Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video
Arsenal are again on high of the Premier League (briefly anyway), after a 2-0 win over Luton final evening.
The query as as to whether Mikel Arteta would rotate his squad was answered an hour earlier than kick-off, the place the line-up confirmed 5 modifications from the staff that performed in opposition to Man Metropolis. Out went Jakub Kiwior, Declan Rice, Jorginho, Bukayo Saka (not within the squad in any respect), and Gabriel Jesus; in got here Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Leandro Trossard.
That in itself would go some method to explaining why the staff was a bit extra disjointed than regular. Arteta talks lots about relationships on the pitch, in addition to combos in tight areas which might make the distinction, and you might see how these modifications had an influence in that regard.
We had a number of the ball, and a few sort-of threatening moments with out giving the Luton keeper an excessive amount of to fret about. Then, within the twenty fourth minute, Smith Rowe received the ball nicely in midfield, he fed Martin Odegaard who gave it to Kai Havertz. The German delivered it again to the captain whose first time shot from contained in the field with the surface of his left foot was as candy a end as you’ll see. It nestled into the underside nook to make it 1-0.
Odegaard virtually had an help to his title, cleverly taking part in Smith Rowe in however the keeper made a great save to disclaim him. Ben White had some enjoyable with a pleasant flip in midfield, Havertz had a shot on the right track, nevertheless it was Smith Rowe who made an influence once more simply earlier than the break. He made a sensible run into house behind the Luton defence, Trossard discovered him nicely with a great cross, and the quantity 10 took it on, fizzed the ball into the ‘hall of uncertainty’, which noticed Daiki Hashioka flip the ball into his personal web for 2-0.
I’ll fortunately admit this morning I didn’t look after the second half in any respect – and it wasn’t to do with the annoying digicam angle on TNT Sport. This could be simply me, as a result of I perceive this was a modified aspect but in addition one which gave lots on Sunday in opposition to Man Metropolis. I additionally know we weren’t below quite a lot of menace, however Luton performed nicely, and had an actual go as you’ll count on. It’s simply that all through the second interval I couldn’t shake the reminiscences of a few of the earlier 2-0 video games we’ve been concerned in the place we don’t look in any hazard, then the opposition rating an 83rd minute objective from nothing, after which we’ve got to endure a nerve-shredding last 10 minutes.
As I stated, that might nicely be simply my drawback, and I don’t count on us to win each sport by a handful or something like that, however that was nagging at me throughout. Some would possibly say we did a great, skilled job, and I believe that’s in all probability truthful. Luton had a few moments right here and there, which we stood as much as nicely and defended solidly once we needed to, however I believed we have been just a bit passive in that second half. Which, within the chilly mild of day, might sound a bit churlish given we received and saved one other clear sheet, however I’d similar to to have seen a bit extra management at occasions.
That stated, past the all-important three factors, the supervisor was in a position to get minutes into the legs of some gamers who haven’t performed quite a lot of late. Their fortunes have been combined on the evening, a pair have been tidy sufficient, however Smith Rowe was the one who actually stood out along with his involvement in each targets, and virtually getting on the scoresheet once more. On him, Arteta stated:
I believe lots. I really like him as a participant. It’s a pleasure to observe him, how he strikes, how he modifies course, how bodily he was right this moment as nicely with out the ball. He received quite a lot of duels and he was pondering with that killer intuition to play ahead and to make issues occur and when Emile is in that second it’s very troublesome to cease him. Right now he helped us lots to win the sport.
And on making modifications, he continued:
I believe it was the correct second to do this they usually responded rather well. I’m so pleased with that as a result of I believe we’ve received once more, particularly with just a few gamers with good confidence, bodily with the rhythm proper now they usually’re going to be actually essential for us.
As I stated in yesterday’s weblog, I believe rotating initially and successful the sport was the situation with probably the most upside to it. We didn’t want subs to rescue the sport, we simply wanted them to maintain maintain of what we had, and hopefully it’s each a lift in confidence for these concerned, in addition to bodily helpful too. And whereas there might be loads of focus and debate on the gamers who got here in, I believe it’s essential to offer a nod to the fellows like Odegaard, Saliba, White and Gabriel who did the complete 90 once more, and who’re such an essential a part of why this staff is the place it’s. Their consistency, of each efficiency and energy, is massively spectacular.
So, not a basic by any means, however we did what we needed to do. One sport fewer to play, however with three extra factors below our belt. Consideration now turns to Saturday night, and what might be a tough journey to Brighton.
Be part of us a bit later for a post-game Arsecast, the schedule is a bit mad for the time being, so we’ll get that out for you right this moment – and tomorrow for Patreon members we’ll have an episode of The 30 (Premier League round-up), and a preview pod for the Brighton sport.
For now, have a great one.
