Winners
William Saliba
What a rock this man is. Yes, William Saliba made a mistake but my goodness the recovery and the tackle to prevent Jordan Ayew from taking his shot was a glorious example of just how confident and composed the Frenchman is.
But outside of this highlight, he remained strong throughout and was a key presence at the back when the Gunners came under pressure toward the end with ten men, he was so calm in those moments. Clearances, headers and leadership which is what they needed.
Declan Rice
It was these performances as to why Arsenal invested so much money in Declan Rice. The coverage on the field was just astonishing as he played a deeper role than what was expected of him against Nottingham Forest.
The distribution of the ball in possession to the physical battles he won in the middle of the park allowed Arsenal their dominance. He may have cost £105million, but what a signing.
Eddie Nketiah
I really toiled with where to put Eddie Nketiah because there’s no doubt he was at the centre of this story. He could have easily featured in the losers section for the two chances he missed, the second in particular which for a striker in the Arsenal team you simply have to score.
However, I’ve chosen instead to place him in the winners because whilst, yes, he should have scored on the night, were it not for his run and quickness of thought the Gunners wouldn’t have won the game. Outside of winning the penalty, the magic which led to that first chance showcased the talent he does possess in tight spaces.
Furthermore, he played well in the wide areas which is not something we’ve seen enough from him like we do Gabriel Jesus. He peeled off to the right and left flank to support the wingers and create chances of his own which was something I enjoyed from his performance.
Losers
Consistent Officiating Dreams
My goodness me, what a soft second yellow card that was for Takehiro Tomiyasu. I do not have many qualms with the first yellow as the side were taking the mick with time-wasting and Tomiyasu was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and paid for Thomas Partey and Kai Havertz’s liberties with the ball.
David Coote then simply drops a clanger with the decision to award a second yellow card to the Japanese international. He’s without a doubt holding the shirt of Jordan Ayew but if that is the difference between what is effectively an entire game being swung in the opposite direction then the game is in trouble.
Players will be taking note and realise any slight touch could buy their opponent a booking. This isn’t what we want to see in football and the physicality should be encouraged.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Another game and another place on the bench for Gabriel Magalhaes. The Brazilian is being talked about now as a potential surprise departure despite the club signing him up for a brand new contract.
But whilst he’s not starting these conversations cannot be stopped. Surely with Timber injured and now Tomiyasu suspended he will come into the side this weekend for the visit of Fulham to the Emirates Stadium.
He came off the bench and brought all the qualities that we know he has. There aren’t many, if any, better left-footed centre-halves in Europe right now and therefore it makes no sense to allow a sale.
Kai Havertz
Without a doubt off the ball, Kai Havertz offers Arsenal a lot and his work rate is certainly noticeable if you pay attention to him when not in possession. The issue right now is that Arsenal remain a side who have plenty more of the ball than their opponents and a player who is dynamic and direct, like Leandro Trossard for example, could surely offer more in these games?
This isn’t me turning on Havertz in any way. I think he needs time and the more he plays the better he will become but it’s difficult to justify a player like Trossard’s absence when he has been so impressive.
Havertz adds something different to this team and it was necessary signing. But perhaps his usage needs to be looked at.
