Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video
Arsenal go into the Interlull prime of the Premier League after a 2-0 win over West Ham at house yesterday. Very similar to the win over Olympiacos in midweek, it felt routine, virtually an inevitability which, whereas not essentially thrilling, does display the energy of this staff.
I used to be excited when the beginning XI dropped with each Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze in it. It was the primary time the 2 had began a recreation collectively, and I feel I used to be nonetheless attempting to work out how precisely it was functioning when it floor to an early halt. Earlier than that, the captain had performed an important cross to Jurrien Timber who noticed his shot saved within the field, whereas Eze may have had a stressed evening replaying an in depth vary likelihood he ought to have scored however someway put over the bar.
However on 20 minutes Odegaard’s harm curse continued. He clashed knees with a West Ham performed, required remedy, obtained remedy, instantly went down within the subsequent part of play, and may most likely have come off there after which. I do know there’s participant steering on the subject of selections like this, he was clearly determined to remain on however even on TV you may see his race was run, and on the half hour mark he was changed by Martin Zubimendi.
He set an unlucky file yesterday, the primary participant to ever be subbed off earlier than half-time in three consecutive house appearances. It’s so unlucky for him, not least as a result of he produced an distinctive midweek efficiency within the Champions League. Arteta stated afterwards his knee was in a brace and it didn’t look constructive, so let’s simply preserve every part crossed that no matter has occurred is extra painful than damaging.
In earlier video games, when Odegaard went off Arteta turned to Ethan Nwaneri, however this time it was Zubimendi, and I feel he obtained it completely proper. The Spanish worldwide was distinctive for my part. We noticed him deliver management, passing vary, and defensive prowess too. He’s a handy guide a rough tackler, solely Jurrien Timber made extra profitable tackles yesterday, and we’ve to take a look at Zubimendi’s half in each objectives.
For the primary, he performed a beautiful cross to Eze within the field, and when his shot was saved Declan Rice was there to use a well-taken end on the half-volley. He didn’t rejoice in opposition to his outdated membership, however you may see he was given a few of them the eyes after receiving some stick when he was taking corners. And it was from a Zubimendi cross that Timber was fouled, resulting in the second half penalty.
I’ve seen some dialogue of whether or not this needs to be a penalty or not as a result of the offence started exterior the field, however the legal guidelines of the sport say ‘If a defender begins holding an attacker exterior the penalty space and continues holding contained in the penalty space, the referee should award a penalty kick‘, and this appears pretty clear minimize to me.
I’ve additionally seen dialogue of whether or not or not Bukayo Saka ought to have let Viktor Gyokeres take it. The Swede has now gone six video games with out a objective, however I’m completely tremendous with Saka stepping up. He has been the designated #1 penalty taker for a while, even when he does the outdated switcheroo with Odegaard on occasion. This was his 2 hundredth Premier League look, and he was going to mark it with a objective. He made no mistake from the spot, that roughly made the sport secure, and whereas I don’t suppose there was something pointed in any respect in the direction of the summer time signing, it’s a little bit reminder for Gyokeres that at this degree you’ve gotta ship.
This was nothing just like the Kai Havertz second when a participant beneath huge scrutiny, and actually low on confidence, had but to attain, and the staff gave him that likelihood in a recreation we had been already profitable comfortably. This penalty may have been decisive, Saka had the mentality that he was the person, he was going to attain, and I’m all for that. Gyokeres did one other hard-working job for the staff, Arteta definitely sounded happy afterwards with how he performed, and I’m certain the objectives will come.
The remainder of the sport performed out as you’d count on. West Ham had little risk, we made extra adjustments, together with one which noticed Rice ask to be taken off due to a again drawback, and I think about each he and Odegaard might be assessed with regards their worldwide commitments for England and Norway.
Afterwards, having received his three hundredth recreation in cost, Arteta stated:
The final two video games have been very particular. Newcastle, as a result of we had a historical past there, a whole lot of scars and a whole lot of lesson to take, we put that proper. Then we had West Ham, dropping two video games at house within the earlier two seasons. I informed them it was a giant alternative, we’ve had very tough fixtures because the begin of the season, and a few very dangerous accidents as nicely not serving to. Nonetheless, the staff is performing, taking part in nicely, profitable as we speak with absolute dominance and with out conceding a objective. So, good to get to the worldwide break on this spirit.
I feel the final two video games have proven Arsenal’s means to win video games with out having to actually stretch ourselves, and whereas there’s most likely some dialogue available about how that leaves you nearer to the margins than you may like, I additionally suppose you possibly can see there’s most likely extra within the tank if we wanted it. Going into the Interlull on prime of the desk is sweet, albeit there’s a protracted method to go this season.
That stated, it was barely a few weeks in the past that after the Man Metropolis recreation this staff was being torn asunder by a few of the most vociferous, and to my thoughts verging on disingenuous, exterior criticism, and but right here we’re. Humorous, eh? It does display how shortly issues can change in soccer. Final weekend there was a believable situation the place we may have ended up eight factors behind Liverpool, and per week later we’re a degree forward. Like I stated, a protracted method to go, however let’s recognise the hassle and character that has gone into the final seven days. Three video games, three wins, a single objective conceded, and we’re in a pleasant place the place we will go into this worldwide break in a comparatively calm approach. There’s loads to be stated for that.
Proper, I’ll depart it there. We’ll have an Arsecast Additional for you tomorrow, however we’re not recording till the afternoon. For now although, have an important Sunday of us.
