Arsenal 2015-2016: The One That Got Away

[sachmoney]

Pretty clinical dispatch of an overmatched Singapore Select XI side. It seemed like Arsenal created a plethora of chances (I was only listening to the game), but weren't pressed to keep possession 100% of the time. Chuba had a couple of early chances that he failed to convert, but ended up with a hat trick. Jack scored on a penalty. Bellerin came off the bench and had a very nice set up for Chuba's third goal (great pull back, beat the defender, and perfectly picked Chuba out on a cross).
 
Not a lot of conclusions to be drawn this early into preseason, but good to get through the game with everyone healthy and a clean sheet. Everton on Saturday should prove to be much more challenging, not just technically, but physically. I anticipate that we'll see the likes of Ozil, Ramsey, Walcott, Giroud, and Koscielny out there on Saturday. I'm glad that there's something else to talk about besides the inaction in the transfer market.

 

[sachmoney]

Yaya Sanogo will spend the next year on loan at Ajax. Good move for him.
 
Meanwhile, lots of headlines linking Arsenal with Benzema, but Wenger had this to say:

 
“I don’t know where that story comes from, but that is not happening at the moment,” Wenger said in Singapore. “I am happy with the squad we have. If I find an exceptional player to strengthen, I will do it.
 
“It depends what’s on the market. It is not easy, there are a lot of teams out there in Europe competing for the same player. We don’t rule it out and [also] don’t guarantee we sign.
“[The title] is our target and we feel we have a chance in a very competitive league. We are not far away.”

Incendiary headlines are going to incend.

 

[sachmoney]

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/622113790881083392

 

[sachmoney]

STRONG line up:
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/622367979901050880
Bench ain't bad either
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/622368116316594177

 

[blueguitar322]

Will be interesting to see how Cazorla-Ramsey works as central pivots without a true DM.

 

[blueguitar322]

That's why Walcott can be so deadly. Giroud almost playing a false nine when Arsenal have possession deep, and that allowed Walcott's run from 35 yards out coming from the left.

 

[blueguitar322]

Arsenal absolutely dominating in every aspect of the game, just toying with Everton. This team looks miles different than the Arsenal of last summer that lost to the New York Red Bulls. Theo, Ozil and Cazorla (1 goal, 2 assists) have all been brilliant. Giroud is the only player that has been even the slightest bit disappointing IMHO.
 
Having two CM pivots who can create from deep (Ramsey and Cazorla) has been a huge success. Obviously not the system to play in big games, but if the CMs can play with astute positioning, it might work against lower and mid-table sides. Everton is no pushover by any means.

 

[mikeford]

This team looks miles different than the Arsenal of last summer that lost to the New York Red Bulls.

Probably because this team IS miles different than that U-21 squad Arsenal sent to the states last year. 

 

[sachmoney]

Yeah, half of the team was "recovering" from the World Cup. Plus there were a few guys that were hurt like Theo and I believe, Jack. This time, they have the full team save for Sanchez and Ospina.
 
I concur with blueguitar that most of the team looked very sharp with those players (Theo, Cazorla, and Özil) especially so. I thought Bellerin also looked great. Giroud and Ox were the only ones with a little bit of rust. I feel pretty good about how this team will start the season. It's nice to have everyone healthy for it too.

 

[JimBoSox9]

In the early part of last season, it never for a moment felt like Ozil was getting enough slack for coming off the WC.  A full cycle of him and a semi-consistent attacking line around him will be huge.  He'll be the best thing that ever happened to Walcott's career.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

You sit there and think, wow, that's a really strong team for a meaningless preseason friendly. Then you realise: oh fuck, the season starts in three weeks.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

Apropos of nothing, my seven-year-old son and I went on the Legends Tour of the Emirates Stadium yesterday - led by Nigel Winterburn - and it was quite excellent. You get to sit in the Directors Box seats, visit the Diamond Club above them, walk down the tunnel and sit in the home "dugout", go into both dressing rooms, get your photo taken in the interview cubicles with all of the ubiquitous sponsor logos behind them, and so on. My favorite tidbit involved sitting in front of Ospina's locker in the home dressing room as Winterburn talked to us about the table in the middle of the room; in Arsenal's room, the table is only about two-and-a-half or three feet tall, low enough for us (and of course all of the players) to clearly see everyone else seated around the room, whereas in the visitor's dressing room, the same table is about five feet tall and blocks this same line of sight, making it that little bit more difficult for everyone to connect with one another during the pregame and halftime team talks. A nice little bit of psychology...and Wenger had input into absolutely every inch of the players' facilities in the stadium, so this entirely his doing. If you haven't been on either the Legends Tour or the alternative self-guided audio tour, I highly recommend it even if you've been to the Emirates quite a few times as a fan already.
 
