[ad_pod ]
On the whole, Arsenal have looked a far more cohesive unit defensively this season than they have in years gone by. New manager Unai Emery, who took over from the long-serving Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, has guided the Gunners on a 16-game unbeaten run thanks to the club’s newfound solidity at the back.
On the chalkboard
Arsenal centre-back Rob Holding has come into the starting XI in recent weeks and has impressed with his positional sense and ability on the ball. The 23-year-old’s passing and calmness in possession has seen him quickly become a vital part of the Arsenal rearguard as they adapt to the Spanish coach’s playing out from the back style.
Not only are the Gunners now focusing on building attacking moves from the back, they’ve also introduced a high, hard-pressing system that allows them to defend aggressively in advanced areas, looking to force turnovers in possession in the opposition’s own territory.
The Playmaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Holding elaborated on the tactical tweaks that Emery has made that have garnered these defensive improvements in the team.
Defending whilst attacking
Speaking of Emery’s pressing approach, the former England under-21 international stated that “the main difference is how we’re defending when we’re attacking. When we’re up the other end of the pitch, how we are organised and prepared for a counter.”
Arsenal are no longer a side that overcommit when they go forward, leaving themselves exposed and vulnerable to quick counter-attacks. The arrival of Lucas Torreira, whose tenacity and mobility in midfield provides a measure of protection for advancing full-backs, has helped to alleviate this long-standing deficiency in the squad.
The Gunners’ defensive contingent has also improved in a positional sense. Even in possession, the current Arsenal back line is constantly shifting and realigning itself so as to never be caught on the back foot should they suddenly be put under pressure.
In recent seasons this was not the case, as Holding explains, “when we were playing we would be stood there and no one would be talking to each other, whereas now there is much more communication.”
Communication is the key to cohesion, and Arsenal’s current unbeaten streak demonstrates that Emery has made a strong start to fixing what for a long time has been a big problem for the north London club.
