Making our defensive game even better: Flamini and Arteta

For the majority of this season, our defence has received much praise by Wenger and the media and quite rightly so. This is no doubt to the hard work of of Steve Bould behind the scenes and we have seen Koscielny and Mertesacker form a pretty solid partnership. The German has improved a lot since his arrival to the Emirates and looks to have adjusted to the pace of English football.

Of course there was one surprise transfer that happened last summer and that was the return of Flamini. I was actually quite happy Wenger decided to bring back the defensive midfielder, though our boss was a little reluctant. You can't however deny the impact he has had sitting in front of the the back four.

Okay, so we have had a couple of slip ups this year when you consider the number of goals conceded against Manchester City and more recently Liverpool, but Flamini's return from suspension for Sunday's FA Cup match certainly helped us to avenge the 5-1 defeat the week before.

Rightly so, though no offence to the Spaniard, but Flamini is often the preferred choice in the defensive midfield position, ahead of Mikel Arteta. Wenger made Arteta play in a more defensive position when he brought him in from Everton while at Goodison Park, he had a more attacking role that I think probably suits him better.

On Sunday however, the stats do not lie, and the duo combination of both Flamini and Arteta helped us on our way to helping the back four deal with Liverpool's threats going forward.

Mathieu Flamini (Zimbio.com).

In his BBC Sport column Robbie Savage notes Arsenal had much more of a defensive resilience against Liverpool in the FA Cup which helped us on our way to progressing to the next round. We played much deeper too compared to the 5-1 league defeat eight days previously as we learned from our mistakes. But having both Flamini and Arteta on form only boosted our defensive play this time around.

And like I said the stats don't lie. In Savage's report the statistics (source: Opta Stats) show with the pairing in games across the Premier League this year, we have won just about as many games with them together as we have without, while we've lost just one match when they have played together.

What is interesting is that, with them as defensive players, we have actually scored more goals (26) than when they haven't played together, and we've conceded far less too - probably the most important stat - conceding just nine goals as opposed to the 17 when they haven't featured together.

Against Liverpool on Sunday particularly Arteta's tackles were all successful while Flamini completed more passes in the opposition half with a high completion passing rate of 75%.

Their partnership has certainly helped us this year for sure but I'm still not sure Arteta is the man for the defensive midfield job when Flamini is either injured or suspended. I wonder if the 31-year-old may be looking to move on soon perhaps though with Wenger not so keen on keeping players over 30.

Mikel Arteta.

Personally I prefer Ramsey to Arteta and we've had much success with the pairing of Flamini and Ramsey too; it's a real shame the Welshman is still sidelined, considering his inspired form this season.

Tonight sees the return of the UEFA Champions League and we're in action against Bayern Munich tomorrow night (not that any of you will need reminding). For sure we go into the game as the underdogs but having Flamini available gives us a major boost. I should think Arteta or Wilshere will sit alongside him but after the duo's display against Liverpool, I suppose I'd have no qualms in seeing both Flamini and Arteta covering our defence.

I hope that Arteta though will be ready for the pace and sheer quality of Bayern's players. There is no room for error against the current champions!

For Robbie Savage's report on how Arsenal saw off Liverpool in the FA Cup, click here (opens in new tab) to be directed to the BBC page.

Arsenal v Bayern Munich during the 2012/13 season (Flickr.com).

Arsenal v Manchester United: Opportunity to prove Liverpool result a one-off

Has it sunk in yet?

I was unable to get out a post after the Anfield demolishing, though I think I'd have struggled to find the words following that game.

It's a result the players need to quickly put behind them and I am sure it is simply a one-off. As much as we were far from a decent team on Saturday we did at least do a little better in the second half which in itself ended 1-1.

Looking at the month, the Liverpool match was seen as the start of a difficult period and the way in which we fell at their feet does not bode well for the forthcoming fixtures, but with Manchester United rocking this season, we have a great opportunity tonight to respond.

We have been playing good football on the whole this season and have done well to be in with a real chance of winning the Premier League for the first time in a while. Saturday lunchtime however showed why we may end up behind the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea though as collectively we just never looked up for it.

With Flamini missing through suspension there was no cover or communication at the back while our back four were unable to cope with Liverpool's attacking threat. The midfield were undone and closed down at every opportunity by the hosts, Ozil looked particularly poor, and Giroud had no service to do any potential danger in their half.

For me Arteta proved exactly why he should not be a defensive midfielder but as I said, it was not an individual performance that let us down here - apart from Wilshere and Oxlade Chamberlain, nobody looked up for this and even with the lack of service for Giroud, as a Premier League forward he still isn't good enough to be a leading striker for our club. Ozil has continued recently to show he isn't worthy of the £42m price tag - is he missing the winter break he became accustomed to Spain? He looked to have settled in straight away when he moved to Arsenal on transfer deadline day but we've seen nothing of the player as we did then.

