Defeat at Old Trafford on Matchday 6 abruptly ended Arsenal’s perfect start to the 2022/23 Premier League season.
The Gunners had won their opening five games of the new campaign and they still sit on top of the table despite Manchester United’s 3-1 victory.
Their current start pales in comparison to a year ago when Mikel Arteta appeared to be on the brink for the umpteenth time after overseeing three straight defeats to begin 2021/22. Although, Arsenal would quickly recover to eventually put themselves in an optimal position to return to the Champions League for the first time in six years.
I’ve suddenly forgotten how the season concluded. Silly me.
The last time we saw the Gunners in Europe’s premier club competition, they were beaten 5-1 at home to Bayern Munich to complete a 10-2 aggregate defeat in the round of 16. Those were the days, eh?
Nevertheless, Arsenal’s impressive start – which many supporters saw coming before the season got underway – has many believing that those magical (Bavarian thumpings aside) Champions League nights will soon return to the Emirates.
3 key factors in Arsenal’s superb start to the 2022/23 season
This is certainly the best Arsenal side we’ve seen since Arsene Wenger left town, and here are three key factors in their early success to start the 2022/23 season.
1. New signings have settled
Oleksandr Zinchenko has slotted seamlessly into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal had a very busy start to the transfer window before their summer somewhat fizzled out. The club made five signings, three of which are yet to start a Premier League game, but the other two have hit the ground running – and some.
The arrivals of Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City were met with much acclaim, and these two have played pivotal roles in Arsenal’s early success. Jesus is the obvious star, he’s single-handedly transformed a Gunners front line that was inhibited by the unathletic Alexandre Lacazette last season.
In stark contrast to his predecessor, Jesus is a relentless presser who easily interchanges with those in close proximity to baffle defences. He’s brilliant with his back to goal, and his ability to turn on a dime has caught out several defenders in seemingly innocuous situations.
The Brazilian has notched six goal contributions in six league games, but he’s already shown that he doesn’t have to score to have a major impact on proceedings. He makes the ball stick with aplomb, ensuring Arsenal progress upfield when, at times, they perhaps weren’t expected to.
Jesus has excelled in almost every regard, and while he’s had a profound effect in the opposition’s half, Zinchenko has significantly bolstered Arsenal’s build-up. Together, the pair have combined to bring a stronger mentality to the dressing room.
Zinchenko has already missed time through injury, but he started Arsenal’s opening three games and slotted in seamlessly to Mikel Arteta’s starting XI. The function he performs isn’t too dissimilar to what Pep Guardiola had him doing up in Manchester. It’s a unique role, but one Zinchenko blossoms in.
No player has attempted (65.3) or completed (57.5) more passes per 90 minutes than the Ukrainian this season, and his 88.1% pass completion depicts just how secure he is with the ball. He’s Arsenal’s metronome who provides security and maturity to Arsenal’s possession play.
Continued on the next slide…
which many supporters saw coming before the season got underway</a> – has many believing that those magical (Bavarian thumpings aside) Champions League nights will soon return to the Emirates.</p>
<h2>3 key factors in Arsenal’s superb start to the 2022/23 season</h2>
<p>This is certainly the best Arsenal side we’ve seen since Arsene Wenger left town, and here are three key factors in their early success to start the 2022/23 season.</p>
<h2>1. New signings have settled</h2>
<div id="attachment_129200" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-129200" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1242946190.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1242946190.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1242946190-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Oleksandr Zinchenko has slotted seamlessly into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Arsenal had a very busy start to the transfer window <a title="How do we assess Arsenal’s summer transfer window?" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/02/how-do-we-assess-arsenal-summer-transfer-window/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">before their summer somewhat fizzled out</a>. The club made five signings, three of which are yet to start a Premier League game, but the other two have hit the ground running – and some.</p>
<p>The arrivals of Gabriel Jesus and <a title="Oleksandr Zinchenko is turning out to be Arsenal’s key man" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/08/22/zinchenko-is-turning-out-to-be-arsenals-key-man/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oleksandr Zinchenko</a> from Manchester City were met with much acclaim, and these two have played pivotal roles in Arsenal’s early success. Jesus is the obvious star, he’s single-handedly transformed a Gunners front line that was inhibited by the unathletic Alexandre Lacazette last season.</p>
<p>In stark contrast to his predecessor, Jesus is a relentless presser who easily interchanges with those in close proximity to baffle defences. He’s brilliant with his back to goal, and his ability to turn on a dime has caught out several defenders in seemingly innocuous situations.</p>
<p>The Brazilian has notched six goal contributions in six league games, but he’s already shown that he doesn’t have to score to have a major impact on proceedings. He makes the ball stick with aplomb, ensuring Arsenal progress upfield when, at times, they perhaps weren’t expected to.</p>
<p>Jesus has excelled in almost every regard, and while he’s had a profound effect in the opposition’s half, Zinchenko has significantly bolstered Arsenal’s build-up. Together, the pair have combined to bring a stronger mentality to the dressing room.</p>
<p>Zinchenko has already missed time through injury, but he started Arsenal’s opening three games and slotted in seamlessly to Mikel Arteta’s starting XI. The function he performs isn’t too dissimilar to what Pep Guardiola had him doing up in Manchester. It’s a unique role, but one Zinchenko blossoms in.</p>
