Match report – Participant scores – Arteta response – Video
So, we go into the ultimate Interlull of 2024 on the again of a 1-1 draw towards Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Not the win we wanted, however we stemmed the tide after two successive away defeats.
The group information noticed a a lot welcome return to the group for Martin Odegaard, whereas Declan Rice was deemed match sufficient to start out. Chelsea started effectively sufficient, David Raya making a high quality early save from Cole Palmer who was given an excessive amount of time to shoot. Additionally they had numerous pleasure with vertical passes straight by way of the centre of our midfield. As soon as we made a tactical tweak, we lower off that avenue for them, and grew into the sport ourselves.
It wasn’t a primary 45 minutes replete with possibilities. Chelsea’s finest alternative got here when Pedro Neto crossed from the left and Malo Gusto in some way contrived to move over from shut vary. Nearly immediately, we had one up the opposite finish when Bukayo Saka’s shot was blocked, the ball fell for Gabriel Martinelli, however on his left foot his end lacked actual conviction.
We had the ball within the web by way of Kai Havertz after Rice discovered him with a fast free kick, however he was simply offside when receiving the ball, and that was about it for the primary interval. Within the second I believed we had been by a long way the higher group, and far of that was as a result of Odegaard had warmed up and grown into the sport.
Our purpose got here when he received the ball excessive up the pitch, stored it alive with Thomas Partey, and his lofted move discovered Martinelli within the field. The Brazilian’s end on the close to publish was sensible should you’re an Arsenal fan; and one which might have you ever leaving questions of your goalkeeper should you’re a Chelsea fan. Nonetheless, it was a second of ultimate third creativity that made the distinction, one thing we’ve been missing of late.
Their equaliser 10 minutes later was avoidable, I believe. You possibly can’t take something away from the end, however Neto was allowed an excessive amount of room to shoot from outdoors the field. We had been a bit disorganised positionally after a nook, but additionally a bit sluggish to get out after the set-piece had been taken. It wasn’t the primary time I observed that yesterday both, and one thing Arteta mentioned afterwards most likely went some technique to explaining it:
What I’m simply praying is that after the worldwide break I’ve the group absolutely outfitted bodily, they’re accessible and they’re match as a result of it has been an absolute nightmare for eight weeks. Difficulty after concern, not solely those that aren’t capable of play, however the ones which are capable of play just for sure moments, just for sure days, not capable of prepare. We’ve gamers on the market that they can not play greater than 60 minutes. They’re enjoying and struggling, you already know.
We had been planning adjustments earlier than their purpose went in, and made them instantly afterwards with Mikel Merino and Leandro Trossard approaching for Rice and Martinelli. There’s been fairly a little bit of chat concerning the summer season signing within the final week or so, however I believed he was actually good when he got here on, and made our midfield extra progressive. He obtained the ball and quite than enjoying it backwards or laterally, he made positive it went forwards. There have been some good physique feints and actions in tight areas, and it was an encouraging cameo from him. Attention-grabbing too to see him click on with Odegaard immediately, however they’ve earlier from their time collectively at Actual Sociedad, clearly.
I believed each subs made us brighter, nevertheless it was about whether or not or not we might style the prospect that will win us the sport. Gabriel Jesus got here on to exchange Saka who needed to go off after a foul by that woolly snitch Marc Cucurella. He made an opportunity which Trossard blasted over from shut vary, however there was a touch of offside within the construct up, and the identical was true of that second proper on the loss of life when William Saliba, of all individuals, offered the overlap on the left hand aspect. He squared it throughout the 6 yard field, if Trossard had left it it was a tap-in for Havertz however the Belgian tried the lovable end and nicked it away from the German.
Wouldn’t it have stood anyway? It’s so onerous to inform, possibly his shoulder is simply forward of Cucurella within the center, nevertheless it felt like such a giant second. It’s water underneath the bridge this morning after all, however who was there making that move to Saliba? Martin Odegaard, within the 96th minute of his first Arsenal look since August thirty first. I believe he visibly and understandably drained as we headed in direction of full-time, however that’s the standard he can convey.
Talking afterwards, Arteta mentioned of his captain:
I don’t know some other participant within the league that’s able to doing that after six weeks* out, he had a day and a half, a coaching and a half. Simply bodily and mentally to be related the best way he was with the group is unbelievable.
*It’s an extended than six weeks, of us, nevertheless it confirmed how a lot we missed him, and the way he influences the best way we play. You watch him gesture to his teammates to get larger up the pitch, coordinating the press, and you’ll see that his remit goes manner past being the inventive fulcrum within the closing third. Hopefully he now spends two weeks actually engaged on his health on the coaching floor, and we don’t do something foolish like let him go away with Norway.
Equally, Arteta sounded fairly unfavorable about Rice and Saka, however I think that is likely to be to make sure that their worldwide commitments with England come second place to making sure they’re match and prepared for Arsenal after this upcoming Interlull. Each of them have performed lots for membership and nation this season, and all all through final (together with the summer season), and I don’t suppose anybody might begrudge them a few weeks with out the depth of aggressive soccer. Let’s see what occurs there.
General, I don’t suppose we are able to complain an excessive amount of a couple of draw within the context of the sport itself. It’s irritating to be in a profitable place and to be pegged again once more, however that was our fourth successive away sport, and because the supervisor identified, this squad has been pushed to its limits bodily. On high of the gamers lacking, you additionally need to take note of Gabriel, Ben White and Jurrien Timber have had accidents of late, whereas Odegaard was enjoying his first sport in months.
Each group has to cope with this type of stuff, after all, and there’s no query Arsenal want to enhance – significantly within the closing third – however I don’t suppose you must dig too deep to try to discover the solutions as to why the opening quarter of the Premier League season has fallen under expectations. Now it’s about discovering type and rhythm as soon as we get underway once more, however that’s a dialogue for the following couple of weeks.
I’ll depart it there for now. We could have an Arsecast Additional for you in a short while, after all. We’ve put out the decision for questions on Threads @gunnerblog and @arseblog with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or should you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, depart your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod must be out round midday. For now, have a great one.
