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Unai Emery has made a great start to life as Arsenal manager since taking over from the long-serving Arsene Wenger in the summer. After defeat in his first two games, the Spaniard has led the Gunners on an unbeaten run spanning 16 matches in all competitions. However, there is still plenty of work to be done.
On the Chalkboard
Whilst the north London club’s recent form has been impressive, many of the performances have left plenty to be desired. Emery’s outfit can consider themselves lucky to have picked up draws with Crystal Palace and Wolves.
The manager himself is aware that his squad is in transition and that they are just at the beginning of a long process to turn the Gunners back into a Champions League team and title contenders. Emery recently stated that his team “need to improve things” if they’re to finish in the top four, as reported by the Evening Standard.
Playmaker FC’s Theo Ogden was at the Emirates to witness Arsenal’s qualification for the Europa League last 32. Check out his match diary in the video below…
One area of the team facing particular issues is the left flank. Injury woes and players being deployed out of position has caused this side of the pitch to be a chink in Arsenal’s armour. Emery must address this problem and find a balanced solution before his side are punished for it with defeat.
Auba out
The continued absence of first choice left-back Nacho Monreal – who the club have confirmed will not return to training for a further two weeks – is a major problem for Emery. The back up option, 24-cap Bosnia and Herzegovina international Sead Kolasinac, has only recently returned from injury himself and is yet to prove his defensive quality since his arrival in the Premier League.
Given that Arsenal cannot line up with their best full-back in place on the left-hand side, it is vital that the wide attacker on the same flank is committed and capable of carrying out his defensive duties.
Prolific goalscorer though he is, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggles in this unfamiliar role. The 29-year-old Gabonese striker is the club’s top scorer so far this season but could prove a defensive liability against Bournemouth’s in-form attackers if deployed on the wing on Saturday.
To guard against the Cherries’ attacking threat, Emery should play academy product Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left-back, where his recovery pace can help him martial the threat posed by Bournemouth’s wide forwards. Ahead of him, Alex Iwobi has impressed enough in recent weeks to be entrusted with protecting the 21-year-old Maitland-Niles.