About Saturday night...

 

With the preventive measures against the virus engraved in our minds, all thanks to our wonderful Media personnels (regardless of the many Nigerians who still opt indifference), i decided to stay in the comfort of my home and catch a game. Away from the News at 9 or any of those sorts, these days they weren't new anymore. It had become a cycle, from bad to worse to ridiculous. Just when you think you can't be surprised anymore they insert another twist and it's "here we go"again.

Arsenal paid a visit to the Hawthorns to face big Sam's men in what only about a week ago looked like a near relegation clash,  ended up a whitewash. How quickly things change in football. 

(Mind my manners, Happy New Year to all of us, let's keep chasing our dreams fino alla fine).

I don't intend on writing a review about last night's encounter but rather a summary of what has changed over the past 3 games for the lads in red.

For starters I like to group problems faced by teams (ie whenever a team is on a consistent rough patch, I prefer to view it from 3 angles) 

1- club management related

2- Personnel related 

3- Tactics/The manager

In descending order of impact. This means No. 2 is easier to solve than 1 and 3 than 2. 

I might go deeper on this in subsequent articles.

In the case of Arsenal it was a mix of 1 and 2 at least that's what we've seen over the past 3 games. Arteta is still manager and he's still maintaining the tactics he's been using season long only that now it's working. 

We won't delve much into the club as it's no longer news that they're no fans of consistently visiting or breaking the bank. They rather play safe; promote players or grab others for cheap. 

Not saying spending lots is very necessary but in the end in other to keep up with the best you have to split the Piggy and do it in proper fashion (spending on the right players). 

Looking at the personnel angle of it, Arsenal started this season without any creative midfielder (Ozil had long begun his exile since the restart). This meant as regards creativity they would have to rely on their wide players (full backs and wingers). And truth be told, asides the first game vs Fulham there's been a lack of consistent creativity coming from those channels. The likes of Willian spamming the area with crosses, which are mostly unmet by any red shirt. 

So in the end they couldn't create much from both the flanks and down the middle. 

On the flip side, Arsenal were doing great in the Europa only with a different chunk of players. So it was kind of a wonder, brilliant in Europe, Relegation seekers domestically.

Aided by injuries and suspensions, the likes of Pablo, Rowe and Martinelli were able to get into the team and although it's just been 3 games their impact has been greatly felt.

Mari has been able to form a good connection with Holding and in 3 games they've conceded only 1 goal. 

(The first time this PL season they've kept back to back cleansheets)

The likes of Rowe and Martinelli have also been decent upfront. It's looking like a whole new team entirely only that now it's not the gabonese that's at the centre of it all but the c(k)a brothers; Xhaka, Laca, Saka. (With 7 goals between them)

To put in a bit of psychology and this is in respect to the youngsters, you can see the hunger in them to try and deliver and many times this hunger bring out the best in players. 

It'll be interesting to see how long they'll be able to sustain this run, it's already 3 wins in 3, scoring 8 goals in the process. 

Maybe I'll do a review after their next game.

Saka, ever dazzling, might be my Nigerian bias keeping him dear but then his performances speak for him.

I'm also keeping my eyes on the young man Smith Rowe, maybe, just maybe he's the one to inherit Mesut's No 10.

Soft...