Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video
There’s all the time a buzz forward of the primary residence sport of the brand new season, and yesterday was no exception. This time although, it wasn’t simply in regards to the sport itself, it was a few new addition to the squad. Eberechi Eze’s switch from Crystal Palace was introduced half an hour earlier than kick-off, and the participant’s arrival on the pitch at 5.20 was met with rapturous applause.
What a second for the 27 yr outdated whose profession has come full circle. Launched by Arsenal at 13 years of age, again as soon as once more, like some type of renegade grasp, 14 years later. The smile on his face instructed you every little thing you wanted to know, and it set the scene for what was to return.
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Mikel Arteta handed a primary begin to Noni Madueke on the left, and the remainder of the workforce was roughly as you’d anticipate. I feel we began fairly brightly, however the sport fell into a well-recognized sample the place our domination of possession for Leeds to sit down deep, and we lacked penetration within the last third. Typically you want craft to make the breakthrough, generally a sledgehammer, and generally all you want is a nook. Particularly should you’re Arsenal.
Jurrien Timber’s sensible header from Declan Rice’s very good supply broke the impasse, and eased among the stress. Simply earlier than the break, Rice’s business gained again possession, Martin Zubimendi discovered Timber, his move set Bukayo Saka free and his right-footed shot whizzed past the keeper for 2-0. It actually felt like a aim we wanted, and a aim that Saka himself wanted.
Sadly although, he picked up an harm early within the second half. It appears like a hamstring pressure, this time on the opposite leg, and he was clearly in some discomfort when he got here off. That harm was clearly compounded by the lack of Martin Odegaard within the first half, the captain pressured off with a shoulder downside after touchdown awkwardly when he was fouled in midfield. It was principally an excellent day yesterday, however shedding these two gamers solid a little bit of a shadow – not least as a result of we go to Anfield subsequent week. Afterwards, Mikel Arteta stated:
That’s why the squad needs to be well-equipped. It’s going to be a protracted, lengthy season. And we’re going to want a whole lot of gamers so as to obtain what we wish.
Folks have requested the place is Eze going to play. I don’t assume we have to fear about that an excessive amount of, to be sincere. In a single week we’ve picked up accidents to Saka, Odegaard and Havertz – key males in Arteta’s set-up – so we’re going to want to make use of the total extent of our squad. It’s a huge concern to have these accidents in clusters like this, however you would need to say the squad appears in respectable form to have the ability to cope.
Let’s get again to the good things although. With the highlight on Viktor Gyokeres – and Gary Neville’s relentless chirping on Sky Sports activities including to the exterior noise across the summer time signing – he actually wanted a aim yesterday. There was a primary half likelihood that he snatched at, however early within the second a ball excessive from Riccardo Calafiori gave the Swedish striker an opportunity to run into area after which on the Leeds defence. He drove into the field and completed effectively on the close to put up to make it 3-0 and get himself off the mark in crimson and white.
I don’t know if it’s fairly the trademark aim they had been attempting to make out on TV afterwards, however there’s no query that he’s actually efficient in these moments, and in these areas. The very fact he acquired one other from the spot late on could have added some gloss to his day, and it’s most likely necessary to notice that he acquired a full 90 minutes underneath his belt. By his personal admission his pre-season hasn’t been ideally suited, so that may have been actually helpful too. All in all, a strong day for Gyokeres who unveiled his normal celebration, but additionally confirmed off a brand new one in response to on-line chatter about his Previous Trafford efficiency final week.
Timber added the fourth 10 minutes into the second half, poking residence from shut vary when Leeds didn’t take care of one other wonderful Rice nook supply. What a day for the Dutchman, by the best way. It’s a bit mad to say a participant who acquired two targets and an help was most likely overshadowed by a few others – considered one of whom didn’t even play – however he may be more than happy along with his efficiency and contribution.
So, with half an hour to go and the sport primarily gained, Arteta made a triple change, within the course of handing debuts to Cristhian Mosquera, who got here on at right-back and did effectively, and likewise 15 yr outdated Max Dowman who’s now our second youngest participant ever after Ethan Nwaneri. I believe there may be a few senior gamers on that bench smarting that they didn’t get on, however the context was excellent for bringing on such a younger participant, and I’m glad that’s what the supervisor did. It raised the thrill ranges in a sport which everybody knew was completed and dusted, and the need for him to supply one thing was palpable.
There have been a few pictures, one wonderful run down the proper which noticed the Leeds full-back booked (a bit harshly, to be truthful) as he took Dowman down. After which in harm time, Dowman’s trickery contained in the field noticed him fouled, and the ref pointed to the spot. I don’t actually perceive any criticism of the participant right here, and I feel any grown-up pundit getting in on a 15 yr outdated actually wants to present their head a wobble this morning. You’re targetting a literal little one when you would concentrate on all of the positives in his efficiency which, by the best way, contains the talent he confirmed that led to the penalty being awarded.
Gyokeres slammed it residence, 5-0, a clear sheet, and masses to love about our first residence sport of the season. You possibly can see we’re nonetheless a piece in progress, not helped by the very fact we preserve shedding necessary gamers to harm too, however you may’t argue with what we produced on the pitch yesterday. Afterwards, Arteta stated:
It’s precisely how we needed to begin the primary sport, we gained in a extremely convincing approach. You may sense one thing, particularly within the ambiance earlier than the match. I feel we now have to be very pleased with the best way we performed, the best way we dominated the sport, not conceding any pictures virtually, and the clear sheet.
On prime of that, a whole lot of good moments. Viktor scoring his first two targets for the membership, I’m thrilled and delighted for Jurrien after that very long time after injuring his ankle and the hours that he’s put in with all of the physios and the medical division to attain two targets at Emirates Stadium, very particular. Mosquera making his debut as effectively for the membership, after which one of many highlights, with none query of a doubt, Max coming in at 15 and making his debut and successful a penalty. So, very proud.
As I stated, the accidents solid a shadow, however that’s why we did what we did within the switch market this summer time. If Saka is out for some time, then we now have Madueke to play on his most popular aspect – and I feel he was simpler there. I feel it flew underneath the radar a bit yesterday with every little thing else that was happening, however I actually favored Nwaneri’s efficiency when he changed Odegaard. It wasn’t spectacular, nevertheless it was extremely tidy and environment friendly by way of how we performed. Within the 60 minutes or so he was on the pitch, he didn’t misplace a single move, and in what’s a comparatively new function for him on this workforce (having performed totally on the proper final season), he regarded very assured.
All in all although, a great way to kick off the house season. I feel we will play higher, however should you’re saying that after you’ve gained 5-0, then you definately’re most likely in fairly respectable form total. Let’s see how the week performs out with accidents, however we’ve acquired the factors on the board earlier than we face Liverpool subsequent weekend, and so they have what’s going to be an intense sport at Newcastle tomorrow night time to deal with.
Proper, I’ll depart it there for now. You possibly can be part of myself and James tomorrow for an Arsecast Additional, have an excellent Sunday – and be careful for some extra Eze stuff on the official web site sooner or later right now!
