Arsenal's under-18s head coach, Jack Wilshere, lauded his team's resilience following their remarkable comeback against Aston Villa last Saturday.
Despite trailing by two goals early on, Michal Rosiak, Louie Copley, Louis Zecevic John, and Chido Martin Obi displayed remarkable prowess to secure victory at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Reflecting on the match, Jack expressed, "It’s a challenging one to dissect because we didn't start off on the front foot, finding ourselves 2-0 down due to gifting them goals and making the task tougher for ourselves." However, he was quick to praise the character displayed by his squad. "But, one thing I do know about this group is that they possess tremendous character. We have the capability to create and convert opportunities" he added.
Jack emphasised the importance of learning from such experiences, stressing the need to avoid starting matches sluggishly. "We must understand that to succeed professionally, we need to adapt to the demands of the game. If the opposition applies aggressive pressure, it's imperative to adapt our approach accordingly," he explained. "While we aspire to play attractive, possession-based football and progress through the thirds, we also need to recognise it’s okay to go over them if their press is aggressive.," Jack continued.
Just two games ago, we witnessed a similar scenario where we rallied from a 2-0 deficit to secure an impressive away victory against Brighton. Jack underscored the significance of such displays, hailing them as a testament to the team's unwavering mentality.
"It's a significant testament to their character," Jack remarked, reflecting on their ability to overturn deficits. However, he also stressed the importance of avoiding such situations altogether. "Let's aim to start games on a level footing, comfortable with a 0-0 scoreline, and prioritise defensive solidity from the outset," he emphasised.
Acknowledging Owen Asemota's crucial penalty save, Jack commended the goalkeeper's character, particularly in light of his desire to make amends for conceding earlier goals. "It was massive for him to show that character. He saved one here before against Fulham so he’s becoming a bit of a specialist in that area." Jack noted, highlighting Asemota's growing confidence in penalty situations.
Looking ahead to their upcoming fixture against Norwich, Jack stressed the importance of maintaining intensity and focus throughout the week's training sessions. "Our preparation doesn't begin on matchday; it starts the moment we return to training on Monday," he asserted. "We must analyse our performance, identify areas for improvement, and maintain the same level of intensity in training," Jack continued. "Our recent improved performances are a testament to our dedication in training, and we must continue this approach until the end of the season," he concluded.
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