Arsenal legend Martin Keown has expressed his concern over the defensive high-line deployed by Unai Emery. Arsenal extended their Premier League winning streak to four matches by beating Everton 2-0. Goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette saw Arsenal register their 5th successive win across all competitions this season. These five wins have come following two back-to-back defeats against Manchester City and Chelsea to start the season. This was also Arsenal’s first clean sheet of the season.
However, Everton had plenty of goalscoring opportunities throughout the match but could not cash on them. It took some really good saves from Petr Cech to keep the Everton attackers at bay.
Despite Arsenal’s steady improvement, their defence is a big concern. In just 6 Premier League matches, Arsenal have conceded 9 goals and Martin Keown is concerned about his former team’s backline.
Keown said, “It was a concern though for Arsenal at the beginning of the game the amount of one-on-ones [Everton had]. Petr Cech, under a lot of pressure, did really well. It’s a high line but for me it’s a false line. Back in the day we would always keep that, Arsenal notoriously always had a high line, but we were there to drop off.
Keown also said that the defensive high-line should be there but the defenders should also be able to drop behind when the opposition attackers get going. He said, “I want them high but ready to drop. If you run from deep against Arsenal you’ll get in. Everton got in today but weren’t able to punish them. Arsenal need to look at that, it’s about recognising when you need to drop off as a four.
You want to make the pitch as small as possible but you need to know when to drop off and at the moment they’re not quite working in tandem. Your body shape as well, you don’t just stand square you’re stood sideways on. You’re on the turn and you’re looking along that line so you can see where the ball and see where your opponent is to recognise, ‘Look, am I too high? Do I need to drop off?’
You come up high to make the pitch as small as possible then you dictate to the front player where you are on the pitch. If you just drop off they can set their stall out where they want.”
The win against Everton puts Arsenal in 6th position in the Premier League, sandwiched between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. Arsenal’s next match is a Carabao Cup fixture against Brentford on Wednesday. The Gunners then face Watford on Saturday.
