It wasn't a perfect performance. We allowed too many free kicks in dangerous areas and too many corners. The Toons could have potted two goals. The first half was laborious. However, the second half showcased how Arteta is getting more out of this collection of talented players than we were getting before. Pepe with a goal and an assist! Ozil scores! Auba rolls on! Laca with a goal and an assist in just a few minutes! A CLEAN SHEET! This is the sort of game that builds confidence. And now we're in positive goal difference territory.
With Hector back and Saka playing left back, we are a terror on the wings. I can't wait until Tierney or Kolasinac works into playing shape, so Saka gets a rest now and then. Maitland-Niles must be on the outs with Arteta not to get any time on the field lately; he was a very good deputy for Bellerin. With Soares coming in and our crowded midfield lineup, he has to be thinking about an exit strategy.
I kept waiting for a Mustafi Moment, but he was solid again. David Luiz sent several long balls into touch, but I think it was part of the strategy to get their fullbacks worried about the long throughball so the middle third was more open, and it seemed to work fine. This is the sort of game Ozil can take over, and he played his part. Ceballos was quite good. Xhaka did well too, but he is going to get a second yellow one game soon.
The front line scoring goals--lovely.
This was one we expected to win, and to be fair we made hard work of it in the first half, but the pressure told and we opened them up frequently all second half, albeit allowing them two or three prime chances too. Being Newcastle at the Emirates, they spurned them.
Olympiakos. Again. Let's progress, men!
I think we have our Arsenal back.
No comments:
Post a Comment