Arsenal: Tactical change or right mentality in win over Swansea?

Arsenal had another comeback win on the weekend over Swansea. Was this win down to a tactical change or having the right mentality?

Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Swansea on Saturday was their third comeback win in the past week. The Gunners have been criticized this season for lacking the right mentality, toughness, and “cojones”, to see through tough games.

However, this game may change the fans view on the Gunners mentality. The players are not putting their heads down when they are losing. Instead, they are looking for a way back into the game, like against Swansea.

First-half dullness

Arsenal went down early in the 22nd minute, as Sam Clucas finished past Čech. They dominated possession in the first half but lacked creativeness and a sense of urgency.

Swansea sat deep in the first half, especially after they got their goal. Clucas and Naughton covered the wide areas well. Only Alexis Sánchez could work out a clear chance and forced former Gunner goalie Fabiański to make a good save.

Second half breakthrough

Sead Kolašinac finally put one past the Swans in the 51st minute. The goal came from good link-up play between Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Özil with the ball finding its way to Kolašinac. He hit it first time and it rifled into the back of the net.

The team grew in confidence after this and the second goal came from a Granit Xhaka long ball that found the Bosnian tank in space who cut it back for Aaron Ramsey for another first-time finish. Another classic goal for Ramsey as he found a good position to receive the ball. The Welshman got his 50th goal for the club and Arsenal saw out the rest of the game.

Mentality or tactical?

The Swans have won at the Emirates recently back in March of 2016 in a 2-1 win. They may have felt confident in getting a result here due to their decent away form and past winning experiences at the Emirates.

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Arsenal ended up defeating this hope Swansea may have had coming into the game. Players, pundits, and Wenger have said that the players showed a great mentality in their comeback win.

However, on Saturday’s win over the Swans, Arsène Wenger alluded to him making a tactical switch at halftime. He said, “It was important to build up on the right and change quickly to the left and create some space for Kolašinac.”

This was the case for the second goal as the ball moved quickly down the right with Xhaka picking out Kolašinac in space on the left. Xhaka did seem to line himself more on the right in the second half and look for Özil and Hector Bellerín quickly. He would then find the ball back at his feet and pick his head up looking to see if Kolašinac was in space.

A bit of both

However, it may be a stretch to say Wenger’s halftime comments were the ultimate decider in the game. Lots of people were calling out for a switch to a back four at halftime. This may have flipped the script for them too.

His comments may have had an effect on how Xhaka affected the game in the second half, but as a whole Arsenal played well. This game could have been like many others on Saturday, but the team stuck together and got the three points.

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Whether Wenger’s tactical comments made the difference or the team just had the right mentality in the second half, Gooners will appreciate their hard-fought comeback and the three points. Arsenal need to have the right mentality this weekend as they face league leaders Manchester City.

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