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MATCH REVIEW THREAD: Fulham 0-3 Arsenal! Arteta ball is well and truly under way. So much to dissect, discuss and analyse. In this thread, I will provide my in depth thoughts on the game. RTs for more Gooners to see this positive piece would mean so much to me. Enjoy! 
FIRST HALF: I felt Fulham started the game well, providing good intensity/energy.An early nervy moment for Gabriel but Leno did well to stop Kamara from pouncing on the opportunity. But now lets talk about our play, and how well drilled we were both in and out of possession. Ive
been telling people for a while that we are not attacking in a typical 3-4-3. Its different tactics installed within the team in and out of possession. So let me explain what has been happening for a while now. As we build up from the back, we have Tierney moving from LCB to LB.
AMN is tasked to tuck in and advance up the pitch centrally and build a partnership with Auba, making a 4-3-3. As we progress forward, we then have Tierney tasked to play as a conventional attacking LB. 4-3-3 in the build up, to a 2-3-5. Auba tucking in, occupying Odoi, which
creates space for KT to exploit out wide. One of Xhaka or Elneny, would at times push forward and provide us with more options going forward as well as Hector joining attacks, creating a 2-2-6 at times. It was clear that more freedom was given to certain individuals than before
because this was a game where the onus was on us to impose our game. But predominantly, it was a typical 4-3-3 to a 2-3-5 as we progressed further forward. Now lets talk about the goal. 19 passes in the build up! All I will say is get used to seeing excellent team goals because
when you have a manager, who has a clear idea, stresses the importance of the non negotiables, you will see attractive passages of play, with each player knowing their roles. Elneny plays a very good lofted ball for Auba to run onto. Watch the run of AMN, which he was frequently
making, occupying players, and creating space for others. Auba puts it back for Xhaka who mistimes the shot. Yes it is lucky that it falls to Willian. But what I really liked was how we flooded the box with players taking up positions that will allow them to pounce on errors.
Regularly in the past we would have only one player in the box. Willian does well to get the shot of, force the save and Laca is there to pounce on the rebound. Great build up, little bit of fortune but these things can go your way when players are positioned correctly. Lot of..
must go to Mo.He took the initiative, looking to make something happen and was the initial catalyst. Again what really impresses me under MA is the way he has drilled this team out of possession. Our press is brilliant. Its calculated, with players taking positions that eliminate
passing lanes, stopping the opposition from playing out from the back comfortably. Laca did well through the centre, with Auba and Willian taking good positions that eliminated easy passes to the FBs. Xhaka and Elneny both very disciplined. When one pushed forward, tasked to win
the ball back from their CMs, the other would maintain their position and ensure that they wouldn't easily transition through us. Both Hector and AMN also very good in this aspect. Although they carved a few good moments from playing out from the back, there were instances where
we won the ball back, but didn't do enough in the action areas. 5-4-1 was as usual played when we didn't have the ball. Few dangerous crosses came from our left but overall an encouraging first half display. But with it only being 1-0, Fulham were always still in the game.
SECOND HALF: An aspect I highlighted before was that I wanted us to improve on was our ability to kill teams off. Palace, Sheffield United, Leicester, Chelsea are all games under MA where we have led at half time, but failed to see the game off. And this is what impressed me with
our second half display. On the front foot, continuing to impose our game, bullying the opposition. Willian, who is a set piece specialist, delivers a beauty for Gabriel to score his first goal. Brilliant header and I will dive into his performance in a bit. That 3rd goal! Fulham
try to press our backline, but to no avail. This is what is different under MA. Everyone is calm/comfortable on the ball, and have a clear idea of how to play out from these situations because of the structure and shape installed within the team.Xhaka provides a simple option for
Holding, drawing players in and laying it off to HB. He then plays it to Elneny brilliantly, who finds himself in space. Laca receives the ball, holds it up, occupies the CB and takes him out of the game. Willian collects the ball, brilliantly finds Auba and then partnerships
start to develop. AMN makes his typical central run, Tierney advancing on the left, which gives Auba space to curl it top bins! Could have scored more but i'll take the 3-0 and clean sheet. Lets now talk about individual performances. Really happy that Leno wasn't overworked and
did well when called into action. Very comfortable with the short passes. Few occasions in the first half where Rob looked uncomfortable, misplacing a few passes. But overall pretty good. Tierney as usual solid defensively. Felt his game in possession could have been better, and
gave the ball away cheaply a few times.Some good crosses though which must be mentioned. HB also with a good display. Granit quietly went about his business, broke the lines and always gave the CBs a simple passing option. Great ball for Auba in the first half, in behind their CB
and RB. Elneny was fantastic. Tidy on the ball, always comfortable when players pressed him, provided tenacity out of possession and was the catalyst for the first goal. Willian impressive on debut, with two assists. Auba again on the scoresheet along with Laca who worked hard
and held the ball well in certain situations. AMN improved on his performance in the second half. Felt he didn't provide us with his usual solid performance defensively in the first half. But his advanced runs were effective throughout. MOTM is Gabriel for me. Commanding, bullied
Kamara, and was good on the ball,Broke the lines on a few occasions and played the ball in good areas for Tierney. This is why its its beneficial to have a left footer on the left as it creates better passing angles. Debut goal aswell. Great start to the season! LETS KICK ON NOW!
