Arsenal went to Middlesbrough with six changes to their lineup and a back three for the first time in 20 years, looked a total shambles, yet managed to come away with all three points.
The much-changed Arsenal lineup and system was greeted by a rousing chorus of ‘We love you Arsenal’ from the travelling support, their tunes dominating the crowd during the opening exchanges.
Unsurprisingly, a side full of players devoid of confidence struggled to adapt to the new roles they were being asked to play in a brand new system.
Arsenal must’ve prepared this system for literally 5 minutes; no shape and midfield collapsing onto the defence.
— gilowilko (@gilowilko) April 17, 2017
Boro looked dangerous, less through their own ability than Arsenal’s awfulness, but Arsenal should been given a chance to take the lead when Olivier Giroud was hauled to the ground in the box
Anthony Taylor misses blatant penalty. Shocker…
— James 'Raul' Stökes (@JamesRaulStokes) April 17, 2017
No penalty given, obviously. pic.twitter.com/rQhWwZmJdY
— Connor (@TikiTakaConnor) April 17, 2017
Giroud won't get a penalty because Anthony Taylor is jealous of his beautiful hair and beard. There's a reason Allah took your hair from you pic.twitter.com/sn76BCml5o
— Nana Alaouie (@nana_alaouie) April 17, 2017
TBT When commentators talked for 70 minutes when United had a goal ruled out incorrectly for offside. Glossed over that pen like a throw in
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) April 17, 2017
It took Arsenal around 30 minutes to start looking like a side that knew what they were doing, the Ox making things happen down the right, driving energy into a lethargic Arsenal side.
Holding and Ox have been excellent tonight.
— 1886 (@1886_blog) April 17, 2017
But it was from the centre that Arsenal finally got their breakthrough. A clumsy challenge on Granit Xhaka lead to a freekick on the edge of the box, and Alexis made no mistake, leaving Brad Guzan rooted to the spot.
Orgasmic
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) April 17, 2017
Alexis Sanchez's superb free kick goal against @Boro #afc pic.twitter.com/iF0KShl22l
— Arsenal Latest (@ArsenalsNews) April 17, 2017
Alexis Sanchez has now scored 13 away league goals this season; Edinson Cavani (16) is the only player in Europe’s top 5 leagues with more. pic.twitter.com/FnaLsdQeBj
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 17, 2017
Is that Arsenal fans singing 'how shit must you be, we're winning away'?
— Tom Pyman (@gooner_tom) April 17, 2017
Half time, we are winning, is this real
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) April 17, 2017
"I'm a little teapot…" pic.twitter.com/dkaoKVVDA9
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) April 17, 2017
Boro with more shots, Arsenal with more possession (and goals obviously) pic.twitter.com/ZPC1n5Wx2A
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) April 17, 2017
Whatever fun we were finding in the final moments of the first half was smashed to pieces at the start of the second. It was awful defending from Arsenal. Again.
https://twitter.com/7amkickoff/status/854063897199783936
Alexis scored a great free kick.
Alexis gave the ball away twice in that move attempting ridiculous, unnecessary passes.Both true.
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) April 17, 2017
That's awful defending. Monreal marked Downing as if the winger had herpes.
— Stephen Bradley (@bradley08) April 17, 2017
Stat of the day: that's Middlesboro's first goal since the 1986-87 season
— YankeeGunner (@YankeeGunner) April 17, 2017
And we're back..
— Jamie Dalton (@JamieDalton82) April 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/854064387862278144
Alexis is both more dangerous and less of a defensive liability when he plays CF
— YankeeGunner (@YankeeGunner) April 17, 2017
Arsenal. Providing boosts for teams in trouble since 2008.
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) April 17, 2017
You have to just laugh now. Seriously. If we were even slightly better we'd have to worry about Spurs finishing above us. This dwarfs that
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) April 17, 2017
Bring Kolasinac on.
— Alexander (@Leshkantora) April 17, 2017
Is Clayton eligible for a card or…
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) April 17, 2017
@arsenal players trying to block shots…… pic.twitter.com/IGy4h4iqrR
— Stephen Cole (@coledinho1984) April 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/Flannyballs/status/854066940788256768
Arsenal's defence got me like… pic.twitter.com/pmOqO1lVhX
— Kyra ✨ (@KyraAlexandra_) April 17, 2017
Then, after looking like it was only a matter of time before we fell behind, up stepped Mesut Ozil…
GOAL! Mesut Özil scores his 7th Premier League goal of the season.
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzilStats) April 17, 2017
Aaron Ramsey is elite. Look at that composure
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) April 17, 2017
That's what makes us so frustrating. So much talent & potential but the way we play is so haphazard. Never know when/if it'll shine through
— YankeeGunner (@YankeeGunner) April 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/TerjeAFCx/status/854070050025857026
No player in the game has made more tackles tonight than Mesut Özil (4)
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) April 17, 2017
All the naughty boys will only get one minute of normal time
— Kin Fai (@aeroberg) April 17, 2017
IS COQUELIN PLAYING LEFT WING RIGHT NOW?!?!?! KILL ME
— Ryan De Freitas (@ryan_defreitas) April 17, 2017
Arsene Wenger. King of the Left Wing banter
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) April 17, 2017
Mesut Özil has had a hand in 5 goals (2 scored, 3 assisted) in his last 5 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal.
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzilStats) April 17, 2017
Conclusion
Nobody expects a change of formation to magically make everything better, but then at this point it’s not the formation that’s the issue, or the ability of the players.
It’s their confidence. It’s their willingness to put themselves on the line and run through that proverbial and oft-mentioned wall for Wenger and their teammates. To get out of this mess, Arsenal need a team of players willing to leave the pitch in a state of exhaustion, having spent everything they have mentally and physically.
Far too many of this side aren’t even bringing it to the pitch in the first place to be able to leave it there.