One year ago, if you’d have told someone that a back four of Carl Jenkinson – Per Mertesacker – Thomas Vermaelen – Kieran Gibbs would earn three consecutive clean sheets at the start of the 2012/13 season, people would have looked at you quite askant, as though you were off your head. But it happened; the one goal they conceded to Southampton yesterday was the first league goal they had let passed them all season. Had they earned another clean sheet, they would have been – statistically – one of the best Arsenal back fours of all time.
Forever improving.
Jenkinson has received a heavy amount of criticism since he signing from Charlton over a year ago, but the right back has matured over the summer break and come back a new player. Mertesacker, too, had an uneasy season at Arsenal, but has formed a now consistent partnership with new captain Vermaelen. Kieran Gibbs has been solid as ever at left back whilst Sagna and Koscielny sit out due to injury. Gibbs is showing the form that had him knocking on the door of the national team before his own injuries last season’s seemed to pushed the young Englishman down the International pecking order behind Cole, Baines and Bertrand.
Last season, particularly after games like the 8-2 destruction by Man Utd, there were calls for Wenger to retire. Early exists from the Champions League and domestic cups seemed to signal a downfall for Arsenal, but the Frenchman has stuck by the team, managed to reach 3rd place in the league last season and begun to build further. He should be praised for his focus on youth; bringing in the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson to play alongside Jack Wilshere, Vito Mannone, Kieran Gibbs, Emmanuel Frimpong and Wojciech Szczesny – all of whom have played for Arsenal for the entirety of their senior careers.
Theo Walcott remains loyal and continues to offer alternative options up front, whilst the presence of Mikel Arteta has seen a redevelopment of the club’s midfield. And once Ramsey adjusts to this, he could play a crucial role in the team’s potential success.
To be admired
I’ll admit – I’ve been rather confused by Arsenal in the past two years; up and down performances each week, hurt by the departure of their former-loyalist Robin Van Persie, they have been the victim of many jokes. But Wenger has to be admired for his dedication to the club and insistence that – this year – he’s going to put all that went wrong last year right. Once Sagna and Wilshere return from injury, it will be interesting to see how they fit into this year’s Arsenal. You’d imagine that Wilshere could perfectly compliment Arteta in the midfield, providing both a defensive and an attacking presence, – whilst Sagna will probably replace Jenkinson at RB; whether that will work yet remains to be seen, because, well… there has been a fair amount of absurdity at the club over this past year.
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Good article. What do you think about the Pat Rice leaving & Steve Bould stepping in. It seems to have had a marked impact on the defensive unity of the team.
Was this floor in Arsenals play a failing of Pat Rice?
Hi Woodge –
I reckon Assistant Managers in general have a great impact on a team’s chemistry; case in point – Chelsea’s downfall following the departure of Ray Wilkins.
Perhaps you’re right about it being a flaw… but as it seems all is being put right defensively, the Arsenal coaches seem to be heading in the right direction. We’ll have to watch the situation further…
George
Woodge I think the appointment of Bouldy has certainly improved the unity of the defensive line, I think the game against Liverpool highlighted this for me. They seemed to be really solid, especially Vermaelen, whereas had that been anytime in the last few years I would be scared anytime Liverpool got near the box. With the addition of some quality players in Podolski and Cazorla I think we have a really good chance of going close this year… don’t forget the team we beat 6-1 on Saturday almost upset the odds by getting something off the two Manchester clubs.
Well I think if Mertesacker can finally get to drips with premiership life and not be exposed to pace quite so often, then they have the makings of a good partnership there. Ive always said every top centre back partnership must contain both a scratcher (the guys that will rip your shirt off and gouge your eyeballs out to get the ball back) & a big man (who dominates in the air and is physically robust)…. good examples, Adams (BM)/Keown (S), Hyypia (BM)/Carragher (S), Pallister (BM)/bruce (S), Terry (BM)/Carvallho (S), Vidic (BM)/Rio (S).
For too long Arsenal have played to Scratchers with no big man, (Gallas,Vermaelen, Koscielny). The big men being Djourou and senderos were just not up to the task sadly.
The key has been the promotion of Bouldy. I always felt that Pat Rice had been in the job for too long, and was never going to tell Arsene when he was wrong, but nod sagely in agreement. this was a little too cosy, but unfortunately, Pat was persuaded to stay for another year. It`s only now that proper attention is being paid to the teams defensive duties.
I have never understood any criticizm of Jenkinson, as we signed the a very green 19-year-old from Charlton, and although it was a huge step up to the Arsenal first team, he showed signs of quality straight away. Now Its clear Jenkinson is/is going to be top class.