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On the whole, Arsenal have looked a far more cohesive unit defensively this season than they have in years gone by. New manager Unai Emery, who took over from the long-serving Arsene Wenger at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, has guided the Gunners on a 16-game unbeaten run thanks to the club’s newfound solidity at the back.

On the chalkboard

Arsenal centre-back Rob Holding has come into the starting XI in recent weeks and has impressed with his positional sense and ability on the ball. The 23-year-old’s passing and calmness in possession has seen him quickly become a vital part of the Arsenal rearguard as they adapt to the Spanish coach’s playing out from the back style.

Not only are the Gunners now focusing on building attacking moves from the back, they’ve also introduced a high, hard-pressing system that allows them to defend aggressively in advanced areas, looking to force turnovers in possession in the opposition’s own territory.

The Playmaker FC squad decided to wind-up some unsuspecting Brazil fans at the Emirates on Saturday night. Watch the hilarious results in the video below…

In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Holding elaborated on the tactical tweaks that Emery has made that have garnered these defensive improvements in the team.

Defending whilst attacking

Speaking of Emery’s pressing approach, the former England under-21 international stated that “the main difference is how we’re defending when we’re attacking. When we’re up the other end of the pitch, how we are organised and prepared for a counter.”

Arsenal are no longer a side that overcommit when they go forward, leaving themselves exposed and vulnerable to quick counter-attacks. The arrival of Lucas Torreira, whose tenacity and mobility in midfield provides a measure of protection for advancing full-backs, has helped to alleviate this long-standing deficiency in the squad.

The Gunners’ defensive contingent has also improved in a positional sense. Even in possession, the current Arsenal back line is constantly shifting and realigning itself so as to never be caught on the back foot should they suddenly be put under pressure. 

In recent seasons this was not the case, as Holding explains, “when we were playing we would be stood there and no one would be talking to each other, whereas now there is much more communication.”

Communication is the key to cohesion, and Arsenal’s current unbeaten streak demonstrates that Emery has made a strong start to fixing what for a long time has been a big problem for the north London club.

Liverpool’s strength comes not only in the fact that their first team is so good, but also the fact that they have so much quality in depth at Anfield. 

From front to back, the squad is filled to the brim with incredible players, many of whom don’t get on every week.

Jurgen Kopp has always been good at rotating his squad and giving opportunities to players, but one man that has largely remained on the periphery of the squad this season is Divock Origi.

The 23-year-old – who is rated at £9m by Transfer Markt – clearly has a lot of talent, but it hasn’t quite happened for him at Anfield, yet on Sunday against Everton, he showed what he’s capable of doing.

Jordan Pickford’s calamitous error was the main reason why the Reds were able to score, of course, but Origi also deserves credit. It wasn’t just a case of him having to tap-in from an opposition error. It required patience and awareness to position himself where he did, and it required poise and calmness under pressure to put the ball in the back of the net.

Of course, it wasn’t a wonder strike that only a select few players could have scored, but it still spoke volumes of the quality of a player that hasn’t really been given his dues this term.

It highlighted his ability to be able to make an impact off the bench, and so going forward, Jurgen Klopp must afford him more of those chances.

He took this chance with both hands, and so it would be a shame for him to drop back down to obscurity going forward.

In Origi, Klopp had a secret weapon against the Toffees, and going forward, he could continue to be a crucial weapon in Jurgen Klopp’s holster. If nothing else, this game proves that Klopp must give him more opportunities before a decision is made on his future. Despite his goal, most teams likely won’t know much about what Origi offers, and so he could become a real secret option for the Reds.

Thoughts?

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There will be plenty of intrigue around Unai Emery’s team selection ahead of his first north London derby as Arsenal manager on Sunday. In his brief tenure at the Emirates Stadium to date, the Spanish coach has already shown that he is not afraid to be experimental in his tactical setups.

Last time out in the Premier League, against Bournemouth, the Gunners lined up with three at the back – Rob Holding, Sokratis, Shkodran Mustafi – lined up behind wing-backs. Given that the north London club prevailed against the Cherries, Emery may be tempted to use the same system for the upcoming visit of Spurs.

Playmaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas makes bold prediction for North London Derby – Check out the video below…

However, to do so in a home game against the club’s bitter rivals would likely be a mistake. Arsenal struggled for attacking cohesion against the Cherries, and if they’re to take the game to Mauricio Pochettino’s side then they’ll need an extra man in midfield or attack, not defence.

For Sunday’s crunch clash, dropping Shkodran Mustafi from the heart of the defence would be a wise move.

Many Arsenal fans seem to agree, with 85% of those who took part in our poll voting in favour of lining up with a back four to face Tottenham. See the full results below.

Unai Emery has already had a remarkable impact in the Premier League since he moved to Arsenal, having transformed the fortunes of the Gunners.

He brought in a number of players over the summer, many of whom have impressed, and the Spaniard has clearly shown that he’s the ideal man to bring Arsenal into a new era.

