Now that's more like it. Man U was decidedly subpar on the evening, but the Gunners played with style and effort and deserved the win. We had more chances and better ones. The defending was finally at the proper level of organization and desire. There was a lot to like about what Arsenal did in the Chelsea game, but this was much better, and the result shows it. It's early days in the Arteta era, but it looks as though he's already making the players and the team better. It's not just attitude, although that has improved. They're making better decisions individually, running more, and contributing on defense. As a team, they're coordinating better, covering for each other quickly, and playing according to a plan they all appear to understand and buy into.
The question now is how we adapt to the injury crisis, especially in defense. AMN has been extremely important and is getting better all the time. I don't know when Bellerin's getting back, but at this point he'll have a difficult time supplanting the Englishman. Tierney's months away from full training. Chambers appears to be out for the season, and maybe for part of the next. Kolasinac played hurt today. Saka is an intriguing fill-in; he's learning to defend like a fullback and still retains the ability to torch the opponents with his speed and dribbling when he gets forward. Maybe I'm imagining it, but Luiz and Sokratis seem to be playing a lot better under Arteta. Mustafi might improve too; I sure hope so. Holding has to be close to featuring again. But we're on very thin ice defensively and another serious injury would put us in a spot.
As we might have expected, it's in midfield that we see Mikel working his most impressive magic. Ozil is 100% better. Torreira is happy in his natural position. Xhaka benefits from the better organization and discipline Arteta has inspired. Guendouzi can focus better now that he's working in a system that makes sense. Willock can come in and do the job when called upon, and perhaps Smith-Rowe can get into the rotation.
The forwards/wingers take seriously their charge to be the front line of defense now. They know that helping to win the ball back means more frequent scoring opportunities.
We're improving at a good time, with the cup competitions restarting and our position in the table poor but not hopelessly out of contention for Europe (Europa League anyway). But like always, it's one game at a time.
I admit to rooting for a Liverpool loss soon so they won't be invincibles too.
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