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MOTD: Swansea City 2-1 Arsenal – Three Thoughts

By on November 9, 2014

Arsenal in need of a world-class holding midfielder
Today, Arsenal played in a 4-4-2, differing from Arsene Wenger’s usual attacking 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1, and they lost for the first time in four matches. Namely because of the absence of Mikel Arteta, their only other defensive midfielder aside from Mathieu Flamini, and Mesut Ozil – thus forcing Wenger to play Aaron Ramsey in a defensive role, only for Alexis Sanchez to move into a forward role, creating a 4-4-2. As a result, Arsenal were left vulnerable on the break as Ramsey pushed forward. Thus, they dropped the three points, the first league points they have missed out on since their draw with Hull City three weeks back. The similarities between that and tonight’s game? In both, Mikel Arteta didn’t play and they only started with one natural holding midfielder – Flamini. A patter begins to form when you consider The Frenchmen was also missing when they lost to Chelsea, and Flamini missing when they drew Tottenham Hotspur.

Now think back to the great Arsenal teams of the early twenty-first century – one that starred Patric Viera. Arsenal always had, while not always two, at least one great holding midfielder. Flamini and Arteta aren’t as great as to be able to carry that position by themselves.

Welbeck and Sanchez show promising partnership up front
Danny Welbeck certainly seems to have found himself after leaving Manchester United, and with Arsenal’s midfield suited to playing around a striker is perfectly fitting in. Today, he opened up another possibility as Alexis Sanchez played almost alongside him in. The pair combined for Sanchez’s goal, and with one another’s presence up front were both able to drift to their suitings. Especially in the first half, they did not lack up front.

However, the fact that Arsenal failed to dominate as much as they would have liked prevented them from really making their mark. It was a cagey match in the first half, and in a two minute period in the second half Swansea changed the dynamic of the game in their favor.

Arsenal lack the ability to see games out
Arsene Wenger so rarely loses his head in front of the press, however, after his side surrendering a lead for the second match straight he went ahead and said his side lacked “the right rigorous attitude”. Midweek they gave away a 3-0 second half lead to Anderlecht at home, and again today. Swansea were tormenting Arsenal down the wings the entire match, but upon throwing players forward after their first goal, coming from a fine Gylfi Sugurdsson free-kick, cracked The Gunners. Substitute Bafétimbi Gomis was the one grab the winner for The Swans – and for Arsenal, it seems to be the same old story all the time. Luckily, over the international break they will be able to reorganize, get Arteta and Ozil a much needed two weeks of recovery, and be fresh when they face Manchester United two weeks from today.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.