Emery himself, though, can only do so much. There’s no denying that Arsenal’s squad needs further improvement, and if the Arsenal brass expect the manager to get the team back to the top of the pile, he must be backed with fresh faces.

Significantly, it seems as though a player that would be perfect for Arsenal could well be available at the end of the season. According to AS, Mateo Kovacic is unlikely to return to Real Madrid when his loan at Chelsea expires, with the club angry at the way he acted before his loan. Arsenal aren’t mentioned as having an interest in him, but it’s fair to say that they absolutely should be on alert regarding his future.

Arsenal’s midfield has lacked quality over the years, but Emery has begun the process of improving it this term. Lucas Torreira has been a star an Arsenal shirt in recent weeks, and he looks to be the perfect man for the club going forward. Kovacic, though, would offer something that Arsenal just don’t have at present.

He’s an incredibly mobile and positive midfielder, and he’s added incredible energy and quality to the Chelsea squad this term. He’s always looking to drive forward and progress play, and with so much quality in the Arsenal attack, he’d have no shortage of pacy players around him looking to join in. Granit Xhaka has been good this year, but he’s not been as good as Torreira, and someone like Kovacic could bring a lot in place of him next season.

Offering brilliant technical ability, fantastic passing and great dribbling, Kovacic is only getting better, and he’s already proven that he’s good enough for the Premier League.

Chelsea, according to AS, are in the driving seat for a move, but the Blues are far from certain to land him. With both Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek impressing in the midfield at present, they aren’t short on quality in the role, and so perhaps they could look to pass on Kovacic, who would be an expensive signing given that he’s rated at £27 million by Transfer Markt.

Either way, Arsenal should be keeping tabs on him.

Thoughts?

Newcastle United and their manager Rafa Benitez will be hoping for a successful January transfer window after frustrations in the last couple have seen the Magpies squad looking short of where it needs to be.

The Spanish manager will be looking to add some quality to his squad as the off field woes under Mike Ashley appear to be coming to some sort of end, and Benitez will be desperate to bring in players who can make a real difference to his first XI.

We here at the Transfer Tavern think that there are plenty of players out there for Newcastle to go and target, but appreciate they are going to be in a different market to plenty of other clubs in the top flight.

However, we still don’t think that should stop them going for big names, especially in the Championship, and we believe signing Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish is something the Magpies should seriously pursue.

Rated at £18m by Transfermarkt, the classy Villa man has been in superb form once more, especially since Dean Smith took over at Villa Park, and a move back into the top flight is something which would surely appeal to the young midfielder.

Grealish has always had the quality, and in the last 12 months has really shown his ability to near what we think is his full potential.

Newcastle could do some with some creativity, and while Grealish loves Villa, St James’ Park remains a mecca in football of sorts, and it would surely be a hard move for the 23-year-old to turn down.

Newcastle fans, what do you think? Would Grealish be a good signing? Let us know in the comments!

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Tottenham should make a January move for Levante forward Roger Marti to replace the out-of-favour and want-away striker Fernando Llorente, with the Evening Standard suggesting that the 33-year-old would like to move back to Spain.

What’s the word, then?

Prior to Boxing Day action, the Spain international had made just 19 Premier League starts for Spurs since signing from Swansea back in the summer of 2017, and scored just one goal in that time as he has failed to challenge Harry Kane from the lone striker role at Tottenham.

Llorente was signed to push Kane to his maximum and offer a plan B in games that the England international and World Cup golden boot winner couldn’t put his influence on, but he has just looked like a square peg in a round hole for most of his time in north London.

With Mauricio Pochettino’s side still going strong in all four competitions, there is a huge reason for reinforcements to be bought in January to bolster the squad and ensure they go the distance on at least one of these fronts.

Why should they sign Marti?

At 5′ 8″, Marti appears to be a better fit for the system at Spurs as opposed to the lankier Llorente, whilst he is also bang in form and could be an excellent mid-season arrival for Pochettino.

The Spanish forward has hit eight goals in just 13 La Liga starts so far this season, but he is also one of those forwards, like Kane, who can still influence the match in terms of creating chances and getting assists when he can’t seem to find the net – something that Llorente couldn’t manage.

Marti is a diminutive forward but one who can outpace his opponents, keep the ball close to him with his dribbling skills, and also find himself in good goalscoring positions more often than not – Spurs could even offer Llorente to Levante in a cash-plus-player swap deal.

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Unai Emery’s decision not to place his trust in youth for Arsenal’s recent Carabao Cup clash with Spurs was the latest of snubs to young centre-back Zech Medley, who was also left out of the squad for the loss to Southampton and the win over Burnley despite the Gunners’ lack of centre-back options, and Leeds should capitalise on the 18-year-old’s plight by making a move in January.

What’s the word?

Well, since Marcelo Bielsa indicated that, despite a growing injury list, the club will not look to bring in any new faces in January, a loan move for Medley to bolster the backline seems the most cost-effective solution to Leeds’ centre-back void.

