Emery Shows His Tactical Nous Again, But Is He Playing A Dangerous Game?

As the usual proceedings for Remembrance Sunday manifested, the Gunners also seemed to drop their weapons. After another lacklustre first half display, Unai Emery's Arsenal side left themselves in an unfavourable position going into half-time, something that seems to be becoming a pattern in the Premier League this season.

Unai Emery watches on as his Arsenal struggle against Wolves. 

Substitutes were duly prompted, the formation was tweaked, and Arsenal did eventually find the equaliser through a curled Henrikh Mkhitaryan effort. There bears the question, however, of whether Emery is playing a risky game. The stat that Arsenal have not led a single Premier League game so far this season remains pretty damning. People argue it shows tactical awareness from the Head Coach, great mental strength from the team, or that The Arsenal are simply a 'second-half team'. Whatever angle you view it at though, you cannot escape the feeling of Emery eventually being caught up in his tracks.

The Arsenal players observe a minutes silence on Remembrance Sunday.

The feeling isn't uncommon that, yet again, Emery made the correct changes and that his tactics were at the heart of Arsenal salvaging a draw. As the side began the second half, the young Matteo Guendouzi had been brought on to bulk the midfield, and the team became noticeably narrower with a clear attacking duo up front (both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang). In addition, the later substitute Mkhitaryan was vindicated as he supplied the equaliser, with Emery not being afraid to substitute off the 'big names' per se, namely Mesut Özil.

Even after a disappointing evening, Arsenal still remain unbeaten in 16; spanning to the back-to-back defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Chelsea. However, Arsenal's once 11 match winning run has now altered to unbeaten; still impressive, yet with wins drying out and 3 consecutive Premier League draws on the bounce, a sense of reality has dawned on the Emirates.

It was by no means that Wolves scraped the draw. They were the team that took the game to Arsenal, led for the majority, and looked most likely to score the winner if it weren't for the supreme Bernd Leno and the favour of the woodwork. As good as the Foxes were, however, it did feel like there was a sense of complacency from Arsenal before the game. If they thought they could simply turn up and gain three points, they were most certainly proved wrong. Although Emery claims the draw was not enough, even he acknowledges that on the day Wolves were superior and unlucky not to take the win away with them.

As winter dawns, Arsenal simply have to improve the way they begin games. Opposition will get tougher, and their lethargic openings will become beyond repair. Yes, Arsenal's mental strength has been exemplified with many inspiring comebacks this season (something critics have challenged of Arsenal in recent seasons); however this notion of becoming a team that only materialises late is a dangerous one, and one I feel could eventually come back to bite Unai Emery's side.

Darius Moghtadaii
@_Darius_RM