Why the international break has come at a good time for Arsenal…
Why the international break has come at a good time for Arsenal…
By Oscar Maung-Haley
Look, it’s not been the greatest of starts to the 2021/22 season for the Gunners.
But the international break is now here, and it gives us a chance to take stock. If anything, it’s come at the perfect time.
Last time out, Arsenal were hammered 5-0 by Manchester City, in what can only be described as an absolute drubbing. Mikel Arteta’s side looked woefully off the pace.
To make things worse, Granit Xhaka will now also miss time following his sending off (which some fans might call a blessing…) leaving Arsenal thin in the middle of the park when Premier League action resumes.
But despite the doom and gloom – and the fact that there’s a fortnight to stew on the City disaster before the next opportunity to put it right – the break will be a good thing for Arsenal.
Stiffening the spine
The starting XI so far has featured a revolving door of random players here and there, with no opportunity to field a settled starting line-up.
In both the middle of the park and at the heart of defence, Arsenal could field new-look partnerships.
With Xhaka suspended, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Thomas Partey, who is returning from injury could feature next to each other in the engine room.
Additionally, Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes could also partner up in defence for the first time for the clash against Norwich.
A strong spine is important to any team – if these four are able to mesh well then Arsenal can finally begin to lay some foundations.
Getting up to speed
It also might finally give Arteta a chance to field an almost full-strength first team, with Martin Odegaard, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka all being able to get up to match speed during the break.
The flipside of that though is the pressure is well and truly on the Spaniard now.
A strong transfer window is all well and good, but the results so far in league action have simply not been good enough.
The international break hands Arteta a brief reprieve, to get back on the training pitch and try and figure out some of Arsenal’s worrying issues.
It might also let him give his players some home truths.
Make or break for Mikel
Being outplayed by Manchester City is not anything to be embarrassed by.
Putting in zero effort and looking entirely disinterested over the course of a 5-0 beatdown is.
Additionally, any adverse result against Norwich would heap even more pressure on the boss’s shoulders.
Following the home clash with Norwich, the Gunners take on Sean Dyche’s Burnley before facing off against a resurgent Tottenham side the following week – who have won all three of their league games this season and sit top of the table, just to rub salt into the wound.
A north London derby defeat to Spurs, coupled with bad showings against Norwich and Burnley could spell the end of Arteta.
So, while the international break gives him a chance to try and find a solution to Arsenal’s woes, it really could be a make or break moment in his tenure at the Emirates.