(FWIW, Winterburn doesn't think Wenger will buy anyone else this summer. Just a gut feeling - not backed by any inside information as far as I know - but I'd say the odds of him being right are slightly higher than I'd like.)

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

Incidentally, for part of my just-concluded trip to London, my family and I were staying at the house of one of the main architects who designed the Emirates Stadium and who is now currently hard at work on designing the new Tottenham stadium (my wife and I were close friends with his now-wife and have become friends with him as well). He himself is a general sports fan with no particular club allegiance, so I found it particularly humorous to hear him talk about how classy everyone at Arsenal from the board level on down always acted throughout the design process and even now long after it's over, whereas at Tottenham his relationships have consistently been...um, rather more difficult, shall we say.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Szczesny is going on loan to Roma, pending the completion of medicals and paperwork.  That seems like a good temporary solution to the GK logjam.
 
Wenger gave his trademark smirk when asked about comments from Benzema's agent that he was staying at Madrid "1000%."  Make of that what you will.
 
Wenger also said in an interview today that he sees Wilshere as an attacking, creative player who can play on the wing or through the middle, at least implicitly suggesting that he is unlikely to be part of the midfield pivot.
 
The most interesting thing to watch in terms of team selection over the next month is likely to be the fight for the RW slot.  I assume Wenger will stay with Coq-Santi as his default midfield pairing.  Alexis will miss the first game or two but on his return it will be Theo (if not playing CF), Ox, Wilshere, and Ramsey fighting it out for that starting RW slot, assuming everybody is healthy.  And Welbz will enter the mix too once he returns from injury.
 
Injuries and twice-weekly fixtures will likely ensure that there are enough games for everybody.  But it will be interesting to see who emerges as first choice.  I think Ramsey is the favorite but I wouldn't rule out Wilshere.
 
Edit: Also...Arsenal-Lyon will be on ESPN3 tomorrow at 11:00 EST.

 

[blueguitar322]

Arsenal's team:
 
Martinez
Debuchy - Mertesacker - Koscielny - Gibbs
Coquelin - Ramsey
Ox - Ozil - Iwobi
Giroud
 
The ESPN3 feed has zero crowd noise. It's extremely unsettling.

 

[blueguitar322]

Giroud misses the ball on an attempted free kick header but ends up "shouldering" it into the back of the net. Assist by Ozil. 1-0.

 

[blueguitar322]

Very nice Ox goal on the counter. Assist by Giroud, but the move was started by Ramsey.

 

[blueguitar322]

And a third! Iwobi goal on another quick counter. Interception by Ox-->Ozil-->Ramsey-->Iwobi.

 

[blueguitar322]

And a 4th! Four goals in 8 minutes. Ozil with the assist with Ramsey providing the run and the finish.
 

 

[blueguitar322]

4-0 at the end of the first half. Only negative thing about the first half were the hideous away jerseys.

 

[blueguitar322]

Ramsey --> Ozil --> Giroud --> Ozil for the 5th.
 
Subs (64'):
Cazorla on for Ozil
Akpom on for Iwobi
Arteta on for Ramsey
 
Subs (70'):
Reine-Adelaide on for Ox
Walcott on for Giroud
 
Sub (78'):
Hayden on for Coquelin

 

[blueguitar322]

6-0 on a Cazorla low ball free kick underneath the jumping wall. Cheeky.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

4-0 at the end of the first half. Only negative thing about the first half were the hideous away jerseys.

 
My son wanted one of those instead of the new home kit (which itself has a tiny gold band at the top of the collar) when we were shopping at the stadium this week, but I wisely talked him out of it. Though to be fair, the last time our primary away kit was golden, we won the double...or am I forgetting a more recent incarnation since 2002?

 

[mikeford]

This year's away kits show the sweat SO MUCH once players get going. Makes the kit look like brown mustard once its soaked through. 
 
 
What a performance today though. Preseason friendly or not, Lyon is a good side and you dont often bulldoze a team like that. 

 

[sachmoney]

I think we could see a fair amount of Ramsey and Cazorla starting in the pivot for Arsenal this year. Both of those players are too good to keep off the field. I think Santi is the guy that cedes the most minutes due to age and trying to keep him healthy.Regardless, Arsenal seems to play its filthiest NSFW football when those two guys and Özil are on the pitch. 

 

[blueguitar322]

Missed the last half hour or so of the first half but can't argue with another clean sheet and another win against one of the best non-Bayern teams in Germany. Should have scored more than 1 goal, but maybe a bit lucky that Wolfsburg didn't score. 
 
