Arsenal returned to winning ways with an unconvincing and scrappy performance at the Emirates against Leicester City last night winning it 2-1.
Wenger made 3 changes to the starting lineup with Sanchez, Walcott and Rosicky coming in place of Giroud, Welbeck and Ramsey. The game went well for the gunners in the first half as they scored twice in that period via Koscielny and Walcott. But in the next half Leicester got dangerous and notched one back via Kramaric. They kept on banging at the door but failed to get an equaliser. With that win, Arsenal rose to 4th in the standings behind Southampton on GD and ahead of Man Utd by 1 point but both are yet to play their fixtures. If any one of them falters, we'll retain our position.
Moving on to the analysis, there were some notable things from gunner's point of view. Let's have a look at few of them.
Wenger made 3 changes to the starting lineup with Sanchez, Walcott and Rosicky coming in place of Giroud, Welbeck and Ramsey. The game went well for the gunners in the first half as they scored twice in that period via Koscielny and Walcott. But in the next half Leicester got dangerous and notched one back via Kramaric. They kept on banging at the door but failed to get an equaliser. With that win, Arsenal rose to 4th in the standings behind Southampton on GD and ahead of Man Utd by 1 point but both are yet to play their fixtures. If any one of them falters, we'll retain our position.
Moving on to the analysis, there were some notable things from gunner's point of view. Let's have a look at few of them.
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| Laurent Koscielny & Mesut Özil celebrating first goal (image from arsenal.com) |
Form of Özil
Man of the Match for me as well as many alike!
The German showed glimpses of his old true self which convinced Wenger to pay €50 million for his services last season. He was the best performer on the pitch and created both the goals. Firstly his toe-poke earned the self taken corner from which the Frenchman scored. Then his fierce shot from outside the box was parried away by keeper as far as Walcott who struck the volley in the net. With that his stats read as impressive as 4 games, 3 goals and 4 assists.
Besides this contribution, his fluid play and rotation with Sanchez and Walcott in the frontline was good. He looked comfortable everywhere. His struggle to play on flanks in the earlier part of the season now seems to be finished.
At this critical point of season and with Champions League matches on horizon, Wenger should be pleased to see him continue his fine form.
Man of the Match for me as well as many alike!
The German showed glimpses of his old true self which convinced Wenger to pay €50 million for his services last season. He was the best performer on the pitch and created both the goals. Firstly his toe-poke earned the self taken corner from which the Frenchman scored. Then his fierce shot from outside the box was parried away by keeper as far as Walcott who struck the volley in the net. With that his stats read as impressive as 4 games, 3 goals and 4 assists.
Besides this contribution, his fluid play and rotation with Sanchez and Walcott in the frontline was good. He looked comfortable everywhere. His struggle to play on flanks in the earlier part of the season now seems to be finished.
At this critical point of season and with Champions League matches on horizon, Wenger should be pleased to see him continue his fine form.
Underwhelming Walcott
Besides the goal, he put up a mediocre showing. He attempted less than 10 passes in the whole game and completed even few of those. He was playing like the way Podolski did before moving out but only with more defensive contribution.
Though he may have scored 3 goals since return but this kind of performances will soon prompt Wenger to replace him with Welbeck in the lineups. Need to improve quickly to justify and retain his starting berth.
Besides the goal, he put up a mediocre showing. He attempted less than 10 passes in the whole game and completed even few of those. He was playing like the way Podolski did before moving out but only with more defensive contribution.
Though he may have scored 3 goals since return but this kind of performances will soon prompt Wenger to replace him with Welbeck in the lineups. Need to improve quickly to justify and retain his starting berth.
Midfield-depth Concern
Arsenal now once again face injury crisis in this area after losing Ramsey to hamstring. With his loss, we are now left to bare bones with Coquelin, Flamini, Cazorla, Rosicky and Özil as the only available players. Besides them, we have inexperienced youngsters Zelalem, Maitland-Niles and Bielik for cover. With no timeline on Wilshere's return at this crucial phase of the season, they'll have to stand the test of time to stay afloat and meet the targets for this season.
Let's hope it doesn't get any worst from here.
Arsenal now once again face injury crisis in this area after losing Ramsey to hamstring. With his loss, we are now left to bare bones with Coquelin, Flamini, Cazorla, Rosicky and Özil as the only available players. Besides them, we have inexperienced youngsters Zelalem, Maitland-Niles and Bielik for cover. With no timeline on Wilshere's return at this crucial phase of the season, they'll have to stand the test of time to stay afloat and meet the targets for this season.
Let's hope it doesn't get any worst from here.
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