Find a way

After a great performance against Atleti in the week, where a set piece opened the game up once again, Arsenal showed they’ve got different tools to battle. Plan for an open game and the attacking flair will hurt you. Sit deep in a low block and try to contain, and a set piece delivery is likely to catch you out at some point. In Gabriel, we have the most potent weapon in the league and probably Europe for any ball whipped into the opposition box.

As was the case Tuesday night. Minutes after Alvarez rattled the bar, a swinging, dipping free kick to the front post found our number 6 primed and ready to nod past Oblak. 1-0, and the game was finally open. That’s been the story of the season so far, Arsenal facing many a low block, where the first goal is absolutely crucial.

The second was a thing of beauty. Skelly, showcasing his midfield prowess when given the chance in the centre of the park, picked the ball up in his inverted left-back role, burst away from three Atleti players, and played a perfect pass to the on running Martinelli. The finish was brilliant and dare I say it Thierry esc.

The performance was capped off by two Viktor Gyokeres goals, the type he probably deserved and needed after all the hard work he’s been putting in for the side lately. The first, a scrappy finish deflecting off a defender. The second, caused by the menace that is Gabriel, nodding a corner back across goal for Gyokeres to bundle over the line. Power, pace, and control against one of Europe’s best teams. Three out of three in our European campaign so far.

Onto Crystal Palace at the Emirates. The side was unchanged in the league from Fulham, with Trossard starting again ahead of Martinelli, who was given a break midweek. There were concerns over both Saka and Gabriel, but both started.

The first half felt very disjointed against a well drilled Palace side. Compact and energetic, they’re a really good team with danger on the break. A couple of sloppy passes and Palace sprang into attack, one from a Zubimendi misplaced pass, with Sarr bearing down on goal before Gabriel got across quickly to cover powerfully and prevent a shot on target.

Our most creative player was Eze, playing against his old side for the first time since his summer arrival. On the turn, he had drive and purpose, just the final ball was lacking. A Trossard shot just after the half hour mark was the first real attempt for the Gunners against a stubborn Palace side defending deep in a low block with five at the back.

Just like Tuesday, a set piece opened the game up. Rice again with a wicked ball into the area around the penalty spot. That man again Gabriel towering above others, getting a head to the ball, which dropped back to Eze, who unleashed a powerful half volley low into the back of the net against his former side.

1-0 at the break, and Palace were forced to open the game up more and take risks after Eze’s strike. A halftime sub saw Mosquera come in for Saliba, seamlessly fitting in when called upon, composed, calm, and assured in everything he did.

The Gunners nearly doubled the lead just after half time. The usual combo, a Rice delivery, followed by a Gabriel header, this time crashing off the bar. The ball rebounded back to Rice, who flashed a shot at Henderson, saved well with a crowd of players in front of him.

It was a controlled, arms length performance from Arsenal, who once again kept the opposition away from goal. Raya wasn’t forced into a save in the second half. The team gets into shape so quickly and genuinely looks like they enjoy the challenge of defending.

A half chance midway through the second half saw Trossard released down the left, lifting the ball over the on running Henderson with Saka at the back post, but Palace cleared well.

Palace took more chances going forward, settling into a back three with fullbacks pushing on. Crosses came in, some cleared well, some straight into Raya to collect well.

A flurry of changes late on included Hincapie making his Emirates bow. Worryingly, some changes looked forced due to injury, especially Rice late on. But with a midweek Carabao Cup home game against Brighton, it’s a good chance to rotate, with some players vitally needing minutes as fixtures come thick and fast in the run up to Christmas.

The takeaway from today’s game. A tough one against a good side, but this team finds a way. It may not be the prettiest at times, but as long as we’re defensively resolute, we’ll always have a chance this year. The team moves and defends as a unit. They enjoy the hard work. And at set pieces, they’re a well oiled machine.

As mentioned, a midweek game against tricky opposition in Brighton, who always give us a test at home, so it’ll be interesting to see how we rotate. I’m expecting the likes of Norgaard, Merino, and at the back, Mosquera with Hincapie to start. Martinelli, given 30 minutes today, perhaps leading the line, with Gyokeres most likely given a rest after another battling performance. He gave the team a different dimension at times today, long balls out beating the press, using his body well, keeping possession, winning throw ins and corners.

Funny how football goes in cycles. Right now, as the team sits top, we’re the best equipped to play with that style and defending against it.

We’ll see what midweek brings, followed by a trip to Burnley next Saturday at 3pm. Another chance to put pressure on the chasing pack as we move towards November and the final international break for a while.

Until the next one, have a great week.