Town boss Kieran McKenna felt his game plan for the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal wasn’t far from coming to fruition.

Kai Havertz’s 23rd-minute goal was enough to see the Gunners to the three points but the Blues made it tough for them, giving away few chances in the first half, despite having been under the cosh throughout, and then having opportunities to break on the home side in the second.

McKenna was asked whether, aside from the moment in which Arsenal scored the goal, whether the match had gone as he would have wanted.

“There’s maybe an element of truth in that,” he reflected. “We knew tonight we needed to solid and resilient in the game and we wanted to give ourselves a chance to stay in the game by being defensively really resilient in the first half, and give ourselves the chance to attack it more in the second half.

“From a defensive point of view, a lot of the first half was good. We didn’t give up many chances. We ended up deeper than we wanted to be and we weren’t able to get enough territory and a foothold in the first 20 minutes.

“We can defend the goal better in terms that we didn’t have much six-yard box defending to do in the first half, so that was the disappointment.

“But from where the game was at that point, the way that we managed to dial it up in the second half in terms of being more aggressive without the ball, being braver with the ball, we got the game to a really healthy position to where in the 93rd minute we were in great areas, we’d got fresh players on the pitch and we were pushing for an equaliser.

“I think between that first goal and the end of the game, there was an awful lot of good work done to keep the game competitive and give ourselves a chance to get something.”

McKenna felt there were positives in the display that can be taken into future big games, such as Monday’s match at Portman Road against Chelsea.

“I think definitely in the second half,” he said. “Arsenal are a very, very good side without the ball, both when they’re pressing and when they’re defending deep, and in the second half we managed to play through the pressure and cut through the pitch a few times, which you don’t see very often against Arsenal. So we got to really good positions there.

“And in their half, we managed to get some really good situations as well, where we got between the lines and we got wingers in one-v-one situations but we weren’t able to find the quality that we needed to create a big chance.

“But I think how we went about it and how we managed to play through them at times and work the ball well in their half in a very difficult stadium and team to do it against, I think there were positives from that.”

The left-footed Bukayo Saka is threat down Arsenal’s right-hand side that an opposition manager has to prepare his team to face but the England international is out for a long spell with a hamstring injury, which has required surgery, and so McKenna had to set his side up to face Gabriel Martinelli, who is right-footed.

The Town boss says there are differences with the two scenarios, although would have picked the same team had Saka been playing.

“I think it is different,” he said. “Having a left-footer on the right side opens up a lot of different angles, when you come inside the pitch, it opens up the in-swinging crosses and different passes into the box.

“They still have that threat Arsenal with Odegaard, so it’s not like they have two right-footers on the side, they still have Odegaard, who drops to the touchline a lot, so they still have that in-swinging cross threat, that reverse pass threat from the right-hand side.

“Martinelli is sort of a more linear runner in that position and Saka has maybe the versatility to do both. Both very good players and I thought Leif [Davis] in particular did a good job against Martinelli tonight.”

McKenna felt his team didn’t make the most of situations they had worked for in the second period.

“I think we missed some moments in the second half, not necessarily just a shot, might be a cross, but I think we missed some moments to really take the initiative to go and try and do an impactful action to win the game,” he said.

“Arsenal have got some of the best defenders in the world and are a very, very good team defending on a low block and we did some good things, but there were a few situations where I think we can be a little bit more decisive to go and try and make the moment.”

Nathan Broadhead again made an impression from the bench and McKenna was pleased with the Wales international, who is yet to make a start this season having suffered a hamstring injury early in pre-season.

“Full credit to him, it’s obviously been a bit of a slow burner for him coming into the season with a big injury in pre-season,” he said.

“But he’s getting more regular minutes at the moment. Pretty much every time he’s come off the bench, he’s having a positive impact.

“It’s still another step to start a game and the intensity at the start of a game but he’s working towards that and I think every time he’s coming on in different game states, he’s having a good impact at the moment.”

McKenna was also pleased with Kalvin Phillips, making his first start in almost two months following an ankle injury.

“I thought he was a positive tonight,” the Blues manager continued. “I thought all the boys who came into the team were, to be fair.

“You had Jacob Greaves, Luke Woolfenden, not played in a good amount of time, Kalvin Phillips, Ben [Johnson] hasn’t played a lot of minutes lately.

“I think it’s always a good testament to the group when you have players who haven’t played come in and look fit and are attuned with the squad and with the team. I thought they all acquitted themselves well, the players who came into the team.”

