Arsenal Vs Southampton: 5 key players to watch – Attack, anyone?

1. Unai Emery

I understand that Unai Emery is not a player, and so, technically, this is cheating, but as has been increasingly evident in recent weeks, analysing the individual performances within the Arsenal team is somewhat futile as long as Emery is implementing the tactical approach that he has thus far.

His tinkering, his adaptable-to-a-fault nature, the utter absence of identity and defined approach, the cautionary, overly conservative selections. Until Emery loosens the shackles and puts his players in better positions to produce as they can, highlighting key players to watch is a futile exercise.

Yes, football matches are won and lost by the players on the pitch, but the tactics of the coach, the instructions he provides them with, his overall philosophy and approach help create scenarios for these players to perform their best once they step over the white line. And at present, the Arsenal players are immediately at a disadvantage to almost every team they play.

Emery must get his tactics right, provide creative freedom for his attacking players, and begin to instill confidence in an increasingly drooping squad. Until this happens, speaking of individual players is meaningless.