Not unlike David Luiz or Shkodran Mustafi watching the ball settle into the back of our own net as I imagined, confusion, not to say panic, surrounded, my first halting drafts of this assessment of Arsenal’s defensive personnel. Had I bitten off more than I could chew? But where did this confusion really come from? Was it in the players’ actual performances on the pitch, in my analysis of them, or a bit of both? A confusing question to be sure, but further reflection convinced me there is enough blame to go around, what with back passes never reaching the keeper, red cards leaving us with 10 men when we were already under the cosh, and a litany of individual and collective errors that are harder to describe, so I won’t even try.
But to focus on some verifiable facts, Arsenal allowed an uncomfortably permissive 48 opposition goals, more than all teams above them in the table barring Chelsea. However, after Mikel Arteta’s arrival in late December their defensive organization saw both observable and measurable improvement. Only 21 of those 48 goals came under the new manager, who took charge ahead of the last match of the season’s first half. By my homemade calculations, Arsenal conceded 1.50 goals per league fixture under Unai Emery and Freddie Ljungberg, but only 1.05 under Arteta, an impressive reduction to be sure. The most obvious defensive change Arteta made was replacing Sokratis with the nearly hopelessly-out-of-favour Shkodran Mustafi, a player who even his many critics must admit had a commendable run of games contributing to Arsenal’s stingier defensive performances either side of the COVID-19 interruption.
CENTRAL DEFENCE
One common feature of the team’s playing style under both Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta was their insistence on playing the ball out from the back, rather than launching long goal kicks to relieve the pressure. This cat-and-mouse game requires defenders who possess a very high level of ball control and passing skills, as well as pace and mobility afoot. Suffice it to explain Sokratis’ exclusion from the team, and Mustafi’s inclusion in his place, by the latter’s relative superiority in these areas. Mustafi, at the age of 28, appeared in only 15 league matches, a surprisingly low figure considering he featured so prominently under Arteta. But the German featured in just one of the 18 fixtures prior to Christmas. After Arteta was appointed, Mustafi’s fortunes saw a remarkable turnaround as he formed a solid partnership in central defence with Luiz. The German started 12 of 13 league matches beginning with the home draw with Sheffield United in January, but suffered a serious hamstring injury late in Arsenal’s semifinal FA Cup win over Manchester City that forced him out of the remaining games. He was probably Arsenal’s most consistent defender under Arteta, who gave him his unwavering support, yet rumours persist that the club may sell the German this summer if they receive the right offer.
David Luiz endured a season of inconsistency, making high profile blunders while also providing important cohesion in central defence, incisive long diagonal balls to initiate attacks, and the skills to mentor Arsenal’s young defenders. Despite his inconsistent performances, he played far more minutes in central defence than any other player over the entire season. In June, Arsenal signed Luiz for another season, but can he be viewed as a reliable first-teamer? He played most effectively in a back three, but will be 34 years old at the end of next season, so Arsenal really need to build the defence for the long term, playing to the strengths of younger and more mobile players.
Sokratis, whose Arsenal contract expires at the end of the upcoming season when he turns 33, started the first eleven league matches, partnering Luiz, and remained first choice through the Crystal Palace away match on 11 January. Thereafter he hardly featured at all except as an emergency right back, so despite his decent start Sokratis’ season was disappointing. Recent press reports suggest that Sokratis could be sold this summer as well, but his experience still weighs in his favour.
The next five players are the young lions, the hope for future solidity, and the candidates to break into central defence. The club needs at least one of them to step up and confidently shepherd opposing attackers away from danger, calm supporters’ frayed nerves, and assume a major role in helping to solidify Arteta’s excellent start.
• 25 year-old Calum Chambers, in the last year of his contract, enters a pivotal season, having shown he can be an effective Premier League player on loan at Fulham a couple of seasons ago, when he played in midfield. But while he still has significant potential as a defender, Chambers is recovering from the cruciate ligament rupture he suffered at the end of December.
