The positivity of Arsenal’s recent performances finally translated into victories this week with a 1-0 over Manchester United at Old Trafford and a 4-1 victory against Molde. The week has also thrown up several questions about some of the lesser utilised players in our squad as they made their cases for Premier League minutes.
The Arteta regime made another big leap last Sunday, beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford – the first league victory there since 2006. Unsurprisingly Arteta outwitted Solskjær, pre-empting United’s shape and countering it to perfection. United set up with a midfield diamond, leaving Fred at the base and deploying Rashford and Greenwood as split strikers. Arteta’s response was to instruct Lacazette to press Fred, making it difficult for United to play out and forcing turnovers high up the pitch, and having Gabriel and Holding coming out of defence to pressure the strikers, forcing heavy touches or back passes. Arsenal shut United’s attacks down before they really began.
(Credit: Sky Sports)
An aspect of the game that was surprising was Arsenal’s midfield dominance. Outnumbered by 2 players to 4, Partey and Elneny ran the show, breaking up play, carrying the ball and playing progressive passes. Partey’s quality has been unquestionable since joining the club but going to Old Trafford 2nd start in an Arsenal shirt and bossing the game the way he did was a little unexpected. However, what was more unexpected was the performance of Mohammed Elneny. The Egyptian looked out the door at Arsenal under Emery but has since fought his way back into the team and this was arguably his best performance in an Arsenal shirt. He played his role brilliantly, playing safe yet progressive passes, pressing at the right moments, filling in for teammates and bringing heart and energy which lifted the whole team. Whilst his use will likely depend on the opposition, he’s made a strong case to start in Arsenal’s ‘big’ games.
The goal came from Arsenal’s right side with Willian picking up the ball and driving at Shaw. With the left back occupied, Bellerín ran in behind, tracked by Pogba, creating an angle for Willian to play him through with a perfectly weighted pass. Bellerín beat Pogba to the ball before being clipped by the Frenchman and being taken down for a penalty. Despite missing a couple of penalties in his earlier days at Arsenal, Aubameyang has since proved lethal from the spot and converted this one, smashing it past De Gea.
Penalty Incident
Aubameyang Goal 1-0
Arsenal’s Europa League campaign continued last night with a game against Molde at The Emirates. Despite Molde striking first, the Gunners made light work of the game disposing of the Norwegian team 4-1. As we are beginning to see more and more, Arsenal came up against a deep block with 11 men behind the ball and were challenged to break them down. The opening period saw Arsenal probing without really threatening and that opened the game up for Molde to score with their first shot, coming from a long distance strike following a number of Arsenal mistakes. Arsenal responded in the 42nd minute with Nketiah scoring one of his trademark belters from outside the box but it was incorrectly ruled out for a Joe Willock offside – an infuriating situation with VAR not being used until the knockout stages.
The actual comeback began 3 minutes later with Granit Xhaka leading a counter from a Molde corner which resulted in a Molde defender kneeing the ball onto his hand in comical fashion. 8 minutes after a stunning Kolasinac miss from Nketiah range, Own Goal bagged his brace powering home a Willock cross beyond the helpless keeper. Arsenal’s 3rd came with a bit more quality. Substitute Saka picked up the ball on the left wing and picked out a brilliant cutback to Nicolas Pépé who tucked the ball low into the corner from just inside the box. The game was sealed in the 87th minute with Joe Willock running onto a Pépé through ball and curling it round the keeper. Willock put in yet another convincing case for Premier League minutes, offering a constant goal threat which Arsenal typically lack from midfield. The game also raised a question about Nicolas Pépé who once again delivered end product without ever looking convincing in the game.
Own Goal 1-1
Own Goal 2-1
Pépé 3-1
Willock 4-1
(Credit: Arseblog/RMC)
Up next Arsenal welcome Emi Martinez back to the Emirates as the Gunners look to build on a positive week against Aston Villa at 7:15pm on Sunday. Villa have lost their last two games against Leeds and Southampton so will be looking to bounce back and we've already seen their ability to counter attack in their 7-2 win over Liverpool earlier this season. Arsenal will have to be at the top of their game but with the form of the likes of Gabriel, Partey and Saka, Arsenal should edge this one.
Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 1
Adam Perry 06/11/2020