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With each game we begin to learn a bit more about Mikel Arteta as a manager. Of course, it’s still early days and he needs time but’s it’s safe to say that the young Spaniard is having an impact, on and off the pitch. Just ask poor Matteo Guendouzi. The Frenchman was dropped from the squad against Newcastle due to his involvement in an altercation with a player, according to David Ornstein. It’s not clear yet if said player brought up the Frenchman’s inability to head the ball. Guendouzi also allegedly removed his shirt at a club event and got a mouthful from Edu (according to David Ornstein). Personally, I like this no nonsense and ruthless approach. It’s perhaps been too easy for Arsenal players over the past few years and Arteta and team may be the iron fist we need.
On the pitch, Arsenal have won three game in a week and are up to 9th in the table-watch your backs Liverpool. The 4-0 win against Newcastle was followed by a 1-0 win away to Olympiakos and then a 3-2 victory at home to Everton. It hasn’t always been pretty but after a good start in terms of performances, it was important that we get some wins together. The Manchester City ban has given us a glimmer of hope and if UEFA don’t cave then we’ve got a decent chance. We currently sit 4 points off Man Utd in 5th so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that we can qualify for the Champions League through the premier league. However, it’s entirely possible and perhaps even likely that Arsene and UEFA will be forced to suspend the ban which would mean we’d have to finish in the top four. With 7 points and 5 teams separating us and Chelsea, that’s a big ask. Failing to finish either 4th or 5th (depending on the outcome of City’s appeal) would mean our only other option would be to win the Europa League. I’d heartily recommend to Arteta and co that we win this competition as trophies are rather great and the Champions League is rather great. With Manchester United, Ajax, Roma, Wolves and Sevilla just some of the teams competing, it won’t be easy. However, the 1-0 win in Greece was a good start and we should be confident of dispatching our all too familiar friends when they visit the Emirates on Thursday. With that being said, they showed themselves to be a pretty decent side and we can’t afford to be complacent. I don’t see major changes to the team that started against Everton on Sunday, especially considering we don’t play again until Monday in the F.A cup away to Portsmouth, where you’d think we’ll see some rotation.
In contrast to much of the games under Arteta so far, I felt the result against Everton was better than the performance. We played good football in patches and the goals we scored were really high quality but we struggled to control the game and gave Everton far too much space and chances. The second half in particular was fairly disjointed and we looked to be caught in a dilemma between defending our lead and going for the kill. In the end, we didn’t really do either and were fortunate not to concede. Bernd Leno made up for being a little hesitant on the first goal by saving brilliantly from Calvert-Lewin, who was a nemesis throughout. The scorer of Everton’s two goals really should have had a hat trick with a late header as well. However, while I think it’s essential that we improve on this performance going forward, I think fatigue was an obvious and understandable issue. Saka in particular looked to be feeling the effects in the second half. The players deserve credit for digging in but it made for some uncomfortable viewing. Both fullbacks looked quite exposed at times and we didn’t do enough to give them more protection. The midfield a started relatively well but faded badly and while both Luiz and Mustafi had good games, they were both left to fight fires too often. It’s a win though and I bloody love a win. Despite all the pain and hurt and utter rubbishness that we’ve been subjected to for much of the season, three wins on the trot feels pretty damn good. Also, Aubameyang is just fantastic and we are so lucky to have him. Both his goals were excellent in different ways and we should do all we can to keep him around.
There was initial optimism with the improved performances under Arteta and now the results are getting better and provide more solid evidence that Arteta is improving us as a team. Players are returning to fitness and our squad is beginning to look a lot healthier, despite the bad injury to Sead Kolasinac against Everton. Kieran Tierney is not too far away from return, Reiss Nelson was back on the bench while new signings Cedric and Pablo Mari are also set to come in and will add depth. At a time where the weather is dreary and horrible, our political and social climate are even more dreary and horrible, life at Arsenal is finally beginning to look a bit brighter and I think we can all be grateful for that.
TheGoonerStation 