Report: Why Unai Emery’s Arsenal struggles in the first half this season

Arsenal under Unai Emery might have had a good season by some measures but they have found it hard to get going in the first 45 minutes. This was repeatedly seen in matches against Everton and most recently Huddersfield Town. Arsenal needed two second half goals from the strike (lethal) partnership of Aubameyang and Alexander Lacazette to secure a 2-0 win against Everton.

Huddersfield on their own held firm hoping for a draw until Lucas Torreira improvised with the winner using a bicycle kick. What might have been the reason for this particular outcome with season? Arsenal under Unai Emery has been slow in their approach to the opposition goal most at times this season. This have limited Arsenal’s attacking initiatives as teams grew into games with the clock ticking down the time.

The London side has not taking prior initiative collective as they (Gunners) wants to build patiently possibly to the half hour mark before finding the break through goal. So Unai Emery will probably need to find a way to end this because them failing to  lead at halftime will cost them some matches.

LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 07: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates Arsenal’s 5th goal with Granit Xhaka during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on October 7, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

But as you always know and would have observed, an early goal has a way of giving you an advantage in matches especially when you are up against the weaker sides notably Burnley, Cardiff City, Fulham and Newcastle United. This early busts and competitive rust gets to rumble the opposition mental agitation and game plan thus setting the tone for wins at better ease.

Arsenal’s inability to assert themselves early on in games has been their major undoing this seasons. This has seen them do it the hard way as the opposition begins to build momentum at that time. This also led to Arsenal defeat to London rivals Chelsea as they were 2-0 down at half time before rallying back to score twice though they eventually lost 3-2 after giving the Blues the early momentum to penetrate them early in the game.