Arsenal: The importance of recapturing the ‘fear factor’

After remaining unbeaten in 21 games in all competitions, Arsenal are a team high on confidence. Their fear factor is beginning to return.

Although confidence is hailed as footballing gold dust, an equally important by-product of recent performances is the return of a fear factor around Arsenal, something that has been largely dormant for the past 10-12 years.

Many great players have come and gone during that time, but as a team, there was something missing; a resilience. The club’s identity became one of mental fragility. They were seen as bottlers; a team that were capable of attractive football but had a soft core and could be bullied off the pitch.

After just over six months at the helm, Unai Emery has helped Arsenal craft a new team identity. It’s too early to make a complete judgement, but the shift in attitude from both the squad and the fans in such a short period of time is nothing short of miraculous.

One of the most notorious shortcomings in recent years is their difficulty in picking up points against top six teams. Excluding the two losses in the nasty double-header at the start of the season, this is something that looks to be improving. The spectacular 4-2 win against Spurs was no fluke. When you add creditable draws at home to unbeaten Liverpool and away at Manchester United to the mix, it paints a picture of real progress.

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Another noticeable difference in Arsenal performances this year is a newly adopted ‘never say die’ attitude. Bouncing back from poor starts and scoring late goals is the order of the day. The fans seem happier and the team are feeding off it. The Gunners are already achieving things that were not happening during the end of Arsene Wenger’s tenure, and earning points that would have previously been thrown away.

Lucas Torreira already looks to be the signing of the season whose importance cannot be overstated. Strengthening the core of team, the Uruguayan midfielder epitomises Arsenal’s rediscovered determination and grit. His presence across all areas of the pitch has revolutionised the way the that the team can play thanks to his incredible work rate and tactical awareness.

For a team to have a fear factor it goes without saying that they need to score goals. The Gunners have found the back of the net 35 times in 16 Premier League games so far which is the second-best return in the league. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has enjoyed a strong start to the season and sits joint top of the scoring chart. As dear as I hold Olivier Giroud it’s fair to say Arsenal haven’t enjoyed a prolific, world class, out-and-out striker since Robin Van Persie. The point is that Arsenal now have a striker who the players can trust to score a hatful of goals, and moreover give another reason for other teams to respect and fear them.

This progress only goes so far, of course. Arsenal don’t make teams wobble at the knees quite like the 2009 Barcelona squad just yet. First half performances need to improve, and defensive bloopers still creep into games too often.

However, fans should take great heart from recent performances, and the current unbeaten run is proof enough that Emery is taking the team firmly in the right direction, getting the maximum out of the squad, and crafting the Gunners into a force to be reckoned with.