It’s been a while. Standard Liege back in October was the last time Arsenal won with a 4+ goal difference and kept a clean sheet. And it’s been since Burnley in May of 2018 since we beat a Premier League opponent by 4+ goals and kept a clean sheet. That was the end of the Wenger era. It’s been quite a while.
Arteta picked an unusual Arsenal team to face Newcastle. Perhaps he knew that Newcastle were a team that loves a dribble but were rather toothless up top? They have scored 24 goals this season and their forwards have only scored 4 of those goals. Their forwards don’t even create much, they have a total of 2 big chances and 2 assists between Almiron and Saint-Maximin this season. They do dribble a lot, they even beat their man often, but they are a forward line full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Arteta’s team was even stranger in that regard because we were the team that couldn’t tackle. Ceballos, Bellerin, and Mustafi are the three lowest percentage tacklers on the team. Ceballos has the ignominious honor of being the most dribbled past per90.
In the match, Bellerin was bypassed 3 of 3 times. Ceballos lost 3 of 4 tackles. Ozil lost 3 of 4 tackles. Xhaka was a bit better and won 2 of 4 tackles. But overall, that was a midfield that was tasked with covering wide areas when the fullbacks went forward and was far too easily bypassed.
And when we were run around, Arsenal resorted to fouling. Arsenal committed 15 fouls: 3 each by Ceballos and Xhaka. And Arsenal didn’t even create a shot until Saka’s speculative curler in the 20th minute. Two total shots through the first 28 minutes, both by Saka, both outside the box.
So, if putting Ceballos in the deep role, the number 8 role, was sacrificing defense for attack it seemed like we weren’t even doing that right. It felt like Arteta had got it all wrong!
Ozil had just 11 touches in those first 30 minutes, Pepe 12. Ozil was being forced deep, in that ugly way that we have to play football sometimes. He wasn’t allowed to play in between the lines like we need him to. And Pepe was just shunted wide. It looked like Pepe was also going to have one of those games.
Arteta made a change at half-time. You could see the change on the pitch, but after the match Auba confirmed what we all saw: Arteta pushed Aubameyang to the middle, that opened up space in behind for Saka. That opened space for Ozil. That opened space for Ceballos and the whole team started pushing further up the pitch.
Newcastle were comfortable when they only had to deal with the greenhorn Nketiah but with Auba and Nketiah in the box, joined by Pepe at times, and with Saka ending careers and shredding ankles down the left, Newcastle looked overwhelmed. Arsenal stormed the Newcastle walls, and it was Pepe who provided the first.
Pepe launched his trebuchet expertly over the walls, it landed easily on Auba’s head and Arsenal’s top striker put the goal away easily. Then Saka assaulted them on their right, dribbled through two players and.. I love how the player puts it:
“I just thought that as soon as I passed it to him I found the space and I exploited it and it was almost a two v one situation but I always see it as a one v one. Then next a little nutmeg, we call that a little chilli. I sort of looked towards Eddie first because I like to cross it behind the defence but I saw that it was quite tight and the cut back was on so I put it through the gap, and it was a good finish from Pepe.”
A little chili indeed! The littlest chillies are the spiciest and he burned two guys, left them gulping milk.
In that 2nd half, Arsenal dominated Newcastle in those halfspaces
This isn’t going to be the way for every game but it has to be the way against teams who want to play two banks of four. You have to put men in the box and create panic. You have to create chances. You have to dominate them in their area.
Arsenal for too long were afraid to play this way. Fearing the counter. Fearing the mistake that might undo all of our hard work. But what Arteta has done is removed some of that fear (not all!). He’s given Arsenal a solid base to play football. He’s let us see that if we work hard and work together that we can put three, four guys in the 18 yard box and smash teams like Newcastle. But you have to take risks.
Picking Ceballos was a risk. Arteta said that he picked him because he’d trained “like an animal”. But in that first half we saw why Ceballos hasn’t been picked very often this season as he was dribbled past too often, and resorted to fouls to stop play and prevent chances. But once we got into the rhythm of the game and once he was freed up to dictate the match with his touch and vision, his defensive frailties fell away. Or more accurately, they didn’t matter as much.
It was cathartic for the whole team. You could see it as the players piled on each other after every goal. They’ve wanted this kind of game for a long time.
Ozil hadn’t scored a goal since April 2019. Lacazette hadn’t scored since December 12th (he’d only even taken 15 total shots since then). Pepe hadn’t scored since Man U on January 1st. This has been an extremely poor period of play for the Arsenal forward line. So, a nice goal haul will hopefully do them all well. I know that Saka won the official man of the match award but I find that odd considering the fact that Pepe had two assists and a goal. He was the one who turned this match on its head. He has to be my pick.
And last but not least, what of Guendouzi? Well, there are rumors flying that he and Arteta had words. But Arteta merely stated that he liked how Ceballos trained. Is it a warning to Guendouzi? Perhaps. But it feels more like a message to the whole team: train hard and I will pick you.
