Arsenal drew 0-0 with Manchester United on Saturday in a game where Lacazette hit the bar from a free kick. United had the slightly better chances but were unable to capitalise against an Arsenal team without 3 key players.
Saka was given a precautionary rest due to a slight hip injury, Tierney remained out with a calf issue and Aubameyang missed the game due to personal reasons. The absence of Saka and Tierney were felt particularly hard having been two of Arsenal’s go to players all season, who carry the play on their respective wings.
With Saka and Aubameyang out, Pepe and Martinelli filled in out wide. After a midweek goal against Southampton, Pepe was once again lively, being involved in most of Arsenal’s positive attacking moves. He still has a tendency to disappear for spells in games but his ability to beat a defender and strike the ball is always a threat – like Willian during his Chelsea days.
Martinelli looked below his usual level, less energetic off the ball and less direct on it. He showed glimpses, such as his sprint back to head the ball off the toes of Rashford following a United cross, but it is clear he is not at full fitness yet and likely needs time to build up the confidence in his knee following his injury.
Willian came off the bench for Martinelli at half time and looked slightly better than he has done previously. His effort increased and he was better on the ball, although he did squander a good chance as the ball fell to him at the back post. Arsenal and Willian are stuck together for another two and a half years so any sort of improvement has to be a positive for both sides.
The game also saw a debut for Martin Odegaard who came off the bench in the 83rd minute. He touched the ball just 3 times which was all he needed to win man of the match on Norwegian television. It was a tough game to make his debut and he had been at the club for less than a week so it is difficult to judge him on the 10 minutes that he played.
Arsenal travelled to Wolves for a 2-1 loss on Tuesday night in one of the most bizarre games of the season, seeing both David Luiz and Bernd Leno sent off.
The Gunners were electric in the first half, seemingly creating chances at will. Saka had the ball in the back of the net in the early stages before being ruled out for offside and both he and Pepe struck the woodwork. Thomas Partey in particular was superb, spraying the ball around and picking up loose balls in the middle.
Nicolas Pepe opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a magnificent solo effort. He picked up the ball on the left wing, nutmegging Semedo as he made his way into the box. Neves was the next Wolves player to be nutmegged before Pepe curled the ball into the far corner with his right foot.
Pepe 1-0
At that point, the game looked like it would finish 4 or 5 nil to Arsenal. Then the 45th minute happened.
Wolves launched a counter attack which saw Podence slip through Willian Jose between Arsenal’s centre backs. David Luiz was caught slightly behind the Wolves striker as he tracked back into the Arsenal penalty area. In the process of running back, Luiz’s knee just clipped Willian Jose’s heel causing him to fall. The result was a red card for Luiz and a penalty which Neves emphatically put away.
Down to ten men for the second half, Arsenal were still in the game due to Wolves playing passively. However, 4 minutes after the restart, Joao Moutniho unleashed a thunderous strike from 30 yards, clipping the inside of the post as it beat Leno to put Wolves 2-1 up.
Moutinho 1-2
Even then, Arsenal looked as if they were still in the game until Bernd Leno picked up Arsenal’s second red card of the game in spectacular fashion. Semedo hit a long ball over the top towards Adama Traore, which Leno came out to meet. The German appeared to misjudge the bounce of the ball and as he stooped down for a header, instead punching it out of play, denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and getting himself sent off.
At 9 men the game was over, but even with the two man advantage Wolves were unable to score a third. It was a game Arsenal ought to have won and probably should have won anyway if they had taken their first half chances.
Both David Luiz and Southampton’s Jan Bednarek were sent off for similar incidents on the same night according to a rule which needs to be reviewed. They both clipped an opposition player in the box whilst trying to recover and get pack into position, with no intention of committing a foul. Equally they had no intention of playing the ball and that is why they were sent off.
The issue with the rule is that both players could have slid through the back of the opposition player, thus making an attempt to play the ball, and neither would have been sent off. The rule allows players to be more dangerous and cynical with less punishment. It needs to be changed.
To round out the transfer window, Arsenal finalised three outgoings. Mustafi’s time at Arsenal came to end with his contract being terminated, allowing him to join Sead Kolasinac in an attempt to keep Shalke in the Bundesliga. Joe Willock was loaned to Newcastle where he will hopefully get some much needed game time.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles was loaned out, choosing West Brom over Southampton. The decisive factor seems to be his desire to play in midfield rather than at fullback, hence his decision to go to a club in the relegation zone. He seems to have his heart set on playing in midfield so hopefully he can make it work, although that will likely mean his time at Arsenal will come to an end in the summer.
Arsenal travel to Villa Park on Saturday for a 12:30pm kick off against 9th place Aston Villa. Arteta’s side will be without both Bernd Leno and Matt Ryan, meaning Alex Runarsson, the man bought to replace Villa’s keeper Emi Martinez, will play in goal. Kieran Tierney could be a big factor in the game if he is fit but Arteta did not reveal if the Scotsman would be available during his press conference.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1 – 1 Arsenal
Adam Perry – 05/02/2021