In seasons past Arsenal have been stereotyped, not without reason, as defensively fragile and naive. Arsene Wenger has sought to address that this season with the signings of two new centre backs, Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci after a clear out of the defensive deadwood within the squad.
Against Bolton the back four was totally untested, consisting of Gibbs, Koscielny, Squillaci and Eboue. Last season the equivalent rotation would have left Arsenal with players like Silvestre at the back, players who never inspired confidence at the best of times.
Koscielny made only his third appearance for the club, whilst Squillaci made his debut, and apart from one obvious error from Koscielny they coped well with the threat of the physical Kevin Davies, Lee and Elmander.
Laurent Koscielny also contributed the opening goal, showing the attacking threat from all areas of the Arsenal side.
Highlights courtesy of Arsenalist.com
As might be expected from a ball playing Arsenal side in the ascendency against Bolton, there was an almost perfect passing record from the two players. Both looked composed playing the ball out of defence, Koscielny playing 33 passes, and misplacing only one and Squillaci completing 100% of his 40 passes.
Impressive statistics indeed, although Bolton didn’t pressure the centre-backs as much as more difficult opposition might.
More crucial than ever was Koscielny’s continued excellent record of interceptions – making nine against Bolton. In fact Koscielny has made seventeen interceptions in the three games he has participated in, averaging just over five per game. Interceptions are ever more important in the modern game, and Koscielny’s prowess should provide optimism for the Arsenal coaching team.
Koscielny’s impressive record on interceptions is easy to see, and crucially they have come whilst playing on both sides of defence. Partnering Squillaci against Bolton he played on the left, making nine interceptions (above), whilst with Vermaelen he playing on the right he made four apiece (below).
In terms of tackling the performance was more varied, Koscielny with 4 (50% success) and Squillaci with 5 (55% success). This is something that can be worked on, but 0ver 50% success rate is still respectable.
What will interest fans most is the way the two performed in the air, considering the aerial threat of Kevin Davies, a thorn in the side of successive generations of Arsenal defences, and a player whose popularity is not high outside of the Reebok Stadium. For Koscielny all of the tackles except one were aerial challenges – meaning he won three headers and lost four, whilst Squillaci won two aerial duels in his own half and lost three. Just below half for both players.
Previous seasons have seen a vulnerability when it comes to long downfield balls, and aerial challenges, previous instances at the Emirates include a bouncing clearance against Liverpool which Robbie Keane dispatched after Gallas failed to deal with it, and a Blackburn special from N’Zonzi straight from a Paul Robinson goalkick.
Saturday did see a familiar scenario in the mix-up between Koscielny and Squillaci for the Bolton goal, Squillaci missing the clearance and Koscielny heading it into the path of the skillful Lee, leaving Almunia in no-mans land. This was a clearance from a goalkick and the centre-backs misread the situation.
However, in his post-match comments, Arsene Wenger was at pains to point out that Koscielny and Squillaci had a good game, and stood up to the physicality of the Bolton approach.
“What I like is, for example, when Koscielny was knocked down he came back and still won every header after that. For somebody coming from the French league that is a good sign.”
The performance was impressive, and apart from the one Koscielny error, he continued to maintain the high standards set in his first three games at the club. Arsenal played an untested back four, with centre-backs who are still adjusting to Premier League football, and came out as worthy winners with a solid defensive performance. Problems can be ironed out as the season progresses, meanwhile the statistics on passing and interceptions give further optimism that Arsenal are in a better situation defensively than last season.
You can go to Guardian Chalkboards for more diagrams, and Arsenalist.com for reliable highlights.
If you like this post you might also like our in-depth analysis of Theo Walcott
ArseSpeak 
Interesting post
I was at the game yesterday – it was the most solid I’d seen us against a team with a more ‘physical’ approach for a number of seasons.
Song and rosicky were awesome in midfield, cecs and wilshere too.
It’s coming home!
Ha ha. The defensive performance looked more solid and composed, and that is very important for Wenger. Still shipped an unnecessary goal though.
