Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video
Arsenal went again to the highest of the Premier League yesterday night with a formidable 3-0 win at Brighton.
Mikel Arteta made modifications, bringing in Declan Rice, Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka again into the crew, and we must always have been forward inside two minutes. A Martin Odegaard free kick discovered the top of Gabriel, often so dependable in these conditions, however he planted his header extensive.
Brighton produced a beautiful flowing transfer which noticed Enciso shoot over from simply outdoors the field, a warning about what Roberto de Zerbi’s crew are able to, however we responded. Saka, who had been quiet within the opening minutes, burst into life when despatched behind by Ben White, and having reduce onto his left foot you’d have backed him to attain however he curled extensive. Saka then arrange Jesus, whose first time effort was properly saved, and the Brazilian headed extensive after good work from Kai Havertz.
It wasn’t fairly finish to finish stuff, however each side had almost moments by way of probability creation, and within the thirty first minute, we had a penalty. Jesus received the ball on the left, drove into the field, and though Lamptey received a tiny contact on the underside of the ball, he received the entire man too, and for me that’s positively a penalty. I wouldn’t have any complaints if it was given up the opposite finish. Even de Zerbi, a person who will brazenly speak about his disdain for almost all of the Premier League officers, mentioned it was a ‘clear’ penalty.
Saka stepped up, and regardless of their goalkeeper doing his finest to place him off, tucked it completely into a spot he’d by no means have gotten it even when he went the precise means. Brighton’s risk was at all times there, and simply earlier than the break, David Raya needed to make an outstanding save to disclaim an Enciso roller that was definitely getting into in any other case.
I keep in mind considering that on the break, Mikel Arteta would possibly to ponder what to do about midfield, as a result of Brighton have been discovering area in there that few different groups do. However finally this was a consequence of taking part in the best way we did in opposition to them. By being courageous, and urgent excessive to disrupt their construct up, you play a danger/reward recreation, and it’s a must to belief the defensive qualities in your crew. That’s rather a lot simpler to do when you may have somebody like Declan Rice within the aspect, who was in all places – and even when there have been instances Brighton ran past him, others received again. There was a second half second when Baleba charged previous him and drove in direction of our field, but it surely was substitute Gabriel Martinelli who supplied the defensive cavalry and stemmed the tide. Excellent dedication and organisation.
Right here’s an instance of how Arsenal dedicated males to the press when Brighton had the ball on the again:
And right here’s the area Brighton discovered on the odd event they discovered a strategy to play by means of it in central areas – when is the final time you’ve seen the Arsenal midfield so open and that a lot area between the back and front of the crew?
One other man whose defensive efficiency on the evening will most likely get neglected – as a result of he received a objective and an help – is Kai Havertz, however that contribution was so necessary. I believed this was simply his finest recreation for the membership, and whenever you examine the participant we see now from the person who first arrived, it’s evening and day. He’s a reminder that some gamers simply take a little bit of time to settle in and to search out their groove. He has 5 objectives and 4 assists from his final 7 Premier League appearances, and his place because the de facto centre-forward is, at this level of the season, maybe a bit surprising.
Arteta was requested about that afterwards and mentioned:
Numerous the time gamers resolve the place they should play, and we will have sure concepts, however then you definately see sure relationships and a few issues circulate. And when it flows, it’s a must to let it go, and I feel Kai in the mean time is flowing and he’s feeling actually comfy there, the remainder of the crew is comfy with him there and issues occur naturally.
I used to be so impressed along with his efficiency final evening, his defensive work was excellent, his selfless operating to stretch Brighton was an important instance of what Luton’s captain Tom Lockyer spoke about after our recreation in midweek, and his motion for the second objective was wonderful. These areas in midfield did have me questioning whether or not or not we’d take into consideration bringing on another person for Jorginho, however when Odegaard’s excellent go discovered the Italian worldwide within the area you anticipate both Saka or Ben White to be, he used all his expertise to offer the help for Havertz. That was 2-0. On Sky afterwards, de Zerbi mentioned as soon as the second objective went in, the sport was ‘completed’.
It was fascinating to see the best way this Arsenal crew then felt so comfy to take a seat deeper, to guard the lead and permit Brighton possession. After Havertz made it 2-0, Brighton had 82% possession. Such is the defensive high quality on this crew, such are the degrees of organisation and understanding about tips on how to snuff out the opposition, they did nothing a lot with it. Remarkably, in that interval once they dominated the ball and the territory, Brighton had only a single try on objective whereas Arsenal had 6!
A type of was the third objective, Leandro Trossard made a deal with in midfeld, the ball fell for Havertz who despatched him by means of with simply the keeper to beat, and in opposition to his former membership the Belgian produced a splendidly calm end to make it 3-0 and to ice what was a really spectacular cake anyway. That was the primary time Brighton had been crushed at house since August, and even when they’d some gamers lacking, they’re nonetheless a really powerful opponent. The stats bear it out, 3.4 was probably the most xG Brighton have conceded since de Zerbi took over, however a very powerful of all was the three objectives Arsenal scored to return to the highest.
I suppose you do have to say the clear sheet too, not least due to the best way the Arsenal gamers celebrated Gabriel blocking a shot in our field. You’ll be able to perceive the participant making the block being happy with himself, however that instantaneous response from the likes of Trossard and Saliba who have been close by tells you a lot in regards to the mindset of this crew. They begrudge the opposition even a comfort, and that’s so nice to see.
Afterwards, Arteta mentioned:
I’m actually completely happy, actually happy with the boys. They put in an enormous efficiency to beat this nice Brighton aspect. They haven’t misplaced right here since August and that tells you the issue of it, of the duty, however we have been actually good right now.
In the long run, it’s about performances. You must earn the precise to win the video games on this league and the groups, they ask you a variety of questions and there are a variety of issues it’s a must to management in a Premier League match to win away from house. The crew appears to be controlling these moments a lot better and being comfy in several phases of video games, when the groups are demanding all these items. That’s the largest step as a crew.
So, one other one down. One other good lead to 2024. One other enhance to confidence and perception, as a result of this was a difficult one, and no mistake. We’ve been on the mistaken finish of a few painful outcomes in opposition to Brighton, in order that will need to have been behind their minds, however they preserve ticking off these bins of gentle revenge. Each recreation is a must-win proper now, and we did this after Metropolis received in opposition to Palace. Whether or not it is going to put any stress on Liverpool later I don’t know. I doubt it. I believe they will destroy Man Utd later, however we will solely do our job, and the best way we did it yesterday was vastly spectacular.
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Okay, let’s go away it there for now. We’re recording an Arsecast Further for you later right now, so preserve an eye fixed out for the decision for questions on Twitter @gunnerblog and @arseblog on Twitter with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or if you happen to’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, go away your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Podcast must be out within the night (we have now a while zone stuff to cope with right now!). Till then, take pleasure in your Sunday.
