In the end, Spurs were eliminated from the 2014 FA Cup with relative ease, as a comfortably dominant Arsenal side overcame a nervy opening to turn in a mature and composed performance. It is a display worth dwelling upon because it perfectly epitomised the mixture of effectiveness and style contained in this current squad, an attractive blend that looks increasingly likely to yield results come the end of the season.
The plaudits have justifiably gone to Cazorla and Rosicky for two outstanding goals which sealed the North London derby, while special praise has been lavished upon Serge Gnabry for a performance packed with pace, menace and purpose. Thousands of screensavers and twitter avatars have been altered on account of Theo Walcott’s triumphant salute to the baying Spurs fans as he left the field, and while the England frontman provided the enduring image of the match - and prompted some misplaced indignation among the visiting fans - the platform for the win was constructed by three less celebrated Arsenal men, one of whom played for only forty five minutes.
Media praise for Arsenal’s defensive unit is rarely forthcoming and when it does arrive, it is generally moderate in tone and grudgingly expressed. While the heavy defeat suffered last month at the Etihad helped to perpetuate the myth that Arsenal’s backline is suspect, a more measured analysis proves no team in the league can better their defensive consistency. Saturday’s match was another example of organised and composed defending and though the team functioned with a collective strength, there were a number of standouts.
Positioned just in front of the centre backs, Mikel Arteta distinguished himself with a diligent and selfless display, screening the back four and shuttling the ball around with his usual precision until he was rested with a quarter of an hour remaining. In truth, Tottenham (and Sherwood in particular) were the architects of their own downfall, setting up in a 4-4-2 formation that went out of fashion at the turn of the century and leaving their two man central midfield hopelessly flat footed and overrun by Wenger diminutive creators. Nevertheless, the experienced Spaniard worked tirelessly at the base of the midfield, rarely allowing Spurs to get anything into the feet of Adebayor or Soldado up front.
When passes, crosses or hopeful long balls did arrive into Arsenal’s final third, invariably it was Laurent Koscielny who mopped them up. Determined, well positioned and heroically suave throughout, Koscielny now looks like the elite level defender he has always threatened to be. Despite his pantomime villain persona, Adebayor will have been identified as a potential threat given his current form, and for the most part Koscielny neutralised his impact with effortless ease.
While Vermaelen was by no means sub-standard in the first half, Per Mertesacker added height, stature and presence to the backline in the second. As Arsenal filed back after Rosicky’s goal to play counter attacking football, they inevitably conceded a succession of corners, seven by my count in the second period. The German’s organisational and heading ability was crucial in ensuring each set piece was dealt with efficiently, as he cajoled his colleagues into their positions and implored the midfielders to charge down short corners.
The triumvirate of Arteta, Koscielny and Mertesacker brought a strength and stability to the core of the team, continually repelling their opponents until they ran out of ideas, and allowed the brilliance of Cazorla, Rosicky and Gnabry to decide the outcome of the game. Despite some initial misgivings, Mertesacker is emerging as a totemic figure at the club and little wonder, mediocrity is rarely rewarded with 100 caps for the German national side.
Honourable mentions are also merited for Monreal and Sagna who assisted in attack and defended well for the majority of the game while the lingering tension between Wilshere and Dembele / Bentelab only served to undermine the Tottenham midfield duo, as Arsenal’s No.10 grew in stature and energy as the match wore on.
In summary, it was not a vintage performance that ensured Arsenal’s name would be in the hat for the next round of the cup, but something infinitely more important at this juncture of the season. It was a mature, intelligent and resilient display punctuated by a couple of moments of class, the type of performance required in every match from now to the end of the season if Arsenal are to win the title.
With the correct additions in the transfer window, this teams horizons appear without limits . Should silverware be raised aloft at the seasons end, it will be the result of a collective effort from the manager, magicians and unsung heroes.
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