Arsenal’s woeful North London Derby: A reflection

Arsenal’s loss to Tottenham in the North London Derby was, in a word, woeful. Here is an in-depth reflection on how it went and what went wrong.

The North London Derby was set to be the turning point for Arsenal. Six points off Liverpool in fourth, this was the game where we would turn it all around – one where Arsenal fans could begin to hope again.

A win would put us in a position where we would have a realistic chance of finishing in the top four. A position so many of us used to loathe. Complacency was our biggest fear, yet now we realize how privileged we once were.

After a promising start with our new lineup against Everton, we came into the North London Derby with a reinvigorating sense of confidence. But given the difference in caliber of our opponents, Arsene Wenger opted for different ammunition. Nevertheless, we missed the mark.

Related Story: 4 Players Who Just Weren't Up For The North London Derby

In the end, tactics were our demise. Wenger wanted to be more formidable in the midfield so he chose a 4-3-3 with Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka behind Jack Wilshere. If Wenger wanted to be more solid defensively, we can only wonder as to why he didn’t replicate our formation at the Emirates, where we comprehensively beat Sp*rs.

Three in the back worked wonders in that win and allowed us to effortlessly transition from defense to attack. But the difference today was that Wenger once again made the wrong decisions.

Check out the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast!

The formation change meant that two of our most influential players were moved out of their favored positions: Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Playing Ozil on the wing instead of his preferred number 10 role was the standout decision. Ozil played a bit part role through 70 minutes and barely created any chances as a result. Constantly having to track one of Sp*rs marauding wingbacks all game dampened his hot streak.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

It begs the question, if Ozil has been our saving grace all season, why play him out wide in arguably the most pivotal game of the season? The fact is, with his instinctive ability to find space and thread the needle on a whim, we can’t risk playing him out of position, especially in the big games. In doing so, Arsene Wenger left his main asset hamstrung instead of letting him loose, and it proved costly.

Making this worse, Wenger had Mkhytarayn play left wing. He was a shadow of the player he was against Everton. This resulted in Mkhy either having to cut back, or wallop wayward ‘crosses’ with his weaker foot, finding the touchline more often than a player. Bluntly, Mkhitaryan’s end product was nothing short of dreadful.

Furthermore, an honorable mention has to go out to Alexandre Lacazette whose confidence is clearly shot. He had two perfect opportunities to make things right, but like an absentee father, he failed to come through.

Whether tactics are to blame or not, it’s clear that Arsenal’s woes run more than skin deep. Arsenal are reliable in the most unsavory ways. We have this odd affinity for panicking unnecessarily. Whether it was misplaced passes in the back or bewildering decision making, it’s safe to say we lack the essential ability to stay composed. While only one-nil down, with twenty-plus minutes left in the game – we panicked. One-nil. Down. Twenty. Minutes. Left.

Manchester City are the perfect comparable. No matter the opponent – no matter the time – City overcome. Countless times this season they have scored a last minute equalizer or last second winner. The reality is, City genuinely believe they will score.

That’s one of the few key differences between the average and the exceptional. City never rush or force the cause, they stick to their plan. And 23 incisive passes later, the goalie is taking the ball out the back of his net.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against Tottenham

All in all, Arsenal keep making the same mistakes at critical stages in the campaign. Year after year. New players have filtered in and out but one constant remains – Mr. Wenger. Wenger performs to the beat of his own drum. I have always admired the big man for all that he’s accomplished. But, in order to change the tune, we need more than shiny new instruments. We need a new conductor.