Arsenal: 3 things to improve despite unbeaten run

3. Pose a Threat When the Ball Isn’t Yours

Aston Villa at home in the Premier League was the best example of killing a game off even when the pressure was on. Interestingly, Arsenal have become something of a transitional team in recent weeks, finding joy in the speed with which they turn defence into attack.

A delightful pass from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set off Smith Rowe against Villa, and while there was a healthy slice of luck with the deflection, it was an example of being threatening without dominating.

There is still work to be done on this. The two aforementioned points play a big part: sitting too deep and being compact limits options to play through, while not being able to regain control means chances become at a premium.

But the opportunities can arrive, many of which are lost with wrong decisions in the final third. No one player is infallible when it comes to making the wrong pass in dangerous areas or rushing their choice, and the breakaways that go begging can get lost among those that are taken.

Being in a 4-4-2 shape as deep as Arsenal are, adding threat either by pressing in a 4-2-3-1 or some other ploy can be looked at to provide more options playing out.

There are crossovers in all of Arsenal’s area to improve. What is encouraging is that they’re the result of the team being good at something else. Lesson 1-2 instead of lesson 2-1, if you like.

Yet Arsenal can’t go on trying to blow teams away and sit on their lead for however long. When the early goals don’t come it changes everything. But, best of all, these are coachable aspects that can the team can work on.