Arsenal: One good thing from unconvincing defence

I am largely unconvinced by Arsenal’s defence and goalkeeper. However, there is one good thing that Unai Emery has engineered: a consistent and settled selection.

Let me ask a question, one that I am fairly sure will get an unequivocal answer to: Are you confident in Arsenal’s defence? Yep, I thought so. Me neither.

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Individually, the players are far from convincing. Is Shkodran Mustafi anything more than a talented but flawed centre-half? Does Hector Bellerin have any defensive instincts? Can Nacho Monreal ever be an elite left back? These are good, at best, players. Nothing more.

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And collectively, the picture is not much brighter. The system still carries the dregs of Arsene Wenger’s reign; there is a lack of protection from the midfield, the wingers often allow overlaps from opposing full backs, the centre-halves are widely exposed against quick-striking counter attacks, and Unai Emery is yet to fully get across and implement the shape, structure and scheme that he wants. It’s all a little awkward.

Add to this a goalkeeper that is coming of the worst season of his career and a new centre-back who has no prior experience of English football and wasn’t exactly a lesson in stifling defending last season in a leaky Borussia Dortmund backline, and it’s a clear a recipe for disaster. And so far this season, that is precisely what has happened — six goals conceded in three games is just the start of the problems.

But there is a positive to be found in the midst of all this. You see, while Arsenal have looked painfully open and unprepared defensive so far this season, they have also been extremely consistent and settled regarding their personnel.

Petr Cech, Bellerin, Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafti have played every minute of every match thus far. Monreal, the fifth member of the back-five has played all 180 minutes since his return to availability after missing the opening weekend match against Manchester City. Bar injury or suspension, this is the starting back-five and best back-five, in Emery’s opinion.

There is not another area in the pitch where it is as important to be playing consistently with the same teammates as in defence. The relationship, and shared understanding, between the centre-halves and the goalkeeper is critical to the base of the team. Without it, even the best teams can fall flat when put under pressure, as Arsenal themselves have experienced in the past.

So yes, the defensive performances this season have been concerning. And yes, they probably will continue to be for the next few weeks, months and maybe even years. But the consistency in selection will certainly help lessen the warts and provide a solid, stable base from which the rest of the team can build. That should not be overlooked.