There’s been plenty of noise surrounding Arsenal of late, especially after our dismal collapse at Molineux. All the talk has been about how are bottling the opportunity to win the league yet again. I think much of the criticism has been deserved because we have been a bit all over the place. We’ve conceded goals and Mikel Arteta’s management of the squad has been questioned. Why not, the buck always stops with him but, I don’t think he could or should be held accountable for individual errors in a game which played their part in disappointing results. Our style of football yes, his game management too but not for Raya and Gabriel going for the same ball, or a player not doing his job properly or even Rice not clearing the ball properly yesterday. No, those decisions are made at the time by players on the pitch.
Yesterday though, Arsenal did exactly what they needed to yesterday against Totts. Two players who have been on the end of a lot of criticism since arriving in the summer scored two goals each to defeat the noisy neighbours. In truth, they would have had little to complain about had we beaten them by double the scoreline.
Even if Mikel Arteta would have preferred his captain to be fit enough to start yesterday’s game, Eze was the better option in my opinion. After all, he battered them just a few months ago. Thankfully, Arteta ignored the Gyokeres critics too.
Arsenal started the game quickly and looked in the mood but no sooner the game got going, it stopped again because someone had forgotten to charge the match officials communication gadgets. Six minutes later, the game got going again. Arsenal kept going forward but had to wait until the 32nd minute to get the opener and it was that man Eze who did the damage again.
No sooner had Rice rallied his teammates, focus being his message, it was he who tried to be a bit clever in defence instead of booting the ball clear. Kolo Muani took possession before nipping into the box and striking the ball past Raya.
Despite creating plenty of good opportunities, we went into the break 1-1.
Shortly after the restart, Gyokeres made it 2-1. Timber played the ball in from the right, Eze distracted his defender, letting the ball run to Gyokeres and he fired home a cracking shot which was past the Totts keeper in a flash.
With the lead restored, could Arteta’s players hang on to it? For a split second it seemed not when Kolo Muani had the ball in the back of the net again but Gabriel was adjudged to have been shoved over just beforehand. Surprisingly, we were awarded a free kick so our lead was safe.
Just after the hour mark, Eze made it 3-1 which came after Saka had teed up his own shot but a challenge deflected the ball to Eze who made no mistake.
Totts thought they’d made it 3-2 when Richarlison flicked a cross past Raya and towards goal but our Spaniard reacted quickly to get a hand to the ball before it crossed the line. Mosquera hoofed it clear.
4 minutes into the 8 of added time, Gyokeres scored his second of the game. Having bullied Gray as both went for the ball, he was never going to miss.
I’m certainly not going to get overly excited about beating Totts but boy am I happy we did. The performance was good but as said at the beginning, we really could and probably should have battered them. 61% possession, 20 shots.
The positives for me was Gyokeres and Eze, not just because they scored but they were in the game from start to finish. They were good and I hope it stays that way for the pair of them. A word on Hincapie too, he is a monster defender and Mosquera, he just gets better and better too.
Another hope I have is that yesterday’s win and performance will reinstall some confidence into the players and over the next few weeks and months better performances and results come our way. Oh, and Havertz, White, Dowman and eventually Merino soon return….
Next up for Arsenal is Chelsea at The Emirates.
Catch up in the comments.