Match report – Player ratings – Arteta reaction – Video
At instances it felt prefer it was going to be a kind of irritating days. A staff that got here to sit down deep and defend did that fairly effectively for many of the first half. I wasn’t certain if that was how Burnley would strategy this, however you’ll be able to perceive why they did. It was extra a case of whether or not or not they’d be capable of stick with it, and I believe we noticed indicators in direction of the tip of the primary interval that there have been just a few cracks of their focus.
We had come shut a few instances. Bukayo Saka’s prompt right-footed shot from contained in the field appeared for all of the world prefer it was going to hit the highest nook, however James Trafford made a fully excellent save to disclaim him. Among the best you’ll see all season, actually. He additionally stood up effectively to a Leandro Trossard effort, and there was an opportunity for Kai Havertz who headed over when he ought to have performed higher.
On the different finish a slight mistake from William Saliba offered Burnley with a wonderful alternative to open the scoring, however very like his reverse quantity, David Raya made an excellent save to disclaim Johann Gudmundsson. That was an enormous second, I don’t suppose I’d have fancied an hour towards a staff scrapping to carry a one aim lead.
As I mentioned although, I believe they discovered the going robust, as a result of this sitting deep stuff isn’t actually what they do. Clearly they doubled up on Saka and Martinelli, however doing meaning another person can discover house, and that’s how the opening aim arrived. Martinelli had two gamers to deal with so he rolled it again to Oleksandr Zinchenko who despatched in a hopeful cross. It was one which Saka attacked and headed on in direction of Trossard, who was courageous to nod it house on the close to publish.
The Belgian was harm within the course of, taking a whack to the forearm – which is a disgrace as a result of that can absolutely inhibit him with regards to clobbering opposition gamers within the head with out censure – however that connection between him and Saka is de facto fairly one thing. All six of his objectives this season, and the one aim he scored final season, have come from Saka assists.
There have been indicators of life early within the second half from Burnley, and within the 54th minute they had been degree. It was six of 1, half a dozen of the opposite between Tomiyasu and Koleosho within the build-up, and our man got here off the mistaken finish of it. We did get the cross clear however the shot from Josh Brownhill hit Gabriel’s heel and wrong-footed Raya. 1-1. Not preferrred.
Nonetheless, the short response was. We had a number of corners on this recreation, and when Trossard curled it in, Saliba simply posted himself in entrance of the goalkeeper, headed house from shut vary, and we had been again in entrance. Mikel Arteta made a change nearly right away, taking off Havertz and placing on Fabio Vieira, on the lookout for one thing extra from the Portuguese than he obtained from the German. Leaping forward – there was extra, however none of it was good.
Vieira was no higher than Havertz by way of efficiency, which displays poorly on each of them, however he then picked up a straight purple card, leaving us to play the ultimate 10 minutes plus harm time a person mild. It’s a silly problem, studs excessive on the knee, and he can don’t have any complaints. I don’t know what he was pondering, maybe he was crotchety having taking a little bit of a clatter to the top a few minutes earlier, however it was daft and he deserved to be despatched off.
Fortunately, there was daylight within the scoreline at that time, after Zinchenko had scored a fairly sensational aim to make it 3-1. When a nook was headed onto the Burnley bar, it was headed out in direction of the sting of the field. He didn’t have time to take a contact, as an alternative he jumped – channeling his internal Danny LaRusso – and guided it completely into the highest nook. What a end.
There wasn’t way more to it than that. Even with 10 males we appeared comfy on the again, and Burnley supplied little risk. Nor did we appear to be including to the scoreline, and on the steadiness of play, 3-1 was comfy sufficient. Afterwards, Mikel Arteta mentioned:
I’m actually pleased with the outcome, particularly with the efficiency after taking part in 72 hours in the past, with the final three video games, how we performed towards Newcastle, how we performed towards Sevilla, how we performed at this time, how dominant we had been towards groups who’re very arduous to dominant the quantity of conditions that we dominated, I believe we totally deserved to win the sport.
He was a bit sarcastic in regards to the purple card, however that’s honest sufficient actually. I believe he simply wished to make it a non-talking level, as a result of he knew it was silly. His face on the bench as Vieira walked off informed you lots about what he thought of it.
One factor that was noticeable was how, within the second half, we had been so tilted to the left hand aspect in possession. Saka was barely within the recreation after the break, and I don’t know if that was a aware resolution, or if it’s only a consequence of getting extra connectivity on the left. Rice, though new, glues issues collectively on that aspect due to simply how concerned he’s always, whereas Zinchenko and Martinelli clearly know one another effectively. On the appropriate, the Tomiyasu, Havertz/Vieira, Saka triangle wasn’t actually functioning in the identical manner.
Clearly we miss Martin Odegaard, and hopefully he’ll be again after the Interlull, however I can’t actually keep in mind that type of imbalance in our possession earlier than. It would simply have been a quirk of this recreation, however maybe one thing to maintain an eye fixed – particularly as Arteta did talk pre-game in regards to the relationships in sure areas of the pitch. I additionally suppose conversations about our efficiency ranges this season should take into consideration the gamers we’re lacking, and the truth that guys like Havertz and Vieira – whose roles proper now necessitate them to ship when others are lacking – simply aren’t doing that. In that context, a 3-1 win is to not be sniffed at, however I’m certain Mikel Arteta will likely be in search of enchancment as a lot as anybody.
Past that, a fast point out for Wolves who got here from behind to beat that lot with two harm time objectives. I used to be watching this, and it was very, very humorous. Thanks Gary O’Neil, and it’s honest to say that after being diddled by VAR two weeks in a row, they deserved one thing like this. And on the expense of Mate FC, all the higher.
Okay, let’s depart it there for this morning. Have a fantastic Sunday of us, again with extra tomorrow and an Arsecast Further. Till then.
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