Fortunately, Flamini is set for his return against United tonight where our defence will be up against Rooney and Van Persie; no easy task after being undone against the attacking force of Liverpool just days before! Still, I believe that was a one-off, as for however good Liverpool were, we certainly played a part in their demolition job.

Still we have the chance to prove this as a one-off when Brendan Rodgers' side travel down to the Emirates Stadium for the F.A Cup on Sunday. But before then we have the big match tonight and a chance to gear ourselves up, and make the Emirates a real fortress this month!

Sturridge was one of the scorers in Liverpool's 5-1 win at Anfield.

Arsenal must pick themselves up against Manchester City

Wow...so we cut it fine in progressing to the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League, but we're through and now have a mass of tough matches as we look to see in the new year.

Perhaps not helped by Arteta's sending off, the thoughts of playing Manchester City next on Sunday, or knowing simply a draw would have been enough for top spot, we were undone eventually by Gonzalo Higuain and Napoli.

Rumoured as one of our major transfer targets last summer, Higuain gave Napoli the lead in Naples on Wednesday night, before Jose Calejon chipped in a last gasp second, but still we qualified from the group in second place with Napoli looking ahead to Europa League action instead.

Gonzalo Higuain opens the scoring.

Borussia Dortmund beat Marseille 2-1 in the other group match, scoring the winner in the last minutes, which edges them in front of us on goal difference. Of course for us, as runners up, we now have to face the reality of playing either Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, Atletico Madrid, or last year's winners Bayern Munich and we shall find out when the draw is made on Monday (16.12.2013).

I've heard Arteta's tackles were "needless" which resulted in his two yellow cards. I feel the Spaniard is not on par with Flamini in the defensive midfield position and I would certainly continue to pick the Frenchman over the Spaniard any day of the week. Having said that I guess Flamini can be a little reckless but he gets more stuck in with a hard but fair mentality which we haven't seen for some years in an Arsenal midfield.

We just had to make sure on Wednesday night that we didn't lose by more than three goals and when the second went in, our hearts both slowed right down and quickened in pace all at the same time. But the referee ended the game to the delight (sort of) of Arsenal fans (perhaps more relief) that we had progressed to the knock-out rounds.

Face of disbelief: Arteta feels the bookings were harsh.

Yes it will be difficult whoever we face but we have done well to be in with a chance of facing those clubs I listed earlier, considering I and a lot others, thought we would struggle in our group as of match-day one. We've proved fans wrong time and time again this season though, so we should take confidence despite Wednesday night's disappointing scoreline.

Of course Wenger has enjoyed reminding us all of the fixture congestion and the trip to Manchester on Saturday will have been in his mind when picking his side to play against Napoli. After City on Saturday we play Chelsea the following Monday (23.12.2013); the first time we have a whole week between fixtures since our loss to Manchester United. 65 hours separate our kick offs from Naples and Manchester and it is certainly going to be tough for us, especially when Manchester City maintain a 100% home record so far this season!

With a trip to Etihad Stadium followed by our home match against Chelsea, we travel to West Ham and Newcastle in the Christmas - New Year week, before hosting Cardiff on New Year's Day. Our F.A Cup campaign will begin against our greatest local rivals Spurs three days later, before we play against Villa; the side against who our season began.

For now let us hope to see our gap at the top of the league increase with a point or three gained against City, and await our fate in the Champions League last 16 draw at he start of next week. The match tomorrow kicks off at 12:45pm, UK time.

Old Boys: Former Gunners Song and Nasri during an Arsenal v Manchester City fixture.

A strong start but are cracks showing? Arsenal in the media

Are Arsenal showing the signs of title contenders? We may have been sunk by a single Van Persie goal at Old Trafford Sunday before last, ending our unbeaten league run and undefeated away streak, but we should come back from the international friendlies full of the confidence we have shown throughout the majority of the season.

Jack Wilshere may have been talking about his own performances on the club website, but the expectations of Arsenal as a whole are now high themselves, as they've set a standard to be carried on.

Overall there is no doubting the unexpected start to the 2013/14 football season that Arsenal have had. I think I speak for all supporters who are feeling more confident than in recent years of a solid campaign.  Whispers had been circulating of invincibility in the league, a feat they conquered exactly ten seasons ago. They might not be able to do that this year, but having lost only two league games, and four for the season so far, it makes for something interesting when these international friendlies are done with. We sit top of the Premier League table, are oozing in confidence, and playing styles of football not seen in an Arsenal side for some time.

In contention with Gareth Bale’s move to Madrid, Mesut Ozil’s transfer to Arsenal was considered the signing of the summer. His quality has certainly helped to bring out the best in the likes of Ramsey, Cazorla, Wilshere, and even Giroud has proved a little more deadly with help of the German assist-master. Club legend and one of our former invincibles, Robert Pires, revealed on Tribal Football that Ozil’s “quality” and “experience” at Madrid give Arsenal are shot at the title race this year.

