Arteta Wants More Flair as Arsenal Step Up Title Defence
Arsenal were frequently labelled “Set Piece FC” last season because of their effectiveness from corners and other dead-ball situations.
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta. Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has challenged his players to add greater creativity and attacking flair to their game as they continue their strong start to the Premier League title defence.
The Gunners have won their opening three matches of the campaign, producing an attacking style that has impressed supporters and offered an early indication that the team is determined to evolve.
Arsenal were frequently labelled “Set Piece FC” last season because of their effectiveness from corners and other dead-ball situations.
However, the London club have made an impressive change in the early stages of the new campaign, with all their goals so far coming from open play.
Arteta believes that attacking development will be crucial if Arsenal are to maintain their momentum and challenge for major honours again.
“I like a lot what I’ve seen from the team so far. For sure, it’s for flair but also just making sure what happens on the pitch is what we want,” Arteta said.
The Spanish coach wants Arsenal to combine creativity with control, dominance and a constant threat in the final third.
He said the team must continue improving in areas where they can become more unpredictable and efficient in front of goal.
“The opportunities and synergies that we create with the team are much stronger and we’re going to continue to be like that. That’s always the intention,” Arteta added.
The manager, however, acknowledged that Arsenal’s level of performance can sometimes be influenced by the quality of their opponents and their own execution.
“Sometimes it’s the level of the opponents, sometimes the level of execution and that has to increase as well to be much more efficient and dominant throughout the games and we will continue to do that,” he said.
One player who has played a major role in Arsenal’s attacking improvement is Kai Havertz.The Germany international has enjoyed an impressive run of form while operating in different positions across the frontline.
His ability to move between roles has made him difficult for opponents to contain.Arteta believes Havertz’s intelligence is one of the qualities that separates him from many other forwards in the Premier League.
“The best position is in relation to what the game demands and what the team demands on the day. To be as efficient as possible, as unpredictable as possible,” Arteta said.
The Arsenal boss praised Havertz’s ability to read situations before they develop, saying the forward often appears to be several seconds ahead of the action.
“Kai is extremely intelligent, that’s his biggest quality. He understands the game, he’s five, ten seconds ahead of the game, he knows what he’s having, he doesn’t need to think about it, he just acts,” Arteta said.
Havertz has also contributed through his goals, chance creation and work rate, with Arteta describing him as being in a strong emotional state. Arsenal have also received a major boost from the return of Martin Odegaard to full fitness.
The Norwegian captain has endured injury problems over the past two seasons but has recently begun to rediscover his best form. His decisive performances, including important goals against Chelsea and Napoli, have strengthened Arsenal’s midfield and attacking options.At the other end of the pitch, new signing Ezri Konsa has quickly established himself as an important figure in Arsenal’s defence.
The defender arrived from Aston Villa for a reported £55 million and has impressed Arteta with his leadership and communication.The Arsenal manager said Konsa’s ability to integrate quickly into a new dressing room had been particularly impressive.
“It’s certainly something to admire because it’s not easy at all and you should not take it for granted,” Arteta said.He added that people who had previously worked with Konsa had spoken highly of his ability to bring teammates together and provide leadership.
According to Arteta, Konsa demonstrated those qualities from his first training session, both through the way he communicated and conducted himself.The defender’s arrival has therefore given Arsenal another experienced voice at the back as the club seeks to maintain its defensive strength while becoming more adventurous in attack.
With Havertz in form, Odegaard returning to peak fitness and Konsa settling quickly into the defence, Arteta has several reasons to be optimistic.
However, the manager knows that Arsenal cannot afford to become complacent. The club’s title ambitions will depend on their ability to maintain consistency while continuing to improve their creativity, execution and control.
For Arteta, the challenge is clear: Arsenal must keep evolving if they are to remain among the Premier League’s leading contenders.
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