Defensive stability key to Arsenal's title hopes
On 18 April this year, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger handed goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and relatively untested midfielder Craig Eastmond rare starts in the Premier League.
The Gunners earned a 2–0 lead by the 48th minute of the game, and kept hold of it until the dying minutes, when three late strikes by Wigan — helped by Fabianski's fumbling of what was really an easy ball for the second — crushed the Londoners' title hopes.
This week, on 27 October, Wenger once again paired Fabianski with Eastmond against Newcastle United, and this time Arsenal came away with a 4–0 victory.
The contrast between these two results is not entirely reflective of the difference between the team's form during this season and last. After all, the Gunners lost to West Bromwich Albion last month and were in last season's title race until that day in
April.
But things are looking up for the team, particularly in defence, an area that will be key to Arsenal's title hopes this year.
Defensive form improving
After conceding in every away game since January, Wenger's team won 3–0 at Manchester City on 24 October before Wednesday's triumph at St. James' Park.
Fabianski, who is filling Manuel Almunia's boots with increasing comfort, impressed against City after a questionable start to the season and on Wednesday, youngster Wojciech Szczesny looked a real keeper between the sticks — not one of Wenger's promising
but nervy novices.
In the dying seconds, the 20-year-old Pole rose high to punch a Newcastle corner far up the field — the opposite of what Fabianski did against Wigan.
Johan Djourou looked slightly unnerved in the centre of defence against Newcastle, particularly with the ball on the ground. But the Swiss was helped by new signing Sebastien Squillaci, who is improving, and the heart of the Arsenal defence — Thomas Vermaelen
— is due to return from injury. Laurent Koscielny is also improving, and looks like he's becoming Wenger's first choice along with the Belgian.
Stellar attacking options
If the Gunners' defensive form can be maintained — one would predict it to grow stronger with every clean sheet — there is plenty of attacking potential to draw on.
Marouane Chamakh has impressed in the early stages of the season, especially in his link-up play, which is reminiscent of former Arsenal man Emmanuel Adebayor and far superior to that of Nicklas Bendtner.
As a back-up, Bendtner can provide Chamakh with some well-needed rest as the team anticipate Robin van Persie's return. Theo Walcott, who bagged a cool brace against Newcastle, can also put in the occasional shift up front.
And Walcott may have to get used to playing as a striker, because there is the toughest imaginable competition in Arsenal's attacking midfield. The places in contention are the three in front of the defensive anchor (Neves Denilson, Abou Diaby or Alex Song) and
the more withdrawn playmaker (usually Cesc Fabregas or Jack Wilshere).
Those three spots are typically filled by Samir Nasri — whose recent performances have been impeccable, especially against City — Andrey Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky or Walcott. When you add Wenger's other options (Carlos Vela, Emmanuel Eboue and Fabregas, who
it would be foolish to call a back-up), you have yourself a world-class midfield.
If Bendtner can relieve Chamakh in attack, and if van Persie is ever rid of his persistent injury problems, Arsenal have all the conditions to make a credible title bid this year.
Of course, Wenger's team must continue to avoid defensive mishaps, particularly away from home. However insignificant they may turn out to be, small slip-ups are telling of a team's form — meaning Arsenal's last two games promise great things from the young
side.
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