Arsenal: Freddie Ljungberg changes show progress

Freddie Ljungberg began to make changes to his Arsenal line-up in Monday night’s 3-1 win over West Ham United. The decisions showed progress, if not completion.

After the sacking of Unai Emery a little under two weeks ago, there was a hope and expectation that the Arsenal team would undertake serious and significant change. The Spaniard’s selections had grown tiresome, his relentless tinkering and defensive mindset frustrating for a club wanting to chase a top-four finish.

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But interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg disappointed in his first two outings. With limited time to enact his own plans on the training pitch, Ljungberg made minimal changes to the team. The front three remained the same, Lucas Torreira was still an attacking midfielder, and the defence, a mess.

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In Monday night’s 3-1 victory over West Ham United, however, Ljungberg started to ring the changes, hinting towards what he may look to implement with more time as the season progresses.

For starters, he dropped Alexandre Lacazette and moved Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang into a central position, introducing Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe with a more natural front three. Torreira dropped into a double-pivot alongside Xhaka, the 4-2-3-1 returned with Mesut Ozil in the attacking midfield position, while Calum Chambers was reinstated at centre-half with natural full-backs used on either flank.

The changes showed progress. The front three looked more dangerous than they have done in some time, all three getting on the scoresheet. The full-backs were crucial outlets, Sead Kolasinac providing assisting the first goal, while Torreira put in one of his best displays in some time.

But while progress was shown, there are still some changes that Ljungberg should look to introduce. Aubameyang may have scored but he was poor in open-play, Lacazette’s hold-up ability sorely missed as Arsenal failed to string attacks together. Xhaka was extremely poor, in and out of possession, and is fortunate to be started ahead of Matteo Guendouzi, while Mesut Ozil has done nothing of note to keep his place his team, too.

It would be foolish to expect such sweeping changes in Ljungberg’s first few matches. There simply is not the time or opportunity for him to do so — this is why the Gunners should have sacked Unai Emery at the beginning of an international break, though that is an argument for a different piece. And the changes that he has made are certainly along the right lines, but there is still more to be done.

The ball moved slowly as a result of Ozil’s anonymity and Xhaka’s incompetence, attacks broke down due to Aubameyang’s inability to hold up play, while the injuries to Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney sapped dynamism in the wide areas.

Ljungberg’s changes showed improvements. Progress was made. But there is still plenty to be done. It will just take time.