Evening everyone.
The countdown to the first (official) game of the season is well and truly on, but the euphoria of Arsenal beating City isn't dying down. Which is understandable. We had huge problems dealing with the moneybags last year and to get up from 6-3 and deliver on such a scale demonstrates how far this Arsenal team progressed.
We were in a mess at the Etihad. Szczesny was helplessly watching the ball ripple in the back of his net time and again, Koscielny was subbed at 2-1 to give way to an erratic Vermaelen, Arteta was overrun in midfield. The peak of entropy was reached when Wilshere, frustrated at not being able to impose himself on the game, flipped home fans the bird. I even have a lurking suspicion we finished that game with ten men.
And what a way to bounce back. Almost all the players I've mentioned featured three days ago and they demonstrated just how professional they can be. I was especially impressed with Arteta and Wilshere, who seemed to have undergone a radical change since the thumping at the Etihad. Arteta was calm and composed in the centre of the park, while Jack didn't try to shape the game the way he sees it, but rather caught its natural rhythm and adapted to it. It was after this game that Arteta was named captain.
Did the change of formation help our skipper to shine once more? I've already noticed how we played with almost three holding midfielders against Monaco and Benfica, but this bit looks at the situation in greater detail. Against City this weekend Arsenal had no clear under-the-striker player. Arteta sat back as always, but Wilshere and Ramsey were deployed on the same (imaginary) line and both were much closer to our skipper, than usual. A inverted triangle, if you like.
This ensured both Ramsey and Wilshere had space to spray passes and burst forward, but it also allowed our back four to be much better protected. Both Aaron and Jack traced back to either help Arteta out or cover the flanks. Or one of them stayed behind, while the other bombed forward.
I like this setup, cause it allows to bring the best out of all three, while balancing the game in midfield, but it's unlikely Arsene will be willing to use this formation as default. When Ozil returns, he will play much further upfield than Ramsey and Wilshere did against City. For now, though, we're all set to start the campaign with a kind of 4-1-2-3, while Ozil is being eased into action.
However, there's another interesting dilemma Arsene will have to solve before Crystal Palace comes to town. A year ago I would have laughed at the possibility, but now it doesn't seem as unlikely. Who will Arsene pick as a centre forward for the season opener: Sanogo or Giroud? The author of this article comes to the conclusion that it's still a bit too soon for Sanogo to establish himself as our first-choice forward, but he also hits the jackpot several times.
Thing is, even at this early stage of his career Sanogo has qualities Giroud doesn't have and is unlikely to develop. Sanogo is a surprisingly quick runner (that with his height), while Giroud is more static. Sanogo can drag defenders into channels opening up space for his teammates, while Giroud finds it tough going. Most importantly, Sanogo can beat defenders with his face to the goal, thus creating space out of nowhere, something Giroud can't do. And it's a vital quality, let me tell you. For two years I couldn't pinpoint why exactly I felt a tinge of uneasiness every time Giroud tried to take defenders on. Three days ago it hit me: Olivier isn't technical enough with the ball at his feet to come out on top in a 1v1, but Sanogo, for all his rough edges, can do this.
However, one thing remains is certain: Giroud is a more clinical finisher right now. His goal against City highlighted it. Could his younger counterpart pull that shot off? I doubt it. Also, Giroud possesses valuable experience playing at the top level, so he's likely to remain a our go-to striker for this season. But that's not to say Sanogo won't play. With the manager's faith in him and the flashes of promise he's demonstrated, Sanogo should play a lot.
Finally for today, there's a lot of rumours linking Arsenal to different defenders, but nothing concrete for now. I'm hoping we'll add in that department over the next three days, for Koscielny seems to have suffered a slight injury. The prospect of facing any PL team with Chambers and Montreal for central defenders is a bit uncomfortable. Especially since Mertesacker has only just returned and it's unclear how soon it is till he's ready.
Right, that's it for today. Back here on the 15th with a proper preview of our first game.
Until then