• Centre-back Rob Holding, who turns 25 in September, endured another frustrating season on the fringes of the first team. His highlights came when he featured in the teams that defeated champions Liverpool in the penultimate home league match, and Chelsea in the FA Cup final. He rode the bench for long stretches to earn those opportunities, but he did well when called upon.
• 19 year-old French centre-back William Saliba made only 12 league appearances on loan at Saint-Etienne, due to an August hamstring injury and a November metatarsal fracture, so the value of his loan period is inconclusive. He has great physical attributes, and Arsenal have very high hopes for him.
• In January, 22 year-old Greek centre-back Konstantinos Mavropanos was loaned to Nürnberg in the second tier of the Bundesliga, where he made eleven league appearances. Last month Arsenal extended his contract, loaning him back to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga’s first tier. Press reports suggest he could be sold.
• Having signed from Brazilian club Flamengo in January, 27 year-old Pablo Mari is unproven in the Premier League but Arsenal signed him to a long-term contract in June, so must have liked what they saw of him. Mari featured in just two league matches before getting injured in the first game after the Covid-induced hiatus, so he has work to do to show Arteta that he belongs in the team.
Arteta worked wonders with the young players last season, so with luck the manager could see one of those five players have a breakthrough season. With great luck (too much to ask for?) two of them could blossom next year. In reality, it is a bit of a risk to depend on any of them stepping into a regular starting role in central defence, but there is certainly no guarantee that a new signing would do much better. In any case, with Raul Sanhelli’s sudden departure on Saturday, Arsenal’s capacity to pull off additional major signings this summer has now been called into question.
FULL BACKS AND WING BACKS
Out wide at left-back, Bosnian international Sead Kolasinac started out as Unai Emery’s full-back in a back four, interchanging with the dynamic Bukayo Saka along the flank, but he finished as Mikel Arteta’s tentative choice as a left-sided centre-back in a back three. His propensity to bomb forward, leaving gaping holes behind, makes one wonder if he might be better suited to the left side of central midfield, but suffice it to say that Sead’s defensive skills were occasionally found wanting.
The brightest part of the defensive picture developed in the season’s second half with the return from injury of last summer’s Scottish addition, left back (or wing-back) Kieran Tierney. His presence allowed Arteta to move Saka into more advanced positions, and Tierney gave the team an added dimension with his quietly assured efficiency, punctuated by bursts of pace and accurate crosses representing an additional attacking threat. Tierney’s injury history remains a concern, however.
25 year-old Hector Bellerin finished the season strongly at right back after returning from the cruciate ligament and hamstring injuries that limited him to 14 starts, making this his most challenging season since he broke into the team nearly six years ago. Bellerin no longer has quite the same burst of pace but has honed his positional skills in defence, and the youth of Tierney on the other side appears to have shifted some attacking duties away from Hector’s portfolio.
Cedric Soares, ex-Southampton and 29 years old at the end of August, was signed in January as Hector’s backup, but has not played a full 90 minutes in an Arsenal shirt. Yet he was awarded a long-term contract in June. Soares’ case baffles me a bit, as I don’t see what he adds to the squad other than injury cover, but I would be happy to be surprised if he proves his worth next season.
Media reports tell us that right back is not the preferred position of 22 year-old Ainsley Maitland-Niles, yet he did a decent job of replacing Bellerin without providing much attacking threat. Showing his considerable strength and versatility, he filled in at left wing-back in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City and the final against Chelsea, and did a great job of shutting down opposition attacks on his side.
LOOKING AHEAD
A few weeks of rest and relaxation will hopefully do the injury-plagued defensive unit a world of good heading into the new season, when the competition for places promises to be fierce. Writing this piece has made me realise just how many senior defenders are competing for so few places, and without naming names, the club needs to cull some dead wood in this area even without any new defensive signings. Arteta’s task will be to hone existing and new personnel, and to mesh those defenders with the goalkeepers, midfielders and attackers to reduce those 48 goals conceded by a significant factor. If Arsenal repeat their goals conceded performance under Arteta at the end of last season, they would concede only 41 goals extrapolated over an entire season, but Arteta and the players must have aspirations to do even better still. It’s a big job but I think we are headed in the right direction based on our defensive improvement since January.
