Pre-Season 2018

Already a much better shoot-out than the Atleti one.

We're going to be here all night.

Those were some cool penalties from the boys, which is the complete opposite of the penaöty shootout against Atletico.

Iwobi scores the winning pen. Arsenal win 6-5 and take the extra points.

That was an enjoyable game to watch from both teams. It's clear that Chelsea are going to have a distinct identity this season and be a very attractive team.

Just some quick thoughts:

-- The press is a work in progress and it wouldn't surprise me if it took the whole season for us to really get it. This is going to make us quite an open team early on as we come to grips with the timing of it. Chelsea got most of their joy when we pushed up but didn't successfully close down their midfielders.

-- Without the ball is obviously an area we need to make big improvements in, but I was actually impressed with Sokratis tonight. His timing of his challenges was very good throughout the game.

-- Less impressive were Bellerin and Kolasinac, who were painfully limited on the ball. It's not a new revelation but a potential problem given the lack of quality wide options in the squad.

-- Our ball retention in Chelsea's half was excellent in the second half. We created good chances throughout that period, but just lacked sharpness in our finishing. Not worried about that at all, though.

-- We didn't see Leno, Holding, or Mavropanos at all this game, nor did youngsters like Osei-Tutu and Nketiah get a run out. I expect that the starting eleven against Lazio will be entirely different, with the players who didn't play tonight starting along with the four who have recently returned to training. Obviously Kolasinac and Ramsey's participation is dependent on their fitness.

Arsenal team to play Lazio, kick off in just under an hour:



It's anyone's guess what the shape is. Could be a mid three with XHAKA, Torreira, and Iwobi with Nketiah on the left. Could be 4-2-3-1 with Iwobi at 10. Could even be 4-4-2.

is it on tv anywhere or streams?

RealGunner wrote:is it on tv anywhere or streams?

It's on Arsenal Player for free.

Looks like a 4222


But could also be a 4231

Monreal not in the squad, btw. There's a good chance AMN is going to be our starting LB against City.

It's a 4-4-2 shape tonight. Lacazette is playing as the withdrawn striker.

Nelson puts us 1-0 up, following in from Iwobi's shot which hit the post. Looked offside.

The lack of an attacking midfielder means there's a bit of a gap between our mid and attack, forcing us to be a bit more direct than usual, especially on transitions.

Does anyone feel that Iwobi tends to be a little slow when he attacks? Like he doesn't react as quickly as he should.

I feel he should have been slightly more ahead in the build up to the goal

Wow, our defense is really shaky

So one of the things Emery has clearly changed is the width of the back four. We defend narrowly now, which means we're going to be conceding more space on the flanks.

On the plus side, this should mean we defend the centre of the pitch better since we'll have greater numbers (and in this game, Lazio haven't hurt us in those areas).

On the down side, it requires the wide players in the second bank of four to be very disciplined in shuffling out to the flank to close down the opposition before they can get a cross in.

Tonight, Iwobi and Nelson have been a bit too slow in doing that, and it's given Basta and Lulic a lot of time to put good balls in to the box. The back four hasn't looked too comfortable in dealing with them. Chambers and Holding haven't attacked the ball enough, and Maitland-Niles lost his man a couple of times.

Else where, it's mostly been an issue of chemistry. XHAKA and Torreira are a completely new partnership, and Lacazette and Nketiah have never played in a two together before. It's especially noticeable up front, when you see them both making the same kinds of runs and not connecting in any way. Equally, I don't think Lacazette is comfortable with this role, as he hasn't connected with the two midfielders at all.

My only other issue is the slowness of our passing out. Again, it's something that'll get better with time, but we're playing a few too many passes back there without progressing the play.

Most of our chances conceded came from not winning one on one duels, we need to be stronger, Holding especially has not looked good imo. Where's Mavropanos these days?

So with the introduction of Aubameyang and Guendouzi for Nketiah and Nelson, it looks like we moved back to a 433 with XHAKA, Torreira and Guenouzi interchanging between them on who goes forward and who stays back.

2-0 Aubameyang. Good work from Elneny driving forward from midfield. Managed to bundle his way through the Lazio defence. Ball fell for Auba to put in the far corner.

Ozil and Mkhi are both on. Elneny's partnering Guendouzi atm.

Bellerin came on for Lichtsteiner.

I want this trio in midfield (Guendouzi, XHAKA, Torreira) to be our starting midfield in big games, they can keep the ball, defend well and position themselves well.

Ozil seems to be playing a lot from the right hand side since coming on. Mkhi is a bit deeper than usual.

It's really disappointing to see a Brexit lad like Holding get pushed around by some Italian soy boys.

This is...so promising lol. Build up play, positioning, passing and collective pressing.

Professional performance.

Maybe City will put me back on earth but I'm excited! C'MON ARSENAL!

As impressed as I've been with Guendouzi, I don't think he should be thrown in against City or Chelsea.

Pre-season means players will always get more time on the ball than normal. City certainly won't give him that same luxury.

The two things it seems he needs to develop are releasing the ball a bit quicker and his strength, both of which will come with more experience at this level.

His time will certainly come, but City/Chelsea just seems too soon.

I've a hunch we'll see this team next week:

Leno; Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafi, Maitland-Niles; Torreira, XHAKA, Ramsey; Ozil, Lacazette, Aubameyang

Though obviously a lot depends on Ramsey's fitness.

sokratis-mustafi is the biggest red flag i have seen since my days as a communist.

fml

Lazio

1st Half:https://ok.ru/video/965447780966

2nd Half :https://ok.ru/video/965488872038

Amidst all the confusion and chaos, the Arsenal players are training as usual