It’s the new Arsenal. A new dynamic Arsenal side, so different from the old, so refreshing and deadly.
In recent weeks, we have come to accustom to this Arsenal side, that is willing to concede possession to the opposition, to gladly sit back with numbers to defend, and hit back with lightning-quick, devastating counter-attacks, that have been the source of our goals recently.
Yesterday though, we saw a different dimension to this Arsenal team again. Though we didn’t particularly play well against Palace and were outplayed by their high intensity and fiery game, we managed to outfight them in terms of our resolute defending and our determination. This Arsenal team is a farcry from the one that got battered 3-2 away at Stoke. Palace lumped balls into the box, and were physically robust but the players fought back and carried on to hold on to see the win off, which we probably wouldn’t have done a few seasons back.
It was the work rate and defensive awareness from the players that have impressed me. Ozil looks like a more willing player to defend now, and if you look carefully, his work rate and defensive awareness have improved tremendously, he’s a lot more hardworking at the moment to track back and close people down. That’s brilliant, and I think that it should be the norm for everyone in the team, to work hard for each other as it is a collective effort for the squad. It was what propelled us to our victory yesterday. Grit, solid resolute display, willingness to clench our teeth and fight back allowed us to cling on.
This new Arsenal side, is one that can really go on to big away matches filled with confidence, knowing that they can defend solidly and hit teams on the counter. It was fun and enjoyable, and particularly encouraging to note that we didn’t crumble and succumb to their high intensity and physical game, but stood up to match them inch for inch. Its a collective effort, this team has spirit, they fight for one another, and it has ingredients for a very successful team.
Knowing we can’t always outplay opponents every single week, yesterday, we outfought Palace. Despite us not being on our free-flowing scintillating best, we managed to fight on with grit and determination to seal 3 very important points that move us up into third. This isn’t a small, diminutive Arsenal side with lackadaisical players unwilling to defend anymore, this is a new dynamic solid Arsenal side with fight and substance, players working their socks off for one another. This Arsenal side perhaps in terms of spirit and fight, echos the days of the Invincibles. Determination, grit and resoluteness, the key ingredients for a successful side. We’ve come to see and acknowledge the new Arsenal side, this new Arsenal side that promises so much. Yesterday was just a glimpse of what was to come. Mix this spirit, this aggression with our scintillating attack and creativity, we’ll be unstoppable.
