Match report – Player ratings – Arteta reaction – Video
Arsenal are again on high of the Premier League (quickly anyway), after a 2-0 win over Luton final night time.
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 group that performed towards 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 solution to explaining why the group was a bit of extra disjointed than regular. Arteta talks rather a lot about relationships on the pitch, in addition to mixtures in tight areas which might make the distinction, and you can see how these modifications had an affect 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 gained 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 enjoying Smith Rowe in however the keeper made save to disclaim him. Ben White had some enjoyable with a pleasant flip in midfield, Havertz had a shot on course, however it was Smith Rowe who made an affect once more simply earlier than the break. He made a sensible run into house behind the Luton defence, Trossard discovered him nicely with move, 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 take care of the second half in any respect – and it wasn’t to do with the annoying digicam angle on TNT Sport. This might be simply me, as a result of I perceive this was a modified aspect but in addition one which gave rather a lot on Sunday towards Man Metropolis. I additionally know we weren’t beneath 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 recollections of a number 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 purpose from nothing, after which we’ve to endure a nerve-shredding ultimate 10 minutes.
As I mentioned, that would nicely be simply my downside, and I don’t count on us to win each sport by a handful or something like that, however that was nagging at me all over. Some would possibly say we did , skilled job, and I believe that’s in all probability honest. 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 assumed we had been just a bit passive in that second half. Which, within the chilly gentle of day, may appear a bit churlish given we gained and stored one other clear sheet, however I’d identical to to have seen a bit of extra management at instances.
That mentioned, 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 loads of late. Their fortunes had been blended on the night time, a pair had been tidy sufficient, however Smith Rowe was the one who actually stood out together with his involvement in each objectives, and virtually getting on the scoresheet once more. On him, Arteta mentioned:
I believe rather a lot. I like him as a participant. It’s a pleasure to observe him, how he strikes, how he alters route, how bodily he was right now as nicely with out the ball. He gained loads 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. At this time he helped us rather a lot to win the sport.
And on making modifications, he continued:
I believe it was the proper second to do this and so they responded very well. I’m so pleased with that as a result of I believe we’ve gained once more, particularly with a number of gamers with good confidence, bodily with the rhythm proper now and so they’re going to be actually vital for us.
As I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, I believe rotating initially and profitable the sport was the state of affairs with essentially 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 useful too. And whereas there might be loads of focus and debate on the gamers who got here in, I believe it’s vital to offer a nod to the fellows like Odegaard, Saliba, White and Gabriel who did the total 90 once more, and who’re such an vital a part of why this group 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 beneath 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 in the meanwhile, so we’ll get that out for you right now – 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 one.
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