One-nil To The Arsenal. With a heavily rotated squad, academy graduate included and senior members who led the defensive line. Arsenal progressed to round 4 of the EFL cup. Was it a classic match, absolutely not. Did the players who cried out for minutes get what they deserve arguably yes! ESR and Nelson got a significant amount of game time and impressed.
The line up:
*Despite FotMob showing Tomiyasu at RB he played right CB and Ben White maintained his RB role that he plays in the premier league.
Ramsdale is the 2nd keeper at the moment. His inclusion in this side where rotation was the goal has made it evident. He is a quality GK, the GK union at Arsenal stands. Do we have a problem here… only if the players do not understand the wants and plans of Mikel. For as long as they are all on side and understand the need for two quality GK’s to compete across all the cup games and the premier league Arsenal are in a strong position.
Jakub Kiwior was a highlight last night. He was everywhere at the back. With excellent defensive blocks, on the line last gap defensive display. It was commendable. Arguably his more impressive ability was his 93% passing accuracy across the back line nad forward on the left flank.
ESR & Reiss Nelson. The two key names that everyone online and in the fan base as a whole were keen to have these two start. Mikel clearly had the same thought both players started and began playing with aggression and clear motivation to press, attack and get a goal. The forward press was relatively similar to that we had seen last season with the front 3 pressing a defence to force an error. Eddie did that and unlike Sunday against Spurs, he made the wiser choice (showing he learned from his mistakes) and chose to pass rather than shoot from an acute angle. Nelson tucked it away for a lovely return to form goal. It was excellent Arteta ball.
The star of the show was Jorginho. An intelligent midfield general who was acutely aware of his costly error in the NLD and clearly played with a view to resolve that mistake.
The Italian had 90% pass accuracy and won 90% of his duels. In a game where arsenal dominated the first half, but nearly cost themselves the win in the 2nd half. Jorginho was ever present to cover the back line and allow seamless transitions to attack. He deservedly won the MOTM.
On to the next:
Arsenal have moved on to the 4th round of the EFL Cup we are going to have to play West Ham away. A tricky fixture in a knockout competition, as only a few short days after Arsenal have an away trip to Newcastle. Again, two tough away games back to back. Arteta will once again have to rotate heavily for the EFL in order to ensure a strong side against a very game Newcastle in the Prem.
The questions of whether to focus on the EFL or to allow the classic ‘just play the kids’ way of thinking. The number of games to play for a top side challenging across four competitions has always been a cause for concern from top managers. Even back in the days of Wenger he too was unhappy with the huge number of games and the impact on the health of a squad.
We have already suffered several injuries and do not want more. Arteta has a game of chess to play with the opposition managers across the next few months to allow both good rotation whilst maintaining a high level to competitive ability. We do not want any capitulation across all the competitions we are playing in.
How realistic that is we are yet to see.
Written by Reekesh Somaroo