Arsenal Put Demons To Rest In Solid Performance

So with a comfortable 2-0 win over Dortmund last night, Arsenal are into the knock-out stages of the Champions League. But what made the performance against Dortmund so much better than the one against United? What was better, and what can still be improved.

Finishing

As stated before, the chance creation against Manchester United was good, but Arsenal failed to truly test keeper De Gea. We created enough chances to beat most teams twice yet it took a brilliant effort in the 94^th minute from Giroud to break United’s resistance.

Against Dortmund we had 9 shots, 3 on target, all from 5 chances created. (All statistics are from squawka). So we’ve had fewer shots and scored more against a team that has looked very good in Europe, compared to a team that isn’t even in Europe this season. It’s hard to blame this improvement on personnel, because although Sanogo did score with the first shot of the game I don’t know anyone that would have chosen him over Giroud or Welbeck if given the choice, and he’s hardly been the most prolific striker in the squad previous until yesterday.

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It was probably more down to attitude. Arsenal seem to have a bit of a hoodoo when it comes to playing United, and this mistique wasn’t there last night against Dortmund which always helps in calming the player’s nerves in front of goal. We do need to start believing that we can beat these teams if we want a chance at serious silverware.

Defensive Challenges

Against United we were second best in the challenge, and aerially. Which means that you are always chasing the ball and having to work harder to keep it. Against Dortmund we had a better success rate in the challenge (46-42%) and came out on top of the Aerial Duels as well, winning 55% of them.

It is also worth noting where the duels were won as well. Arsenal won every single aerial duel that took place in their own box, whilst also being selective about how many balls we put into Dortmund’s box aerially. We put in 16 crosses and only two of these resulted in aerial duels, Sanchez winning one of them. We did attempt crosses, but most of these were low or cut out at the source. I think focussing on getting our wingers to the byline and cutting balls back into the area is the best way of us succeeding, because at any one time we only have one player on the pitch who is goof in the air in the opponents box.

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Defensive personnel

This was one thing I don’t think Arsenal got right last night. Monreal was a passenger in the middle of defence and the fact Wenger still insists on playing him there is crazy. He attempted 4 challenges last night, gave away 2 fouls and failed to complete the other two successfully. And you remember those aerial challenges in the box that Arsenal made? Monreal was not involved in a single one. I don’t know what he’s bringing to the pitch at the moment in a central defensive role, and it has to change.

But apart from that all the players seemed to pull their weight and gel properly, so I think it was a successful night in both performance and result.

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