Given these are new partnerships we can expect mistakes. Hopefully they will get more and more used to each other and tighter as a unit.
Any way back for Djorou, he was rubbish for the reserves recently.
Not sure about Djourou, he has always been highly rated, but I would think Koscielny is ahead of him, and Squillaci too. He is further disadvantaged because he’s been out so long. I think Wenger would rotate the four as they are all good, but Koscielny is long-term option for CB partner with Vermaelen.
Great analysis as ever, fantastic to have some rational analysis rather than ‘Internet Joe’-type of ill thought through spouting.
Keep up the good work.
Is there any possibility that robin van persie would be fit arsenal’s away match at chelsea?
I would think he will be doubtful to start, but with longer injuries it’s always unpredictable. Don’t expect him to play at Chelsea. Not too worried as long as we have Chamakh – he looks quality.
There’s no such thing as an unsuccessful interception. Every player in the league has a 100% interception completion rate this season :p
By jove – you are right. Sorry – glaring error – it should really be commenting about the fact he makes them regularly. Making the change. That’s Sunday evening writing for you.
Thanks mate
I m optimistic after reading these stats.
Wenger is vulnerable in buying a defender though
Thank you; This was an excellent article. For sure the CBs are going to better as the season goes on, and they get more familiar with each other and with the league.
One thing for sure is that these players have more fight in their hearts than what we’ve seen in recent years.
The one thing that I still want to see addressed by the coaches is the tendency of our back four to over-play the ball. I know that Wenger encourages players to express themselves, but this is the EPL. It is hard enough without having to make silly mistakes. Just play it safe and get it out othe there.
Also the holding midfielders are also guilty of over playing the ball in the center of the park.
I remember an article once by Roy Keane; He said that it was at Notingham Forrest that he learned the skills of playing his position. “WIN THE BALL THEN PASS IT TO A RED SHIRT”.
That is all you must do to clear the danger.
Very interesting stat.
Squillaci is far better than Gallas
Pingback: Top Posts — WordPress.com
Verm & Kos Or Verm And Squacilli ?
Ony Ideas On Who Out First Choise Cb Will be?
I think Squillaci will be the starter alongside Vermaelen with Djourou and Koscielny as back ups. It’s too early to tell but Squillaci looks a better defender than Gallas despite Gallas being picked ahead of him in the french national team. Guess Gallas looks a better athlete and may have a better around game with his threat at set pieces. Laurent looks a little raw at times but his rise has been rapid, showing he’s determined and a quick learner. Djourou will have to wait for his chances but it’s probably a good thing because as we’ve seen with Eduardo and Rosicky coming back from an extended period out will be followed with the occasional muscle injury as his body fully adjusts. Yeah it looks good for the future, Nordveit has some good professionals to learn from and Bartley’s getting experience and doing well at Sheffield by the sounds of it.
If I’m not mistaken, Guardian includes aerial duels under tackles. So most of those unsuccessful tackles are probably lost headers against Kevin Davies. On the ground, I think Koscielny in particular has had a high success percentage.
Pingback: Arsenal Score Six: How they took Braga apart: Highlights of The Fab Four – Wilshere, Fabregas, Arshavin, Chamakh « ArseSpeak
Pingback: Do Arsenal have the worst defence to lead the Premier League at this stage? « ArseSpeak
I think Squillaci will be the starter alongside Vermaelen with Djourou and Koscielny as back ups. It’s too early to tell but Squillaci looks a better defender than Gallas despite Gallas being picked ahead of him in the french national team. Guess Gallas looks a better athlete and may have a better around game with his threat at set pieces. Laurent looks a little raw at times but his rise has been rapid, showing he’s determined and a quick learner. Djourou will have to wait for his chances but it’s probably a good thing because as we’ve seen with Eduardo and Rosicky coming back from an extended period out will be followed with the occasional muscle injury as his body fully adjusts. Yeah it looks good for the future, Nordveit has some good professionals to learn from and Bartley’s getting experience and doing well at Sheffield by the sounds of it.