I like Guendouzi and I hope he picks himself up and works hard to regain his starting spot and I stand by Arteta and his choices. He’s not going to get everything right every time but he’s the one who puts in a ton of work analyzing the opponents. He’s the one who has to choose the starters based on what he sees in training. He’s the one who takes the fall if this team doesn’t perform.
It’s Arteta’s team now. He’s the one who takes the biggest risks.
Cathartic is the right word. We all felt that sense of relief and happiness. After the 3rd goal went in, that’s when the celebration really began. 35 passes was it? I noticed the field opening up just before the goal and thought: we are not actually gonna score from this passage of play are we? Three seconds later, the ball was in the net. Glorious goal.
I had reservations about the starting line up as well but in hindsight, that was the right team to pick given Newcastle’s low block strategy. The team is still learning how to put in a solid 90 minute performance but I am fully on board with Arteta atm.
Not concerned about Guendouzi. He’s a hot head and only 20. So far I’ve been impressed with Arteta’s man management. I would be surprised if he doesn’t handle Guendouzi properly.
Ceballos and Ozil – both forgotten men – were impressive given yesterday’s opportunity. Saka was a total stud out there, an absolute beast. I’m going to enjoy seeing this kid develop into a special Arsenal player. Wow…
Now we need to show up Thursday in Athens and have everyone put in a shift. Different competition, a fair amount of travel to an away game. Winning back-to-back will give everyone a huge life. Get stuck in, lads., CYOG!!!
Risks indeed… As they say you cant win the lottery without buying a ticket. 4 goals and a clean sheet.. I’ll take that any day thank you very much… Every match wont end like this obviously, but its a step in the right direction… Arteta stull has a huge job on his hands but im quietly confident he’ll get it right eventually. For now over here in Nigeria im still wearing my Chershire cat grin….and long may it remain. COYG!!!!
Quite pleased with the result. We’ve really struggled in recent times to break down defenses sitting deep. It appeared to me that we were moving the ball around much faster and with more purpose yesterday, and that was what led to some of the chances. Hopefully a breakthrough for the team, Pepe, Laca etc.
If Mustafi can avoid the occasional big error, he’s actually a pretty good defender. Even if he’s not in the long term plan, good matches like this will help his resale value. And Xhaka did well after the stupid early yellow.
Frankly, regardless of bust-up rumors, Guendouzi has to be way down the list in the mid-field. He’s got potential, but all of Torriera, Xhaka and Ceballos make the team work better and more directly.
The first half seemed like that very cliche handbrake on kind of performance…but once the team found some rhythm and got that first goal it was great to see them really put Newcastle to the sword. This match almost seemed to harken back to some of those Wenger matches where the team was setup to try and maximize the individual talent man to man vs Newcastle and to challenge/put the Arsenal players into positions to really show that gulf in technical quality. Of course this won’t work against a Liverpool/City and such, but hugely positive to see the manager send them out in the 2nd half and say ‘You’re better than them. Prove it.’ with the adjustment of course.
Was sitting in the airport in Cancun at game time yesterday– trying to find a dodgy link to simply get a peek at how we were playing. Was following stats online– and those tea leaves weren’t reading of good fortune. Finally, just after half– I found one– a link. Was treated to about 10 minutes of start/stop-steaming. SMDH. Literally. Went back to stat-watching.
Auba scored. I whooped. Turned some heads. Then Pepe scored too. Went to the bar for a draft Dos Equis. We boarded during the Ozil and Laca goals. Made the packed flight that much better.
Home, exhausted, I watched bits, then snoozing, then more bits. Will watch in its’ entirety tonight.
Arteta and the players needed one like this. We fans did too.
Ceballos and Guendouzi are the same player. Both take too many touches. Both slow. Both crap defensively- Ceballos almost scored an own goal. Ceballos is a little better passer. They both do a lot of running – sound and fury signifying nothing. I think that’s why Guendouzi wasn’t in the team, no need for clones, it wouldn’t have offered anything tactically different.
I hope neither one is in the team next year. Torreira was miles better when he came in.
I think Arteta was making a point about attitude to Guendouzi. Let’s hope the message got home.
Come on, man…
That reply was directed at “Blackarse”.
Yeh. Having been at the game, one of the noticeable things about Ceballos was how quick he was to turn and pass to the wings (Pepe and Bellerin usually) when in space and possession, and how firmly struck and accurate the passes were. An improvement on our build up play. Don’t know where Blackarse is coming from on this.
Another step forward yesterday. MA8 continues to impress.
I hear Saka has signed a new contract. We will build our PL winning side around that young man.
Baff knows.
Doffs cap, sir. We are setting up a new site to preserve Holic’s legacy and his community. Keep an eye on the Drinks in the old bar for details or contact me on Twitter.
Like you say, bringing PEA infield made all the difference. I fail to understand why on earth he was hugging the touchline in the first place. Why make a great striker play like a 3rd rate left winger?
