top of page
  • Writer's pictureAdam Perry

Staking a Claim

It has been a week which feels like it belongs in early December with Arsenal losing a game they should have won, and then winning a game of lesser importance, sending Arsenal Twitter through a rollercoaster of emotions. However, an important step has been made by Arteta's Arsenal, playing a definitive 4-3-3 against Leicester for the first time.



At 7:15 on Sunday, one of the strangest times for a football game, Arsenal played Leicester City at the Emirates, slumping to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of familiar villain Jamie Vardy. It was a score line that was all too predictable as Arsenal had an early goal ruled out for offside and squandered several first half chances. Leicester set up with everyone behind the ball, looking to stall time for their main man to enter the fray, and their plan worked to perfection.


Arteta lined up with a 4-3-3 for the first time, fielding a midfield three of Ceballos, Partey and Xhaka. With this there were question marks over how Arsenal would adapt to the change in system and the issues began to show as the game wore on. Xhaka and Ceballos were instructed to hold wide positions whilst Partey patrolled the central area, the aim was to give Arsenal overloads on the flanks. This was effective during the first half, mainly due to David Luiz’s long switches of play to the left where Saka and Tierney were able to take up good positions and deliver the ball into the box. Arsenal’s best chance of the night came from this situation with Luiz finding Tierney on the switch before the Scotsman whipped the ball into the 6-yard box, only for Lacazette to waste the opportunity.

Lacazette miss

(Credit: Arsenal)


Arsenal got progressively worse during the second half, allowing Leicester into the game. It began with David Luiz’s picking up a thigh injury in the 47th minute and with his departure went Arsenal’s creativity. Mustafi came on for his first appearance since July and Xhaka dropped more and more into a left back position. From this point Arsenal became increasingly more predictable and struggled to create meaningful chances for the rest of the game. The game began to inevitably slip with the introduction of Jamie Vardy on the hour. Leicester’s winner came from a brilliant ball from Tielemans to Ünder who crossed to an unmarked Vardy. The lack of pressure on Tielemans helped create the opportunity but Mustafi’s positioning gave his team no chance. Moments before the goal Gabriel is seen pointing to where Mustafi should be and that is the exact area which Vardy runs into to arrive unmarked in the box. It was a very frustrating situation in a very frustrating game.


Gabriel telling Mustafi to cover the space behind him moments before the Leicester goal



Arsenal cruised to a 3-0 victory last night against Irish side Dundalk in the Europa League. Goals from Nketiah, Willock and Pépé helped the Gunners reach 6 points out of 6 in their first 2 group games.

Arteta fielded a much rotated side featuring debutant goalkeeper Rúnarsson, Mustafi’s first start following a long term injury, Willock in a midfield 2 and Nelson for his 2nd start of the season. Dundalk set up (understandably) deeper than even Leicester did which frustrated Arsenal for large portions of the game. It took until the 40th minute for the breakthrough with Nketiah pouncing on a loose ball inside the 6 yard box following some questionable goalkeeping from a corner. The lead was doubled 2 minutes later with Willock picking up a loose ball and rifling it into the roof of the net. Pépé added the 3rd just after the break with a trademark curler into the top corner from the edge of the box – with his right foot!!! It was a routine victory for Arsenal and one which places them in a good position ahead of the game against Molde next Thursday.


Nketiah 1-0


Willock 2-0


Pépé 3-0

(The English broadcaster for the game does not allow the use of their videos)


There were a couple of takeaway performances from the game, despite the opposition. The most impressive was Joe Willock. He was a constant danger in and around the box with his driving runs, movement and dribbling, adding a goal threat from midfield which Arsenal typically lack. His performance shows the aspects he can add to Arsenal’s midfield and he has made a strong case for some Premier League minutes, especially with the shift to a midfield 3. Granit Xhaka, and to a lesser extent Mohammed Elneny, featured at centre back. With the mountain of injuries at the back for Arsenal, it is difficult to predict exactly who will play at centre back at Old Trafford alongside Gabriel. Perhaps the trial of Xhaka and Elneny could be indicative of their inclusion in that role or at the very least preparing them should Arsenal’s injury issues get even worse. Reiss Nelson also had a bright performance with a number of mazy dribbles. His willingness to get the ball and his movement helped cause Dundalk issues, however, it is unlikely he would get the same amount of time and space in the Premier League. Despite not scoring, he will be happy with his performances and has staked a claim for a start next week against Molde.



Arsenal face a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday for a game against Manchester United at 4:30pm. It's a tall ask for Arsenal who have not won at Old Trafford since 2006 and have form and injuries against them. The player who will deputise in defence, whether it be Mustafi, Xhaka or Elneny is a big worry.


Prediction: Manchester United 2 - 0


Adam Perry - 30/10/2020

8 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page