Arsenal: Everton Loss Reveals One Thing To Be Excited About

Arsenal may have dropped needed points against Everton, but there was one trait on display that should have us very excited.

The end-to-end, madcap loss to Everton was as disappointing as it was exciting. But despite the setback, the exhilarating display of Premiership football was a reminder of one reason we can be optimistic moving forward: Arsenal‘s overall pace.

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The most obvious expression of team speed is the counterattack. Theo Walcott, Alexis, Hector Bellerin, and the Ox are among the fastest players in the League. Together with the increased number of Gunners able and willing to make long passes, these speedsters force teams to keep some weight on at least one heel — mentally, if not always physically.

Even Ozil, who never seems to be in a hurry (I attribute this to his silky-smooth style and economy of movement more than a lack of hustle), is pacier than many realize when he’s running to get on the end of a long pass.

I love Per Mertesacker, but there’s no denying it: with Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel or Shkodran Mustafi centering the defense, the deep-lying center-mids have greater freedom to bolster the attack.

Freed to press the opposition more aggressively, they force turnovers that often lead to threatening offensive possessions. This is especially a boon for Francis Couqelin, a master at anticipating passes and dispossessing marginally skilled defenders.

From the day the Frenchman stepped onto the pitch and began opening startled eyes and dropping disbelieving jaws, thievery has been a strength. But this season he is conducting his guerrilla warfare deeper in enemy territory, to even greater effect.

Notice, too, how often Nacho Monreal gets far upfield into dangerous positions, often as far as the end-line. He is afforded that possibility because of the pace of his three cohorts on the back line.

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Neither Walcott nor Chamberlain will be up for Defensive Player of the Year anytime soon, but — finally! — they are using their speed to greater advantage defensively. Yes, Theo allowed too much space on the cross that led to Everton’s first goal, but it was due to a misplay. In prior seasons, he wouldn’t have been within ten yards of the Everton player.

At one point in the first half, I thought I was watching Nacho deflect several passes in quick succession deep in the Gunners’ end, only to realize that it was the Ox. He had used his pace to cover for his forward-charging fullback.

Since his arrival, Alexis has rightly been lauded for his relentless hustle, but unbiased scrutiny of game film revealed that his defense could be spotty. Too often, Montreal was left battling two or more attackers while Alexis ambled back. That is not a criticism so much as an acknowledgement that even an Energizer Bunny has limited stamina.

Up front, where he isn’t asked to track back so far, Alexis’s speed, quickness, tenacity (and greed for goals) are ideally suited for leading the harassment of centerbacks…and the odd unsuspecting keeper.

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Eventually, speed kills. Hopefully that will prove true for Arsenal this season. At the very least, it’s exciting to watch.