Arsenal's three-pronged attack is taking shape

These are the musings from the first hour of play between Reading and Arsenal on a rare Monday night football game. Internet demons prevented this viewer from watching more of it. Consequently, only a subset of the match is covered here, with emphasis on 3 standout players. Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere.

Like Gary Neville put it in this excellent pre-match analysis, the front three of Arsenal (Chamberlain, Walcott, Podolski) against Reading could potentially be devasting and direct. And so it was. Walcott’s constant runs behind the defense were great to watch, and he certainly played like a striker. Football is so much easier when ex-pros break it down for us. There is a big world behind the usual knee-jerk reactions and sensationalist headlines. Much appreciated, Mr. Neville.

Walcott, as the striker, usually started the runs when Arteta or Wilshere had the ball. Most of them dummy runs, designed to drag a centre-back out of position. The Reading defense never knew if the ball would arrive arrive or not, but they had to be alert all the time. No breathers at all. Arsenal didn’t allow them time to get into position. They made it chaotic for the defenders, and as the team causing the chaos, were always in control of the match. Reactive or defensive football is easier to implement than pro-active football, but the rewards for the latter style is the element of surprise.

The knock-on effect of Walcott being a general nuisance for the opposition was that it opened up space for Cazorla to motor into. And the Spaniard lapped it all up with a hat-trick. Cazorla’s ball-control is jaw-dropping. Reminiscent of Maradona’s in the way that it seems the ball is stuck to his shoelaces. Very beautiful to watch. He has already settled at Arsenal, or at the least seems comfortable in the team and is generally regarded as a creative hub. His next recognition should be a place in the national team. And it should arrive. He need not look further than his countryman in Manchester. David Silva was left out in the cold after just one match in the 2010 World cup, but was a first team-player in Euro 2012 on the back of a stellar season at Man City. There is always space for beautiful players in the Spanish national team, Del Bosque is a fair man and enjoys working with expressive players. Cazorla should be a first team player for Spain by next season or even sooner, provided he is fit and continues to enthrall.

Jack Wilshere drove forward a lot more, and it seemed like everyone had more space to play with. At every Arsenal attack, it felt like the pitch was opening up more and more. Lukas Podolski‘s late runs and first-time passes were exactly the kind of service he provides for his national team as well. Accurate passes, at full pelt. Why is it that left-footed players are more pleasing to the eye than right-footers?

Slick passing, constant movement, late runs, plain speed. This was a very Arsenal-ish Arsenal team, which may sound stupid, but made for great viewing for a neutral. For the fans, much-needed hope and inspiration. All is not lost, there is reason to exist. To borrow a phrase, good football is what you want, the scoreline is secondary.

Wenger has thrown a spanner in the works by sending his team out. Is this simply a one-time tactic to pacify Walcott so that he re-signs, or is this the way forward for Arsenal? That, only he can answer. It felt like the Arsenal of old with a few modifications, but overall a team with an identity. Stating the obvious, but a short passing game is lethal when played at a high-tempo and even if this is a one-off result, it was fun to watch.