Posted by The Team
Freddie Ljungberg’s first match in charge saw Arsenal lineup in much the same way an Unai Emery team would have:
Second half introductions saw Arsenal mostly retain their shape: Torreira entered for Willock and momentarily turned Arsenal into a 4-3-3, but the introduction of Saka for Guendouzi meant the Gunners shifted back into the 4-2-3-1 with Ozil occupying the middle. Martinelli’s five minute cameo at the end of the game came as the #10, with Arsenal remaining in the 4-2-3-1.
The Game
The main storyline was obviously Ljungberg’s first game as Arsenal manager, after which he noted that Arsenal “had a problem transition-wise, so [Norwich] got shots on target and chances just from the transition of an eight-yard sprint, which we need to stop.”
He wasn’t wrong. Arsenal conceded two goals from counter attacks, and were lucky not to concede five more. That’s not an exaggeration:
The last GIF is the worst. Xhaka sprints past two Arsenal players better positioned to press, vacating the base of midfield and opening up a huge gap that Norwich utilize to advance the ball.
These are fixable problems that went uncorrected for 18 months under Unai Emery. If Ljungberg has a chance at the permanent job, it starts here. That he recognizes it at least is promising.
Any positives?
There were, especially in the first half. Here’s a sequence that I haven’t seen for Arsenal in a month:
If Ozil turns inside rather than out he has Lacazette open for a shot.
Here’s another one, this time an Arsenal build up:
When was the last time you saw quick ball movement and adequate spacing in the Arsenal end? September? And Kolasinac involved? Glory be.
Let’s see the chart…
It’s not great. Calum Chambers had a bit of a nightmare, and Shkodran Mustafi made us all remember why he’s been out of the team for so long.
But there were some good performances. Bernd Leno rescued a point for Arsenal on multiple occasions. This was the best save I’ve seen a GK make all year:
He also did this in the final minute of normal time:
Aubameyang is probably Arsenal’s player of the season so far. Leno is making it a contest.
I also really liked Sead Kolasinac in this one, which came as a bit of a surprise since I was so disappointed to see him, and not Tierney, when the teams were announced. He’s the key player in the build-up sequence from above:
He was also solid defensively:
Look at him get to the ball quickly and still turn and run with McLean to knock the ball away.
There’s a place for Kolasinac to contribute this season if he can give similar performances consistently.
Finally, Lucas Torreira didn’t put a foot wrong in his 20 minutes. Here was his best contribution of the day:
Does any other Arsenal CM make that play? Sign me up for more of that please.
What does it mean for Brighton?
Ljungberg got his team selection wrong against Norwich, but I think he’ll fix it with a full week of training as the manager. I’m looking forward to seeing more of the fluidity in attack combined with the better defensive transitions that he talked about.
In order to do so, I think Torreira has to come into the team. Having him in allows Arsenal to take more risks offensively, and could be a pathway towards getting both Ozil and Nicolas Pépé into the team.
The change in manager will alter the tactics, but also the mood at the Emirates. COYG.
Prediction: Arsenal 3 – 0 Brighton