Ex-Liverpool Man Points Out Clear Improvement In Arsenal’s Defending vs Bournemouth

By The Editor
on 11th September 2017

Phil Thompson impressed by Arsenal’s work rate off the ball…

Phil Thompson believes Arsenal’s work rate off the ball was the clear difference in our display against Bournemouth compared to the horrendous showing at Anfield.

The players knew that anything other than a win would’ve been deemed a disaster, and it showed in our defensive work to shut down the spaces.

Our effort to win the ball back against Liverpool was pathetic, allowing Jurgen Klopp’s men to pop the ball around freely and create chances at will.

Arsene Wenger accepted that we were “not at the level” on our commitment side.

“First of all I have to commend them on their work rate, the closing down,” Thompson said on Soccer Saturday.

“Whereas last week, they didn’t get anywhere near Liverpool. Today, everybody closed down.

“You could see it right from the front lads, went against their (Bournemouth’s) three at the back. Arsenal were all over them.”

The win against Bournemouth was certainly impressive, but it only intensified the scrutiny on the team regarding their habit of turning it on when they feel like it.

Teams that allow us to play has never been the issue, but it’s the games when we’re forced to defend for extensive periods that cause us problems.

Check out Thompson’s analysis on our performance in the video above.