The 12 months of 2024 did not carry a Premier League title for Arsenal however they have been one of the best group within the nation over that calendar 12 months. The information would not lie.
So, what is going to 2025 carry? Prosperity? Calmness? Drama? A primary Premier League title in over 20 years? Sure, it actually has been that lengthy now.
It will not carry Bukayo Saka for a number of months but because of his hamstring downside however no Saka no downside for Arsenal, who’ve a 100% file for the reason that Hale Finish expertise was dominated out.
Whereas they solely secured a 1-0 win over Ipswich at dwelling to see out 2024, they started the brand new 12 months in fantastic trend by securing a 3-1 victory. It wasn’t with out a scare, nevertheless.
Regardless of Brentford barely having a kick within the opening 13 minutes of the conflict, it was the Bees who took the lead by the bubbling Bryan Mbeumo.
Arsenal now have not stored a league clear sheet on the street in eight makes an attempt however they rallied to slim the hole between themselves and Liverpool on the prime of the desk to 6 factors.
Gabriel Jesus hit again within the opening half earlier than second-half strikes from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli secured the factors.
Arsenal’s greatest gamers towards Brentford
With Kai Havertz lacking by sickness on Wednesday night, it made for an attention-grabbing Arsenal lineup that was chosen by boss Mikel Arteta.
Jesus starred main the road once more, heading dwelling from shut vary to attain his sixth purpose in his final 4 matches in all competitions.
That mentioned, it wasn’t the goalscorers who caught the attention probably the most in west London. It was a sure Ethan Nwaneri who was handed his first Premier League begin on the floor the place all of it started for him as a 15-year-old.
The Gtech was the place he grew to become the youngest Premier League participant of all time and he starred as soon as extra on the identical stadium.
Normally utilised as an attacking midfielder by Arteta, it was on the right-hand aspect of the assault the place Nwaneri shone on this event.
He instantly checked out dwelling and already appears to be like just like the closest factor Arsenal need to Saka whereas he stays out.
|
Nwaneri vs Brentford |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes performed |
78 |
|
Touches |
40 |
|
Correct passes |
22/24 (92%) |
|
Key passes |
2 |
|
Pictures |
1 |
|
Profitable dribbles |
2/3 |
|
Correct crosses |
2/7 |
|
Interceptions |
1 |
|
Duels received |
2/6 |
|
Stats through Sofascore. |
|
Naturally left-footed, Nwaneri drifted inside and used his fast toes to dazzle the Brentford defence on a number of events. There wasn’t a purpose contribution to indicate for his efforts however as Soccer.London’s Tom Canton mentioned in his post-match participant scores, he was ‘such a vivid spark within the aspect’.
Arteta has typically been accused of not trusting the celebs of tomorrow however in Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, he has proven nice religion.
Chalkboard
Soccer FanCast’s Chalkboard sequence presents a tactical dialogue from across the world recreation.
Talking of which, each want to begin after one participant’s efficiency on the away group this night…
Riccardo Calafiori’s efficiency in numbers
The emergence of Lewis-Skelly as a left-back in current weeks has been very spectacular. An 18-year-old, he is performed in a Jurrien Timber-like trend, in a position to invert into midfield, contribute within the remaining third and add safety in possession. The actual fact he averages a 97% move completion price within the league this time period is proof of that.
So, he certainly has to begin, proper? Nicely, after the efficiency of Riccardo Calafiori on Wednesday you may definitely argue that case.
The Italian has caught the attention in spurts since signing over the summer season from Bologna, notably scoring that sensible purpose towards Manchester Metropolis a number of months in the past.
Nevertheless, he does have a second of insecurity in him and he was arguably at fault for the opener that Mbeumo scored.
Everybody is aware of what the winger needs to do – lower inside on his left foot – and Calafiori duly let him try this. All too simply as properly. Within the phrases of 1 Arsenal content material creator, it was a ‘poor’ second and it duly earned him a 5/10 participant score from the aforementioned Canton who famous that ‘some poor passes confirmed that this was certainly a participant contemporary off from an harm’.
So, it is tough to evaluate too harshly however the reality he gave away possession 13x, probably the most of any Arsenal participant moreover Jesus, was removed from constructive. It was unsurprising, subsequently, to see him finish the sport with a move accuracy of 77%, a far cry from Lewis-Skelly’s common this time period.
|
Calafiori vs Brentford |
|
|---|---|
|
Minutes performed |
76 |
|
Touches |
53 |
|
Correct passes |
30/39 (77%) |
|
Clearances |
2 |
|
Interceptions |
0 |
|
Tackles |
3 |
|
Key passes |
1 |
|
Profitable dribbles |
0/1 |
|
Pictures |
1 |
|
Floor duels received |
3/7 |
|
Aerial duels received |
6/7 |
|
Stats through Sofascore. |
|
Calafiori will undoubtedly enhance the extra he settles into this Arsenal group however he’s being overshadowed by a uncooked teenage prospect in the meanwhile.
His time will come however for now, Arteta wants handy the left-back spot to Lewis-Skelly regularly.
Associated
Arsenal need to signal “electrical” £60m sensation who could possibly be their very own Isak
The unbelievable expertise might fireplace Arsenal to the title.