Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video
How good it’s to jot down about three factors within the Premier League once more. Sure, there have been a few Interlulls, however you had to return to October fifth for our earlier win – the 3-1 victory over Southampton.
Mikel Arteta’s workforce contained a few surprises. There was a uncommon begin for Jorginho, with Declan Rice and Thomas Partey on the bench, whereas the ahead line of Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus was removed from our traditional/strongest. We started effectively although, and it regarded as if we’d scored an early objective by way of Jurrien Timber, nevertheless it was dominated out for offside.
I can’t say for certain if it was, or wasn’t. VAR took an age, and ultimately determined it was, however who is aware of actually? A blur of shoes and body-parts made it very onerous to inform. I additionally don’t know how the linesman determined to place his flag up given how tight it was, nevertheless it confirmed some early intent from Arsenal.
It didn’t take lengthy to truly go forward although. With Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka combining effectively on the fitting, it was no shock these two had been concerned. A pleasant give and go noticed Saka take the ball on, search for an angle for a shot, and regardless of it showing as if he could be going too far, he rocketed a shot past Mats Sels and into the again of the web. An outstanding end from a participant we effectively know is able to that.
I believed we performed some good stuff within the first half. Intricate one-touch combos which spoke to a confidence that has maybe not all the time been current this season. Odegaard had an opportunity however couldn’t fairly make adequate contact along with his proper foot; Saka compelled Sels into a wonderful save with a primary time shot from a Jesus lay-off; the keeper made an excellent save once more to disclaim Trossard; and by the tip of the primary 45 we’d had 11 photographs to Forest’s 2, and dominated possession and territory.
There was a half-time change, with Partey changing Jorginho who had been booked within the first half. I believed he was enjoying fairly effectively, so it’s a bit unlucky, however given how smooth all of the bookings had been in that first half, I perceive why Arteta was taking no probabilities. We’ve accomplished the ten males factor sufficient this season already. It was a substitution that paid off too. Partey doubled the lead with a wonderful whipped end from outdoors the field, and that gave us respiration area.
There’s been a lot dialogue of Martin Odegaard in the previous few weeks, and whereas it’s apparent what he brings to the workforce by way of creativity, I feel yesterday we noticed one more reason why he’s so vital. His recreation intelligence, his potential to regulate and dictate the tempo of the sport is second to none. He can harm the opposition within the ultimate third, he can transfer them round and drive them backwards when he drops deep to select up possession in our half. His heat-map is instructive.
Forest had a few forays ahead within the second half, however barely threatened and couldn’t construct any attacking momentum – largely due to how we managed the tempo of the sport. The captain was key to that, and afterwards, Arteta stated:
Clearly, when he’s within the workforce, you’ll be able to sense one thing is completely different. It’s troublesome to place a finger on it nevertheless it’s completely different.
He provides the workforce, and people round him, a way of safety when we’ve possession, and unsettles the opposition with the sense of chance when he’s probing their back-line for weaknesses. I believed he was wonderful yesterday, even when it was the younger man who changed him late on who caught the attention.
A cameo that leaves you wanting extra has been a function of Ethan Nwaneri’s season to date. He got here on for Odegaard and instantly posed Forest a menace, curling a shot not too far large. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than he received his first ever Premier League objective, combining with fellow sub Raheem Sterling earlier than ending neatly contained in the close to submit to make it 3-0. It might need been his first objective within the league, nevertheless it’s his fourth senior objective of the season after three within the EFL Cup, and with a complete enjoying time of simply 230 minutes, that’s a exceptional return.
Understandably, Arteta was requested about him afterwards, and the clamour that exists to see extra of such an thrilling younger participant. I believed his reply was actually fascinating, saying:
I’m accountable to construct a profession for him. You need to try this brick by brick. At this time he put one other brick. Now we’ve to place one other cement, ensure it doesn’t get dry so we will put one other one and that can stick.
Then we put yet another layer, yet another layer. If you wish to put 5 in a row consider me it received’t work. We now have to handle not solely his expectation however his load as effectively, which is admittedly vital.
Like everybody studying this morning, I can’t wait to see extra from Nwaneri, however I feel if you happen to learn between the strains, there’s in all probability good purpose for just a bit warning. For me, it’s not about his expertise, his potential, his potential, his mentality – we’ve already seen all of that’s there. He ticks all these bins already. What I feel Arteta is referring to is one thing bodily, the place the data obtainable to him that’s not obtainable to us is what’s informing his determination making.
What number of instances have we seen a younger participant burst by way of at a really early age, and endure the implications later of their profession? Are there some rising pains for a younger man who doesn’t flip 18 till March to take care of? I do suppose there are video games he may have featured extra in when Odegaard was absent, however I’ve to simply accept that my exterior view lacks the element of the supervisor and his teaching workers.
I feel what is evident is that he’s somebody we’re going to see increasingly more of because the season goes on, and that’s an thrilling prospect. In all competitions he’s our third highest scorer to date, and his potential to trigger menace – even when he’s on the pitch for a brief period of time – may effectively see him discover an vital function as a recreation altering sub all through this marketing campaign. Till such time as he turns into a starter, at which level, I don’t suppose there’ll be any trying again.
General, the supervisor was happy, and defined why he felt his workforce had been extra completed yesterday:
There was one thing else that was completely different. What occurred is that as an alternative of with 12 or 13 gamers, we skilled with 19 for the primary time in six weeks. Out of the blue you’re like, wow, competitiveness, the extent, the standard, the understanding, the competitors, all the things rises and that’s why we’d like each single day to coach at that stage.
That’s right down to the provision of numerous gamers that haven’t been in a position to do this. When that occurs the extent will rise for certain.
You may see with among the subs that he was ensuring to not overload gamers who’ve been out, and even leaving Havertz and Martinelli on the bench all through felt like one thing of a luxurious when you think about what we’ve needed to take care of. All in all, it was simply what the physician ordered. Three factors, three targets, a clear sheet, and a managed, convincing efficiency. A confidence increase forward of two away video games this week, with a visit to Portugal up subsequent.
Proper, I’ll go away it there for now. The Arsecast Additional was initially scheduled for this night, nevertheless it’ll be out tomorrow as traditional, so please be a part of us for that. Within the meantime, have an ideal Sunday.