The Mirror Online were quick to make us title contenders further after Ozil’s debut against Sunderland. Steve Simmons and Matt Law write the club even then “served notice that they deserve acclaim as potential champions”, adding of the improved performances of Ramsey seeking a place in what has proven to be a rather exciting looking midfield.

Eurosport believe this is the Gunners’ year too, showing an example of the side’s ability against Swansea where “their big players stepped up and bang, bang, bang, the game was over. Any team who have the ability to do that consistently will always be title contenders”.

On the other hand, former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen has made it no secret that he doesn’t feel our club will be champions come May. Writing in The Telegraph he says, “They will not end the season as champions” with still work needed on their defensive play. Hansen adds, “their critical is that they are just not good enough when they do not have the ball.”

So what’s it like in the camp itself? As much as confidence is high, Mikel Arteta played down talk of comparisons to that of the 2003/04 side. He told Sky Sports, “I don't think we are at that level yet, but competition makes everyone work harder so it is a great thing because it raises the level” but feels firmly about Ozil’s arrival as a “great message from the club.”

We do look good, but for how long they can maintain their class is anyone’s guess as we head into Arsenal’s dreaded winter period - if history tells you much. They were unfortunate in their losses to Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United while a weakened side saw them go out of the Capital One Cup to Chelsea. 

But we proved to be too much for Liverpool who, if they can keep things going, will certainly be in contention as well next May. If we can keep the quality, get the likes of Podolski, Ox and Walcott back from injury and defeat the lesser sides who we’ve struggled to get results against in previous years, then we’ll have the points to prove the big club we know we are.

The league returns on Saturday (23/11) with Arsenal at home to high flying Southampton at the Emirates (3pm kick off). 

Who's number 1? Oh yeah

Arsenal take five point lead at Premier League summit

It was a good weekend results-wise for Arsenal, not only beating second placed Liverpool 2-0 themselves, but Chelsea lost unexpectedly against Newcastle, while Spurs could only draw with Everton.

Highlights (foreign commentary) from Saturday's win.

In doing so it's a wonderful sight to see us edge just that little more out in front of Chelsea and Liverpool who sit second and third respectively. Beating Rodgers' side on Saturday shows Arsenal are up to the challenge this year by beating the bigger clubs when we have a full strength side out. 

We certainly made the most of Liverpool's three at the back system in the first half and it certainly helped us gain momentum. We played the game our way and attacked really well. Cazorla's goal was well taken, albeit through a little luck with his initial header rebounding off the post, but you need that sometimes. 

Arteta was in for the instrumental Flamini in the holding midfield role again and he deserved much praise for his display on Saturday. While many questioned Flamini's return to the Emirates, he has helped to boost Arsenal's defensive qualities and organisational play. We've certainly missed him over the last couple of weeks but Arteta was on top form on Saturday in his stead which is promising for a side who lack a lot of strength in depth.

The ever impressive Aaron Ramsey grabbed his tenth goal of the season and potentially another goal of the season contender at the same time. As great as it is for us and for Ramsey, our attackers aren't the ones scoring the goals. Giroud, as much as he has grown more confident in England, still needs chance after chance after chance to put the ball in the back of the net.

The French striker has eight goals to his name but this isn't the kind of stat seen by top class out-and-out forwards. And we can't call upon Bendtner or Park who are far from showing the qualities needed to even play football if I'm being totally honest! Other than Thierry Henry and what Van Persie showed during his time here (when he was fit at least), we haven't had a top class striker who has lit the Premier League alight in recent years. Having said that, he holds the ball up well and brings in others to join attacks but we would be much more ruthless if he didn't need X amount of shots before converting one to a goal himself.

I agree with most others that Wenger still needs to spend on another striker. With Podolski and Walcott still sidelined (and Walcott again needs chances after chances to find the net), Wenger needs to spend big on a household name up front. Of course we had our chances over the summer but then the signing of Ozil wasn't too bad I suppose. But other big names which circulated round the media and in an area we lack in disappeared in Higuain, Rooney and Suarez. Chelsea were reluctant to loan out Demba Ba to us but then Wenger wasn't prepared to match their £3m offer for the move.

I've always liked Javier Hernandez at Manchester United and he's not exactly been a starting choice for them over the years. He's even doubting his future at the club (Telegraph.co.uk - opens in new tab). He's still experienced and is a great striker, often finding goals when he gets chances. I'm surprised there wasn't a Van Persie for Hernandez offer when we sold RVP to the Red Devils, and if the latest news is true, Wenger needs to listen and make a move for the Mexican!

Arsenal travel to Borussia Dortmund for tomorrow night's Champions League encounter. Hopefully we'll be the team to come away with something this time. At the Emirates last month we were robbed by one-counter attack move and we were much the dominant side, particularly in the second half. Hopefully we can take our momentum and confidence to Germany and have our revenge.

Still, Dortmund won't be make things easy at their place but we've an undefeated-away streak to maintain!

Leading the line...kind of. Olivier Giroud.