<p>No player has<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://fbref.com/en/squads/18bb7c10/Arsenal-Stats#all_stats_gca" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> attempted (65.3) or completed (57.5) more passes per 90 minutes</a> than the Ukrainian this season, and his 88.1% pass completion depicts just how secure he is with the ball. He’s Arsenal’s metronome who provides security and maturity to Arsenal’s possession play.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 key factor in Arsenal's early success </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>2. Subtle tactical evolution</h2>
<div id="attachment_129096" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-129096" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1419680352.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1419680352.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1419680352-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Mikel Arteta has played a key role in Arsenal’s early success. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Mikel Arteta’s game model hasn’t deviated drastically since his late 2019 arrival. He’s all about control, but the personnel he once had available to him meant he was forced to take a more pragmatic approach at times – see the 2020 FA Cup triumph.</p>
<p>However, the arrivals of Zinchenko and Jesus have allowed Arteta’s ideals to manifest in their purest form at the start of 2022/23. We caught glimpses of his <em>Juego de Posicion</em> principles last season, but the Gunners are now beginning to dominate contests for more prolonged periods.</p>
<p>Although, they are far from perfect and we’ve already seen times – particularly in the second halves of games – where Arsenal cede control and allow the opposition back into the contest.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the Gunners are certainly improving and the new signings have facilitated a subtle tactical evolution. The crucial difference from last season is that Arsenal are pressing more.</p>
<p>In 2021/22, Arsenal’s PPDA (passes per defensive action) was <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://theanalyst.com/eu/2022/06/english-premier-league-2021-22-stats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">11th lowest in the Premier League (13.6)</a>, but through six games this season it’s <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://theanalyst.com/eu/2022/08/premier-league-stats-2022-23/">fourth lowest (10.9)</a>. A lower figure indicates a more effective press. The Gunners have also made steady improvements in regards to high turnovers – ten of which have led to a shot, a joint league high.</p>
<p><a title="3 key tactical principles that will help Arsenal improve in 2022/23" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/08/02/3-key-tactical-principles-arsenal-improve-2022-23/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A more athletic front line has led to an increased intensity from the front</a>, and the Gunners’ efficacy in winning back possession has handed them more time on the ball. They’ve often been able to sustain pressure as a result, and they always look menacing in attack thanks to Arteta’s coherent possession structure. Their domination is rarely sterile, even if their work with the final ball does need work.</p>
<p>Moreover, Arteta must sort out his side’s ability to defend against the counter-attack. At the moment, they look like Pep’s 2016/17 City side.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 key factor in Arsenal's early success </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>3. A pretty easy schedule</h2>
<div id="attachment_128682" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-128682" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1910,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1242613487.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="1910" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1242613487.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1242613487-768x458.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Arsenal did feast on the poor in August. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Arsenal improved qualitatively over the summer, with William Saliba’s return bolstering a defence no longer crippled by individual errors (Gabriel’s blunder against Fulham aside). They’re better at both ends of the pitch, that’s for sure, and their evolution has enabled them to assert greater control in games.</p>
<p>However, there’s no denying that a kind schedule has played a role in their bright start. Many predicted the Gunners to start quickly and while some didn’t see them winning their opening five games, it wouldn’t have been an outlandish projection.</p>
<p>Arsenal were rather fortunate to face an undercooked Crystal Palace, a side that endured a hectic pre-season, on opening night, while the likes of Leicester and Aston Villa are sides Arteta’s men would’ve been expected to beat on home soil. Bournemouth will surely end the campaign bringing up the rear, and while Fulham will upset a few teams this season, Arsenal’s talent blows the Cottagers’ out of the water.</p>
<p>Of course, there are no ‘easy’ games in the Premier League. The quality of the top flight is staggering and never before have we seen such a collection of talent up and down the division.</p>
<p>However, winning games they were expected to win wasn’t a problem for Arsenal last season. Their issue came against the ‘Big Six’ (P10 W3 L7) and in their first fixture of the sort, they were beaten 3-1 by United at Old Trafford. Arteta’s side did display an ability to dominate proceedings in a manner which we haven’t seen before away from home against a top-six rival, but they were <a title="How Erik ten Hag’s pragmatism helped Manchester United down Arsenal 3-1" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/12/3-key-factors-arsenal-superb-start-2022-23-season/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/09/06/how-erik-ten-hag-pragmatism-helped-united-down-arsenal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruthlessly undone in transition</a>.</p>
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<p>Playing once a week has also helped, as it would any team, and we’ll see what the 2022/23 Gunners are truly made of once the Europa League schedule begins to take its toll. How will Arsenal fare playing two games a week? That’ll determine how far this side can go.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
