Arsenal: Unai Emery’s defence is growing and growing

Arsenal’s defence has improved as the season has progressed. And Unai Emery deserves great credit for that. The unit is growing and growing.

After Monday night’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United, Arsenal have seven Premier League games to go. They are looking in control to reclaim the North London bragging rights and, more importantly, a place in the top four.

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There are, however, five away games out of those seven, and although none are against the top six, four of those are against teams in the top 10. The rest of the league is expecting the team to slip up, but under Unai Emery, they are made of sterner stuff. If they remain focused, a top-four finish and more is absolutely within reach.

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One thing that will have to remain consistent in the remaining weeks is the defence. In the last few weeks, the back five has appeared much more composed. All season, Emery has tinkered with the defence, shifting from a back three to a back four consistently. It is only now that we are seeing a method that seems to be working. It’s clear that the defence has been focused on in training, which is refreshing after years of neglect. And now, the consequence of that work is on full display.

For years, the Arsenal defence has been known to be sloppy under pressure and gung-ho at the worst of times. But slowly, they seem to be moving on from those bad habits, fortifying a far more solid unit. Against Newcastle, they restricted the attack throughout the entire 90 minutes. I can’t remember them having a clear cut chance. It has been a long time since you can say that has happened with the club.

It was similar in the prior games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. The defence was set up to contain the attacks of the opposition and, although the brilliance of Bernd Leno was required a couple of times in those games, Arsenal largely kept players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Marcus Rashford quiet.

Now, I am not saying the defence has become watertight overnight. There are still mistakes within the unit, especially with Shkodran Mustafi around, but I’m certainly approaching big games with a bit more confidence now.

Emery has made it known that he is going to strengthen the defence in the summer, especially with the futures of Nacho Monreal, Laurent Koscielny and Mustafi all unclear. Currently, I think he is getting the best out of the players at the back, and with another strong centre back recruited in the summer who can lead the line, hopefully Arsenal will become known for more than just a potent attacking force.

The teams of the early 1990s under George Graham and the early Arsene Wenger years were known for their defence as much as they were their goals. Maybe Unai Emery can look to build a similar legacy.