3 positive changes seen at Arsenal in the post-Wenger era

When Arsenal's most successful manager, Arsene Wenger left the Emirates after a reign of 22 years, there was a sense of nervousness in the hearts of spectators who wanted Wenger out for the last 3-4 seasons but had also seen the post-Ferguson era at Manchester United. But credit should be given to Arsene for leaving a good bunch of players at the Emirates with which Unai Emery has been able to replicate the strategies he believes in.

Aubameyang, Lacazette, Mkhitaryan, and Xhaka are players who always had the potential but lacked motivation during last seasons final games as lack of attention to detail in training had made them toothless in important matches.

Unai Emery has instilled fresh ideas and motivation into an exciting bunch of players and the results are for everyone to see. Whether it is the playing from the back strategy or high pressing, Unai has been able to stamp his authority on the Gunners who were pretty inflexible last season.

We take a look at three positive changes seen at Arsenal in the post-Wenger era.

---

#1. Playing out from the back

Peter Cech was seen as a weak link in the play from the back strategy

Arsenal eye-catching style of play in Wenger's early years at the club was magnificent for the fans to remember. But in his later years when other teams cracked the code of Arsenal's play, Wenger was left clueless and play a rigid 4-3-3 throughout his later career.

Unai Emery has kept the essence of the passing game and wants the team to build play from the back. His emphasis on keeping the ball even in the toughest of situations has been tough for the players to implement flawlessly on the field, but the fact that they are trying it out as a team shows the motivation Unai has been able to percolate through the training routines.

Peter Cech was seen as a weak link in the play from the back strategy, having played the opposite way throughout his career at Chelsea and also at Arsenal. Bernd Leno looks like a better fit for the system and it has to be seen whether Unai gives him much game time once Cech is fit.

#2. Introduction of a pure defensive midfielder

Torreira's reputation is increasing day by day and the diminutive Uruguayan is starting to make an impact

Granit Xhaka was signed by Wenger to give his midfield some steel which has been lacking since the exit of Patrick Viera. Wenger has tried many players throughout his career at Arsenal, but never really wholeheartedly filled the defensive midfield position with a specialist.

He converted Arteta into a defensive midfielder, tried playing Ramsey there for some matches, but his inability to bring a world-class defensive midfielder exposed the Gunners backline too often.

The signing of Lucas Torreira brought some much-needed enthusiasm. Having come on as a substitute in the first 5 matches, Torreira has started the last 4 matches and has shown what Arsenal were missing all these years.

The fact that Arsenal also has Matteo Guendouzi, an able tackler and possession-retainer shows Emery's emphasis on structuring the defensive part of the Gunners.

Torreira's reputation is increasing day by day and the diminutive Uruguayan is starting to make an impact.

#3 High Pressing

Alex Iwobi has impressed with his pressing from the front

Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, and Mauricio Pochettino have been the proponents of the high pressing game in the Premier League. But people who have followed Unai Emery's career would know that Unai Emery had been inculcating this education in all of his teams.

Sevilla was a hard-working team, so was Valencia, and PSG was also becoming a more grilled unit. Unai's choice of forwards and midfielders always takes into account their ability to work hard for the team.

High defensive lines were common in the Wenger era but the attacking players contributed very less in retaining the ball and building play again, something that has changed. Even players like Ozil and Mkhitaryan are not provided with the luxury of just roaming around with the ball and being invisible when the team loses the ball.

The changes will be surely put to test when they face title contenders Liverpool at the Emirates on 3rd November.