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Match report – Player ratings – Arteta reaction – Video
Arsenal’s place on the high of Group B was consolidated final evening with a cushty 2-0 win over Sevilla on the Emirates.
There was no Eddie Nketiah, nor Martin Odegaard, so Kai Havertz began in midfield, with Leandro Trossard deployed up entrance. The German, who has had a tough time since his arrival throughout the summer season, actually ought to have put us forward within the second minute when a nook discovered him unmarked on the again publish. Possibly he had ‘an excessive amount of time’ to consider it, however he mistimed his header badly and glanced it large as a substitute of on course.
That early likelihood set the tone although. Arsenal had been in virtually full management, dominating the ball and possession, with little to no risk from the guests. We weren’t precisely making clear lower possibilities, a Gabriel header when he may most likely have left it for Saliba was about one of the best we had. It was additionally open season on Bukayo Saka once more. I feel there will need to have been a brand new legislation handed that he will get no safety from referees, however on the half hour mark he took his revenge.
Jorginho’s go by means of the strains to ship him in behind was scrumptious, and from there Saka rolled it throughout to Trossard who slotted residence to make it 1-0. They stated on TV that each one of many Belgian’s 5 objectives this season has been arrange by Saka, in order that’s clearly a relationship that may be leaned on as and after we want it. I believed Trossard was full of life within the first half, but when we’re speaking about gamers standing out, we’ve to speak about Gabriel Martinelli.
That early nook from which Havertz had the prospect got here when he burst past Juanlu, and it gave him a style. Like a shark smelling blood within the water, he knew he had the measure of the complete again, so he ran previous him once more. And once more. And once more. Every time he needed. There wasn’t even that a lot variation. It was primarily the identical transfer every time, and whereas the Sevilla man knew what was coming, he couldn’t do something about it. The post-game heatmap advised you a lot.
The one factor I’d say is that maybe the ultimate ball lacked a little bit of craft at instances, however I’ve not often seen a full-back get so utterly given the runaround. It explains why Sevilla shifted their formation a bit within the second half to take him out of the firing line and deny Martinelli area. Which labored to an extent, however right here’s the factor, he’s fairly comfortable going inside if there’s nowhere to go exterior, and that was on show for our second.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, on at half-time for Takehiro Tomiyasu, was sharp to take a fast throw. Martinelli acquired forward of his man, drove inside and set Saka free. There was nonetheless a lot to do however he did it with aplomb, chopping the ball onto his left foot, after which coolly ending past the onrushing keeper to make it 2-0. After a comparatively quiet spell by his personal excessive requirements, that is far more like the shape we all know he can produce. In some ways it was a typical Saka efficiency: a objective, an help, and going off late with a knock that makes us fear about whether or not he’ll be match for the weekend. Fingers crossed on that.
The bench was pretty gentle, so there wasn’t an excessive amount of motion till late. When it comes to possibilities there was a Havertz shot which curled not far large, and I’m kind of torn, as a result of that’s the sort of conviction when putting a ball I’ve been on the lookout for from him, however on the identical time that’s fairly a low bar. I stay anxious about him, however I feel maybe we’ve seen indicators of life within the final two video games that I hope, for the sake of the crew, he can construct on.
The paucity of the Sevilla efficiency was evident within the reality they didn’t have a shot till the 97th minute, which David Raya saved simply. They had been, it’s honest to say, toothless and horrible. Probably not what I used to be anticipating, and I feel we had a reasonably simple experience on this sport. Which isn’t to complain, and after two successive defeats, it was good to win with none drama or complication.
Afterwards, Mikel Arteta stated:
I feel it was extra of the actually good issues that we did towards Newcastle, we didn’t want a response as a result of the crew carried out terribly properly towards a crew which can be actually tough to play towards. In the present day it wanted different necessities, tactically we would have liked one thing else, we performed at residence, we want a distinct sport, and we applied what we needed actually, rather well, so I’m actually proud of the final two performances.
The one issues are accidents. Arteta confirmed Tomiyasu ‘felt one thing’ throughout the first half in order that they didn’t threat him for the second. Let’s hope that precaution pays off, as a result of with Nketiah, Odegaard, Partey, Smith Rowe, Jesus and let’s not neglect Timber all out, the very last thing we want are extra accidents. The identical with Saka, so we’ll hold a detailed eye on health updates over the following couple of days.
Proper. I’ll depart it there for now. As we’ve accomplished this season, we’ll have a post-game Arsecast for you a bit afterward this morning, so hold an eye fixed out for that.
Till then.
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