for their victory and should not be ashamed of their overall performance.
Now, allow me to highlight 4 things that we learned during Arsenal Vs Coventry at the Emirates stadium:
1) Lukas Podolski – “He scores when he wants”
A brace from Lukas Podolski made Arsenal fans to sing this chant throughout the match.
The Prince, getting back to the form is one of the positive things given Theo Walcott is now injured for the rest of the season. “Podolski is one of the best finishers I have seen” is what Arsene Wenger said one week before, in a press conference. Many think that he is a natural striker and should be given a chance to play ahead of Giroud in the Striker’s position.
But, what I have learned about Podolski is that when he plays on the left hand side of front 3, he can offer the necessary width, he can provide pin point crosses, he can be direct and his shooting ability is second to none. Podolski’s directness can be utilized to counter the opposing team as well. But he is not as efficient as Giroud when his back is towards the goal. With Theo out injured and Arsenal yet to go through tough fixtures list in February, Podolski’s presence will boost Arsene Wenger.
2) Coventry City should be proud
Leon Clarke and Jack Wilshere
Full time score never tells the story of the Arsenal vs Coventry match. If Coventry City would have taken at least one of the few chances they had, result would have been different. If Leon Clarke hadn’t forgotten his scoring boots at home, Coventry would have easily forced a replay with the Gunners.
In the first half, Arsenal bossed Coventry in every department, but it was down to the fact that Coventry didn’t press Arsenal high enough and played deep in their own half. They allowed Arsenal easy possession and they played with fear. In 2nd half, they pressed Arsenal high up the pitch than they did in the first half. They regularly forced Arsenal to go back to their GK. And as a result Wilshere and Chamberlain didn’t get enough freedom in the middle of the park. Carl Baker,the skipper of Coventry City impressed with his inspiring outing as playmaker.
He had even been on the score sheet if it wasn’t Lukasz Fabianski’s diving save that prevented the ball going in. Overall, Coventry City should mark this as the beginning of their fight to get back to the elite level of English football.
3) Koscielny is irreplaceable
Laurent Koscielny
Who would have thought that player playing in the 2nd tier of French league could be a future star in 3 years!? Astonishing!! Laurent Koscielny is one of the best defenders in the English football today. Very few are as quick as him. His ball intercepting ability is 2nd to none. He never hesitates to put a sliding tackle.
Since the beginning of his journey he failed many a times but he stayed strong, worked hard and now he rarely makes wrong decisions in the match. If people have seen his progress, then they would have surely noticed that this player has improved in his passing ability and can spread the game with accurate cross field balls.
In premier league, his pass completion rate is around 92%. Even a midfielder would be envy of that statistics. So, it’s down to the Koscielny and Mertesacker to lead the Gunners title charge from the back.
4) Arsenal need to utilize their midfield well
Lukas Podolski celebrating with Mesut Ozil and Jack Wilshere
It looks unlikely that Arsene would invest in a striker this January and with Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta yet to return to the full match fitness, players like Rosicky, Ozil, Cazorla, Wilshere, Chamberlain and even Gnabry should spread the goals in between them. Arsenal should make the set pieces count more and more.
If Arsenal does this then I am very sure that Arsenal will not expect heavily from Giroud. And in the process they can mount a good title challenge. Though what I said is hypothetical, it’s not impossible. No doubt Arsenal will improve if they add a striker to their ranks but if they don’t then they should think to utilize their midfield rich squad.
With English Premier League title is Arsenal’s to lose they should expect more from their midfielders in terms of scoring if they are to end the season with the squad they have. And, FA Cup is surely what Arsene Wenger should target to end their 9 years trophy drought.
So, these are the things that I learned from the match, if you think otherwise you can comment below.
