Arsenal vs. Manchester City: A Game of Positives and Negatives

Despite Arsenal losing their opening game at home 2:0 to the reigning champions, there was an abundance of positives that soften the negative’s blow.

As many expected, Arsenal‘s first game of the season against Manchester City did not go as well as Gooners would have hoped. Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva smashed two past Petr Cech and gave the visitors a result to be very happy about.

With a loss comes obvious negatives, but thankfully there were some positives to soften the blow.

The Negatives

Let’s start off with the negatives and end on a high note with the positives. Unfortunately, it’s fair to say the bads may have outweighed the goods on this occasion. However, losing 2-0 to a team that walked the Premier League last season with ease isn’t the worst result in the world.

So, what do Arsenal fans have to be worried about coming into the new season, considering today’s result?

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Petr Cech

Despite the Czech international’s impressive preseason, his performance yesterday was one to be forgotten. Cech may have had a decent game in terms of shot-stopping, but his distribution on the day was nothing short of utterly abysmal.

After nearly smashing a misplaced pass off his own goal post in the early stages of the game, his delivery seemed to worsen as the game progressed. With Emery’s preferred style, the team needs a keeper who is capable of playing the ball out of the back. With Chelsea on the horizon, Bernd Leno looks set to hijack Cech’s starting position.

Granit Xhaka

The man who divides opinion more than any other player within Arsenal’s squad did himself no favors with his horrific performance. Granit Xhaka‘s lack of mobility saw the Swiss international put the Gunner’s defense in danger on numerous occasions.

If Xhaka wants to keep his spot in the starting lineup, he will have to prove to the manager that he brings something to the table that Lucas Torreira, Aaron Ramsey and Matteo Guendouzi do not.

The Positives

Now, to lighten the mood, the positives. Last season this result would have put the fan base into a state of meltdown, but with the handful of positives, fans have a glimmer of hope to grasp onto going into the game against Chelsea.

Matteo Guendouzi

The 19-year-old Frenchman has been extremely impressive since making his debut during the pre season. With his ball winning capabilities as well as his passing range, Emery seems to really fancy him and rightfully so.

Many are tipping Guendouzi to start against Chelsea next Saturday and that is a very strong possibility considering the youngsters current form. With all of this praise, Arsenal fans must contain themselves and not let the excitement surrounding this very young man put him under too much pressure.

Players like Alex Iwobi bursted onto the scene in a similar fashion and the expectance of fans sky rocketed to a point where a youngster should not be expected to reach.

Stephan Lichtsteiner

Whilst Xhaka, had an absolutely awful match, his Swiss international teammate put in a very good performance, despite being out of position. Stephan Lichtsteiner was forced to play leftback with Ainsley Maitland-Niles getting injured early in the first half, further contributing to the current crisis cast over the left side of defense. Lichtsteiner plays with his heart on his sleeve and that is something Arsenal have been missing for years.

In the bitter-sweet loss today, there was an abundance of positives and negatives along with those mentioned in this article. The negatives need to be addressed, however the team looks rejuvenated and a few more games under Emery, would help massively in the quest to grow more accustomed to his demanding style.

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Arsenal vs Manchester City: A game of positives and negatives

By Daniel Finton | Aug 13, 2018