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The Arsenal column: Cazorla and Poldi are good, but Steve Bould is already proving why he is the best new addition to the Arsenal first team set-up

A year ago Arsenal started the season by conceding ten goals in their opening three Premier League games.

Fast forward 12 months and Arsenal have kept three clean sheets and, without wishing to tempt fate, their defence looks rock solid.

That's a pretty impressive start bearing mind it has been done without at least two of their first choice players at the back.

Third choice keeper Vito Mannone has started two of the three games, Carl Jenkinson has been outstanding at right back and Per Mertesacker kept his place even when Laurent Koscielny was fit again at Liverpool on Sunday.

That tells you everything you need to know about Arsenal having a well drilled, disciplined defensive unit. They are not relying on individuals as much as a back four which has a good understanding, works together and defends as a group.

The obvious difference is a change in the Arsenal coaching set-up. Loyal club servant Pat Rice retired in the summer and Steve Bould and Neil Banfield stepped up to first team duties.

It should not be forgotten that Rice was coach during the 1998, 2002 Doubles and Invincibles era so no-one should overlook his contribution.

But there can be no doubt that with Bould's introduction - he was a member of George Graham's famous back four - a new emphasis has been put on working with defenders and defensive drills in training.

One fascinating snapshot in pre-season was to see two sets of defenders, playing as two back fours, attacking each other with young midfield prospect Thomas Eisfeld operating as a midfield pivot to keep the ball and play moving.

They have worked on set pieces, there has been work on closing and pressing in midfield and Bould has already gained a reputation for being a tough and no-nonsense influence in the dressing room.

Bould looks big, strong and imposing. He was a tough no-nonsense defender during his playing days. He cuts an impressive figure on the training ground.

He used to often talk about his former manager Graham using a piece of rope to ensure that he, Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn would always be well drilled in training and, more importantly, they were together as a unit.

While question marks may have been raised about whether Arsene Wenger always listened in the past, there could be no doubt about the new regime.

Bould is animated, strong and commanding when in conversation on the training pitch. Banfield is a bit more easy going, is liked by the players and maybe provides the buffer between manager and players.

Boro Primorac is also still there and often he has taken midfield sessions, Wenger looked after his forwards and Bould focused on the defenders.

Another drill was taking three midfielders - Arsenal now often use a 4-2-3-1 system - and work on the central players closing down and defending.

The emphasis has changed. Wenger would often joke about his philosophy and how it leant itself to even allowing the full backs to attack first rather than defend - just look at Andre Santos.

But even that has been addressed. Santos is now regarded as more of a left midfielder, Kieran Gibbs has been given his big chance and has excelled at left back.

The jury has been out on Mannone - who has stood in for first choice Wojciech Szczesny while No2 Lukasz Fabianski has also been out - as a keeper at Arsenal.

But the fact is that opposition forwards have not really threatened him that often. Arsenal were rarely under pressure from Sunderland. They kept Stoke at arm's length and to win at Anfield with a clean sheet is a hugely impressive result.

Arsenal look a better all round package than in previous seasons. They sold Robin van Persie and Alex Song, but perhaps are less reliant on one player for goals and now the whole team have taken on defensive responsibilities.

You also get the impression the dressing room is a livelier place as the new players - Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski - have settled in well.

Thomas Vermaelen and Wojciech Szczesny have both been fulsome in their praise for Bould's influence in the dressing room and on the training pitch.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also provided an insight into the spirit, togetherness and Bould's input into the promising start that Arsenal have put together.

Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "Steve's come in and filled the spot really well. He's got respect from the lads as a good defender for Arsenal, and a good personality. He's old-school, funny. The lads enjoy that.

"He's stamped his mark on the whole team. At Arsenal we have a lot of the ball and we get carried away when teams sit in, and we are easily countered, but we've nailed that down this season. The flair play is in our DNA but Steve has come in and everybody's bought into it.

"We've got three good signings with bags of ability. They are good characters as well, strong personalities with confidence, but they are humble as well.

"There is no problem with egos in the dressing room. It's been a big lift for everyone at the club and we've shown that in our performances."

The new boys settled in with the growing tradition of an initiation song. The trio had varying degrees of success while Oxlade-Chamberlain did not lack confidence when he sang his a year ago.

Oxlade-Chamberlain added: "Santi sang the Macarena. Lukas and Olivier sang two French songs, but with a lot of heart and soul and the lads buy into that if you can see someone is nervous but they do that.

"It earns them respect. I did the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I went for something everyone knew and I'm told it went well."

mirror.co.uk

Arsenal want Bendtner back, Arshavin to fight for his place

SAY WHAT you like about Andrey Arshavin but the Russian striker has done what Robin van Persie failed to do and pledged his loyalty to Arsenal. According to ESPN, 31-year-old was approached by Dinamo Moscow on Thursday but rejected the chance to return to his homeland in order to “stay at Arsenal to fight for his place in the first team”.

Chances for Arshavin to recapture the form he first showed when he moved to the Emirates in 2009 have been limited in recent months, but he still believes he can win back his place in the starting XI. "I wanted to add this player to the team, but Andrey said no to Dinamo,” club manager Dan Petrescu is quoted as saying.

Arshavin is not the only unpopular Gunner who could have a future at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger has done little to endear himself to the Arsenal faithful by revealing that the only reason Nicklas Bendtner is on loan at Juventus is because he would not sell him outright. Astonishingly, he wants him back in red and white next season, according to the Daily Mail.

In an interview with Corriere dello Sport Wenger, who may have been out in the late summer sun for too long, said: "We believe in him and that is why we only gave him to Juventus on loan. I think he can resolve his problems with us and prove himself. We believe in him."

Apparently Bendtner, who has not played for Arsenal for over a year and failed to shine while on loan at Sunderland last term, is still a "top player" in Wenger's eyes.

theweek.co.uk