Match report – Participant scores – Arteta response – Video
Arsenal returned to profitable methods yesterday with a 5-0 thumping of Crystal Palace.
Oleksandr Zinchenko was again within the aspect at left-back, Gabriel Jesus got here in up entrance, and the opposite change was the return of Leandro Trossard to the beginning line-up instead of Gabriel Martinelli who we discovered afterwards was not totally match so not risked from the off.
With our goalscoring problems with late, an early one felt necessary, and that’s what we bought within the eleventh minute. Declan Rice delivered an excellent nook from the left, Gabriel rose highest to go house. He attacked it brilliantly, and whereas Roy Hodgson felt afterwards there had been a foul, I believe it was simply his dedication way over any infringement.
Shortly after a Palace participant headed one other onto his personal bar, Gabriel headed huge from one other nook, and the deal with our set-pieces was obvious. Right here is the breakdown of our journey to Dubai:
5% taking pictures observe. 4% staff bonding. 1% Sprinkly Salt Meat Wanker.
90% set-piece coaching.
Apropos of nothing, an inventory of favorite items.
5 – Chess4 – Of eight3 – Jigsaw2 – Reeses1 – Set
— arseblog (@arseblog) January 20, 2024
Palace had a second when a poor Raya clearance allowed Lerma to shoot from distance however the Arsenal keeper had it coated. The lead was doubled in direction of the tip of the half when Bukayo Saka’s harmful supply from the fitting dropped on the again submit, Gabriel was there to go it goalwards, nevertheless it hit the keeper and went in for an personal objective. I believe morally it’s the Brazilian’s objective, if not formally.
There was a late probability for Trossard earlier than the break, and the second half continued a lot as the primary with Arsenal in management. It was a sport of soccer that was taking place earlier than our eyes. I don’t know the way higher to elucidate it. Palace weren’t nice, Arsenal weren’t good however comparatively untroubled, however that 2-0 scoreline is one which has seen video games tilt the opposite manner so it was necessary we added to our tally.
We did so in spectacular style within the 59th minute. Raya caught a nook, then despatched Jesus on his manner with a wonderful fast throw. Palace have been disorganised having despatched males up, and when the ball got here to Trossard, he stepped contained in the defender and completed emphatically to make it 3-0. That was his first objective since scoring in opposition to Burnley in November, and the primary of his Arsenal profession not assisted by Bukayo Saka.
The Belgian and Kai Havertz made manner for Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe whose introduction was met with loud cheers. He wasn’t the sub who most caught the attention, clearly, however he was tidy, and it was good to see him get some substantial minutes underneath his belt. We’re going to want this squad to its fullest extent and if it is a little confidence enhance for him, or a small step ahead, then good.
Additional modifications got here when Declan Rice (hamstring) and Gabriel (knee) have been withdrawn in order to not take any dangers. At 3-0 the sport was over, Palace provided little, though their followers caught the attention with some banners concerning the possession and the state of the membership. Boardroom stasis, as Arsenal followers will perceive all too nicely, can present itself very clearly on the pitch, and that’s what they’re going by proper now.
The scoreline was given some late gloss with two objectives from Gabriel Martinelli. His finish product has been a subject of debate all through this season, and understandably so. He scored 15 Premier League objectives final outing, and till yesterday solely had two to his title. With two quickfire damage time strikes, he doubled his tally, and gave the scoreline the look of an emphatic win.
There have been simply 102 seconds between Martinelli’s two objectives, with the Brazilian turning into the primary #Arsenal participant to attain twice after 90+ minutes in a single Premier League sport.
— Harvey Downes (@HarveyDownes92) January 20, 2024
The 2 finishes have been mainly similar. For the primary he was despatched by by Eddie Nketiah, earlier than opening up his physique to twist house on the far submit. The second got here from a Jorginho go, and he simply did it once more. Why not?! That may hopefully be a confidence enhance for him, I believe he actually wanted these objectives, and fingers crossed it helps him on the way in which to a way more productive second half of the season. A nod for Eddie too whose impression off the bench isn’t all the time what you’d like, however that’s a few assists within the final short while, after he offered the go for Havertz to seal the sport in opposition to Brighton.
Perhaps I’m attempting to squeeze each little bit of positivity out of this one, however I don’t suppose that’s unreasonable. If we’ve needed to endure a number of weeks the place we’ve pored over each little factor that’s improper seeking passable solutions, why not go the opposite manner a bit?
Afterwards, Mikel Arteta mentioned:
I’m very happy, clear sheet and 5 objectives, win the sport and efficiency. I had a extremely good feeling after we left the stadium after Liverpool, the efficiency was there however the outcomes weren’t.
Right this moment we have been far more environment friendly within the opponents’ field notably than the previous couple of video games. In the previous couple of video games we had moments taking part in higher than in the present day however that is about scoring objectives.
And I believed his reply when requested about our proficiency from set-pieces was actually good:
If we need to be the very best staff on the earth, you must be the very best staff at every thing that you just do. We are able to nonetheless do higher and we’ll proceed to work on every thing that may make us higher.
You definitely can’t fault the ambition. Clearly, it was actually necessary to take all three factors yesterday, that was the primary goal. The goalscoring factor was a difficulty, and we put 5 previous the opposition. Defending hasn’t been as strong as we’d like, and we stored a clear sheet. There are a whole lot of packing containers being ticked this morning.
Did we play amazingly nicely? I don’t suppose so. It’s clear there’s room for enchancment, however I’d very a lot have a look at that as a constructive this morning. We are able to do higher, however there’s one thing to be mentioned for sitting right here after a 5-0 win and considering that there’s extra to return from this staff. However when it comes to what we would have liked to do after the run of outcomes over the last few weeks, it was job performed in a reasonably spectacular manner, all issues thought of.
Which suggests we will all get pleasure from our Sundays. Be a part of us tomorrow for an Arsecast Additional, for now, have an excellent one people.
