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  • Writer's pictureAdam Perry

The Europa League Begins

It’s been a strange week for Arsenal on the pitch, providing a pair of unconvincing performances whilst also seeing encouraging displays by the new spine of the team – Partey and Gabriel. There’s no question the quality of the squad is improving, however Arteta is struggling to find the right balance that will see Arsenal maintain their defensive stability and unleash their attacking potential.



On Saturday night Arsenal played Manchester City at the Etihad, falling to a 1-0 defeat from a Raheem Sterling rebound. It was a game which shows the gap between the two teams has closed somewhat, but it is clear their is still a gulf. As with the Liverpool game in the league, Arsenal showed more fight than they have in the same fixture in previous years, staying in the game until the end – but in both cases never really looking like getting a point.


It was clear that both Arteta and Pep were doing everything they could to outsmart each other. So much so that Arteta opted to play Willian up front as a false-nine with the aim of him dropping deep to link the play and allow Aubameyang and Pépé to push ahead. Willian up front did not work in any capacity with the Brazilian failing to link up with the wide players and Arsenal’s best chances coming when Aubameyang came central. It raises an interesting dilemma about how Arsenal tend to their attacking struggles of how best to utilise the attacking talent at the club. Saka was Arsenal’s best player against City and the reliance on the 19-year-old is slightly concerning - as is the reluctance of Arteta to try Aubameyang through the middle. There are a few possibilities for Arteta: bringing Aubameyang central to offer threat in behind, moving Saka onto the wing to increase his threat closer to the box, moving to a midfield involving Ceballos, Xhaka and Partey to allow for an extra midfielder to get into the box. It will be interesting to see how Arteta looks to deal with the issue.


(Credit: Chris Hofer: Getty Images)


Last night Arsenal got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Rapid Vienna. Arteta fielded a stronger team than expected yet their attacking struggles continued for much of the game. Arsenal looked controlled in possession and often did well to progress the ball but lacked the creativity required to create quality chances. Despite controlling possession, Arsenal got caught playing out from the back for the first time this season with Leno’s wayward pass falling straight to Fountas who gave the home team the lead. As Mikel Arteta acknowledged after the game, it’s a risk of playing out from the back but more often than not this season Arsenal have got it right.


It took the introduction of Aubameyang and Bellerín on the hour for Arsenal to burst into life. Aubameyang came on for Nketiah, who struggled on the night, and his running in behind instantly helped to stretch Rapid Vienna and began to open up more space for the likes of Saka to operate centrally. Arsenal’s first goal came from a deep set piece. Pépé floated a teasing ball into the box for David Luiz to head over the keeper, who was caught in no man’s land. It took just 4 minutes for Arsenal to add another, with Elneny playing the ball through to Bellerín who crossed for Aubameyang to tape home. The incisiveness of Eleneny's pass is exactly what Arsenal's midfielder's need to continue to do to help with the creativity.


(video issues for the goals - apologies!)


Thomas Partey made his full Arsenal debut and stood out on the night, alongside Gabriel. The Ghanaian dominated the midfield with a complete performance, keeping Arsenal ticking as well as providing much needed defensive solidity. On commentary Partey was described as looking like a Champions League player playing in the Europa League and aside from the obviousness of the statement, it shows that Arsenal have got what they paid for.


On a slightly different note, this was the first time Arsenal have played in front of fans since March. Whilst the number of fans was limited, it was hugely refreshing to hear a group of football fans enjoying the game, rather than the artificial crowd noise that’s been used over the past few months.



Next up is Leicester City at 7:15pm on Sunday at the Emirates. The game is being shown on pay per view so rather than watching the game for £14.95, donate that money to Islington Giving who help address poverty and inequality in Islington. In terms of the game, hopefully Thomas Partey will make his first full league debut and Arsenal can address their creativity issue.


Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 1


Adam Perry - 23/10/2020



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