Misc thoughts:

• Walcott played better as a winger than CF
• Arsenal looked more threatening with two true wingers than when they played e.g. Wilshere on the right
• Arteta is still slow. The thought of him being the guy designated with breaking up counters off of Arsenal corners scares me. Another DM would really be nice
• Arteta/Cazorla midfield had a tough time maintaining possession and winning it back at the beginning of the game, but were much better in the second half
• Adelaide looks like a talent
• Ox looked very dangerous in the limited time he was on the pitch
• It's SO nice having a keeper who can save shots, distribute and goal kick the ball farther than midfield

 

[sachmoney]

Honestly think Hayden can be replacement level minimum vs Arteta who is subpar. The kids looked good. Ox looks poised to have a breakout season. He has the talent to do so. He just has to stay healthy. Not the outburst of yesterday, but the line up was a lot more talented against Lyon. Theo's finish on the goal was very nice.
 
EDIT: It should also be added that Arteta's distribution is awful. He never looks forward and is always passing side to side or backwards. That doesn't work for Arsenal.

 

[blueguitar322]

http://eaglesthatlooklikearsenewenger.tumblr.com/

 

[soxfan121]

 

[JimBoSox9]

That tumbler has me reduced to giggling like a little girl outside a bar

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otEwhrLtIDI

 

[blueguitar322]

Theo has signed a new contract:
 
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/627071512646918144
 
I'm happy about this. The wages are reasonable given what English homegrown talent is going for these days. Theo has been on fire since his return from injury and while he likely won't keep scoring at this rate, it's nice to have options up front and on the wing. He's been a fairly prolific scorer in seasons past and to me his movement off the ball is one of his strongest qualities, which meshes well with the "midgetball" approach elsewhere on the pitch. 
 
Wenger certainly has a selection headache when everyone is healthy. Great problem to have.
 
Also, Cazorla also signed a contract extension. Nice to see that one as well. He's past the magic number of 30, but I would wager his skills (two-footedness, ball control, passing, positioning, smiling) will age reasonably well a la Xavi.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

We also loaned Isaac Hayden to Hull for the year.  That should be good for his development as he really needs to play consistent top flight football after his lost year in 2014-15.  On the other hand, that's one less guy not named Arteta or Flamini who could possibly spell Coquelin at DM if necessary.
 
Arteta hadn't played for so long that its too hasty to judge him on the performance in the Emirates Cup.  But he looked like he was running in quicksand.

 

[blueguitar322]

Akpom going to Hull for the year as well.
 
https://twitter.com/bbcsport_david/status/627188804949024772

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

Akpom couldn't be placed at a better club than Hull City? I'd have thought he needed a higher level of seasoning that that.

 

[CoRP]

Nm. Found it.

 

[Luis Taint]

Petr Cech binkie level rising.

 

[Luis Taint]

I love that Wenger and Mourinho hate each other so much, that they can't even be civil to each other at a charity match.

 

[lars10]

I love that Wenger and Mourinho hate each other so much, that they can't even be civil to each other at a charity match.

Looked like Mourinho actually tried to extend the olive branch, but Wenger would have none of it.
 
Very excited by this Arsenal team.  Lots of options off the bench and who they start.  Hopefully Wenger is able to figure the match-ups out this year and the team can avoid injuries.  Team was impressive today at times especially considering Sanchez wasn't out there.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

We really do seem very close this year - the overall stability of the squad should really help all of our attacking pistons fire together. But for me, the real issue is still at DM: if Le Coq goes down, we'll be right back to where we were in the darker days before his emergence last year. I'd like to see another striker come in, but we can probably cope without one - if Arsenal's creative players play as they should, the goals should come even without a 25-goal striker up front. But if we don't sign another DM and Coquelin either gets injured or suffers a sophomore slump in form, we'll be relying upon the unexpected Coquelin-type emergence of someone else, and you can't bank on that if you want to win the title.

 

[blueguitar322]

Fun game to watch as Wenger's men out-Chelsea'd Chelsea. The Blues definitely had the ball more and Arsenal had a tricky time transitioning out of their defensive shape while maintaining possession, but how often has the reverse been the case and Arsenal lose the game? Fantastic goal by the Ox. Really should have ended 3-2 or something like that, both sides had numerous chances that really should have been buried. On the Arsenal side, Giroud skied one over the bar from like 8m out and Cazorla and Gibbs both fluffed 1v1's with the keeper but it's really hard to complain when Arsenal finally managed to beat Mourinho for the first time ever.
 
