Arsenal's convincing win over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday has come exactly one year after the infamous 8-2 thrashing they suffered at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
After having lost Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively, Arsenal struggled to cope with the departures and at this early stage in the campaign had already conceded a staggering 10 goals, managing just one point from their opening 3 games.
A year on … having lost two arguably more influential players in Robin Van Persie and Alex Song, Arsenal have amassed a total of five points, are currently unbeaten in the Premier League and most significantly have kept 3 clean sheets!
Going into the game at Anfield, manager Arsene Wenger was under pressure again, two goalless draws against Sunderland and Stoke had left many people questioning the clubs attacking prowess in the absence of last season’s top scorer RVP.
But goals from new signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla coupled with yet another solid defensive display has gone some way to vindicating Wenger’s transfer policy and silencing the doubters.
One thing Arsenal will NEVER struggle to do is score goals; their revolutionary passing style has seen them dominate possession and with a wealth of creative talent in their ranks, they will almost certainly create chances for their forwards in every game…. the ‘problem’ has been in defence.
Last season Arsenal conceded 49 goals in the Premier League and have become known for their vulnerability from defending set pieces. I’m sure many fans would agree that over the course of the past few seasons, Arsenal have relied on outscoring the opposition, as they have always looked susceptible on the counter attack; remember the 4-4 draw against Newcastle and 3-2 defeat at the hands of Swansea.
When the transfer window closed on Friday, Arsenal fans can be forgiven for thinking that nothing had been done to strengthen the defence, following the departure of their only recognised defensive midfielder Alex Song to Barcelona and with Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna still recovering from injury.
A ‘Bould’ Move
However, there is a good reason why if you are lucky enough to ever visit the Emirates Stadium you will hear the cries of “There’s only one Arsene Wenger” echoing from the stands and see the banners which read “In Arsene We Trust” draped over the balustrades of the upper tiers.
Because behind the scenes and whilst many fans were glued to Sky Sports News in the hope that Arsenal would make at least one more marquee signing, Arsenal had already completed what could prove to be one of the most significant acquisitions in recent club history; not in a player, but in a coach.
Something that had been largely overlooked over the course of the summer was that on 10th May 2012 it was announced that Steve Bould was to be promoted from Head Youth Team Coach to Assistant Manager to Wenger following the retirement of Pat Rice.
In the wake of what has been an encouraging few weeks for new signings such as Eden Hazard and Michu who have certainly hit the ground running for their respective clubs, Bould’s influence on Arsenal’s defensive shape, mentality and overall performance has been just as impressive.
In yesterday’s performance Mertesacker reminded us just why he has earned 81 caps for his country with a commanding performance against the quick-footed Luis Suarez and in the absence of the injured Bacary Sagna; Carl Jenkinson has come on in leaps and bounds following his £1M singing from Charlton… and all without no.1 keeper Wojciech Szczesny in goal might I add!
Captain and centre- back Thomas Vermaelen has already recognised how much Bould’s presence has impacted on the Arsenal back line and has been quick to praise him saying how “great” it has been to “work with him as a defender” and joked about the various “tips” he has been getting from the legendary centre half who won nine titles during his time in North London as a player.
Although the back four have looked particularly resolute in the last three games Bould’s influence seems to have spread throughout the entire first team. Mikel Arteta in particular, is arguably proving to be a far more disciplined defensive midfielder than Song ever was, protecting the defence when necessary and controlling the tempo in the middle of the park.
What to do about Abou?
Despite the new arrivals getting their first goals for the club and a midfield consisting of some of the most exciting players in the premier league such as Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain, the stand out player of the match was undoubtedly Abou Diaby.
He only managed to play four games last season and having endured an injury plagued career at the club since signing from Auxerre for £2M in 2006, Diaby feels like a new signing in his own right.
Elegant and powerful all at the same time the comparisons between Diaby and club legend Patrick Vieira were always going to surface should he begin to fulfil his potential in an Arsenal shirt.
Although he has been labelled as inconsistent by many fans over the years, Diaby is finally fit; something a certain Robin Van Persie will tell you does wonders for a player’s confidence.
Diaby was quite literally unplayable yesterday, twisting, turning and then striding away from the likes of Gerrard and Sahin with consummate ease as Arsenal played their way to securing their first win of the season.
Suddenly, confidence within the Arsenal camp is high as they remain the only team in the football league yet to have conceded a goal this season. Players like Jack Wilshere are just weeks away from a highly anticipated return and the ‘new boys’ (Diaby included) are firing on almost all cylinders… Be patient with Giroud, he’ll get there too.
One year on from an all-time-low for Arsene Wenger and even after yet another summer exodus of his star performers, Arsenal look like a team who can finally challenge for that elusive trophy and you can’t help but think that the best is yet to come… what a difference a year makes.
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