Arsenal are definitely improving but control is still a concern

Following the concerns raised by their distinct lack of control at Selhurst Park and a managerial plea to be “more ruthless” in front of goal, Arsenal produced a four-goal feast and claimed another three points on Saturday to reify hopes that the club is moving in the right direction.

The Gunners built on an impressive start to the season with some delightful football in the Emirates sunshine, repeatedly carving Leicester open thanks to mesmerising interchanges on the left wing, while a free role in the final third transformed Granit Xhaka into an unexpected – but welcome – goal threat. A fantastic offensive effort was then capped off by a complete centre-forward display from Gabriel Jesus that could easily have earned him the match ball.

However, although the issue of attacking prolificacy appears to be resolved, Mikel Arteta will once again be disappointed with his side’s failure to turn the screw as well as the uncomfortable manner in which the game developed.

Similar to the direct, counter-attacking methods employed by Crystal Palace, Leicester also sought to exploit the space behind our advanced full-backs and encouraged a midfield overload that afforded James Maddison and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall extra room to manoeuvre. This verticality and creative spark caused Arsenal more than a few problems and they played a part in William Saliba’s unfortunate own goal.

Control remains a concern for Arsenal despite improvements made since opening day win at Crystal Palace

On Matchday 1, Arsenal tried to neutralise the danger by adopting a passive low block which inadvertently contributed to a lack of control and almost proved costly. But we showed far greater aggression on this occasion, and it was instead a frustrating carelessness on the ball that allowed the Foxes to stay in the contest, with the Gunners managing just 49% possession and 462 passes compared to their opponent’s tally of 472.

Speaking after an equally frenetic encounter away to Watford in March, Arteta emphasised the risk of suffering if control is lost while insisting that a two-goal lead is best protected by completing 300,000 passes to “kill the game”. And such claims are supported by the champions’ results this campaign as Guardiola’s men have accumulated 696 and 833 passes in their opening fixtures, won both games and are yet to concede.

Total control.

Perhaps heavy criticism is unwarranted as the team put in a mostly excellent performance and is becoming more synchronised and fluid with each passing week. However, their mistakes in possession have offered undue encouragement over the past fortnight and control must be added if we are to compete at the highest level.

We already have the talent required to dominate the ball, now they need to do it consistently.