Despite losing the possession battle (58%-42%) and getting out-shot (14-11), I thought Arsenal actually created just as many clear-cut chances as Chelsea did, and on the whole their defense was staunch and resilient. Would Arsenal have won without Cech in goal? Who knows. I somehow doubt Ospina gets to a couple of the more dangerous attempts (including Oscar's free kick) and Szcz is always a wild card. It's a strange feeling to have complete confidence in the keeper. Haven't had that since I started following Arsenal in earnest in 2006, and even then Mad Jens was always willing to surprise you.
 
Individually, I felt like none of the Arsenal midfielders or attackers (bar Ox) were at their best, but sometimes that happens when you play a quality opponent. I'd still take Chelsea's top 11 over Arsenal's top 11 any day of the week, but I do wonder if Chelsea have enough depth. They were very fortunate with injuries - or lack thereof - last year, and if Costa goes down for any long stretches their other options aren't inspiring. Of course as we have all been saying all summer (and last summer, and the summer before...), Arsenal is in the same spot with DM as the team without Coquelin just doesn't have enough balance to compete with the top clubs.
 
I said early on this summer I wouldn't be surprised if Wenger stands pat with regards to the roster (except Cech) and it looks like that might actually happen. The only real missed opportunity for me thus far was Schneiderlin, but that's a lot of money to pay for someone just to backup Coquelin. As far as forwards go, since it looks like Real Madrid isn't selling Benzema, I'm just not convinced that anyone available is actually worth bringing in.

 

[lars10]

I guess you could say arsenal is 'standing pat' but really how many games did they play with their full roster last year? They were looking very good at the end of last season and they added back Ox, Gibbs, Arteta and now have a keeper who is solid back there. I thought Arsenal's D wasn't so bad last year and now you start to think it will take something special to beat Cech. Just takes some of the pressure off the back four. Would like another DM but there are plenty (or at least a few.. Sanchez, Ozil, Coquelin, Bellerin? Especially given age..) of players I'd take on Arsenal over Chelsea..and I think the bench is superior.

Edit: I do think Arsenal was slightly better at the end of last season.. Chelsea was coasting of course but Arsenal simply dominated most games near the end. I'm willing to be shown I'm wrong tho.

 

[mikeford]

They really need a better striker

 

[JimBoSox9]

If we're back down to complaining about Giroud as vaguely inadequate, I'd say we're stacked and ready to roll.

 

[Spacemans Bong]

I would much rather we wait for somebody to become available (ie Benzema) than spend 15 million on somebody who actually doesn't improve the squad, because WE HAVE TO MAKE A MOVE!!!11

 

[mikeford]

I would much rather we wait for somebody to become available (ie Benzema) than spend 15 million on somebody who actually doesn't improve the squad, because WE HAVE TO MAKE A MOVE!!!11

No argument with that here. I think Benzema is the guy to get. Believe he'd make Arsenal instant title contenders. 

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Couldn't watch the game but very pleased with the result.
 
Ox with end product is a very, very good player.  We'll see if he can make that leap this year.

 

[sachmoney]

I couldn't watch the game either, like last year's Shield, because I was in transit returning to Boston. I'm both pleased and unsurprised by the result. Given that Arsenal is, overall, very healthy, I felt that with the way that they've played in the preseason, they were going to make it very hard for Chelsea. Right now, when healthy, Arsenal is capable of taking the game to anyone save for may be Barcelona, Real, and Bayern. 
 
Obviously, adding a world class striker (should we just start saying Benzema now since he seems like the obvious target) would certainly improve Arsenal's chances of winning the league and make them a possible favorite. However, I think that we should not discount how much of a difference a healthy Theo or Ox or both would make. They're easily capable of contributing 15-20 goals and the team may score more resulting from how much their pace changes games. I am by no means claiming that Arsenal will win the title if this happens, but I do think that the odds are much more favorable than people may think.
 
With that said, give Arsenal Benzema, Real.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

If Arsenal adds Benzema but fails to add adequate DM depth to complement Coquelin, we'll definitely be worse off than if we add another Coquelin-level DM (or even someone slightly worse) and no striker. I'm almost - almost - rooting for Coquelin to suffer a six-week injury before the end of August to force Wenger's hand.

 

[sachmoney]

If Arsenal adds Benzema but fails to add adequate DM depth to complement Coquelin, we'll definitely be worse off than if we add another Coquelin-level DM (or even someone slightly worse) and no striker. I'm almost - almost - rooting for Coquelin to suffer a six-week injury before the end of August to force Wenger's hand.

What is wrong with you?