An excellent review bt8. Fair and
probably more balanced than many
would be 👍
If we are going to buy that
CB from Lille (less likely now
Raul has gone?) then Papa
seems the first to go simply
because Mus and Calum are
injured and probably more
difficult to move in those
circumstances. I’d expect two,
at least, to move on.
What we lack now is the confidence
to play with four at the back and
I hope MA will improve that situation
next season.
Excellent overview bt8!
Other than Tierney — who I hope we can keep injury free — at left back or left wing back I think all of the first choice defensive positions are up for grabs, including Hector’s. A lot will also depend on whether we set up in 3-4-3 as we did since the restart or more “ambitious” 4-3-3 … most likely we will play both and depending on the day central defense may be rotated. Maybe someone new is coming to provide more dynamic option?
Credit to Bath for finding the photo and providing the great caption. It seems they do more communicating at the back than we had realized, the only problem is it’s all about food rather than footy. 😉
https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/2020/8/16/21371271/gabriel-magalhaes-arsenal-transfer-rumor-lille-napoli-bid-accepted
No idea how reliable this is but it’s a
possibly an answer to my own question
@2
Bt8
That is a comprehensive , admirable and balanced description of our defence last season- certainly more balanced than the defence appeared on occasions. After a decent start our defence deteriorated under Emery until we had the farce I described against Southampton where Danny Ings took on the aspect of Pele and Ward- Prowse , Juninho at his peak .
I think the key is if we play three or four at the back next season. We went to three because two CBs wasn’t enough. Luiz shines in a three but struggles in a four , Holding did well in a three ( and has two Cup Winners medals to prove it) but lacks the pace to play in a four .
Arteta wants to move to a four and to have a left- sided centre back hence the signing of Mari , the use of Kola and Tierney there and the interest in Gabriel . I think Sokratis ,Kola and Mustafi could be surplus to requirements or Holding ( who I would love to see succeed ) might be loaned out to get fully fit and a season’s regular experience.
Full back wise Hector underwhelms me, Soares’s signing looks to be Kia inspired but Tierney delights me and AMN has great potential . If we play a four those backs must be able to defend effectively although the transitions Arteta used into attack were intelligent and flexible and contributed to the better record. We also need a settled goalkeeper who distributes well ( we have two) and midfield defensive knowhow and resilience to blunt attacks . One for a future review.
Grand job Bt8 !
Well balanced, excellent summary, bt8. Tierney the stand out defender for the season in my opinion.
Sweeter news than we are often used to at Arsenal
https://www.arsenal.com/news/mondelez-international-join-official-partner
Well done bt8. An excellent job with a tough gig. For me Tierney was the outstanding defender last year, and when he was crocked, Saka stepped into the breach and took his chance outstandingly. I think we all believe his future lies further forward.
I wonder if Arteta plans to play two different systems. Four at the back against teams that plan to sit back against us, and five with wing backs when we want to be counterattacking. Or is that too complicated?
A very fair minded case for the prosecution of the defence bt8.
Arteta has worked wonders to de-emerise the confusion that had made the defence the footballing equivalent of Fred Karno’s circus. I agree with our learned friend BtM that Tierney was the best of the bunch under the new management and looks a great acquisition. If the summer incomings get anywhere near his level then a dismal defence will be a thing of the past.
That’s a superb review of the defence, bt8 and you nicely highlight the transformation in their fortunes under MA8 where others have dismissed them as clowns. Mustafi is the epitome of this phenomenon and his tale is almost one of resurrection of biblical proportions. Every job can become virtually impossible when one’s boss is so confused and confusing that no-one around you understands the role expected of them.
I’ll take the credit for finding the illustration but scruz (I think) added a far better caption than I had suggested. I had to check Google to find out what gyros and the other thing are. Is gyros really a Polish wrap? It sounds Greek to me!
