Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praises Eberechi Eze’s “unbelievable technique”after he scored the only goal of a tight game against Crystal Palace to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
MATCH REPORT: Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Available to UK users only.
There is never a bad time for a striker to score, but Viktor Gyokeres’ relief was obvious as he ended a barren run with two goals in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid. It can be the start of a prolific spell, manager Mikel Arteta believes.
After three goals in his first four matches, £64m signing Gyokeres failed to find the net in Arsenal’s next seven games and looked visibly frustrated at times.
But his team-mates continued to praise his overall impact and Arteta said he gave the striker a hug after Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham on Saturday in appreciation for the effort he was putting in.
The 27-year-old has had to play more than was planned at this stage of the season because of a knee injury to Kai Havertz, featuring for 90 minutes seven times in Arsenal’s opening 12 matches.
But after finding his clinical touch again in the thumping win over Atletico on Tuesday, Gyokeres’ tally now stands at five goals in 12 matches and his manager thinks the strikes were reward for his persistence.
“He deserved it because everything that we were seeing in terms of what he was bringing to the team and how much he was helping the team in many areas, apart from scoring goals in the last few weeks, there was no debate about that,” said Arteta.
“It was about keeping that belief in himself, that emotional state that he can enjoy and play freely.
“I think he has certainly done that today, [he had] a big smile on his face.
“Look at his team-mates as well, in the picture and the video, they are all so happy for him because he fully deserves it.”
Starting against Olympiacos, Odegaard dictated play alongside Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino and, as well as providing chances, he was denied a goal by a superb Konstantinos Tzolakis save and follow-up block by defender Panagiotis Retsos.
“He has all the licence in the world to go forward,” said Arteta. “And to play with that freedom and with that level of play, level of threat.
“Not only with the passes; the way he was taking the ball and carrying the ball and making runs and arriving in dangerous areas.
“He put three people through to score a goal, he should have scored a goal as well. Great to have him back, he played some very good minutes in Newcastle to help us win the game and I think [here] he was phenomenal.”
Arsenal have changed their style of play this season, adopting a more direct approach to get the most out of their new signings and particularly striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swede’s strong burst into the box ended with Tzolakis pushing the finish on to the post and Martinelli tapped in the rebound for the 12th-minute opener.
It followed a pass from Odegaard, who said: “That is what I want to do, especially with those forward players, especially with Viktor who is so aggressive and always a threat.
“That is my job, to create things for them. I could have had a few more assists, but we got the win and I enjoyed it.”
MORE than a few eyebrows were raised at the Emirates when Arsenal’s starting line-up was announced.
In particular the midfield three of Mikel Merino, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
7
7
7
It was a defensive-minded decision by Arteta to put pressure on City’s Rodri and limit his influence from deep while keeping things tight until he found the courage to fling on his attacking game-changers at the right moment.
It backfired massively.
Those who criticised Arteta for playing not to lose instead of going for the win at Liverpool last month – eventually losing 1-0 – have even more fuel to chuck on the now-blazing fire.
He had a fully-fit Eze on the bench, and yet kept the handbrake on with a safety-first approach. The question remains: does Arteta have the bravery to win a league title?
The sort of midfield that would have been Jose Mourinho-approved, but one that Arteta must NEVER start again in a title-defining game again if Arsenal are to compete for the Prem.
Can you imagine Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola or even Arne Slot doing the same? No chance.
That trio had no pace, no drive, no attacking intent – and Arsenal have no hope of glory come May should they combine from the off again.
7
7
MIKEL Arteta made it clear after Arsenal’s Champions League opener just how much it pains him to leave Gabriel Martinelli on the bench.
The Brazilian came on away at Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night and after 36 seconds he netted before creating another for Leandro Trossard.
It was not enough for Arteta to reward Martinelli with a first start for nearly a month against Manchester City, revealing that he prefers to call his subs “finishers” to give them more meaning and motivation.
But after yet another late goal to snatch points, there is now a dilemma for Arteta: continue using him as a super-sub – or super-finisher – or recall him to that left-winger spot.
Martinelli would admit himself that he has not been in good form over the last 18 months with just 18 goals in all competitions over the past two seasons.
But he is certainly knocking on the door. Is this the start of his North London renaissance?
7
WITH England boss Thomas Tuchel watching on, Eberechi Eze proved why he is so special and belongs on the biggest of stages.
Eze would have been more than frustrated to be left on the bench for this one, desperate to build some momentum in an Arsenal shirt with next summer’s World Cup looming.
But boy did he deliver when he was thrown on at half-time with Mikel Arteta desperate for some magic after playing it safe for the first 45 minutes.
His beautifully-crafted long ball over the top to put in Gabriel Martinelli for a late, late equaliser is exactly why Arteta snatched him from Crystal Palace, lured from the grasps of rivals Tottenham at the last minute.
Once again for large parts, the Gunners struggled to break down a low block, just like they did last season, but Eze is the player with the key to unlock the most stubborn of defences – if he is given the chance.
It cannot be clearer now – Arteta must start Eze as much as possible between now and the end of the campaign if Arsenal are going to claw the Prem title away from Liverpool.
7
MIKEL ARTETA left summer signing Christian Norgaard out of his squad against Manchester United.
Arsenal travelled to Old Trafford with several first-team players absent.
3
3
3
Norgaard, who joined the Gunners for £10million this summer, was missing, despite being ever-present in pre-season.
It is possible the Dane has a knock as he has not been seen in training this week.
Arteta instead started another newboy, Martin Zubimendi, alongside Declan Rice in midfield.
While Mikel Merino was named as the sole midfielder on the bench, although Myles Lewis-Skelly can play there too.
Several exiled players were also excluded from the squad, with many made available for transfer.
Reiss Nelson, Jakub Kiwior, Fabio Vieira are amongst those who are expected to leave in the next few days.
They could be joined out of the exit door by Albert Sambi Lokonga and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who have also fallen out of Arteta’s plans.
Arsenal did not miss Norgaard as Rice curled in a corner to set up the opener.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir got a hand to the ball but he could only help it goalwards, and Riccardo Calafiori was on hand to add a final touch on the line.
Viktor Gyokeres also made his Arsenal debut following his £60million arrival.