by Özilfan » Tue Apr 11, 2017 7:54 pm
Xhaka and Mustafi made 4 tackles while Monreal won a whopping 5 tackles in addition to winning 2 ariel duels. Sanchez and Welbeck, apparently hard working forwards, only attempted a single tackle between them. Walcott, despite being taken off, actually did put some effort in here attempting 3 tackles, equalling Ozil, and only trailing Xhaka, Mustafi and Monreal.
In terms of possession, Xhaka and Ozil both had impressive stats with 111 and 94 passes attempted (at 88% accuracy for both). In terms of link-up play Welbeck was nowhere to be found, attempting only 13 passes - 2 more than Giroud, level with Oxlade-Chamberlin and only half of Ramsey's contribution (and they were the late game subs!). In addition, Theo Walcott had shocking 47% pass success rate in this game and only helld 1.7% of the possession! Compare that with Sanchez who had 7%, Ozil 10% and Xhaka 12%.
Another large problems was how easily we were dispossessed. Our biggest problem area was the right side where Bellerin and Walcott managed to be dispossessed 6 times between them - the same amount of the times as the 8 of the other starters put together (minus Alexis)! Sanchez was another offender, giving the ball away 6 times (including three dispossessions and three turnovers).
Recommendations:
Bellerin is offering nothing going forward and is currently a defensive liability. Perhaps he's still recovering from that injury - but, on current form, I think he needs to be replaced. Wenger really messed up by screwing up the Debuchy situation so badly, I'm not sure we have a better alternative. Welbeck has proven himself incapable of leading the line - he either needs to be moved to the left or dropped.
Sanchez likes to get involved in games, and certainly showed that against Palace. But he offers very little defensively and left Monreal exposed. He needs to be moved back up top. Walcott, though better defensively than Sanchez, was peripheral in the game despite his full back, Bellerin, having a considerable amount of time on the ball. They're not linking up well, at all.
My line-up for next game:
Martinez
Bellerin
Mustafi
Gabriel
Monreal
Xhaka
Elneny
Oxlade
Iwobi
Ozil
Sanchez
This team lacks width, but has no "passengers" and should have everyone putting in a shift. Right side is a concern defensively, and I'd put Ox there on the right side of the mid three for additional cover. If Bellerin bombs forward, someone - say Elneny - has to drop back so our centre backs aren't so exposed.