Both skipper Liam Cooper and Gaetano Berardi have succumbed to injuries, thus leaving the Whites pretty light in defence and requiring midfielder Kalvin Phillips to step in alongside Pontus Jansson at centre-half – although this makeshift partnership has been getting the results since its inception against QPR on the first of the month, Bielsa must look for reinforcements if they are to continue their title charge.

While the new regime at the Emirates looks keen on developing youth, the 6ft 5in Medley hasn’t been afforded the same first-team minutes as the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Julio Pleguezelo – a loan move would do the 18-year-old some good.

Who is Zech Medley?

Coming through the Chelsea youth ranks, the versatile defender captained the Under-18s for the beginning of the 2017/18 season before being called up to the Under-23s – owing to his dominant, commanding performances at the back.

The Londoner is also capable of playing at full-back, making him even more of an ideal signing for the Whites – who have lost Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling to injury, also.

As for the youngster’s benefit out of all this, he should be convinced by the success of fellow Premier League loanees at Championship clubs, such as Mason Mount and Harry Wilson, who have both been on top form for Derby County this season after completing temporary moves from Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively.

So, what do you think Leeds fans? Would you like to see Medley, billed as a tall and powerful central defender, make a loan switch to Elland Road in January? Let us know by voting in the poll below…

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Playmaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video above…

After the Championship leaders slumped to a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day, many concerns were raised about the fact that the Elland Road outfit have leaked ten goals in their last four games, but manager Marcelo Bielsa maintained after the recent loss that there are no problems at the back.

The Argentine told reporters at The City Ground post-match that, although his side’s defence of corners could do with some work, that they still boast a solid rearguard, saying:

“We don’t have any problems in defence. If you take out the goals that are scored at set-pieces, we are the team who have conceded the least.”

Admittedly, the Peacocks were not helped by the fact that makeshift centre-back Kalvin Phillips was rightly dismissed in the first half for a dangerous challenge on Adlene Guedioura, but Bielsa has done more than analyse one game with these comments – the former defender is in fact out-lining that they don’t need any reinforcements in the transfer window.

Leeds fans on Twitter were quick to deplore Bielsa’s dismissal of a dodgy defence, with one even calling the 63-year-old deluded – you can check out the best of the reaction below…

Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Playmaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video above…

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Everton should make an attempt to re-sign Marouane Fellaini from Manchester United in this summer’s transfer window.

What’s the word, then?

Fellaini was strongly linked with a move away from United during last summer’s transfer window, but Jose Mourinho battled hard to keep the midfielder.

Mourinho’s persistence ultimately paid off as Fellaini signed a new contract with the 20-time English champions.

Fellaini’s deal will expire at the end of next season, however, and his future with the Red Devils is far from secure following Mourinho’s departure.

Indeed, the 87-time Belgium international has not been first choice since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became United’s interim boss, which will remain the case for the rest of the season.

Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic are seemingly United’s first-choice midfield three and it appears that Fellaini will have to get used to coming off the bench in the second half of the campaign.

The 31-year-old will surely struggle to earn regular minutes under United’s new manager – whoever that might be – next season, meanwhile, which will force the midfielder to consider his future this summer.

Everton should return for Fellaini

It would be fair to say that it has not quite happened for Fellaini at United.

The midfielder has made close to 200 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils, but his style of football has not won over the majority of the fans.

Fellaini was excellent at Everton between 2008 and 2013, however, scoring 33 times and providing 26 assists in 177 appearances in all competitions.

The Goodison Park faithful absolutely loved Fellaini and there is no question that the Belgian is a huge asset when used in the correct manner.

Pl>ymaker FC’s Matchday with Max caught up with Jamaica’s women’s team. See what happened when he met the history makers in the video below…

A move to Turkey has long been mentioned, but Everton should make bringing Fellaini back to the club one of their priorities in this summer’s transfer window.

It is unlikely that the midfielder would break the bank for the Toffees and a return to Merseyside at the end of the season makes a lot of sense.

Speculation refuses to go away regarding Mesut Ozil’s future at Arsenal with the attacking midfielder absent from his side’s recent 1-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham. 

And while that was said to be down to fitness issues, Unai Emery has previously left Ozil out of his matchday squad completely despite the German being available.

The Breakdown

It now appears that Ozil could be heading for the Emirates exit door with the Daily Mail reporting Emery is keen to move on the 30-year-old in order to free up funds so he can strengthen his squad this month.

The Arsenal boss earlier confirmed that finances are currently limited but, by selling the club’s highest earner, room could be made for some arrivals.

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Emery, however, should think twice before trying to force Ozil out of the Emirates. The ex-Germany international is exactly the sort of player the Gunners needed in their loss to West Ham as they struggled to create clear-cut chances.

And with the budget he is working with in this moment of time, it is going to be hard to find a replacement whose ability comes anywhere near to that of Ozil’s.

Away from the former Real Madrid man, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal’s squad is bang average. Considering that, selling one of their few quality players would be criminal.