Arsenal: Unai Emery has another key word

In his press conference after Arsenal’s 3-1 win over West Ham United on Saturday, Unai Emery used the word ‘balance’ six times. He has a new key phrase to hammer home.

Unai Emery has presented a few key phrases and points in his press conferences during these early weeks and months of his new era at Arsenal. He spoke about the only aim being ‘progress’ this season. He highlighted the need for patience, asking fans to ‘trust the process’. He described his job as a ‘project’, reiterating the long-term nature of his role.

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All of these soundbites were related to his overall role. None specifically touched on the goings on on the pitch. But now Emery has a new word for us all to learn: Balance.

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It is a word that many fans were asking for during Arsene Wenger’s later years. His teams were so open and exposed that they lacked an even structure that worked on both attacking and defensive elements of the games. And Emery is seemingly keen to establish the importance of ‘balance’ also.

Speaking in his press conference after Arsenal’s 3-1 win over West Ham United, in which balance was noticeably absent, Emery stated:

"“It’s clear that if we defend with more people in the moment, we can lose our performance for the attacking moments. For that, we need the balance not to lose our attacking moments with this balance. But I think we need to improve. Today, I think the first half and the second half is very different. I think in the second half we found this balance better.”"

In all, Emery used the word ‘balance’ six times. I think he was trying to stress the importance of having a well-balanced team that attacks and defends with equal success.

And he is right to. Time and time again, West Ham were able to exploit the space that Arsenal vacated in their own defensive third. The speed of Felipe Anderson and Michail Antonio in wide areas led to a slew of counter-attacks in behind the advanced positions of Hector Bellerin and Nacho Monreal, while Marco Arnautovic’s movement in the central striker role caused both centre-backs trouble.

The disjointed nature of the midfield and defence was extremely concerning. The pressing was disorganised and disconnected, meaning that West Ham could play through the pitch on the break, the defensive midfielders rarely knew when to drop deep and stay compact or when to pressure the ball, and the distances between players was far too great, allowing West Ham to scythe through.

Balance is what fans have wanted. It is one of the main reasons many felt that it was time to move on from Wenger. It seems as though Emery agrees, it just may take some time for it all to fit together.