MATCH PREVIEW: Hull v Arsenal; Any Time You Want to Start the Season Lads?

The season is well underway. Well, that is for most teams but Arsenal. Yes, they’ve played 4 matches and won 2, but it still looks like they are muddling through the season start, looking to find that next gear. And while it’s never wise to throw in the towel this early, they had better start finding the next level quickly or they could be stuttering through an open that sees them drift away from their fellow title chasers.
The reason for such stuttering could be many. You could point to Wenger’s roster selections. The imbalance created by Coquelin in the squad is noticeable to many – save for Wenger himself. You could likely point out that many of the stars of this team have had long summers and are still working themselves into match fitness. Mesut Özil, for all his class (and boy he has it in spades) is still not influencing matches like he can. Or you can hypothesize like I do that Arsenal have to master the obligations of commercial duties they must endure in their summer tours and preparing for a season.
Whatever reason you choose to point to, it’s not been the best start for the Gunners. Yes, there have been moments when you’ve looked at the team and been impressed. But then again you see moments and wonder what the hell are they doing?
When you look are across the squad you see a cadre of talented players that should be doing so much more than they are. And while Hull City should be an easy fixture for us to navigate through, their decent start to the season and our substandard start raise concerns about what to expect from this match.
Coming into the season, Hull were supposed to be knock overs. There was disarray everywhere, especially in light of Steve Bruce’s departure and the lack of signings for the team. But they have risen to the challenge and have performed quite well so far.
Arsenal present another scalp for them to take. Any slow start that allows Hull to gain momentum in the match will surely embolden them to think they can get a point. Hull represent an opponent that Arsenal should put away early and be done with it. You just wonder if they can.
Wenger’s tactical dilly dally
It’s widely known that Arsene Wenger is not a tactics man. Yes, he has a system and a style of play – that in of itself is a tactic. However, preparation for opponents is hardly his forte. Wenger like some of his contemporaries believe that if players know the system and style of play that should be enough to see them through. It’s an okay thought. But the Premier League is not an easy one to play in.
Our opponents know how to play against us. Sometimes our talent wins out. But when it doesn’t Arsene Wenger’s desired style of play hurts more than helps.
Tom Payne (@TomPayneftbl) did an amazing analysis of Arsenal’s issues. In his piece he describes how allowing the players the creative freedom Wenger puts them into a bind at times. We all talk about we get frustrated with the simple lateral passing that occurs when Arsenal are attacking the final third. If you could snap shot the majority of times Arsenal does this. A couple things stand out:
- Players for the most part standing in a line rather than creating angles for passing
- Players standing around waiting for the ball rather than using movement to find space
- Lack of shape to create and length or depth to the field
If you’re like me, it’s the last point that gets to you. For all our supposed passing acumen, the fact we don’t create depth or length on the field hurts us more than anything.
Think back to those moments of lateral passing around the 18. Hardly do you ever see anyone offering themselves as an option in back. It’s either a short diagonal that actually looks like a square pass, or an actual square pass. Every now and then we are graced with a forward pass but since there is little to no movement in front to lengthen the field those passes are easily intercepted.
We’re simply not the free flowing Arsenal we pretend to be. To me a system of play that resorted to its primary shape – in our current case 4-2-3-1 would help. It would also likely aid in some of defensive wos if people understood their role in a system rather than everyone being given free license to do as they will.
Where to Worry
Francis Coquelin – like or love him. There is no in between with the guy. He serves a purpose. But for me that purpose is the last 10 minutes of a game when you want to close it down. As a primary starter alongside Cazorla, he hurts more than helps. If the passes are kept simple and close by, he seems okay. But moving forward with any pace that or possession skill often results in him turning over the ball. Yes, he has been known to make a really good pass here or there but for a team that has plenty of the ball and gets ample enough time to pass it around, having possession dies at his feet, hurts the club when things aren’t going well and we need to get something from the match.
If we’re being given the ball and the space to operate but the opposition is sitting back, don’t start with Coquelin. Get in either Eleneny or Xhaka and have players who can pass through lines. If we need to close things down, fine bring on Coquelin.
The Verdict
I’m going to be honest. I just don’t know. I think we can batter them but will we make it hard on ourselves. Will Wenger stick with Sanchez up top and Coquelin in the middle? At least if Sanchez starts out wide you suspect we could get something because of his ability to run at a defense from outside in. I guess in the end, talent will win out here and the Gunners come away with the win.
Players to Watch.
Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez. 4 Games v Hull City = 4 Goals + 2 Assists. Nuff said.
Hull City. Abel Hernández. The Uruguayn striker seems to be able get off a shot when he needs to. He could present a challenge to Arsenal’s defenders.
Probable Lineups:

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Injuries & Suspensions:
Arsenal: Gabriel (ankle), Ramsey (hamstring), Jenkinson (knee), Mertesacker (knee), Welbeck (knee)
Hull City: Lenihan (knee), Dawson (knee), Luer (knee), Bruce (achilles), McGregor (back), Odubajo (knee)
Match Official:
Referee: Roger East (2M, 7Y, 1R)
Broadcast Information:
UK: BBC MOTD 1 (Highlights only)
US: NBC Sports Extra 10:00 AM EST
YAMA Predicts:
Hull City 0 – 1 Arsenal
The Manager’s Take (Via Arsenal.com)
“Overall it’s been a positive week,” he said. “We have shown the right attitude and spirit, and I know we have room for improvement in certain areas of the game that we will work on. But overall it is positive, the results are positive.
“We take our games seriously, we are focused on doing well and that is what we want to do again on Saturday.
“We have a short recovery but everyone looks to have recovered well and we go into the game with the desire to win it again.”
Match Facts (courtesy FourFourTwo.com via Opta Sports)
- Since beating Arsenal in their opening Premier League meeting with them in September 2008, Hull have lost six of the last seven meetings with the Gunners (D1).
- Arsenal have won five of their previous six visits to Hull in the league, losing only once to them in April 1915.
- The two sides have also played each other four times in the FA Cup in the last three seasons – Hull have won none of these games, including the 2014 FA Cup Final (D1).
- Alexis Sanchez has scored four times and assisted two goals in four previous games against the Tigers in all competitions.
- Should Arsenal defeat Hull, they will have won the most games at the KCOM Stadium as an away side in all competitions (currently five – level with Burnley).
- Hull City’s last three Premier League matches have seen a goal scored in the 90th minute or later – the last two of which have changed the outcome of the game.
- Santi Cazorla has scored two goals and assisted two more in his four Premier League appearances so far in 2016-17.
- Cazorla’s last seven Premier League goals have been from the penalty spot – one more will create a new record in the division for the most (currently tied with Danny Murphy, Jan Molby and Mikel Arteta).
- The Gunners are looking to win three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since December 2015.
- Arsene Wenger’s side are unbeaten in their last 25 Premier League games against newly promoted sides (W21 D4), since a 1-2 defeat at QPR in March 2012.
- This is Hull’s best start to a Premier League campaign after four games – they also had seven points in 2008-09, but had a negative goal difference.