Tony Adam’s recently spoke on Sky Sports about Arsenal’s continuing defensive woes and suggested that Rob Holding might be the answer. If Adam’s is right, then it’s a rarity, considering that his managerial suggestions have gone the wrong way so far.

He has failed in every appointment since his retirement and his brash, unforgiving coaching style, hardly makes him an authority on players potential at the highest level.
Yet he was a dependable performer for Arsenal and a fine Captain, exacting standards from himself and others that perhaps was more than they were actually capable of individually.

Often referred to, rather unfairly, as ‘Donkey Adams’ he had a burning desire to achieve at all costs and gave everything he had for the team. So perhaps, his advice this time around is valid regarding Rob Holding. As a defender, who better to judge and argue the youngster’s cause.

As per Mirror, Adams had this to say:

“If I was a new coach coming in, I would have made us tougher and harder to beat.”

He said of the young defender:

“I like Holding. He has got talent and potential. Stick him in and work with him”

that’s probably a luxury Emery can’t afford having already seen his team ship eight goals in four matches but some involvement, even as a substitute might be beneficial.

Holding arrived at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger in 2016 and was given an immediate opportunity to take up the central defender role. He appeared to settle reasonably well and fans liked his enthusiasm and passion. Yes, he showed signs of inexperience but how is a player to learn their craft without exposure at the top level.

Adams is right in this respect and if another opportunity comes his way, Holding will have to grasp it firmly with both hands. In the FA cup final against Chelsea in 2017. Holding stood firm against the aggressive, mauling style of Diego Costa. It was a contest which saw the pair constantly clashing and it was Holding who caught the eye, goading the Brazilian born striker.

The then 21-year-old repeatedly tapped his own temple on one occasion, suggesting Costa was crazy. It was thought, by many, to be a pivotal moment and one that announced Holding’s arrival but instead he seemed to fall out of favour with Arsene Wenger.

The problem with Tony Adams solution to Arsenal’s defensive problems is that it appears to rest on the shoulders of someone who has yet to secure a regular place in the first team. Even if he is right and Holding begins to play out of his skin, there’s no guarantee that he would perform any better with the likes of Mustafi, Koscielny, Mavropanos or Sokratis in the central defender role.

The teams inability to defend as a collective bunch has been evident for years and Emery is trying to resolve that particular failing. It’s naive to think that this will be resolved quickly because Arsene Wenger had been working on that aspect for over ten seasons.

Arsenal are clearly in the process of rebuilding and it may take two seasons to do it. There are no quick fix solutions but that’s not to say that Holding, could potentially be a crucial part of that journey. The former Gunners Captain also suggested the inclusion of Stephan Lichtsteiner who has yet to make an appearance.

This is something of a genuine mystery because he gave a decent account of himself in the recent World Cup and time isn’t exactly on his side at the age of 34. The only possible explanation is that he was acquired to provide cover for Bellerin in case of injury. Adams has recently carved out a niche for himself with a series of controversial statements and he seems slightly bitter that the North London club hasn’t come calling. There’s probably a good reason for that.

There are obviously teething troubles at the Emirates, with the addition of a new manager, new system and new personnel, but perhaps Unai Emery’s biggest challenge is how to find a blend in the midfield and holding midfield areas.

The Spaniard has an abundance of candidates for these positions but at present he is looking for a combination that is creative, productive and resolute. Iwobi, Ramsey, Mkhitaryan and Ozil are all excellent on their day but Emery has so far been unable to find the perfect lineup.

Each has spent time on the bench and it’s a similar story with the defensive midfielders. Guendouzi, Xhaka and Torreira have all been used so far. Elneny and Ramsey can also be utilised in this area, yet it appears that Emery continues to rotate the players, assessing them as he goes, whilst reminding them that no one automatically qualifies for a starting place.

This assumption would make sense because Emery, presumably has a reasonable idea of his best line up. A man with his experience has the ability to identify and address weakness quickly, he may just be giving everyone the opportunity to justify their claim.

That’s one theory but you also have to consider that he has had very little time since his appointment to make the significant adjustments, due to the shambolic nature of Wenger’s dismissal and his own appointment.

If handled correctly, Wenger would have known of his departure before the midway point of last season and a successor could have been discreetly appointed before the end of the campaign.

Gazidis has claimed credit for making the right choices and that may be so, but the time frame left a lot to be desired. Emery has other concerns including Aaron Ramsey’s unresolved contract negotiations. Ramsey wants a hike in his wage that is comparable with the clubs high earners and any hope that it would be concluded are fading fast.

It may be that Emery will have to bring in at least another midfielder and dispense with two that are already in the current squad. Arsenal are missing Santi Cazorla’s magical talents and at this point in time, Wilshere’s departure appears extremely premature.

Quite what Wenger would have done in Emery’s position is just speculation, but it’s highly likely that it would have been nothing different, apart from retaining the services of Jack Wilshere. Fans have their opinions as to who should be in the starting line up and it appears that with the exception of the forwards, Aubameyang and Lacazette, we can’t agree on the other nine players.

Once we recognise this problem, you can appreciate the scale of the job that Emery has on his hands. You will notice that I haven’t even mentioned the defence because that’s a separate blog altogether.

The obsession with all things Arsenal and Unai Emery plunged to new farcical depths, when it was announced that the new manager, had dispensed with a regime installed by Arsene Wenger and implemented a radical and revolutionary approach of his own.

Emery, who faces the massive challenge of reshaping and rebuilding the current squad, did the unthinkable, he changed the players fluid intake from juice to….. water, as per The Star.

“The Spanish boss has also set up a marquee with a gym inside it next to the training pitches at their London Colney HQ.”

