Arsenal: 3 reasons behind the team’s biggest weakness

3. Slowing the Play Down – Ramsdale Going Long

Aaron Ramsdale is near impossible to criticise. But there is something becoming noticeable in his game – only a minor trait, it needs adding – that isn’t solely responsible but is contributing to the frailties shown when taking the lead.

His distribution is otherworldly and unlike anything seen at the Emirates from a goalkeeper other than when Manchester City come to town, but he is also someone who has been playing for some pretty woeful teams of late. Sheffield United and Bournemouth rarely got their noses in front and when they did it was all backs to the wall.

So comfortable playing out from the back, Ramsdale can be guilty of going for the long kick to immediately spring Arsenal into an attack instead of calming things down and maintaining possession.

This is, of course, not all on his shoulders. He is a good example, though, of what Arsenal do wrong when in front. Passing sequences are cut dramatically and the desire to attack with speed only results in the ball coming back at them even quicker. Being patient on the ball will invite the opposition press and Arsenal’s entire style is best suited to when teams come to press them high.

Arsenal are built to play that way. They want teams to press them, so force them to.

Ramsdale can be guilty of rushing things, but others do as well. And who is to blame for that? It’s a combination of both the manager and the players, who need to find a balance in their approach both mentally and tactically to stop showing weakness when in front.