Photo: TWTD

Carberry added 00:05 - Dec 28 No good starting to look dangerous in the 93rd minute. And how do we have a keeper who manages to kick the ball out of play 3 times? Twice from goal kicks and once in play. Totally embarrasing.
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ArnieM added 00:06 - Dec 28 Frankly, we need to continue with this formation , (but with Brugess in instead of Woolfenden and maybe Broadhead in instead of Hutch), and we need Hirst back in the team to hold the ball up. Personally I'd go with Szmodics, Hirst, and Delap.
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victorysquad added 00:14 - Dec 28 Keep going, it will come. Analyse our forward play please before Chelsea come to town, need to be more effective on the counter if we stick to the same formation
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Karlosfandangal added 05:31 - Dec 28 Think if Town had a little more quality then we would be ok……..but Jan transfer window will be very hard to get players to come to a team that looks like they are going back to the Championship. For me roadhead needs to start on the left, Szmodics and Clarke don’t look ready for the Premiership just yet Cajuste looking better each game……..like to see us sign him even if Town go down

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Len_Brennan added 06:42 - Dec 28 Summed up pretty accurately there I think. The tactics & formation were correct for this game, not just because it was Arsenal away, but also due to us coming off a flattering 0-4 result v Newcastle, with Chelsea/Cole Palmer up next. The frustration for me was how cheaply we gave away the ball when we did get into the opposition half, after having to work really hard to get it into a good position. Neither Szmodics nor Hutchinson seemed capable of taking on an Arsenal defender, and were incapable of retaining possession when coming under pressure from a challenge. They couldn't find a penetrating ball inside either, and were poor in their decision making. Having said all that, I definitely would have started both in those positions & fully recognise that they had a very different challange in defending from the front from the start, than Broadhead had in coming in late on, with a brief of attacking & making space for creating opportunities - yes he had a positive impact, but would our defensive gameplan have been significantly weakened had we started with him on the left side? Ultimately I think we did well last night, against a side who could put 4 or 5 against any opposition in the PL when they are really on it; we could not allow ourselves to take consecutive maulings, but it is asking so much of a side like ours to be able to restrict a side like Arsenal for 96 minutes, under that level of pressure from possession; one rash challange or missed runner is fatal. We have to be stronger on the ball & better in our decision making; there were a couple of passages of play between Phillips & Delap, where you could see the difference in having strength, confidence & genuine PL ability on the ball against quality opposition v insecurity, less control & a lack of presence in our play. I thought Phillips was a contender, behind Davis, for our MotM which was encoraging for the months ahead, and I also thought Muric had a good game; it's easy to find fault when you are looking for it, but his handling & command of the box against a side like Arsenal should be recognised for what it was. A few decent saves too.

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martin587 added 07:06 - Dec 28 Len.. Totally agree with your comments once again.
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SpiritOfJohn added 07:59 - Dec 28 Spot on tactics, but we didn't quite have the ability to hurt Arsenal on the break. Omar got into a few good positions and then turned back or went to ground without getting a free-kick. Cajuste and Phillips did ok, especially Cajuste in the second half when he broke through a couple of times. Broadhead showed some good touches again, and Taylor also had a positive impact. Davis was our best chance of getting back in the game - the only player who put a decent ball into the box - and he defended well too. Hopefully, Burgess was just being rested and he will be back in for the Chelsea match.

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IP9 added 08:02 - Dec 28 I really liked what Phillips brought to the team. Cajuste is a no brainier of a starter at the moment, but I’d love to see more games of Phillips and Cajuste with Morsy out of the team. He just doesn’t have the pace or dynamism that Phillips has.
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LimerickTractorBoy added 08:57 - Dec 28 Well said Len
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muccletonjoe added 09:01 - Dec 28 Gave the ball away far too much in the first half. Low block or whatever you call it second half , was helped by continually passing the ball in front of them.
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muccletonjoe added 09:01 - Dec 28 Gave the ball away far too much in the first half. Low block or whatever you call it second half , was helped by continually passing the ball in front of them.
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Stato added 09:44 - Dec 28 Not sure why so many people cheering tactics which didn't produce a single shot on target all game. Hopefully against Chelsea we might try slightly more ambition
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Phil1969 added 09:46 - Dec 28 McKenna talk a lot of sense of course. The issue doesn’t lie here Arsenal Man C Liverpool Newcastle Chelsea etc are free hits. Palace Bournemouth Everton Leicester Southampton are not we haven’t beaten any of them.
6

