North London Revival: Assessing Arsenal Under Emery

In their first season without legendary manager Arsene Wenger, there were doubts over whether Arsenal would be able to improve on their disappointing 6th-placed finish from last season. Under new manager Unai Emery, the Gunners started the campaign with consecutive losses to Manchester City and Chelsea. Although they turned in a positive performance at Stamford Bridge, clawing back from a 2-0 deficit before Marcos Alonso found the winner in the 81st minute, Emery’s project was already under pressure before Arsenal’s third league match of the season.

Since the Chelsea defeat, however, Arsenal have racked up nine straight wins in all competitions, bringing them up to 5th place in the Premier League with a game in hand. If they can win their Monday night match against Leicester, Arsenal would pull even with Chelsea and Tottenham on 21 points, only two behind co-leaders Liverpool and Manchester City.

Victories Home and Away

This impressive run has seen a continuation of Arsenal’s home form from last season. During 2017/18, Arsenal collected 47 points at home in the league, losing only twice at the Emirates Stadium. Had the 2017/18 Premier League been decided on home form alone, Arsenal would have finished in second place, behind only Manchester City. Since their opening day loss to the champions, Arsenal have recorded home league victories against West Ham, Everton and Watford. The Gunners have now failed to score in only 2 of their last 36 Premier League home games.

The more noteworthy aspect of Arsenal’s winning streak has been their improved away form. During the back half of the 2017/18 season, Arsenal’s away record was embarrassing. The Gunners failed to obtain an away result for more than four months at the start of 2018, collecting their first away point of 2018 in a 1-0 win at Huddersfield on the last day of the season. Between April 15 and their win at Huddersfield, Arsenal were the only club in England’s top 5 divisions without an away point in the league. This campaign has seen the Gunners build on their promising showing at Chelsea by winning three consecutive Premier League away games against Cardiff, Newcastle and Fulham.

However, the strength of Arsenal’s opposition should be considered in any assessment of their winning run. Since playing City and Chelsea, Arsenal have not faced another traditional big 6 side. Furthermore, their away victories have come against three sides that are all in 17th position or lower after nine league matches.

Success in the Second Half

Despite the relative weakness of their opposition, Arsenal has shown signs of improvement from Wenger’s last season, with a newfound resiliency in difficult situations. Arsenal has not led at the half in any of their eight Premier League games so far. Yet, they have won six league matches in a row. Against Cardiff, the Gunners managed to retake the lead twice after being pegged back by the home side.

Emery’s willingness to change his personnel has been a key factor underpinning Arsenal’s second half success. The Spanish tactician has made a half-time substitution in three of the club’s eight Premier League games so far. This is a real departure from Wenger’s strategy, as the Frenchmen would rarely substitute until the 65th minute. Although some will say that making a halftime substitution shows that the initial tactical setup was flawed, Emery has had no qualms with trying to improve the team if he deems it necessary.

Emery’s personnel decisions have been vindicated by match-winning performances from his half-time substitutes. Striker Alexander Lacazette changed the complexion of the West Ham match, forcing Issa Diop’s own goal for the decisive 2-1. Against Newcastle, new signing Lucas Torreira provided a platform for a more incisive second half display from the Gunners, who scored twice after struggling for fluency in the first period.

Torreira Quickly Becomes Indispensable

Although he did not start any of Arsenal first five league matches, Torreira has quickly made himself indispensable to Emery’s side at the base of midfield. The diminutive Uruguayan has provided the steel and defensive presence that has long been missing in the middle of the park for Arsenal. Torreira’s solidity has allowed Granit Xhaka more freedom to spray the ball around without worrying as much about defensive duties. Going into the Leicester game, the Swiss is 10th in the league in touches (756) and 7th in passes (626) having played a game less than most other players.

The shield that Torreira provides in front of the Arsenal back four has improved the team’s solidity and attacking output. In 442 minutes without Torreira on the pitch, Arsenal have scored 9 goals and conceded 10. In 548 minutes with Torreira, Arsenal have scored a whopping 20 goals and allowed only 3. In addition to his defensive prowess, Torreira has displayed his skill in possession, proving to be an accurate passer and confident dribbler capable of working his way out of pressure. Between Torreira’s ability on the dribble and Xhaka’s passing range, the Gunners have recreated the offensive contribution that Santi Cazorla provided at the base of Arsenal’s midfield before the long-term injury he picked up in October 2016.

Warning Signs Remain, But Excitement Prevails

Nevertheless, Arsenal’s exciting form should not overshadow the difficulties they have had in many of their wins. The Gunners have given up too many chances during their winning steak to be completely satisfied with their performances. Even though Petr Cech has not played since he was subbed off at halftime against Watford in matchday 7, he still ranks 9th among Premier League goalkeepers in saves with 28. Cech has more saves than any other goalkeeper for a big six side except for David De Gea, who has only one more save and has played 2.5 more games. Furthermore, Arsenal were outshot in their home wins against Everton and Watford (10-9 against Everton, 14-9 against Watford). Although an optimist can argue that Arsenal would have surely dropped points in at least one of those matches under Wenger, Emery’s side cannot continue to give the opposition as many chances to score.

A further issue for Emery to ponder is Arsenal’s lack of attacking cohesion. The former PSG coach has favored a 4-2-3-1 system throughout his career, and has tried to implement this system at Arsenal. Since his display in the second half against West Ham, Lacazette has made the center-forward position his own, contributing four goals and two assists. Although Lacazette has been impressive, the three behind him have looked disjointed when Emery has attempted to fit Mesut Özil, Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang into his starting 11. The 4-2-3-1 system with the current attacking personnel seems to get the best out of only Lacazette. Ozil and Aubameyang are often peripheral figures out wide, while Ramsey appears more comfortable making late runs from deep midfield rather than playing in the hole. Given that the Gunners produced their best attacking performance of the season with a 4-4-2 formation in the 5-1 win against Fulham last time out, Emery will have to carefully consider whether there is room for all four of his attacking stars in the starting lineup and what formation maximizes their potential.

Even though Arsenal’s encouraging form has been tempered somewhat by the flaws that are evident in their performances, Gunners fans should still be excited as the season heads into November. A win against Leicester would put Arsenal in the top 4, which was their main objective at the start of the season. Irrespective of how they are winning games, the Gunners have won nine in a row for the first time since 2015. Some pundits are already whispering about a surprise title challenge from Arsenal, whispers which could turn into shouts if the Gunners can continue their winning streak before facing Liverpool on November 3rd.