To be honest I haven't seen enough to convince me, during pre season so far, that the players are putting into practice what Emery has been preaching in his press conferences so far.
He has been talking, sensibly so, that he considers it as important to be alert not only when in possession but when we loose the ball.
However the practice session of holding hands in a circle with three players in the middle (also holding hands) trying to win the ball in unison doesn't seem to have done the trick in the real games. No wonder the assistant coach had to get in among the three players and really show them the aggression needed to win the ball back!
But I haven't seen the pack mentality adopted by Pep's teams when not in possession. We have only been pressing with the players playing up front but, hell, we have been doing that even under Wenger.... If you don't transmit this mentality to the rest of the players then what's the use.
The second issue that worries me is that the team appears to be playing a very high line with the defenders pushing up to the half way line.
But in the absence of pace at the back I would be really worried. A ball over the top and I don't see Socratis nor Mustafi having the pace to catch the Leroy Sane's of this world....
Again a throw back from the Wenger days....
And lastly, and this is my biggest worry, Kolacinac has been dreadful so far. He was at fault for both of the goals we conceded so far (against Athletico Madrid and PSG) by either being too slow, out of position stationed too far up the field or both.
He is not good enough to start as a left back and if Emery cannot get Monreal ready enough to start against City we will be in big big trouble.
All you will need will be the long ball on our left side over the top with the centre backs unable to accelerate to cover and you can kiss good buy all the good work that will have been done during the pre season.
I am sorry if I appear too pessimistic but I have to call it as I see it.
We do of course have 12 days more to get things sorted out (and get Monreal ready).
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