After a bad start to the season, and a bad year in general, Arsenal rounded off 2020 with back to back victories in the Premier League.
On boxing day Arsenal swept past Chelsea 3-1, putting to bed a 7 game winless run in the Premier League. Arsenal looked rejuvenated, with the additions of Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe to the starting line up, bringing much needed energy and buoying the team forward.
Arsenal’s first goal came from a penalty won by Kieran Tierney being taken down in the box after driving past Reece James. Lacazette, starting through the middle in place of Aubamyeang, coolly dispatched the penalty to put Arsenal one up.
The lead was doubled just before half time from a fantastic Granit Xhaka free kick. The Swiss midfielder put in an impressive performance on the night, showing what he can be capable of – a performance we hope to see more often.
The third came from a flowing Arsenal counter starting from Bern Leno and eventually ending up at the feet of Saka who slalomed into the box and chipped the Chelsea keeper with a speculative cross/shot.
Arsenal looked comfortable for most of the game with Chelsea struggling to create clear cut chances. Abraham turned in a Hudson-Odoi cross late on and the pressure was piled on when Pablo Mari gave away a penalty minutes later. However, this was a game Arsenal looked destined to win and Bernd Leno dived to his left to save Jorginho’s penalty.
(Credit: RMC & Premier League)
Two days later, Arsenal followed up with a 1-0 victory over Brighton. Aubameyang came into the team in place of Lacazette, leading an uninspiring first half lacking effort and intensity. However, in the second half, Arsenal came out the blocks flying, creating a number of high quality chances within the first 10 minutes. The energy provided by Martinelli, Smith Rowe and Saka eventually rubbed off on Aubameyang who began to press and track back in a way we have not seen this season.
The breakthrough came just 21 seconds after the introduction of Alexandre Lacazette, for Martinelli, in the 66th minute. Saka spun his man on the half way line, carrying the ball to the edge of the box and pulling it back for Lacazette. The Frenchman took a touch to get it out his feet and calmly found the nearside bottom corner.
(Credit: NBCSN)
The additions of Martinelli and Smith Rowe were driving factors in Arsenal’s improvement against Chelsea and the second half vs Brighton. Martinelli’s work rate is phenomenal and infectious – Alexis Sanchez esque. This work rate ultimately got Aubameyang running again and hopefully will help us to get the Aubameyang of the last few seasons. Smith Rowe’s positional presence has helped to give the team attacking structure, taking up a traditional number 10 role. Smith Rowe has been good without being spectacular but the positions he takes up and his ability to keep the flow of an attack going has helped Arteta's side to be more threatening going forward.
For a bit of fun, here are a few 2020 awards and 2021 predictions:
2020 Awards
Player of the Year: Bukayo Saka
Game of the Year: Arsenal vs Manchester City 2-0
Signing of the Year: Gabriel Magalhães
Moment of the Year: Winning the FA Cup
Goal of the Year: Aubameyang vs Manchester City
2021 Predictions
Top Scorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Top Assister: Bukayo Saka
Best Player: Thomas Partey
Happy New Year everyone. Hopefully we can all enjoy a better year than last and see Arsenal climb the table.
Prediction: West Brom 0-2 Arsenal