DBasia.news – Arsenal has gone through two friendly matches in the International Champions Cup versus Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Defeated 1-3 in a penalty shootout versus Atletico, Arsenal won 5-1 from PSG.
The end result isn’t the real barometer for the preseason matches. Some things are more interested to see compared to the score: the change in playing style, new player performance, and how the club academy performed.
Also for Arsenal, the supporters and British football lovers want to see the team performance under Unai Emery. The Spanish manager came replacing Arsene Wenger who led Arsenal for 22 years.
Emery’s arrival, also with 5 other new players: Bernd Leno, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Matteo Guendouzi, and Lucas Torreira, added the supporters passion to see Arsenal.
At a glance, the change can’t be seen by the 5-1 winning versus PSG. Apparently, their key players or seniors were still on holiday after the 2018 World Cup hence the absence in PSG squad.
However, Arsenal showed the changes compared to the time when they were under Wenger. What are the changes?
1. Guendouzi’s Performance
Now the public must understand the reason why Arsenal signed Guendouzi. Not only to continue the tradition of developing the young players, Guendouzi is also showing a promising performance.
The 19-year-old midfielder always wanted to be involved in Arsenal’s attack and asking the ball from the teammates. His passing is strong. He can control the ball under opponent’s pressure.
The £8M money spent by Arsenal to get Guendouzi from Lorient seemed affordable. The journey is still so long for the player who once played in Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) academy.
2. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Playing Position
As the tandem of Alexandre Lacazette or rival to play in Arsenal’s front field? That’s the question we should give Emery about Pierre-Emerick Aubamewang.
The Gabon striker can play as the wing striker, but his best talent comes up when he plays as the central striker. Placed in the wing position, Aubameyang just shown his speed to pass the defensive line of the opponents.
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at Amex Stadium on March 4, 2018 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
His talent to play in many positions will give an option for Emery. When he plays as wing striker, Aubameyang can make a deadly Arsenal front line along with Lacazette, Mesut Ozil, and Alex Iwobi.
3. Team Captain
This is the most important one. Within past years, Arsenal didn’t have a regular captain who played consistently each week. Emery said he wanted 5 captains in his team.
Including Laurent Koscielny, the other 4 captains are Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Petr Cech, and Nacho Monreal. In the match versus PSG, Ozil was the captain and answered it with an impressive performance.
So, the captain team position should be on Ozil. He needs compensation by the public critics he got in Germany. Being the Arsenal captain might heal the frustration.
4. Arsenal’s High Pressing
This is the most conspicuous difference from the Wenger era. It seems like Emery instructed the team to give high pressing when lost the ball and also push the opponents who bring the ball.
Arsenal player did it well in pressing PSG’s defenders and pushed them to do some mistakes. At a glance, Arsenal looked like doing the Gegenpressing system of Jurgen Klopp in Liverpool.
Emery probably wants the team collectivity to help the defense and build the attack. So far, Arsenal understands the playing style desired by Emery.