6 things we learned from the last 3 Arsenal games (and 1 thing we already knew)
It’s been a while since I last posted on this blog. Since then, Arsenal have emerged from a tricky set of fixtures to sit third in the league, and they have done so without their captain. I was at the last three games (against Leicester, PSG and Southampton) and these are 6 of my key take aways.
1. When the going gets tough, Arsenal get going
Pictured above: my view at the Leicester game
The season before last, Arsenal scraped a number of late wins, after being level at 2-2 in stoppage time. They must really love this tradition and/or just making us stress, because going into half-time at 2-0 against Leicester, this scenario seemed highly unlikely.
Leicester had sat back in a low block for most of the first half and produced very little going forward. However, Arsenal fell asleep after half time, allowing James Justin to pull one back, before he scored a fantastic volley 16 minutes later to equalize. Despite knocking on Leicester’s door consistently for the next 30 minutes, it wasn’t until the 94th minute that Trossard finally scrambled home the winner.
Whilst it wasn’t ideal, the Leicester game demonstrated Arsenal’s resolve and ability to perform under pressure in crunch moments. The Southampton game was another example of this. After falling behind against the run of play, Arsenal’s key players stepped up. Havertz took the game by the scruff of the neck, finding the equaliser from the edge of the box, before Saka produced a superb assist for Martinelli and then capitalised on some shambolic defending to put the game beyond reach.
Pictured above: Saka celebrates the third goal against Southampton.
When it comes to pressure situations, Arsenal find another gear. That said, a nice, relaxing 5-0 might be preferable next time.
2. Nwaneri is the future
Nwaneri impressed when he came on against Leicester. He immediately impacted the game with his confidence and ability to run with the ball, drawing a good save from Hermansen within minutes of coming on.
I was surprised he didn’t start or feature against Southampton, having seen how well he performed against Leicester and Bolton. However, at just 17 years of age, he is looking more and more like the real deal.
3. Yellow cards for kicking the ball away are consistently inconsistent
Many Arsenal fans were left bemused after Ndidi escaped a second yellow card in the Arsenal vs Leicester game, despite kicking the ball away when Saka was fouled in the 34th minute. In the context of the game, I don’t have that many complaints as Calafiori was lucky to escape a second yellow for his challenge on Buananotte. However, in the wider context of the league, it’s difficult to understand what is going on. The application of the rule has been completely inconsistent, despite the official line that it should be an automatic yellow every time.
4. Arsenal are no longer afraid of the big names in Europe
The game against PSG on Tuesday was a pleasure to watch. This was a controlled performance where Arsenal played like the favourites against established European opposition. It was a marked improvement on the home game against Bayern Munich last season, where we snatched a late draw, having gone into the game as most people’s favourites to win.
Pictured above: Arsenal rubbing shoulders with the UCL’s big names
We shouldn’t forget how far we’ve come. It wasn’t long ago that we lost three consecutive games 5-1 to Bayern Munich - a set of results which sent the Wenger-out brigade into meltdown. However, with performances like this, the AFTV UCL rants of old, seem like an increasingly distant memory.
Do I think we can win the Champions League this year?
I actually do (it’s the belief that kills you and all that). Yes, it’ll be hard, but we are in with a real shout. Real Madrid will be many people’s favourites, but they have not been performing to their usual standards so far this season and Man City, probably the second favourites, have struggled in recent games against Arsenal.
5. Arteta faces a dilemma over Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus struggled to make an impact in the game against Southampton. In fact, his form has been patchy ever since the knee injury he sustained in 2022/23. Given his wages, there will be a decision to make as to whether we try to offload him in January. This is something many Arsenal fans have been debating since the Southampton game.
From a personal perspective, it would be a real shame if he did leave. He’s a player I strongly associate with the renaissance we saw in 2022/23. His performances in the first half of that season were outstanding and he was a huge driving force behind our success that year.
Realistically, given the lack of a back-up striker, I think a move is unlikely to happen in the January window. I think the most likely outcome is that he will stay until the summer transfer window and Arteta will look to find a replacement if his form does not improve.
6. Arsenal’s media efforts have come a long way
Prior to the Arsenal vs Southampton game, I dug out an old programme from the corresponding fixture in the 1970/71 season. This was the year when we became the fourth side in history to win the League and FA Cup double - a year often remembered for Charlie George’s iconic winner and celebration in the FA cup final against Liverpool.
The Arsenal programmes have changed a lot since then. However, there are a couple of features I think we should definitely bring back:
1. Weekly crossword:
2. A column written by former referee Ken Aston called “Don’t boo the referee if…” where he gave reasons for various refereeing decisions and a weekly question on the laws of the game. Maybe if we brought this section back it could help clear up the kicking the ball away/yellow card situation.
The question on the laws of the game in this programme was particularly difficult. Having come up with a number of failed solutions, I am pretty sure this question (taken literally) is impossible, but I’m happy to be proved wrong.
7. And finally…
This post was supposed to be limited to the games I attended. However, a shoutout has to go to Spurs this week, for their unwavering commitment to history (what was it Chiellini said again…) What I’m not sure, is how Spurs managed to bottle a 2-0 lead against Brighton in under 20 minutes, what I am sure, is that it was very funny.