Kevin Whitcher
I think it’s fair to say that Arsenal scoring three goals against Stoke from set pieces was the unexpected story of this game. Although the Gunners rarely looked particularly fluid, the quality of Mesut Ozil’s free kicks and corners were key in achieving the win that keeps Arsene Wenger’s team ahead of Spurs in first place on goal difference.
There was a buzz about the match in the build-up because it was the first chance for many Arsenal fans to see the record signing in the flesh. It is early days, but it appears the amount of influence he had on the Sunderland match may have been down to the quality of the opposition. However, against better teams, he will provide key moments that can make the difference between winning or not. So it proved against Stoke, who for much of the game, restricted Arsenal’s chances.
It was indeed a different Stoke from the days of Tony Pulis. The powers that be at the club presumably decided they did not like the image their former manager had cultivated, and Mark Hughes has them playing something that is far easier on the eye. They may not be as aggressive as before, but they are certainly still organized when they do not have the ball. Without Theo Walcott, Arsenal’s danger seemed a bit blunted, their best players the midfield battlers, especially Flamini and Ramsey.
Serge Gnabry had a solid, if unspectacular match after Walcott’s late withdrawal. He did not pose as much danger as the number 14, but was far more involved, constantly showing for the ball and moving infield to ensure he received it. It’s obviously too soon to know, but there were signs the young German may have a contribution to make as he develops more at the club. On one level, that such an inexperienced player was called upon exposed how ridiculous the injury crisis at the club has become. Arsenal’s two wide attacking players were the youngster and Jack Wilshere. However, it was also a hark back to the days when a youngster would be thrown into the team due to injuries, when squads simply were not as deep as they customarily are today. Players like Tony Adams, David Rocastle and Michael Thomas would suddenly appear years back, and no-one really knew very much about them. Due to non-football commitments, I rarely watch reserve matches or pre-season friendlies, so I have seen very little of Gnabry, aside from the odd League Cup appearance.
Because of the nature of the goals, the match will not be remembered too long. The goals aside, there was not a great deal of drama. Arsenal had the majority of the match, and it was against the run of play when the visitors equalized. However, Wenger’s team drew the fouls that they needed to utilize Ozil’s talents from dead balls. It is a breath of fresh air to see them pose a genuine threat from free kicks and corners, something that is necessary if the team are going to win matches against stubborn opposition. Such games have proved a real handicap on too many occasions in recent seasons.
Mikel Arteta was re-introduced to the fray, and will doubtless return to the starting line-up for the League Cup game on Wednesday. One imagines the back line will be Jenkinson, Vermaelen, one of Mertesacker or Koscielny and Monreal, with Arteta in front of them. Who knows who else might play, although I am confident Gnabry will get another run-out, with the distinct possibility that The Greatest Striker That Ever Lived will be spearheading the attack. It’s a shame the chances of watching this particular curate’s egg of a match will be limited to the in-the-flesh attendees and delayed transmission on Arsenal TV.
Whether Arteta will displace Mathieu Flamini for the visit to Swansea is another matter. I suspect not. Flamini may have fallen into Wenger’s lap, but could prove to be an inspired signing. His organizing of the team around him is certainly on a par with anything Arteta did, and he is a more natural in the position. When Arteta did enter the fray, he played in a more advanced role more typical of his Everton days. It gives the manager the option of rotation and there is certainly an argument that both Wilshere and Ramsey could use a break at some point before Christmas, although the latter has made himself the one central player that would have to start in the strongest eleven.
After the Villa debacle, which may have just shaken up any sense of complacency, the team have put together an excellent sequence of results, including some very creditable away wins. What is needed now is the consistency to keep piling on the points, winning matches that you would expect them to, and a demonstration of their improvement when they meet the sides that finished above them last season, by taking points off them. It’s very early days, but the team are moving in the right direction, something few could have anticipated after August 17th.
Long may it continue…
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