Match report – Participant scores – Arteta response – Video
A 3-0 win kind of does and doesn’t inform the total story of final night time’s win over Monaco. Had we scored all of the objectives within the first half, there would have been little criticism, however two of them got here after the break after we struggled to match the standard of the primary interval, so it felt somewhat bit unusual.
The group was fascinating, with Thomas Partey at right-back, and Myles Lewis-Skelly handed a primary Champions League begin on the opposite facet. That meant Jurrien Timber and Kieran Tierney stayed on the bench. For the previous, it felt like a participant whose health was being managed, and whenever you noticed how the 18 12 months previous performed, you perceive why the latter wasn’t chosen.
It was fascinating that when requested in regards to the Scottish worldwide earlier than the sport, Mikel Arteta mainly mentioned he wouldn’t ask him to play that ‘inverted’ function anymore if he did decide him, as a result of – based mostly on previous expertise – it wasn’t actually one thing he was snug with. Lewis-Skelly popped up in these positions right away, snug in possession in tight areas, and ready/keen to play excessive up the pitch if wanted.
The guests had an early pop at aim which went not far broad, however after that Arsenal actually turned it on and performed very properly within the first half. I don’t assume it’s an exaggeration to say we must always have been just a few objectives to the great by the point half-time got here round. As a substitute, it was simply the one and what a stunning aim it was too. Lewis-Skelly acquired the ball from Martin Odegaard underneath a little bit of strain from the opposition, however confirmed his midfield prowess by turning away properly from his marker and threading a stunning go by means of to Gabriel Jesus. His ball to the again publish was wonderful, and it was a simple end for somebody nearly as good as Bukayo Saka. 1-0.
Both facet of that although, there have been superb alternatives. A incredible lengthy ball excessive from Jakub Kiwior despatched Jesus by means of with simply the keeper to beat. He’s clearly determined to get on the scoresheet once more, didn’t fairly compose himself properly sufficient and the end – whereas struck properly sufficient – lacked conviction and the keeper made a save. Minutes later Gabriel Martinelli’s go noticed Jesus vogue one other probability from contained in the field. He did properly to carry off the defender, however this time I feel it was extra a great save than a nasty miss.
Odegaard, who had already seen a few curling efforts drift broad, robbed the ball within the Monaco half and scampered by means of for a one on one probability himself. He put it broad when he actually ought to have scored, and when the captain created for Martinelli within the field, he too was off the mark together with his end, side-footing broad of the publish. The constructive was that we had been creating way over we did in opposition to Fulham (from ‘open play’ too!), however the missed possibilities made you marvel in the event that they’d come again to hang-out us.
Monaco made a half-time change, bringing on former Liverpool midfielder Takumi Minamino and he made a distinction. You may see from the assault momentum graph how a lot the sport modified after the break.
I feel they had been higher, I feel we had been worse, and it meant an excessive amount of of the sport was being performed in our half. Nonetheless, their greatest second solely got here William Saliba uncharacteristically gave the ball away, they labored it shortly to Breel Embolo who shot past the publish with Raya at full-stretch.
Arteta made adjustments with Rice, Lewis-Skelly and Martinelli making approach for Jorginho, Timber and Trossard, and we began to chip away at their dominance. I feel it was the introduction of Kai Havertz for Jesus that actually tipped issues again our approach although. Instantly we had a bit extra presence, not simply up entrance however in our personal half, and the German’s first actual contribution of notice was to carry off Monaco gamers and use a tough bouncing ball properly to set us away on the counter assault.
He was concerned within the second aim, closing down the keeper shortly after an iffy go again to him from one in every of his defenders, and Saka was there to make it 2-0, after which the sport was mainly received. Havertz thought he’d scored the third late on, however UEFA corrected the file and put it down as an personal aim for Thilo Kehrer. A bit unlucky however I feel that’s most likely proper, it was the defender’s toe that poked the ball dwelling from Saka’s shot. I’m positive the Monaco captain would have reasonably it went down as a aim for his compatriot, however it added some gloss to the scoreline that we most likely deserved based mostly on the primary half.
Afterwards, Mikel Arteta mentioned:
Very proud of the win, with a clear sheet, with the truth that we needed to change just a few gamers, gamers that haven’t performed that a lot and so they nonetheless carried out rather well and put us in a great place within the group.
And whereas Saka was the star man for us final night time, it was inevitable he fielded questions on Lewis-Skelly, saying:
It’s a very proud second. He’s one in every of our personal, 18 years previous. He makes his beginning debut within the Champions League and he’s only a pleasure to look at him . It’s a privilege to have the chance to present an opportunity to any person, to begin to change his profession, He definitely took the prospect and it’s nice that we will belief him, that he can play on this atmosphere and on this degree and I used to be actually pleased together with his efficiency.
I believed this was an fascinating choice from a supervisor who many really feel – and sometimes with some justification – defaults to the skilled choice. However this time he went with potential and it paid off. It was the sort of spectacular efficiency that may reassure you in regards to the 18 12 months previous’s potential to take care of strain and the extent of competitors (one thing Saka mentioned to him and about him afterwards). And, as I wrote earlier within the week, so long as left-back stays a little bit of a problematic place attributable to accidents, giving these minutes to a participant who has the potential to be a longer-term choice made sense to me. It might sound harsh on somebody like Tierney, however it’s a must to look to the longer term when you possibly can, and Lewis-Skelly is completely going to be a part of that.
If you happen to’re searching for different positives, I feel there have been some green-shoots from Jesus regardless of his ending woes. He appeared energetic, extra concerned, received an help, and labored onerous. It was in stark distinction to what we noticed in opposition to Fulham, which might solely be a great factor. Plus, three factors, a clear sheet, and a really respectable place on this elongated Champions League desk with a few video games to places us in a great spot to keep away from the additional two video games within the new 12 months.
Job executed, a good night time’s work, now for Everton on Saturday.
—
We’ll have an Arsecast for you somewhat later this morning, recapping final night time’s occasions and extra, however within the meantime, why not benefit from the a hundredth episode of the Arsenal Ladies Arsecast by which Tim Stillman has an unique sit down with Leah Williamson. Get it now in all the same old podcast locations, or watch beneath by way of our YouTube channel.
