Can Arsenal leapfrog the Mourinho Bus?

From 1995 to 2005, this would have been the marquee clash, title decider, however things have moved on, and today may be a Manchester City v Spurs is elevated to that level. But with the form of Manchester City, and slip ups from Spurs, Chelsea, Liverpool, the likelihood of a title decider this season are low.
Anyways, for Arsenal it is an important clash. The momentum is with Arsenal, plus the home form record, and the way players are playing, Arsenal need to continue and extend the good patch.

Mourinho Bus

Jose Mourinho’s tactics are well known, ultra defensive, with the odd counter attack. Especially this season Murhinio has effectively targeted ‘not losing’ at away fixtures for the Top 6. The idea seems to be steady and within striking range, so when Manchester City falter, they can pounce.
Jurguen Klopp after the Liverpool game remarked, that as a Liverpool manager, he can not go as negative as Mourinho went. Similarly when Manchester United come to Arsenal, Mourinho will park the bus, and challenge Wenger to break through. The good thing from the last season was Arsenal overcame the psychological factor against Mourinho and Manchester United.
The great thing about Arsenal under Wenger is the identity of football, Arsenal will attack, and will go for the win. Against Manchester City, the team did not feel fluid, plus the ref cost the game. Since then, Arsenal have gelled together, they have rhythm, and a spring in their steps

Class act from Ozil

Against Huddersfield, Ozil was superlative. The cynics since then are saying that it is for that transfer, that new contract. Wenger has made it clear: no January moves away from Arsenal, and he himself remarked that there will be an incentive for both Ozil and Sanchez to play good, if they want to increase their value.

In all this, the key fact is Ozil’s game has improved a lot. Against Huddersfield, the pitch map of Ozil is great. He did his defensive duties, changed the wing, provided great support. A repeat performance is needed against Manchester United, especially with Lacazette injured and out of the game. Its a sore miss, the front three, Sanchez, Ozil, Lacazette, along with nice runs from Ramsey, are the feature of the attack.
the next question would thus be, Giroud or Welbeck? Among them, I like Giroud for the sheer heart he displays, the hard work put it. Comparing ability, they both seem a notch below Lacazette, however Welbeck provides a pace that could be useful at the start. The certain thing, the one who is on the bench will be a second half substitute.
This speculation will be secondary, if Ozil gets going, then it does not matter. That goal against Huddersfield, Giroud got the ball put on a plate, anyone in his place would have put it in.

Ramsey : Curious Case.

Ramsey, is the player that I am watching for this season, the energy is superb. Tireless work, and imaginative runs. He might be the most underappreciated player of the Arsenal season so far!. His stats are comparable to Ozil, and he has a presence on the pitch. He controls the forward movement, he leads them, contrastingly on the defensive side, he more of a follower, deferring to Mustafi.

Anyways, I feel Ramsey is due for something very special. His form has steadily improved. Of the class of Wilshire, Walcott, Coquelin, he has edged them all comprehensively to firm up his place in the squad. Usually when a player puts in a string of good performances, the confidence builds up, and the player feels anything is possible, and most likely we could get a wonder moment. We are getting a feeling in the air, that Ramsey might just deliver one against Manchester United. It would be great !

Ramsey Xhaka Discipline.

The heat maps of the two in three key games are indicative.

Against Huddersfield, it is the most prominent, they are firmly rooted in the centre, nudging towards the opponents half. The Chelsea game was a display, of focus and discipline, We can see two clear circles on the pitch, distances maintained, showing a clear defensive mindset. Against Suprs, the defensive work is there, formation wise support for the central defenders and wing play. Against Manchester United, ideal aim would be Chelsea type performance, because United are going to rely on counter attack and both these players will need to be alert to cut those runs.
However, with United sitting back, a danger is that they might drift forward. An understanding that Xhaka holds his position and Ramsey makes those runs and tracks back would be great. However those two will be key in keeping a clean sheet in the match which could be decided on the odd goal.

Spirit of Arsenal

Something happened over the international break. The pessimism after the Liverpool game has subsided and optimism has taken over. This is partly because the rest of the top 6 are struggling (barring Manchester City), and Arsenal have put on some gritty performances. The noise and atmosphere on derby day took the performance level of the players up, and the smiles and intricate passing make the games more watchable!

Hopefully in the United game off it will come together, Gunning for a win !