God, I loved that shirt. Pity they didn’t offer one without the Rwanda shite and sponsor. Those things (particularly Rwanda) still put me off buying one, even when Sports Direct were knocking out the long sleeves at £35 recently.
Oh dear, I only just got the
caption. Very clever 😄
OM@5: As I mentioned in the previous drinks, it seems that the situation with Gabriel is that Lille has a gentleman’s agreement to sell him to Napoli, for which he has already turned down Everton. However, Napoli is dragging its feet as it is waiting to sell Koulibaly first, presumably to Man City. Thus Lille is prepared to renege on the handshake deal as we are ready to offer 3 million euros more for the player and move now.
A fair and accurate summary, bt8. You are spot on in highlighting how Arteta made the best of a weak hand, and in laying out how we have a stratum of older defenders with layers of mostly the unproven, injured or both coming up behind them. Next season will be one of transition for the defence.
It suits Arteta’s system better to play a back four. However, he may have to start next season with a back three to sustain the newfound defensive stability and to get the most out of Luiz while he learns if Saliba, Mari and, if he comes, Gabriel are up to the mark for the Premiership, and whether Holding and Chambers are good enough to keep. He also needs a group of defenders who are comfortable switching between a back three and a back four, even within the same game if necessary for tactical reasons.
Hector, also, probably has only next season to show if he can get back to where he was before his injury. He has been headed in that direction after an iffy start but isn’t there yet. If he falls short, we shall need a new right-back, not Cedric, just as we need cover for Tierney on the left that is not Kola. I agree with all those above who say Tierney was the defensive standout last season.
I hope Arteta can work out where to play AMN. He has the makings of the sort of Ray Parlour that every team needs. I like how he buckled down after a shaky start with Arteta. Shows character and good judgement, to my mind.
Very interesting piece talking about Per Mertesacker’s very active development of development players aged 19-23. Prompted by the fact that we have just acquired a 19 year old physical midfielder from Huddersfield called Tim Akinola. One impact of Brexit is that from Dec 31 we won’t be able to acquire 16 year old from Europe (as we did with Fabregas and Bellerin) under free movement but will have to jump through the work permit hoops. Unfortunately this piece is paywalled, if anyone sees the same type of piece on a free site please put it up.
https://theathletic.com/1991192/2020/08/17/arsenal-sign-tim-akinola-huddersfield/
Arseblog suggests today that the proposal to bring David O’Leary onto the Board, suggested late last year but vetoed by Don Raul, is now back on. Thoughts?
A free summary of that Athletic piece
Thanks for the link C100.
Welcome to Tim Akinola
Released by Huddersfield and
signed by The Arsenal is an
unorthodox route but the best
of luck to him.
Re: Akinola. It looks like he has bounced around a bit so some might say buyer beware but on a free transfer so an interesting deal.
Akinola- possibly a recommendation from ESR?
That highlights reel is both impressive and daunting. He could be a walking red card!
Cheers Bt8!
C100@22: Copy you on that, especially some of those sliding tackles if they are done against opponents with half a yard more pace.
On a separate point, it is notable how the academy has become a production line of attacking talent, but the same isn’t true for defenders. You would have thought Per would have got that sorted.
ned@24, per’s getting it sorted. he’s just slow, but he’s putting us into a great position.
bt8, great piece. very hardly any negativism in it, and given our proclivity for self-infliction i’m not surprised you begged off the task of its enumeration.
gyros are tasty greek pita stuffed with tasty greek meat from a spit, plus veggies and yoghurt sauce. think doner, sort of, but greek, not turkish.
Great caption, Scruz, it’s enough to make me laugh out loud and my mouth water all at once. 😝 And thanks to all for reading.
Here is a charming story involving David Seaman and Ian Allison’s grand-daughter. (Older ‘holics may remember Ian Allison playing for us in the 1980s.)
well the caption seemed apt, bt8, thanks to baff for scoping the great pic!
i so hope capitola rob makes his place in next year’s side, that amn stays and becomes the next ray parlour (“oh, it’s only maitland-niles…”), and that hecate’s pace returns.
