So it's difficult to read too much into friendly games, but it's always nice to get a taster of how the new players might fit into the team, and how existing players might change their roles for the season ahead. It's also our first chance to see us against first-class opposition.
On seeing the team-sheet for the Benfica game, I was excited about seeing how the new players would perform - Chambers, Campbell, but also Sanogo, Bellerin and, to a lesser extent, Martinez in goal. However, the main things that struck me were that Monreal was playing centre back, we were lined up in 4141, without the double-pivot of 4231, and that Oxlade-Chamberlain was positioned on the left. It seems to me that in our first 11, Ozil will start in the CAM role, with either Giroud or Sanchez up front, and the right will be taken by Walcott or Sanchez. Our left-sided forward position is up for grabs with neither Podolski or Cazorla entirely convincing in the role last season. So the main question for me, going into this game, was whether the Ox could make this position his own.
Some observations from the Emirates Cup games:
- Joel Campbell was immediately lively, good at finding space, making intelligent runs, and prepared to take risks - he was prepared to run at the opposition defenders, but with this came some times where he gave the ball away. His finish for his goal was well taken and he found the space well. Generally I thought that he was better than the Ox, who I'd initially had such high hopes for. This was still the case when they swapped sides. I'm pleased to hear noises from Wenger that Campbell is part of his plans - he provides strong cover on both left and right wings and his willingness to run at players offers us something different. It remains to see whether Campbell also provides cover as a central striker.
- Chambers impressed at centre back. I felt that in the Benfica game it didn't look like Chambers had too much to do, but he always seemed to be in the right position and always looked to be alert, with high levels of concentration. This, along with his athleticism and pace, make him a very strong prospect in this position. Chambers also seemed strong in the air, with sharp, unfussy passing. Also encouraging are the noises from Wenger that, despite Chambers being an able deputy at centre back, he will sign another replacement for Vermaelen should he be sold.
- Monreal didn't convince me at centre back. He often looked like he was trying to catch up with the play, defending in a reactive, rather than proactive way.
- Bellerin looked a good prospect, so we're looking very good for right-backs! He was composed on the ball and posed a real threat going forward.
- Sanogo impressed me and, by scoring four goals, he's made a strong case for being taken very seriously in the forthcoming campaign. I felt that his build-up play was good, making himself easily available for passes from the midfielders and then winning the ball with his physical presence. He engaged defenders by looking to make things happen, rather than looking to give the ball back at the first opportunity. He looked like he has the physical presence to play a similar role for us to Giroud, providing an out-ball for our midfield, holding up play and playing in runners. However, he has the potential to offer more than Giroud, as he seems to have more acceleration and willingness to take his man on. Just as I was beginning to doubt his final product, be it a finish or a final pass, he got on the score sheet, and from there his confidence increased. While I think he still needs to work on his decision-making and ruthlessness in front of goal, his third goal demonstrated exactly that. Good movement to find space, good first touch and composed finish. With confidence high, he also showed a combination of power and willingness to take on defenders reminiscent of Adebayor at his best. At the very least, Sanogo has shown himself worthy of deputising for Giroud when the Frenchman needs a rest.
- Sanchez's arrival was eagerly awaited and, with expectations so high, it's difficult to really impress. He made a solid start, combining some touches of class with high workrate and willingness to chase defenders. He seemed to perform best as the central striker, but this could be due to the ineffectiveness of Giroud, who didn't seem ready for these games. However, this gives us a third option for who to play in this position.
- Wilshere and Ramsey didn't particularly impress in midfield together. This is an important season for both of these players, and it remains very difficult to imagine both of them playing in our midfield. For me, at the moment, it is one or the other. How I hope they can prove me wrong!
- Debuchy looked a decent signing. Used to playing at this level, good defensively, going forward and strong in the air.
So, all in all, this was a strange weekend of football. Yet there was something about the 5-1 win, excitement and raised expectations, followed by a 1-0 loss and failure to score, bringing us back down to Earth, that seems vaguely familiar. Quite reminiscent, on a smaller scale, of our being top of the table early on last season, followed by a series of terrible results that raised important questions about our team.
I feel that these pre-season friendlies are a time to be positive and look for signs of hope for the season ahead, but I'm also hoping that the game against Man City on Sunday provides us with some convincing answers.
No comments:
Post a Comment