In this edition we look back on Saturday’s clash against Sheffield United at the Emirates.
Credit: Arsenal.com
HEADLIGHT
Steve Wellman: Apart from the obvious, 3 shots (on target), 3 goals from Eddie, the performances of Smith-Rowe and Havertz in the 8/10 roles. Without standing out, they both did what was needed and provided the links to the front 3.
Nigel Evans: It has to be Eddie, Eddie & Eddie but it was good to see ESR & Kiwior getting a run out.
Paul Hepker: Tomiyasu getting his first Premier League goal. He is returning to the kind of form that made him the breakout player a couple of seasons ago. Good to see.
Dave Seager: It can only be Eddie. So pleased for him. Confidence is everything for a striker and he will now have it in spades.
Gary Lawrence: As others have said it has to be Eddie. He rarely scores from outside the box but such was his confidence you knew he was going have a crack for his hat-trick and it was a beauty.
Thomas Bahnson: Back to our clinical best in attack. Patience is needed in games. Can’t score 5 in the first half but can we do it in 95 minutes? It’s happy days.
Dwayne Bingham: Squad rotation and options, we were afforded the opportunity to give some regulars a rest. Admittedly playing the team bottom of the league helped but Odegaard looked like he needed a much needed rest recently. Gabriel was rested whilst Kiwior, ESR and Havertz earned starts. We also had the luxury to take Martinelli and Saka off with plenty time still on the clock.
Mike McDonald: New verticality with Zinchenko sliding into the 10 position.
Credit: Arsenal.com
LOWLIGHT
Steve Wellman: The paranoia that the ever changing handball rule has brought in and defenders ore now running 10 yards with their hands behind their backs, which is even more on an ‘unnatural’ position.
Nigel Evans: I’m starting to get annoyed with Martinelli’s theatrics everytime he’s fouled.
Paul Hepker: Our throw-ins are pathetic. IT’s a real bugbear of mine. Ben White and Tomiyasu take forever to basically choose the wrong option. Every time. Might as well just give the ball to the opposition from the get-go. Am I really the only one seeing this?!
Dave Seager: Continuing injury issues for Partey. Starting to wonder if we can rely on him as a regular contributor or is it Ramsey Mark II.
Gary Lawrence: Why is it taking so long to make a decision on VAR? it’s an absolute joke. There must be a better procedure than what we’ve got at the moment.
Thomas Bahnson: Going through the season with half a team. Always 3-4 important ones out with injuries. We probably need to replace Jesus & Partey in the starting XI from next season.
Dwayne Bingham: Not scoring more goals, I know it’s greedy to demand more after your team has scored 5 goals but a 5 nil win is a hard enough outcome to pick a lowlight from. Majority of our goals came in 2nd half so it would have been nice to fly out the blocks early doors and not give Sheffield United even the tiniest bit of hope at half time with a single goal lead.
Mike McDonald: That there really wasn’t any issues. The game seemed inevitable.
Credit: Arsenal.com
HEADLIGHT
Steve Wellman: Midweek, Moose Cup, more chances to give the squad depth a test.
Nigel Evans: It’s the League Cup this week so it’s a good opportunity to give members of the squad ninety minutes.
Paul Hepker: Does Ramsdale get to start for Arsenal again? If not, then I think it is terribly unfair. Not sure really what he did to lose the Number One spot. The future will hopefully prove me wrong and Arteta right about Raya.
Dave Seager: It is becoming obvious that we will owe a lot to Arteta’s foresight in appointing Nicholas Jover. The improvement and variety in out set pieces is evident and the increased goal tally from them might be telling come May.
Arteta and Nicholas Jover
Gary Lawrence: It was good to see Mikel Arteta making full use of the squad. ESR, Kiwior, Tomi, Havertz, Vieira Trossard and Nelson all did well and played their part which bodes well for the rest of the season
Thomas Bahnson: We are finally getting the penalty calls we have deserved for ages but never got. It really makes a difference, doesn’t it?
Dwayne Bingham: Looking beyond the Carabao Cup we have a massive test away to Newcastle next in the premier league. The hope is we rotate enough to have our strongest lineup available for the weekend.
Mike McDonald: Would love to see Nwaneri on the bench on Wednesday. Walters at right back too.
What do you think? Give us your highlight, lowlight and headlight in the comments below.
#UTA!
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