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It was — you guessed it — a corner-kick which clawed Arsenal back into the match against Fulham, and earned the visitors a point. Not quite good enough when the likes of Liverpool are running rampant at the Premier League table’s summit, though a loss avoided nevertheless...CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
From a wider perspective, the match highlighted a problem Mikel Arteta needs to get a grip of fast before the title slips out of contention.
Arsenal have fielded nine different backlines thus far this season in their 15 Premier League games. Such chopping and changing has been inevitable, owing to the injuries and knocks Arteta’s team have suffered. A lack of continuity and cohesion is the consequence.
The understanding of where a team-mate will be in different phases of play or the gelling of individual playing styles across the back four are clearly hampered.
Jakub Kiwior, in his first league start this season, had played well against Manchester United. The Gunners triumphed 2-0, and Kiwior withstood the pressure of Rasmus Hojlund who was clearly targeting him.
With William Saliba beside him, the Pole was the obvious potential route through the Gunners’ backline. On that evening he resolutely stayed in position and didn’t give an inch in duels, even when not the favourite.
In fairness, the telepathy shared by Saliba and Gabriel is, largely, unrivalled. It’s arguably the best centre-back partnership at present across the league.
Both players complement each other well: Saliba’s calmness and positional awareness paired with the physical dominance Gabriel.
It would be unfair to expect Kiwior to suddenly enter the starting XI after occupying the bench for weeks and seamlessly slot in. But, as seen today even as a back-up centre back, a gap in level was there.
For Raul Jimenez’s goal scored after 11 minutes, Kiwior had to do better. He was ball-watching as Kenny Tete’s clever through ball caught him off guard and Jimenez struck an impressive finish on the break.
Even though he wasn’t solely at fault at the goal — Saliba could have got across quicker to cover his team-mate — Kiwior was not at the races in the same way he was on Wednesday night.
His positioning was mixed which gave the Cottagers hope on counter-attacks. He was not the only defensive player who was occasionally caught out of position.
Thomas Partey had only started at right back three times in the league this season before Sunday — a position he occasionally slots into when needs must.
The Ghanaian has been impressive in the middle of the park overall, but at right back he is not the same player.
His lack of pace for a full back means he doesn’t get up and down the wing in the same Arsenal’s other defenders, such as Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, do.
The need for Arteta to play Kiwior when either Gabriel or Saliba are injured, and Calafiori who can slot in as centre back, is understandable.
But playing Partey at right back can be avoided. Putting Jurrien Timber there — the left flank is not his best position anyhow — would allow Partey to stay in midfield.
And then, the promising 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly could slot in at left back. It would be a big step up for him but, as seen on Arsenal’s pre-season tour, he has the temperament and talent.
Going away from the defence, the Gunners’ attack was far from satisfactory. They had much possession but scant opportunity at goal.
That is a problem, too, but after striking five goals each against Sporting Lisbon and West Ham, for now it is the defensive conundrum that Arteta needs to solve fast…CLICK TO READ THE FULL NEWS HERE▶▶
