This match reminds me of another Arsenal v. Chelsea post-Christmas fixture, which Arsenal also won 3-1. I missed that one, because I was on a plane back from Dubai, where I'd gotten married. That was ten years ago (!), and I didn't even need to look that up. For reasons I don't understand, she got an anniversary cake with the Arsenal crest on it. I, fully illustrating my complete lack of tact, say something to the effect of "Why would you get a cake with an Arsenal crest on it when Arsenal are so rubbish right now?" Then again, I was equally pessimistic about Arsenal's chances against Chelsea in that other fixture too.
Yeah, this match really brought into focus what has been wrong. The midfield lacks any creativity on the ball and all they can do is pass it around and hope. They lack players with the ability to drop in and link the midfield and attack. Laca, Auba and Pepe all need service, to be played into space. When the space isn't there, it's swinging in crosses. (Willian just sucks). Saka (in the front 3 and not at wing back), ESR, and Gabi can all link play, carry the ball through tight spaces, and keep their heads up to find teammates. They didn't pull everything off, but they were so much more dangerous. The midfield is still kind of crap, but it isn't as glaring. Add Partey and it looks a lot better.
Imagine a world where we don't waste time and money on Willian, pay the release on Partley early and are playing with a functional midfield all season.
From Sky Sports Arsenal's young trio bring the energy Emile Smith Rowe ran further than any player on the pitch in the first half: 5.74km Bukayo Saka ran further than any player on the pitch across the 90 minutes: 11.49km Gabriel Martinelli made more sprints than any player on the pitch across the 90 minutes: 20
I agree with this: In absolute relative terms probably a 7/10 performance from Smith Rowe but he just jumps off the screen because he does things none of our other players do.— Tim Stillman (@Stillmanator) December 26, 2020
Gabriel Martinelli (two) has managed twice as many shots on target in this game as Willian the whole season! https://t.co/TnFRbv7J7a— Orbinho (@Orbinho) December 26, 2020
Can we omit Willian from the roster now? I don't think we have room for such a garbage non-homegrown player Let's force him to find another club
it was funny watching highlights. lee dixon goes, "one more goal and the game is ove . . . " as saka somehow lobs mendy with his right foot and dixon went completely silent.
He doesn’t fully trust young players. Saka gets a pass because he had established himself as a starter before Arteta’s arrival. The addition of Willian, the re signing of Luiz and Aubameyang, the signing of Cedric, and even the signing of Partey, all demonstrate a preference for experience over youth. The youngest player signed on Arteta’s watch is Gabriel at 22. Everyone else is 26 or older.
and of the club and the entire structure which has been buttocks from 2008 and on. It's mindblowing that this is still the 11th biggest club in the world financially
Wow, didn't expect that sort of performance. Well done. I want Xhaka gone, but hat tip to him. He was, for the most part, good today with his passing and clogging the lanes. And his free kick was excellent. ESR and Martinelli deserve to keep getting minutes, although given his recent return from injury, I'm fine if we don't Wilshere him for a bit. And Saka, sheesh, we seem to have found a real gem. Loved his goal whether he meant it or not. Laca worked his arse off. He's never going to be great in that "Firmino" role or whatever the hell it's supposed to be (yeah, I know with ESR we were set up a bit differently today) but it's not for lack of effort. Both our outside backs had good days too. Bellerin may not be the best defender but he's so much better going forward than AMN. It's not even close at the moment. Tierney was also excellent. Great drive into the box to win the PK, and I disagree with anyone saying it was a dive. He was past his defender and driving toward goal. If you're at a sprint and have the back of your heel clipped in addition to the defender trying to pull at your shoulder, it doesn't take much to cause you to lose balance. Again, great win. With Auba on the mend, and the combination of Saka, Pepe, and Martinelli available, I really hope Willian never starts again. Good grief, Arteta needs to reward these players who showed they deserve instead of the Chelsea pensioner.
I too would like to see the back of Xhaka, but I believe that’s the best game I’ve seen from him in a long time, without even taking into account His goal.
ESR knows how to exploit space. Something apparently no one else on the squad knows how to do and if made Xhaka better. It's a simple game really
R, Merry Christmas, dude. Been ages. We gotta catch up next time I'm in the City. What a fantastic result today, and thank God we got it. Fat Frank can do one. He threw his players under the bus hilariously post match. Keep the kids, insert Auba, Partey, Gabriel. Exile Willian. UP THE ARSE. Roll on Tuesday.
your point matches what was brought up in some of the podcasts about xhaka needing but have been lacking runners who finds space.