This was according to The Sun, but it went further

“It is said those sessions have been tough because of Emery’s high-press tactics which require constant movement and elite levels of fitness.

But far from complaining, players are reportedly “impressed” with the new-look training and taking to it well. The fruit juices are out because of their high sugar content and have been replaced with water.”

What a relief, the players like water and don’t mind training in a tent. It could have been a source of tension in a season where they have absolutely no chance of winning the premier league.

So, despite shipping in 8 goals and losing two of their first four matches, the media sense that these changes are an important factor in Arsenal’s quest for a top-four slot. For Emery, I’m sure it’s an insignificant, basic tweak but in the great scheme of a news shy week, the media assume it means something.

The Arsenal defence has nearly driven myself and a number of other fans to drink and I’m not talking about juice or water but I suppose football matters are secondary when scraping the bottom of the football barrel. Fleet Street is involved in mundane skullduggery at present and before this latest revelation, it announced that Emery had a showdown with his often maligned midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Ozil was apparently unwell with another cold, perhaps Emery should get his player’s vitamins to go with that life-enhancing water. At least with the addition of a gym/tent, Ozil stands less chance of catching the odd sniffle.

Then few days back, there was a wave of speculation that Ya Ya Toure was heading to the Emirates in a free transfer. Really? Based on what in particular?. No doubt, Roman Abramovich will now buy out Stan Kroenke, The Queen will abdicate to be replaced by a duck and Andy Murray will beat Roger Federer. If we are going to be absurd, let’s do it properly.

Maybe Spurs will win the premiership, Jose Mourinho will smile again and Manchester City will be beaten 10-0 in the Carabao cup by Wickham Wanders reserve team. It appears that Arsenal have become speculative fodder because of their decision to end a 22 year association with Arsene Wenger and that any scrap of news is news worthy.

Emery has issues and problems to solve and there is a grain of truth in the Ozil story but let’s not get carried away and think that he’s on his way out of the Emirates just yet.
I meant Ozil , not Emery.

Unai Emery has tried the various combinations of personnel at his disposal in his opening matches in the premier league and the game next game will be the perfect opportunity to start Lucas Torreira alongside Guendouzi.

Granit Xhaka has had his chance and like a number of Arsenal fans, I just can’t see his value to the team in any shape or form. Xhaka is indecisive and unable to provide any cover for a back line that, despite a few additions, remains vulnerable.

He is more of an attacking midfielder but his inability to show his resolve and strength make him no more than a utility player in a crisis. He is also a liability when caught out of position.

In desperation, he Jumps into clumsy tackles which earn him a card. In a holding midfielder role, it’s vital that if a player is going to tackle, his timing needs to be exact to avoid giving the opposition an advantage in key areas.

Xhaka dives in like a drunk in a swimming pool in pursuit of a stray pound coin, and despite his experiences, he seems unable to develop this side of his game. Torreira deserves his opportunity to show the manager exactly what he can do and bolster the defensive aspects of the Gunners game.

He may be small but what he lacks in stature, he makes up for in determination. Like a Jack Russell at the heels of an intruder, Torreira is relentless in his pursuit of a lost ball.
He can also perform in the style of the Emery blueprint by playing out from the back and has the ability to provide a variety of long or short passes to establish the play upfield.

I expect few changes in the next game but Torreira must start to provide the necessary bite Arsenal need. The back line will probably remain unchanged and it’s a toss-up between Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Ramsey and Ozil. So that leaves the possibility of either Mkhitaryan or Ozil finding themselves in the bench due to Iwobi’s productive showings.

It’s not a new observation but Arsenal have made a habit of purchasing defenders and being unable to find a combination that makes them watertight at the back. Since the days of the invincible’s and as the old guard left, their replacements were simply not of the same caliber. Subsequently, Arsenal’s ability to compete at the top level was drastically reduced.

Yet, Arsenal used to boast a strong backline that went hand in hand with the clubs resurgence under George Graham, and Arsene Wenger inherited a robust outfit that allowed him to develop the teams attacking philosophy.

The days that Arsenal could trust in the likes of Toure, Lauren, Campbell, Cole, Adams, Keown, Dixon and Winterburn seem like a distant memory. Although Monreal and Bellerin have their moments, they can’t be compared to those players that achieved so much and served the club with such distinction.

Wenger tried to buy cheap with the clubs financial restrictions but it was a futile exercise because he could not mould them or shape them into the personnel he required.
He had the Midas touch to a degree and changed the player’s positions for the benefit of the team.

Ashley Cole was a prime example of this. He was considered as a striker but Wenger converted him into a wing back. It was a master stroke which was rarely repeated to the same effect. Francis Coquelin was asked by Wenger to play the holding role and apart from one good spell, he fell short of the level expected.

There have been a series of purchases that haven’t gone according to plan, either because of inexperience or a lack of quality. Holding, Chambers and Jenkinson have been unable to secure a starting place. Mustafi has been inconsistent, Mertesacker was probably past his best and Debuchy managed to fall out with his boss for reasons unknown.

That leaves Laurent Koscielny, who has become something of a mystery. His form which was once dependable has deserted him and his confidence appears to have disappeared.
One suspects that he played whilst hampered with recurring niggles because Arsenal had no other options but there has been a noticeable dip in form before his devastating Achilles injury.

It’s too early to asses Sokratis, Kolasinac and Lichtsteiner because of limited opportunities. This is especially true in the case of Sead Kolasinac, who hit the ground running in his early Arsenal career, only to find himself benched by Wenger.

There will be further changes come the transfer window and I’d expect at least three, possibly four outgoings and two solid acquisitions before things start to improve.
Emery is no slouch and he will build a robust, competitive defence, but it is a work in progress that will take a few seasons.