ITFCSG added 09:50 - Dec 28 Low block was effective, but ffs players don't take their chances. How many times they were in shooting range but chose to pass backwards/wait and get dispossessed instead of shoot? Didn't they learn from last season, a shot from range may deflect and go in!
7

Lightningboy added 10:01 - Dec 28 I get some of the above comments but we also have to start being more positive going forward - every time we went at Arsenal last night they didn't like it - I just don't get the attitude of knocking the ball backwards with 30 seconds to go when you're a goal down - get the ball into the box. So frustrating.
8

wedgieblue added 11:06 - Dec 28 It was always going to be a tough, backs-against-the-wall game, but we held our own and didn’t embarrass ourselves. We limited a top-class side to just a handful of chances and managed to frustrate them. In my opinion, there wasn’t much wrong overall—just a lack of composure on the ball and the awareness to find the best opportunities. That said, you can’t fault the energy and commitment; every single player gave everything they had. It’s disappointing that Sammy couldn’t capitalise on his chances at the start of each half, but these things happen. Chelsea will pose a similar challenge, but if we bring the same determination, we’ll come through these tricky fixtures with our heads held high and ready to face the uphill battle ahead for the rest of the season. Fingers crossed we can bring in one or two reinforcements during the transfer window, and that Axl and Georgie make their returns soon. I haven’t stopped believing—and neither should anyone else.

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Marinersnose added 11:39 - Dec 28 It was always going to be a low block against very strong opponents and tbf the first half was a tough watch. Szmodics was given an excellent opportunity to put us ahead with good build up play from Phillips and Davis. Johnson did well showing Trossard on the outside but failed to stop the cross and we were one down. Defensively we settled down well and I actually thought Wolfie was outstanding, reading the danger well and reacting appropriately. Muric had a good game his handling and distribution was excellent. Davis defended well against Martinelli and our midfield looked so much stronger with Phillips in the team. Phillips wins tackles and keeps the ball very well, he also protects the defenders well. For me he should be starting at this level. Szmodics had two good opportunities but was hesitant in front of goal.Hutchinson again lacked confidence to beat his man and fire in the cross. Delap also found the Arsenal defenders tough and struggled to get ahold of the ball. This was a very positive performance against a very good side. We frustrated Arsenal and limited space. We will need the same again on Monday.

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hyperbrit added 13:34 - Dec 28 it looks as though McK is learning from his mistakes and has received a stay of execution for now from the owners.The Jan window is crucial
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TimmyH added 14:42 - Dec 28 Even when we did stay in the game to give us a chance going forwards towards the end we then over passed, sideways then backwards and never got the ball into their box or attempted to shoot...so a bit strange when we really should have gone gung ho the last 10 minutes.
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BobbyBell added 14:46 - Dec 28 Let's be honest we are no where near ready to take Arsenal on in an open game so these tactics were spot on and kept us in with a chance. McKenna is prepared to be adaptable from game to game and I love that. We've had plenty of stubborn managers in the past who just would not change things.
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TimmyH added 14:48 - Dec 28 Agree largely with Len's post BUT Davis for MOTM - not a chance, that was either Cajuste or Phillips.
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hyperbrit added 15:16 - Dec 28 I love the down votes from the hopium addicts. I actually think Town may stay up but you get really need to let go of the idea that Town will ever play in Europe again in THIS league, The website says Those WERE The Days not ARE.
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bluebullet29l added 19:33 - Dec 28 Put what ever spin on it you like kmk but it's another defeat and another step towards the trap door. Surely you have to be the poorest performing manager in the Premier league at the moment? As points per game go and that's fact.
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SickParrot added 20:50 - Dec 28 That formation and low block should probably be used against all the in form teams (home and away) but we must make more of the possession we have to ensure that we test their keeper
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OliveR16 added 21:33 - Dec 28 In isolation this result was okay but I think he is starting to be under some pressure. If (when?) we go down chances are he'll jump ship for his own career's sake. The owners will not want us to go down and have a short window now to roll the dice once. It is easier (not easy) to stay up from here than get back up. He needs improved results and quickly as the first half of the season has been below expectations (even if the expectations were unreasonable). £6m pa contract was not designed for 2 wins in half a season.

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