Match report – Participant scores – Arteta response – Video
Arsenal go into the Interlull prime of the Premier League after a 2-0 win over West Ham at dwelling yesterday. Very similar to the win over Olympiacos in midweek, it felt routine, nearly an inevitability which, whereas not essentially thrilling, does reveal the energy of this group.
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 sport collectively, and I believe 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 excellent go to Jurrien Timber who noticed his shot saved within the field, whereas Eze could have had a stressed evening replaying a detailed vary likelihood he ought to have scored however in some way put over the bar.
However on 20 minutes Odegaard’s damage curse continued. He clashed knees with a West Ham performed, required remedy, bought 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 steerage in terms of choices like this, he was clearly determined to remain on however even on TV you might see his race was run, and on the half hour mark he was changed by Martin Zubimendi.
He set an unlucky document yesterday, the primary participant to ever be subbed off earlier than half-time in three consecutive dwelling appearances. It’s so unlucky for him, not least as a result of he produced an distinctive midweek efficiency within the Champions League. Arteta mentioned afterwards his knee was in a brace and it didn’t look constructive, so let’s simply maintain 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 believe he bought it completely proper. The Spanish worldwide was distinctive for my part. We noticed him carry 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 now have to have a look at Zubimendi’s half in each objectives.
For the primary, he performed a beautiful go 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 He didn’t have fun in opposition to his outdated membership, however you might see he was given a few of them the eyes after receiving some stick when he was taking corners.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 go that Timber was fouled, resulting in the second half penalty.
I’ve seen some dialogue of whether or not this must 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 lower 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 aim, however I’m completely fantastic with Saka stepping up. He has been the designated no 1 penalty taker for a while, even when he does the outdated switcheroo with Odegaard occasionally. This was his two hundredth Premier League look, and he was going to mark it with a aim. He made no mistake from the spot, that roughly made the sport protected, and whereas I don’t suppose there was something pointed in any respect in direction of the summer season signing, it’s slightly reminder for Gyokeres that at this stage you’ve gotta ship.
This was nothing just like the Kai Havertz second when a participant below large scrutiny, and actually low on confidence, had but to attain, and the group gave him that likelihood in a sport we had been already profitable comfortably. This penalty might 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 group, Arteta definitely sounded happy afterwards with how he performed, and I’m positive the objectives will come.
The remainder of the sport performed out as you’d count on. West Ham had little menace, we made extra modifications, together with one which noticed Rice ask to be taken off due to a again drawback, and I think about each he and Odegaard shall be assessed with regards their worldwide commitments for England and Norway.
Afterwards, having gained his three hundredth sport in cost, Arteta mentioned:
The final two video games have been very particular. Newcastle, as a result of we had a historical past there, loads of scars and loads of lesson to take, we put that proper. Then we had West Ham, dropping two video games at dwelling within the earlier two seasons. I advised them it was a giant alternative, we’ve had very tough fixtures for the reason that begin of the season, and a few very unhealthy accidents as nicely not serving to. Nonetheless, the group is performing, taking part in nicely, profitable as we speak with absolute dominance and with out conceding a aim. So, good to get to the worldwide break on this spirit.
I believe the final two video games have proven Arsenal’s skill 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 would have liked it. Going into the Interlull on prime of the desk is good, albeit there’s an extended solution to go this season.
That mentioned, it was barely a few weeks in the past that after the Man Metropolis sport this group was being torn asunder by a number of the most vociferous, and to my thoughts verging on disingenuous, exterior criticism, and but right here we’re. Humorous, eh? It does reveal how rapidly issues can change in soccer. Final weekend there was a believable situation the place we might have ended up eight factors behind Liverpool, and per week later we’re some extent forward. Like I mentioned, an extended solution to go, however let’s recognise the trouble and character that has gone into the final seven days. Three video games, three wins, a single aim conceded, and we’re in a pleasant place the place we are able to go into this worldwide break in a comparatively calm manner. There’s so much to be mentioned for that.
Proper, I’ll go away it there. We’ll have an Arsecast Further for you tomorrow, however we’re not recording till the afternoon. For now although, have an excellent Sunday people.
