Wednesday 11 November 2015 11:42, UK
Could Arsenal's reliance on a midfield duo of Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin prove costly? We reflect on the lessons from their home draw with Tottenham on Sunday...
"It's the one big black mark that I've got over Arsene Wenger these last 10 years - why hasn't he identified the issue with central midfield because they cannot win the league with these types of players. It can't happen." - Gary Neville, Monday Night Football, August 2015.
For 76 minutes of the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, it appeared as though those familiar failings would contribute to another evening of recriminations for Arsenal supporters. However, Kieran Gibbs' goal at least allowed the Gunners to salvage a point against their great rivals.
And yet, once the excitement has dissipated, perhaps it's the memory of Arsenal's midfield being overrun that will remain. Neville called it arrogance or naivety earlier this season and while that caused consternation at London Colney, for the second time in a week, Arsenal were exposed.
After the 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in midweek, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin were asked to deal with the derby threat of a youthful Spurs side full of energy and enthusiasm. Throughout the first half, they never looked like coming to terms with the situation.
"They've dominated midfield, Tottenham," said Neville on co-commentary for Sky Sports. "Mousa Dembele, Dele Alli and Eric Dier have dominated Coquelin and Cazorla. They're all over them like a rash. The energy in the game is fantastic from Tottenham off the ball."
Spurs covered five kilometres more than Arsenal in the first 45 minutes alone, with the contrast in energy most marked in the area of the pitch where it's most important. While Alli made 42 sprints in the first half, Cazorla made just 10 - the fewest of any outfield player on the pitch.
"This must be his most difficult game this season that I've seen," said Neville of the Spaniard. "He needs help, there's no doubt about that. They've been harassed, that midfield two. It would be tough for two top central midfielders who can defend well. The space is big.
"They're getting so much space and Arsenal's central midfield cannot cope." Neville later added: "They've played as a six and a four. You can't play in big games like this. The chance they're taking is incredible. They're just not getting back. I can't believe what I'm watching."
Wenger later admitted that Cazorla was "not himself" and had felt "dizzy", but it was startling how little support he received. Joel Campbell and Alexis Sanchez stayed on the flanks, while Spurs controlled the centre. "Sanchez and Campbell are so wide," said Neville. "They have to get closer together."
It wasn't just the width of the midfield but the depth of it too. Harry Kane's opening goal came from Per Mertesacker pushing on to Christian Eriksen, rather than Cazorla dropping deep to take responsibility. "Talk to Santi Cazorla," urged Thierry Henry. "Tell him, 'Right shoulder, drop'."
Cazorla didn't do that, but then, that's not his game. At the age of 30 and having had to endure 87 minutes of torment in Munich on Wednesday, that was hardly likely to change here. "In this last six to eight weeks, I've always had doubts about Cazorla and Coquelin as a pair," said Neville.
"This week, against Bayern Munich and Tottenham, that's been shown up. I don't think they've been helped in saying that. They just don't have a classic holding midfielder who can dig them out in games like this."
In this last six to eight weeks, I've always had doubts about Cazorla and Coquelin as a pair. This week, against Bayern Munich and Tottenham, that's been shown up.
Turning to Mathieu Flamini was a belated recognition of the problems facing his team, but also reflected the paucity of options that the Arsenal manager has left himself with. Even so, it worked. And when Gibbs arrived for Campbell, it helped to turn the game in their favour.
In the end, Wenger deserves credit for being able to recognise what was happening. There were even chances to win it. Arsenal fans will be able to point to Olivier Giroud's missed opportunities, but given the flow of the game, they must also acknowledge that it could have been lost by then.
For three quarters of the contest, Spurs made Arsenal look pedestrian. That they couldn't finish the job says much about their inexperience. But it's the fact that they were able to do it at all that should worry Wenger. In a title race where the margins are tight, it's a flaw he still needs to address.
