Arsenal: 4 things to work on in training during international break

The break is upon Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side as a growing contingent of the current squad head away on international duty around the world.

As the dust settles on a 0-0 draw with Brighton in the club’s final fixture before the October break, Arsenal spend time apart from domestic action sitting in 11th place in the league table.

That stalemate left the Gunners with ten points from their opening seven fixtures and extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches. While there is sill an awful lot to get through in terms of improvements, there are signs of progression.

Perhaps only baby steps so far. This team and group of players are in far better shape than they were after three consecutive defeats to start the campaign but further improvement is still needed.

4 things for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal to work on during training over the October international break with 15 players away from London Colney

Arteta, however, doesn’t boast a full squad to work with over the international break with no less than 15 members of the first squad away with their respective nations.

Bernd Leno, Kieran Tierney, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, Martin Odegaard, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mohamed Elneny, Sead Kolasinac, Karl Hein, Emile Smith Rowe, Folarin Balogun and Nuno Tavares are all away this month. So too is Tyreece John-Jules, who is currently on loan at Blackpool.

Eight of those started in the draw with the Seagulls. Arteta is far from full strength.

That doesn’t mean there isn’t work to be done. Training will be ongoing during this period as fitness is maintained, and across this spell there are some elements to be looking at.

1. Minutes For Gabriel Martinelli & Other Fringe Players

Arsenal took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly with QPR earlier in the week, something that has become commonplace this season for the first team with no European football to contend with and them having a number of players on the fringes of the first team squad.

Gabriel Martinelli is one of the key members of the side in need of minutes and he featured as the Gunners ran out 3-2 winners. There were also appearances for Alexandre Lacazette as well as centre-back duo Gabriel and Ben White.

It isn’t known who got on the scoresheet, but the important point is simply to be playing games. Key members of the squad are now away with their national teams and as the winter months approach the need for every member of Arteta’s side to be in their best shape is part of effective squad management.

Given Arsenal don’t play again until October 18 with those away with their countries not set to return to London Colney until around October 14, there is definite scope to fit in another such friendly encounter before then.

While the opposition won’t be at Premier League standard, the fixtures still have huge importance and if there are more Championship outfits willing to participate then it must be pursued.

Continued…

2. Ben White and Gabriel Bonding Closer as a Partnership

Following the events of the Brighton match it was the strength of the rearguard that was looked at most closely of all as a positive. Limp in attack and vacant in midfield, another battling and reassuring display for Gabriel and White stood out as the best aspect.

These two have conceded just once in the four league outings they’ve started alongside one another, forming a balanced partnership that complements each other’s strengths and limits any weaknesses.

To have built what they have already is surprising considering the communication issues White highlighted:

"“He doesn’t speak much English. I don’t speak Portuguese,” White explained during a livestream on Twitch. “There’s not much we can say to each other. “[But] we know what we have to do. We just click.”"

Neither are expected to learn a new language in just over a week. But even in the most recent international break where they and Aaron Ramsdale all spent valuable time together, huge strides were taken. That two-week spell was invaluable.

There is a strong bond between the defenders on the pitch and while World Cup qualifiers take place there is even more time for them to grow as a duo off the pitch. They needn’t be best friends, but finding effective ways to communicate and improve together is one key part of this period.

A solid, aggressive and dedicated platform is being built at the back and with every minute more it will continue to develop in a healthy and progressive way.

Continued…

3. Put Extra Hours in on Attacking Set Pieces

Given there are 15 first team players away and eight of those who started at Brighton are included in that, how much progress can be made on set pieces is understandably limited.

But in terms of methods and routines there has to be plenty of focus on finding new formulas to make best use of dead balls. It’s a vital improvement needed moving forward.

The aforementioned pairing of White and Gabriel are still at London Colney, though. Two players who are in the opposition box for corners and usually in the fracas at other set pieces, with someone of Gabriel’s aerial presence there is scope for some drills to cater to that.

Other personnel can take part so long as Nicolas Jover has enough bodies, which he does.

In the seven matches so far this season Arsenal have had a combined 34 corners, none of which have been scored. There isn’t expected to be a hatful of goals converted from them, but the paucity of quality from those corners is concerning. They’re just methods of giving the ball back to the opposition.

There is plenty of time now for more research, ideas and strategies to be implemented even the preferred personnel aren’t in attendance.

Continued…

4. Blooding More Youngsters in Case of Midfield Crisis

No, not Jack Wilshere, although his presence will certainly not hurt in and around London Colney as Arsenal have to prepare for the possibility of a midfield crisis.

Granit Xhaka is already absent for the remainder of the calendar year and while at present there are two clear options for the double pivot and two more vying for a place, there can be no certainties.

If Thomas Partey or any one of the current central midfield options were to fall foul to injury or suspension then the numbers are suddenly very thin. Internal solutions have to be unearthed and seeing the likes of Tim Akinola and Charlie Patino continuing to train with the first team is a sign of preparation for that.

Of course, their involvements can come organically as they, like the others in the academy, continue to progress and develop with age and nurturing. Their times will come at some stage.

Just as Arteta said Arsenal are only one defeat away from crisis, they can also be one or two injuries away from it as well. Akinola and Patino are just two examples who are both inexperienced at this level, yet their times could come sooner than they think. Ensuring they are as prepared as they can be, which is aided by regular senior training sessions and the current break in domestic action, is on the docket during the international fixtures.