The international break arrived like a welcome rain after a drought for Arsenal Football Club. Rock bottom of the Premier League, scoreless, and with confidence shattered after a brutal 5-0 defeat to Manchester City, the pause in play offered a vital moment for introspection and, more importantly, recovery. At Melbet, we delve beyond the scores to analyze the tactical and physical shifts that could define the Gunners’ season. This isn’t just about a bad start; it’s about the blueprint for a comeback.
A Fortnight of Reflection and Rehabilitation
Manager Mikel Arteta spoke of the need to “look in the mirror” and “change the dynamic.” Captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the necessity for honest conversations within the squad. This period of self-assessment was crucial, but the most significant change is happening on the training pitch at London Colney.
The opening month of the season was a nightmare scenario for any manager. Arsenal‘s injury and illness list was extensive, forcing Arteta into what he called “unprecedented” team selections. In fact, statistics show he made more starting line-up changes (seven) than any other Premier League manager, utilizing 22 different players. Only three outfield players started all three games, and one of them, Granit Xhaka, is now suspended.
The Returning Cavalry: A Squad Transformed
The landscape looks dramatically different now. The international break has allowed key figures to return to full fitness, effectively acting like new signings.
- Defensive Solidarity: Ben White, absent since the opening day after a positive COVID-19 test, has regained fitness. More importantly, Brazilian center-back Gabriel Magalhaes, a towering presence sorely missed, has recovered from his knee injury. Both featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly last week, a match Arsenal won 4-0.
- Midfield Maestro Returns: The most significant boost is the return of Thomas Partey. The Ghanaian midfielder, who suffered an ankle injury in pre-season, is back in training. His ability to break lines with both his driving runs and incisive passing is the key to unlocking Arsenal’s stagnant attack.
- Attacking Options: Alexandre Lacazette, also sidelined by COVID-19, played 90 minutes and scored in that friendly, providing a much-needed alternative in the central striking role.
This influx of returning talent, combined with the deadline day arrival of versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, means Arteta finally has a squad that resembles his intended starting eleven.
A Defining Run of Fixtures
While the summer recruitment, as technical director Edu outlined in his recent interview, was focused on long-term project building, Arteta needs short-term results. The fixture list has offered a lifeline. The brutal opening sequence of facing Chelsea and Manchester City is over, replaced by a run of games that presents a clear opportunity to accumulate points.
The immediate focus is on newly-promoted Norwich City at the Emirates Stadium, followed by clashes with Burnley, Tottenham, Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa. Five of the next seven league fixtures are at home. As one Melbet tactics expert noted, “This is the most forgiving period of Arsenal‘s calendar. Maximum points against the likes of Norwich and Burnley isn’t just desired; it’s required to build momentum and silence the growing doubters.”
The Arteta Blueprint: Fixing the Fundamentals
With a stronger squad, the tactical onus is firmly back on the manager. Improvement is needed at both ends of the pitch:
Defensive Discipline: The shambolic defending seen in the first three games must cease. Arteta must re-instill the organization and resilience that made Arsenal the third-best defensive unit in the league in 2020/21. A consistent back four, potentially including Tomiyasu and the reunited Gabriel-White partnership, provides the foundation.
Solving the Creativity Crisis: The lack of goals is a symptom of a deeper creative illness. Arsenal rank last in the Premier League for expected goals (xG) with a paltry 1.66. The attack has been overly reliant on Kieran Tierney’s overlaps on the left, making them predictable.
The return of Martin Odegaard, signed permanently from Real Madrid, and particularly Thomas Partey, is crucial. Arteta must devise a system that encourages more central penetration and interplay, moving beyond a reliance on crosses. The quality is now there; it needs to be effectively harnessed.
Melbet Verdict: No More Excuses
The international break provided respite and rehabilitation. The fixture list has offered a chance. The returning players have provided the tools. For Mikel Arteta, the explanations have run out. The coming weeks are a defining period that will shape the rest of Arsenal’s season and his own tenure. The project must now translate into points. The reboot starts now.
Will Arsenal’s returning stars be enough to turn their season around? Share your predictions for the Norwich match and beyond in the comments below.
