Morning all.
Mikel Arteta handed a rare start to ESR, Reiss Nelson and Thomas Partey last night. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard came into the team too. Bukayo Saka was nowhere to be seen while Declan Rice, Jakub Kiwior, Gabriel Martinelli, Jorginho and Gabriel Jesus watched on from the bench. Rice, Martinelli, Nketiah, Jorginho and Takehiro Tomiyasu had a bit of a run around later in the second half.
Arsenal’s performance wasn’t as slick as it might have been without the changes but two first half goals was enough to secure maximum points. The downside was Kai Havertz picking up another booking which means he’s one away from a two match ban. He’d be a huge loss in my opinion and that’s something which six months ago, I never imagined writing.
Our first goal started with Smith Rowe when he nicked the ball off of Mpanzu. A pass to Martin Odegaard who then exchanged passes with Kai Havertz before rifling home. Our second came after Trossard played in Smith Rowe on the left, he pushed forwards before crossing the ball into a dangerous area in the box. Nelson was waiting and in the battle for the ball, Hashioka could only divert the ball into the net. Nelson might not be listed as the goal scorer but had he not been there, we wouldn’t have gone 2-0 up.
Mikel Arteta on his changes:
We made five changes for players that fully deserved to play, because they give me the right reasons every day to do so. They have to be used and I think they had a really good impact on the team. Emile had an impact for sure, and Reiss as well. Alex had some really good moments, Thomas had his first start since August, that is unbelievable. Leo comes into the team and he makes an impact. It’s really important because now they’re physically better, mentally better, they are confident and they are ready to go.
Luton manager Rob Edwards on his team and ours:
I still see a team that’s competing. We’re in it. Arsenal don’t give anything away but we weren’t out of it. Arsenal give you nothing.The players are with me, they believe, and all their focus has to go onto Saturday now.
As said yesterday, I hope Luton survive the drop, I really do.
I’d say the evening was a huge success for Arsenal because not only are Luton an awkward team to play against in my opinion, we got the job done whilst resting a number of players. The run in is busy and we face a lot of tricky sides so having the so called fringe players match ready could prove crucial. Smith Rowe especially as I thought he was really good last night.
Arsenal move on to the next game now which is on the south coast against a Brighton side who drew 0-0 with Brentford last night. Aston Villa, another club we face this month were thumped 4-1 by Man City. Liverpool face Sheffield Utd tonight at Anfield so I’m pretty sure our time at the top of the table will be over by the time the game ends.
Catch up in the comments.
We now have the ability to stultify teams . We stop their plans break their systems and as long as our back line stick together we will be as tight as a drum . 2 moments of the old Smith Rowe were enough to convince me that he is the perect foil for Odegaard and is more than capable of subbing for him without a dramatic drop in level .
Luton were allowed to huff and puff in the second half but really they were at arms legnth for most of it . I can only remember a weak shot at Raya straight at him getting through
Tonight unless a bomb drops we return to 2nd place , I cant see any other outcome although I hope for goal difference sake Liverpool have one of those nights where they just scrape through .Although I doubt it.
If only ESR didn’t suffer so many injuries. Perhaps this time he’s been wrapped in cotton wool for his own good and it’ll pay dividends. He’s such a talent and so easy on the eye.. To come back, play as he did and earn the motm award was credit to him.
I’ve read negative comments about Nelson yet it’s easy to forget that last night was his first PL start since 2020. True or not I don’t know…
Good morning all.
Potter I’m with you on ESR, after watching him last night I am no longer desperately worried when Odegaard gets clattered. I see Emil as a more than capable stand in for our Captain. He has the calmness and vision to run the game from midfield. Please Mikel, don’t let him leave in the summer.
Rico, I’d take Nelson over Jesus everyday of the week. His energy and work rate are off the scale in comparison to the Brazilian.
Morning Rico and all,
I totaly agree about ESR but I can see his manager trying his best to talk him into leave for more game time and better pay.
Cicero, Jesus seems all puff and wind to me. Runs a lot, defends a lot, dribbles a lot but I think his end product on all isn’t up to much. Sadly though, i think Nelson’s days will soon be over at Arsenal because I don’t think he’s an Arteta kind of player.
Morning Geoff, you’re perhaps forgetting that ESR loves Arsenal football club. There’s no way imo that he or his advisers would push for a move away. I think Arteta will want to keep him.
Good Afternoon Rico and Co…
Great post, as usual…
I don’t know why but I felt quite anxious until Odegaard scored, no doubt a hangover from last seasons calamities at this stage.
When the 2nd went in I put the kettle on and relaxed with a second mug of Indian nectar. From then on it was about avoiding stupid injuries and saving energy.
Pleased than everyone got minutes in their legs because we’re going to need all of them…
Afternoon Kev, thanks. Me too, Luton really gave a good account of themselves which should be admired, especially as they had so many injuries. Even at 1-0 I thought we weren’t safe.
Wonder what’s happened to Raya’s kicking, the last two games it’s been pretty poor.
Chelsea get so many penalties it’s a joke.
Strange that there is no mention of Timber in Arteta’s press conference.
He’s injured 😂
But we were lead to believe that he could be back after the international break, more recently that he was in full training.
It’s the Old Farm Derby tomorrow. Norwich at home to Ipswich. Norwich have an unbeaten run of eighteen home games against the Tractor Boys and are confident of extending that run
Naturally there are problems with rail union workers causing cancellations on the line between the town and the city.
He said last week that it’s just about building up his strength so my guess is another week or two. Perhaps we’ll see him on the bench before the end of the month.
Might see Timber get a run-out with the U21’s possibly this weekend or next? I reckon they’ll try to give him some minutes off of the bench in 10 to 14 days time?
I see that Jack Wilshere applied for the Aberdeen job…
Does Arteta go full-strength today at Brighton or does he hold something back for Bayern?