Arsenal fans have been getting excited about the return to fitness of Hector Bellerin, Rob Holding and new-boy Kieran Tierney, all of whom got a run-out against Nottingham Forest last week. You can understand the optimism too.
After watching some haphazard defending this season, those supporters are hoping these young guns can improve the solidity of Unai Emery’s side.
I reckon they can as well. But for that to happen, the manager has got to work hard with them on the training ground. He’s got to create an understanding borne through tight organisation, very much in the way George Graham achieved all those years ago with the famous back four. Repetitive drills over weeks and months turned four individuals into a seamless barrier.
Yet in reminiscing about that rearguard, people don’t talk so much about the protection it was given by the rest of the team. Any defence will struggle if it’s constantly exposed, but Graham made sure that the midfielders in front did their jobs properly to stop that happening.
Unfortunately, you can’t say that about the present side. Statistics prove that the opposition finds space far too often in the areas between midfield and defence. When that happens, you will inevitably concede goalscoring chances.
Emery has got to find a way of reducing those moments, preferably starting against a Manchester United team badly in need of a lift.
The Gunners have got to avoid offering any kind of encouragement. They have got to play on the doubts swirling around Old Trafford just now to make things worse with a structured display.
I can’t see Bellerin, Holding and Tierney all starting. But whichever defenders play, they’ll need some organised help from those in front.
