3 things Emery needs to change to help Arsenal achieve a top-four spot
Arsenal currently sit 6th in the Premier League table, 3 points off of fourth-placed Chelsea. The Gunners are out of both the domestic cups and the Europa League is the only realistic option for silverware this season.
With the race for the top 4 heating up and only 3 points separating 3 teams, Unai Emery needs to sort his team out and here are 3 things he should do immediately to ensure Champions League qualification.
Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil has only featured 13 times in the Premier League this season and he needs more game time. The former Real Madrid man has been the main source of creativity for Arsenal since he signed for them back in 2013.
With a little under 1100 minutes this season, the German magician has created more chances (22) in the league than any other Arsenal Player bar Granit Xhaka (26) but the Swiss international has played 9 games more.
Arsenal’s lack of creativity was again evident in the weekend’s defeat to Champions Manchester City where the Gunners had 4 shots in the whole game with just 2 on target. Unai Emery’s side failed to create chances in the game, something that Ozil could’ve done.
Emery should sort out the problems between himself and Ozil and bring the German back into the starting XI.
Away Form
Arsenal’s away form has been terrible for a second season running. The Gunners have only won 4 out of a possible 12 and have failed to keep a single clean sheet away from the Emirates this season.
Unai Emery’s men have conceded 25 goals away from home, over 2.2 times the number they’ve let in at home. The North London side have just 1 point from their last 5 away games – not a reflection of a top-4 side. On the contrary, Arsenal’s home form has been very good and they are yet to be beaten at the Emirates in the league since the opening game of the season against Manchester City.
Hence, it’s important for Unai Emery to improve his team’s form away from home if he aspires to achieve a top-four spot this season.
Formation:
Emery started the season with his tried and trusted 4-2-3-1 formation but as the season wore on, the Spaniard has tried a lot of different tactics. He changed to a 4-4-2 against Fulham earlier in the season when Arsenal won 5-1 and again altered to a 3-4-3 shape in the 4-2 victory over North London rivals, Tottenham.
The changes worked wonders earlier in the season and helped Arsenal go on a 22-game unbeaten run in all competitions. But lately, Emery has struggled to find the best formation for the team. With injuries not helping the cause either, the Spanish tactician has had to try and explore a variety of options but little have changed, especially away from home.
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With just 13 games left to play in the league, Emery has to quickly find a system that brings the best out of all the players.