@21
I wondered that too TTG.
It would be odd if Per hadn’t
spoken with ESR but who knows
as it’s an odd one anyway.
Ned,
Lovely story . I remember Ian Allison well. He got the equaliser when we beat the Totts en route to Wembley in the League Cup .
Also signed a Spud reject called Jonathan Dinzeyi.
So we have, welcome Jonathon.
TTG@30: Ian Allinson came on as a late sub in that semi against the neighbours as I remember, but wasn’t picked for the final. He is managing at St Albans in the National League South these days, and his son, Lee, seen in the video with his grand-daughter, is managing in Clive’s neck of the woods at Hendon in the Southern League Premier South.
Dinzeyi is represented by the same agents as rep Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Folarin Balogun. Two of the oldest players on their books are Alex Iwobi and Chuba Akpom, both formerly of this parish. They also rep Jordan Sancho. So I take it they have an eye for young talent.
Looks like we have won the Gabriel battle
Gabriel Magalhaes, Brazilian centre-back apparently signing from Lille, is 1,90m in height, and turns 23 next March. William Saliba is virtually the same height at 1,92m.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8638985/Arsenal-agreed-deal-Lille-sign-22m-Brazilian-defender-Gabriel-Magalhaes.html
Cynic@31
Technically Pat Jennings was a Spud reject!
https://www.transfermarkt.us/gabriel-magalhaes/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/435338/wettbewerb/FR1/saison/2019
His Transfermarkt page. He actually turns 23 in December so we can move him up the ranks three months sooner. 😉
Welcome to Gabriel.
We could have an all Brazilian
CB trio next season.
A very unusual route to Arsenal youth team. Will be almost a Hollywood like story if he can step up to the next level and play for the seniors.
Sounds to me like we should hire Lille’s talent spotter and cut out the middle men.
I thought that after AW retired, Arsenal would not sign so many players from France, just shows what I know.
In other French news, the opening match of the 2020-21 French top-flight season has been postponed after four positive coronavirus tests at Marseille.
I’m afraid that was a premature ejaculation about Gabriel. The clubs have agreed a fee but Lille are leaving the final decision to the player who has given no reliable public statement on his preferred destination. Napoli are still in the field waiting to sell Koulibaly to Shitteh to raise the cash for the deal. Lille have stipulated no deadline for the bid. Prepare for disappointment and then you might get a nice surprise after all, gents. Fingers crossed.
I’d always worry about pissing off people from Naples in any sort of deal .
They may make him an offer he can’t refuse 🐴
neigh, ttg. i think it’ll be fine 🙂
There are rumours that Napoli may accept Sokratis as a consolation prize! 😳
Another demerit for the Daily Fail, and for me for believing the story.:(
Cheers, bt8 – and sorry to be so late to the party. It’s this work stuff, as usual.
Very generous in your summary of a complete buggers muddle for most of the season.
Kieron Tierney does look a real “find”, if that can be applied to someone playing for Celtic ?
Pablo Mari looked promising in the all too few minutes we saw of him. The obvious question is can he step up to the pace and physicality of the Premier League.
I’m looking forward to seeing a new, young, pacy back line next season, featuring both Saliva and Gabriel if we do indeed win the ‘race’ to sign him. It’s to be hoped such young centre backs will have the necessary steel to boss Premier League opposition.
Never mind bt8, the Fail is
basically all lies and propaganda
😃
I’ll whip over a cross from the
far right wing…..
Kaboom!
I’m looking forward to seeing a new, young, pacy back line next season, featuring both Saliva and Gabriel
A mouth watering combination to be sure.
Trev, ‘….a new, young, pacy back line next season, featuring both Saliva and Gabriel…..
It may be problematic is Saliva needs time off to participate regularly in the new method of Coronavirus testing?
well in Ned. Finished like Auba.
And a Pepe-like assist, OM.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>