It was a weekend full of drama for Arsenal fans, after each of their counterparts for a top four position put in victories before the Gunners had even kicked a ball.
The boys didn’t let us down though, and with yet another stand out performance from Santi Cazorla, Curtis Goff looks at how this Arsenal side are beginning to click, and the main points we can take from the 2-0 scoreline at the Etihad.
Arsenal Full Game Defensive Stats:
- Possession: 35%
- Tackles: 22
- Clearances: 50
- Passes: 360
- Touches: 646
Capable Coquelin
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You’d be forgiven to think that 45 minutes before yesterdays game, you seemed a little unsure with Wenger’s team selection. Although he didn’t have much choice, we began with an out of form left back in Monreal, and a right-back of Hector Bellerin, the same player who’s been a part of the reserves for the majority of the season.
But the most standout of all was the inexperience of Francis Coquelin, who started only his fourth Premier League game of the campaign, playing just in front of the back four. This is the same man who not only a month ago was playing Championship football at a struggling Charlton Athletic. Now, he faced the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva who have proved a threat all season in City’s challenge for the title, and didn’t he do well.
Just the stats are enough to show anyone that Coquelin was sensational, after he completed a 100% tackle succession rate, 87% pass completion rate and winning 88% of his aerial duels (not bad for a short 24-year-old).
If you’re still not convinced, check out the way Coquelin acts around his teammates, it’s no longer the young lad who’s new to all this. If someone did something wrong, he was the first to let them know it. His hunger to win the ball is like Alexis, if he makes a mistake he is determined to make up for it, which shows he is repaying the boss for his chance.
Fans reacted on Twitter with heaps of praise for the Frenchman, with many comparing him to the commitment shown by Arsenal veteran, Gilberto Silva. His control on the ball and patience to look up before passing is what sets him aside from Flamini and Arteta, he can add versatility to his game – something which is very hard to do in that position. Click the page numbers below to see the other two learning points.Â
Coquelin’s Full Game Stats:
- Pass Completion: 87%
- Tackle Completion: 100%
- Aerial Duels Won: 88%
- Clearances: 11
- Key Interceptions: 6