Match report – Participant scores – Arteta response – Video
Arsenal started the brand new season with a win and three factors, after a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest yesterday.
Kick off was delayed due to an issue with the brand new ticketing system, leaving hundreds of individuals outdoors. It seemed dangerous, and little doubt there will likely be a full inquest internally to search out out precisely what occurred.
12.30 grew to become 1pm, and when the sport did kick off, the line-up was a bit stunning. Gabriel was on the bench, ending his run of 73 consecutive Premier League begins, and it was Thomas Partey nominally at right-back, however he spent loads of time inverting into midfield. I’ve to say, I’m all for Mikel Arteta being extra unpredictable by way of staff choice and ways, however this one doesn’t actually do it for me.
Maybe that’s influenced by what the sport grew to become within the second half greater than the primary, as a result of I believed we have been fairly good within the opening 45 minutes. Forest had a giant probability after about 10 minutes, but it surely was a type of freaky issues that occurs in soccer, a uncommon bounce that provides you a chance reasonably than us being lower open by scintillating soccer. Fortunately Brennan Johnson fluffed his traces with simply Aaron Ramsdale to beat.
On the different finish, Forest sat with 11 males behind the ball always. At one level we had 90% possession (we ended the primary half having had 85% of the ball), and their plan was apparent. Deny us house, sit in that low block, and hope to counter – however in fact you need to have the ball to try this. When it did break down, I actually preferred the best way we labored onerous to get it again immediately. It’s irritating and tough to play in opposition to groups who play like that, however there was a diligence about our soccer that was good to see.
Our second aim got here from a type of moments the place Forest may have stored it, however we received it again excessive up the pitch and the sensible Bukayo Saka did the remaining. I noticed some chat about him and his pre-season type, clearly he was simply saving it for when it actually issues. He made it look so easy, but it surely wasn’t. He left Matt Turner with no probability, the tempo and trajectory of his shot was world class.
That made it 2-0 after Eddie Nketiah had put us forward. Our different winger, Gabriel Martinelli, takes plaudits for his run and roulette which supplied the striker with the ball, however Eddie did properly to chop inside and fireplace house between the legs of the defender. As I’ve stated typically, he’s a participant who scores when he begins, and having been given the nod yesterday he made probably the most of his probability.
Arteta spoke about him afterwards, saying:
He’s a participant that was so dissatisfied with the absence of Gabby, and to not play a remaining.
Plenty of gamers come and say: “ah, why am I not enjoying?”, and you need to try to clarify. Different gamers let you know the explanation why they should play, that is precisely what Eddie does. That is precisely what he did after which he goes onto the pitch, and he performs as properly. It’s a transparent instance and an excellent instance for everyone.
At 2-0 up and cozy, there was slightly hiccup with the damage to Jurrien Timber who picked up a knock earlier than the break, then went down with no person close to him very early within the second interval. That’s by no means an excellent signal, so fingers crossed he’ll be okay. Takehiro Tomiyasu changed him at left-back as Kieran Tierney was not within the squad.
At 2-0, I actually wished us to be a bit extra ruthless. We have been snug, Forest barely threatened bar a few corners, however this scoreline is one we’re going to need to be taught to handle higher, I feel. I don’t know if it’s early season and we don’t fairly have the legs, however I believed we lacked a little bit of depth required to go and get one other aim. We got here shut when Declan Rice hit the submit, and credit score to Turner for making an incredible save in that second too – however then from the ensuing nook they scored an excellent counter-attacking aim. Sure, we may have defended it higher but it surely was executed properly.
Then it’s 2-1, there’s about 10 minutes left, and you recognize there’s going to be elongated added time too. I can reside with out these nerves, thanks very a lot. I really feel like that is already a ‘factor’ with us, it’s one thing Arteta referenced final season by way of urgent house your benefit when you’ve that sort of lead, however extra ruthlessness is required in these circumstances. I do know it’s simpler stated than executed, however having squandered this sort of lead too many occasions final season, we’ve obtained to do higher. On the very least, don’t concede the aim, however ideally rating extra.
Mad stuff can occur within the remaining levels of video games. Fortunately it didn’t on this occasion, and we really had some moments the place we may have scored the third aim, but it surely’s knife-edge stuff and never good for the blood strain. Nevertheless, ultimately we took three factors and that’s the primary factor. We nonetheless look slightly under-cooked by way of bodily health, and with three new gamers within the staff, not fairly as fluent as you may like as these relationships develop.
I believed Rice was the choose of the brand new boys, clearly the Timber damage is a fear, and I believed Kai Havertz was all proper. Actually not as dangerous as a number of the Twitter response I’ve seen, however then increasingly more that specific platform thrives on excessive, reasonably than thought-about, opinion – not simply by way of soccer both. I feel he can do higher, however like most new signings at any soccer membership he wants a little bit of time. It’s far too early to be definitive.
Arteta now has an excellent week to work together with his gamers, and get them in control for a tough away journey to Crystal Palace subsequent Monday night time. We’ll need to be higher than this to take all three factors there, however I a lot favor knuckling all the way down to that tough work with three factors within the bag secured by a few Hale Finish lads. We’ve had a lot worse begins to seasons previously.
Proper, let’s go away it there for now. Have an incredible Sunday everybody, and congratulations need to go to Disgustingly Candy Power Drink Leipzig for his or her win within the DFL-Supercup yesterday – at the very least Harry Kane can have the expertise to assist his new teammates come to phrases with successful candy F.A.
Until tomorrow!
