08 Oct 2018 00:28:41
Defensively changes are definitely taking place. The space in behind the defence is no longer apparent and the team seem able to catch teams offside. Holding is improving all the time under Emery, confirming my thoughts that he is a far better prospect than Chambers, who has hardly been a success at Fulham. Monreal has been even more solid and Bellerin had a decent 2nd half yesterday, he was awful in the first half. Mustafi's confidence has returned. The Torreira-Xhaka partnership is growing and they offer genuine protection to the defence. Indeed the full backs are even getting protection now. We also seem to have changed into a counter-attacking team, whereas under Wenger we used to press so high that we pinned the opponents so deep in their own half that we were denied space in behind. It will be interesting to see how we do against the top teams.
08 Oct 2018 08:18:30
When Fulham scored who was the last Arsenal player trying desperately to clear the ball off the line?
Mustafi.
This time last season he would have been stood on the edge of the 18 yard box with his hand in the air looking at the linesman to do his job for him, huge turn around in attitude from Mustafi and others since Dick took over and it's no surprise results and the fans feelings towards the team and individual players have dramatically improved along with the players attitude commitment and effort.
08 Oct 2018 11:22:55
We still struggle badly playing out from the back, in the first half we misplaced 25 passes in our own half: the second most by any Premier League side in a single half all season. Allowing Fulham 12 shots on goal in the first half. A more clinical side could of been out of sight by half time, we can't give vardy those opportunities next game and we certainly have to of ironed them out when we play Liverpool or they will have a field day! Stinker of a run coming up: Leicester, Palace, Liverpool, wolves, Bournemouth, Utd, spurs, wolves and Bournemouth will be tough and full of confidence if we can make it through that with out dropping too many points or conceding too many goals the future should be really bright :)
08 Oct 2018 11:54:18
Hi Eden mate, that stat is about misplaced passes is scary but to put it into perspective most teams don't play out from the back and of those that do most have been doing it for a while now and because we are in the process of changing I think it's only natural our stats are close to the worst for a while until we get comfortable with it.
Totally agree with the fixtures coming up being tough ones Wolves and Bournemouth are dangerous teams who will hurt you if you are not at it 100% as will palace and Leicester too. Liverpool look the toughest but United and Spurs will know that results against us will have a big say in who gets the 4th place trophy come May so will be looking to take advantage of and expose all our weaknesses, not an easy run at all but what's really good is we are all excited about it again:-)
Dick has given the while club fans and players alike the kiss of life and reawaken the fire in everyone's belly for all things Arsenal again :-)
08 Oct 2018 12:36:03
The Bournemouth game could be a cracker! But probably uncomfortable viewing! Both teams good going forward, but dodgy at the back. I'm looking forward to that one!
08 Oct 2018 15:38:25
Mate I'm looking forward to them all now :-)
08 Oct 2018 16:02:51
Oh yes! Hopefully they should all be good! 😂.