Last week’s loss to Blackburn Rovers was painful. How does Arsenal bounce back from that defeat?
This season has started very poorly for the Gunners. Just one Premier League win in five matches wasn’t exactly the start that Gunners fans had hoped for. In each of their losses, what has been highlighted is a weakness at the back. Arsene Wenger somewhat mended the situation by purchasing Per Mertesacker and Andre Santos.
The lack of creativity in midfield due to the departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas has been partly compensated for by the signings of Mikel Arteta, a player similar to his fellow Spaniard Cesc, and Yossi Benayoun, who adds a different dimension to the attack. Benayoun has come on loan but could go on to stay permanently.
Here are five things Arsenal should do to beat Bolton:
They must finish their chances. The Gunners have been guilty of some pretty poor finishing in all five of their matches to date. A two goal lead early on in a game might turn out to be just what the doctor ordered. Arsenal had chances to take a 2-0 lead against Blackburn but failed to make the most of them and paid the price afterwards.
Secondly, Arsenal should play both Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong. Both are defensive-minded players but Song has an eye for a good pass and can move forward too. These two players sitting in defensive midfield would ensure that Arsenal’s susceptible back-line would have more protection.
While Aaron Ramsey can also play in Frimpong or Song’s position, the Welshman does not have the same physical strength that the other two possess. Ramsey is more creative than the two.
Third of all, Arsenal must find a way to teach Laurent Koscielny something about positioning. Koscielny tries too hard sometimes. He tries to go out and take care of the jobs of other defenders. He seems a tad nervous all the time.
His own goal was the match winner in the 4-3 defeat to Blackburn. Wenger can also take the option of benching Laurent and playing Song at the back. He can then play Ramsey and Frimpong together in defensive midfield.
The next thing Arsenal must do is learn to defend as a team. So far, they have done so in one game. Arsenal defended for the majority of the game against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and came away with a credible 1-1 draw. While they rode their luck once or twice, they shut out the German champions.
A stunning volley was required to beat the Gunners defence. If Arsenal can defend like that, why can’t they do so in all matches? They need to ensure that wingers such as Gervinho and Andrei Arshavin know how to defend and help out the back-line when required.
Finally, Arsenal should try to avoid conceding unnecessary corners and free-kicks. Bolton is a side with players who are good headers of the ball. Arsenal concedes tonnes of goals from set pieces. They gave away very few free-kicks to Dortmund in the Champions League.
Will Arsenal win this weekend? They are currently in seventeenth place in the table, five points behind a top four spot.
The lack of creativity in midfield due to the departures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas has been partly compensated for by the signings of Mikel Arteta, a player similar to his fellow Spaniard Cesc, and Yossi Benayoun, who adds a different dimension to the attack. Benayoun has come on loan but could go on to stay permanently.
Here are five things Arsenal should do to beat Bolton:
They must finish their chances. The Gunners have been guilty of some pretty poor finishing in all five of their matches to date. A two goal lead early on in a game might turn out to be just what the doctor ordered. Arsenal had chances to take a 2-0 lead against Blackburn but failed to make the most of them and paid the price afterwards.
Secondly, Arsenal should play both Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong. Both are defensive-minded players but Song has an eye for a good pass and can move forward too. These two players sitting in defensive midfield would ensure that Arsenal’s susceptible back-line would have more protection.
While Aaron Ramsey can also play in Frimpong or Song’s position, the Welshman does not have the same physical strength that the other two possess. Ramsey is more creative than the two.
Third of all, Arsenal must find a way to teach Laurent Koscielny something about positioning. Koscielny tries too hard sometimes. He tries to go out and take care of the jobs of other defenders. He seems a tad nervous all the time.
His own goal was the match winner in the 4-3 defeat to Blackburn. Wenger can also take the option of benching Laurent and playing Song at the back. He can then play Ramsey and Frimpong together in defensive midfield.
The next thing Arsenal must do is learn to defend as a team. So far, they have done so in one game. Arsenal defended for the majority of the game against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and came away with a credible 1-1 draw. While they rode their luck once or twice, they shut out the German champions.
A stunning volley was required to beat the Gunners defence. If Arsenal can defend like that, why can’t they do so in all matches? They need to ensure that wingers such as Gervinho and Andrei Arshavin know how to defend and help out the back-line when required.
Finally, Arsenal should try to avoid conceding unnecessary corners and free-kicks. Bolton is a side with players who are good headers of the ball. Arsenal concedes tonnes of goals from set pieces. They gave away very few free-kicks to Dortmund in the Champions League.
Will Arsenal win this weekend? They are currently in seventeenth place in the table, five points behind a top four spot.
