Arsenal vs Chelsea doesn’t get higher than a 3-1 wallopping. Mikel Arteta rang within the modifications, he introduced Kiwior in for Rob Holding, Trossard in for Martinelli, and Jorginho in for Thomas Partey.
The distinction was one thing else. Arsenal have been again to their greatest. The boys ripped Chelsea limb from limb with some mesmeric attacking soccer.
Our first two targets have been carbon copies of one another – Granit Xhaka feeding Odegaard. The Norwegian’s first end was a Tony Yeboah screamer in off the bar. The Second was simply effectively positioned. That takes Martin to 14 targets and eight assists in his second full season at Arsenal. These are Cesc-level numbers. The participant will get lots of flack for going lacking in massive video games, one thing he must work on, however the output this season can’t be ignored – it’s world-class.
The third aim concerned Granit Xhaka once more, however after a goal-mouth scramble with Kepe, it was Gabriel Jesus who stepped up with the aim.
The second half was rather less intense, as was to be anticipated after the run of video games we’d had. That gave us time to soiled the sheets with a clanger of a aim, Zinchenko dropping his runner, Gabriel falling on his arse, Ramsdale nowhere for the clunky end. Have we misplaced focus defensively in 2023? Sure. Even Saliba if we’re sincere. It must get higher.
Nonetheless, all that mattered was a win after a month of not seeing one. The followers now know that our season isn’t going to clunk to a scuzzy finish, and we’ve kind of put a little bit of stress again on the Metropolis juggernaut. They should beat the MIGHTY West Ham at dwelling this night. We all know the place it’s going, however we will at the least faux there’s going to be an upset of types.
The narrative that I’ve put in park is ‘Arteta most likely ought to have tried one thing totally different towards Metropolis.’ We knew Holding wasn’t going to be as much as it and so it proved. Kiwior in defence modified our line from 43.8m towards Leeds – to 50.3m final evening. That may be a big distinction and it confirmed. Kiwior was respectable at passing, his tempo was pretty robust, and he allowed us to play with much more confidence.
Jorginho additionally had a extremely robust sport preserving the play ticking over with 90% go completion. It was telling watching Thomas Partey come on for 15 or so minutes and stink the place out once more. He seems fried for the time being and I agree with Patrick Vieira – his performances haven’t been ok. Value noting that Jorginho has to run much less when the road is excessive – it’s essential that Kiwior and Gabriel courageous at Newcastle so we will keep what we had towards the insane urgent of Auba final evening.
I’m not on a mission to select on Jesus, he did rating his tenth aim of the season, however he might be irritating. He spend a lot time wherever however within the 9 place. It brings us joys, it does drag out defenders, however generally I do yearn for somebody much less false in that function. Granit Xhaka had 1 extra shot than him and a couple of extra on course. Jesus must be feeding extra towards a Chelsea staff that unhealthy.
Mudryk performed a task within the sport, however notably as a sub once more. He clearly has lots of velocity, he seems like he must be good, however my phrase is he a great distance off the place he must be. I believed the laser pointer nonsense was unArsenal-like. We’re not that membership, why would anybody assume that was humorous in 2023? Correct 1996 habits I’m afraid.
So – over to West Ham. Declan Rice may do his new membership a favor this night. I don’t assume anybody is relying on it. However, it’s enjoyable to dab a little bit of hopium within the morning to get you thru the day. COME ON THE HAMMERS!
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