Emery struggles to tighten up Arsenal
If there is one thing Arsenal need to improve most this season it is their structure.
The new head coach, Unai Emery, feels the right choice to implement the necessary changes.
In terms of shape and tactical discipline, Arsenal were too loose last season.
This was reflected in a poor away record, the 11th best in the division with just 16 points. This was half the haul managed by Liverpool, their next-closest top-six rivals.
Emery favours a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system and is currently working very hard to instill a more solid framework.
During pre-season Arsenal have looked well organised without the ball and in possession. Conforming to Emery’s demands, there does appear to be more structure to the team’s general play.
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Emery has talked a lot about the importance of pressing since he began working with his new players this summer.
He likes his forwards to close down defenders and for two members of his three-man midfield to push on and engage their direct opponents, too.
Pressing is one area where Arsenal slipped backwards last season.
Alexis Sanchez, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Francis Coquelin and Theo Walcott were all among Arsenal’s best performers in this department, so their departures last season were felt.
The key now is for Emery to ensure his current forwards and midfielders learn to press at the right times and in a coordinated manner.
Winning the ball back inside the middle third has also been an ongoing issue that needs fixing.
Arsenal were ninth last term, the lowest of the top six clubs, and eighth the year before in this area. They have desperately missed a ball winner and a focus on their off-the-ball shape.
The arrival of the tenacious Lucas Torreira, coupled with Emery’s influence, should help change this pattern. Alexandre Lacazette, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Granit Xhaka are the three senior players who may be affected most by the choices their new head coach makes.
How to bring the best out of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil is at the crux of Emery’s thought process. Saturday (Aug 11): Manchester United –
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Willian says he intends to stay at Chelsea, and confirmed Barcelona made a bid to sign him.
The Brazil winger, 29, has been at Stamford Bridge for five years but was linked with a move this summer.
Speaking after the 2-0 Community Shield defeat by Manchester City, he told ESPN Brasil: “I always made it clear that what I wanted was to stay in the club.
“The only club I knew that really made an official offer for me was Barcelona.”
He has also been linked to Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Willian added: “I have my head here and I intend to continue in the club unless the club wants to sell me.”
New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has only signed two players this summer - Napoli midfielder Jorginho and back-up goalkeeper Rob Green.