Match report – Participant scores – Arteta response – Video
10. 7. 3. Video games. Assists. Targets. 2024-25.
You most likely don’t want me to let you know who these numbers consult with, however simply in case, it’s Bukayo Saka this season. I wish to begin with him right now as a result of I believe he deserves it. It’s not that I believe we take what he does with no consideration, however his excellence has change into so commonplace there’s a hazard we don’t take the time to understand simply what an finish product machine he’s.
He’s averaging a aim contribution each recreation to date this season, and yesterday – regardless of the actual fact modifications from the bench sparked Arsenal into a special gear in opposition to Southampton – Saka was the fixed. 7 pictures, 7 key passes, 11 crosses. He was relentless in opposition to a aspect that we would have liked to interrupt down. At half-time I assumed this was the sport that we missed Martin Odegaard probably the most since his damage, by full-time I wished Arsenal to fee Bob Statue to get Bukayo solid in bronze alongside the greats that already encompass the stadium.
I’ll come again to him, however let’s return to the primary half. Mikel Arteta determined to begin Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus, leaving Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the bench. I understood this. It’s a house recreation in opposition to a struggling aspect, and what higher alternative to get some aggressive minutes into the legs of two gamers who want it. Individuals complain on a regular basis he doesn’t rotate sufficient, and when you’ve gamers of that have and high quality to name on, I don’t actually see a difficulty.
Sadly, neither of them actually had the sort of impression we’d have appreciated. There have been moments, flashes of what they’ll do and – let’s be type – however for some implausible final ditch defending from Southampton they could have discovered the web. Arsenal dominated the primary half, however did so with out the innovative we would have liked to discover a means by way of. It wasn’t simply all the way down to these two, the guests defended for his or her lives, however there was simply one thing lacking from our assault.
We noticed what it was within the second half when Martinelli and Trossard got here on. Being honest, game-state may need performed an element. Their recent legs in opposition to some weary Southampton ones may have given them a bonus, however the distinction went past that. Martinelli specifically appeared to do issues with extra zip. His motion was faster, he was sharper on the ball, whereas Trossard simply bought into extra harmful positions – and an understated facet of the modifications is simply how naturally he and Kai Havertz appear to attach.
Southampton’s aim got here when Sterling was robbed in midfield, they bought it ahead to Cameron Archer who stepped outdoors William Saliba a bit too simply to complete into the far nook. Very a lot in opposition to the run of play, we’d had 15 pictures by that time, however as we noticed final weekend, you don’t should do a lot unsuitable to concede on this league.
Fortunately the response was nearly fast. Saka was first to a heavy contact in midfield, taking part in it first time to Havertz who drove on and completed with the conviction of a person who has now scored in 7 consecutive house video games. He was excellent once more yesterday, the aim his main contribution, however a second in damage time summed him up for me. He battled and scrapped for a ball halfway into the Southampton half, profitable possession. This was the 94th minute, the sport was gained, however his workrate was exemplary.
The modifications I discussed got here simply after that aim, and with Mikel Merino on for Jorginho, the dynamic of our efficiency shifted too. It didn’t really feel like if we might rating once more, however when. The second got here when Saka’s brilliantly flighted ball to the again submit was tucked away by Martinelli whose run was completely timed. The end from shut vary gave Aaron Ramsdale no probability, there was a prolonged VAR verify for offside, however he was on, and we had been forward.
I noticed the Brazilian speak afterwards about how that transfer was one thing they work on in coaching, and that mixture is one with a lot promise. After a troublesome interval in entrance of aim, it’s a few targets and an help for Martinelli in our final two Premier League video games, so hopefully he’s assured and able to go once more after the Interlull.
There’s little doubt Saka deserved a aim himself, even when it was barely fortuitous. Havertz was concerned at the beginning, protruding an extended leg whereas he was on the bottom to play it ahead to Trossard. With Martinelli outdoors him, you’d have anticipated the Belgian to only play him in, however he appeared caught in two minds, and the ball bought away from him. Sadly for Southampton the identical utilized to their defender who knocked the ball into the trail of Saka who completed first time along with his proper foot for his forty ninth Arsenal aim.
On a day when Arsenal wanted somebody to step up – and he wasn’t alone by any means – Saka stood out. I assumed Havertz was unimaginable once more, I’ve already talked about the impression of the subs, however Saka wore Southampton down along with his tireless excellence. Afterwards, Arteta mentioned of him:
He has the capability to alter video games, to determine video games. If you wish to be on the high, typically gamers should create these moments and he’s actually accomplished that right now.
And on the sport generally, he mentioned:
The crew reacted extremely properly with a variety of composure; huge perception, excellent readability in what we needed to do. The gang had been distinctive, the subs had been distinctive and we managed to win once more.
I believe over the course of this Interlull, Arteta and his teaching workers will mirror on a few video games the place our dominance didn’t end in fairly sufficient finish product. Which appears a little bit of an odd factor to say after we’ve scored 7 targets in our final two league fixtures, however I believe he’d want issues to be a bit extra comfy. As we’ve seen although, this aspect has a resilience and need to win that produces the reactions we’ve seen in opposition to Leicester and Southampton, however maybe it shouldn’t should be examined each week!
It’s a small criticism although. We stay unbeaten, the league desk seems to be very wholesome, and even when we’ve to play a recreation and not using a pure proper again as a result of our two good ones are injured, we don’t really feel too impeded by these absences. The flexibility to reshape and cope with out key gamers is a really encouraging, and it augurs properly as a result of it’s one thing each crew has to take care of over the course of a season. We’ve had lots within the opening seven video games, hopefully it settles down a bit after we get going after the break.
Stand by for an early Arsecast Further this morning. We’ve put out the decision for questions on Threads @gunnerblog and @arseblog with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or when you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, depart your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod needs to be out mid-morning. For now, have a superb one.