For someone who has been out injured for a long time, I thought Ceballos had a pretty reasonable game.
Pepe gets better with every match.
Sakas nutmeg? Priceless! I haven’t seen that done at Arsenal for years.
Well done that boy.
Great points you made here and on Twitter about Dani. He gets dribbled constantly. And his lack of recovery speed is troubling at best. He’s good against a low block team. If we play a team that pressures or has an athletic midfield, he will be exposed, as he has been on other occasions. I’m happy he played well, but I am nowhere near saying he should be regularly in the team.
I think he was there to send a message to Guendouzi about attitude, effort and desire. Sounds like Guen popped off in training and is paying the price, as he should. I see a lot more upside in the Frenchman than in Dani. He’s far from perfect but he’s so young still, and he’s got a lot of qualities that can make him a strong midfielder.
But we still need an athlete in midfield. Strength and speed. Not one of our guys has that combination.
That said – it was a feel-gpod game and it might just energize the lads. 5th is a possibility, and 5th is the new 4th in the PL.
great result on sunday. we’ve all seen what arteta has been trying to do so it was only a matter of time before the emery rot stopped and the results matched the performances.
one disagreement with the post, when aubameyang said that arteta wanted him to move more central, i think he meant when the ball was on the far side of the pitch (pepe’s side). auba typically likes to attack that space late whereas arteta simply wanted him to get there early and establish his presence at the back post. maybe i’m wrong but that was the difference i saw in his game in the second half. auba still provided width when the ball was on the left.
big shout to ceballos. while i’m not a huge fan, he provided better balance that allowed him to participate in the attack. this allowed ozil and eddie to stay higher. unlike torreira, he passed the ball forward more than backwards, often switching the point of attack. unlike guendouzi, he moved the ball very quickly. i mentioned in the previous thread pregame that the #8 is the problem limiting arsenal. in my opinion, those tactical tweaks ceballos brought to the side made the difference in the arsenal attack.
big shout to lacazette. he really needed that goal. the decision to turn back and play that ball to the back post for ozil’s goal was brilliant. considering what he’s been going through, no one would have had an issue with him turning and having a pop at goal. as for his goal, he could hardly contain himself in the celebration. i loved the way the team celebrated that goal with him.
for the 3rd goal, the way mesut’s mobility allowed xhaka to break through the newcastle lines is so underrated. nobody was moving and that’s arsenal’s biggest problem. mesut got the ball back and collapsed the newcastle defense. lastly, the way he kept moving and popped up at the back post when laca played that ball there…who else would have even made that run? mesut is brilliant. with everyone singing the praises of the other guys who had their moments, i wanted to give some love to lacazette and ozil as well. their late goals allowed arsenal to be in the black on goal difference.
quick chat on the guendouzi/ceballos discussion. in the summer, when they played against each other in the u-21 championship, spain beat france 4-0. france were more talented but spain were smarter and simply used the ball better. that was the difference on sunday when comparing ceballos and guendouzi; ceballos used the ball better than guendouzi does. as a result, arsenal played better in the attack.
Loved the win and everyone’s covered all the main points about key players (fwiw I also think Ceballos sees the game in front of him better than Guen does currently, but think Guen can become a great player).
Just wanted to put a shout out to Leno.
What he did was unfussy; made his saves; he didn’t hang onto the ball and want applause – instead he quickly and accurately released the ball to players to begin counters.
Just think we only mention keepers if they make amazing saves or major gaffs and was just impressed by him.
Satisfying as this win was, I cant get too high on it, as I fear some of us are doing.
It clicked tactically 2nd half for the reasons that Tim analysed, but — taking nothing away from our performance — Newcastle basically brought no fight after Saka’s glorious nutmeg and Pepe’s goal. Wolves, Sheffield U and Brighton won’t be that compliant.
Ozil’s and Lacazette’s goals were bonuses. We need them to do the same in pressure situations with a game on the line. here’s hoping that Laca getting benched for Eddie is the kick up the backside that he needs; but Freddie dropped him for Martinelli and that didn’t work, so fingers crossed. We need more goals from blokes not named Aubameyang.
With all due respect to the adjudicators, Pepe was my MOTM. Not just for the assists and goal, but for his movement. Newcastle simply couldnt pick him up.
Totally agree Claude.
Re Laca, I wonder how much of his recent slump was due to his personal problems.
I know there’s this line of thought that player’s personal life should be off limits but when it seemingly effects your on the pitch performances, I think it’s fair game.
Didn’t Giroud go through a similar goal drought after his little adventure ?
I wonder whether so much of the positivity and hype about Guendouzi is wishful thinking.
I only see games on the box and have not been to a live game for a while but what I have seen of him is really nothing special, with no indication to me that there is any potential there.
A lot of running around, but very little achieved.
I see greater potential in Willock and even Nelson.
There seems to be a real purpose about their play when I cannot see any when Guendouzi plays.
Sorry to all of you who rave about him. I can only say what I see.