Arsenal already find themselves in the first international break of the season and at the moment they can be satisfied with the performances they have put in.
The Gunners have managed to accumulate seven points from a possible nine on offer against a less than straightforward opposition. Mikel Arteta will point towards the victory over Aston Villa as the standout performance of the season so far.
Heading to Villa Park with anticipation high among the home fans due to a return to the Champions League this year, coupled with the fact it was their first home match of the season made it a tricky test. And yet, Arsenal eventually looked comfortable in victory as substitute Leandro Trossard helped turn the game in his team’s favour.
Unfortunately, the last match before the international break ended on a sour note for the North London club. A draw at home to Brighton and Hove Albion is less than ideal albeit many clubs will drop points to them this season.
It was rather the manner of the result which proved to be difficult for Arsenal to stomach. Key man Declan Rice was sent off for a controversial second yellow card and his absence from the team cost them an equaliser.
Perhaps more importantly though, Rice will now be missing from the clash with Tottenham Hotspur after the international break. Arteta will be thinking hard about how to replace the midfielder for the big game.
Raheem Sterling verdict
You would not believe that Sterling had been cast aside by Chelsea and not played a competitive match all season with his performance in training. The winger looks like he has not missed a beat training with the Blues’ U23s and you feel he will offer Arsenal a different option this season. Sterling looks like a player who is ready to prove a certain someone wrong.
Young duo get chance to impress
With a host of senior players away, a couple of 16-year-olds were given the chance to play with the first team. Ife Ibrahim is a defensive midfielder who could make his way onto the bench for the North London derby with Rice suspended. Andre Harriman-Annous is an attacking midfielder who has looked bright for the Arsenal U18s after bagging a goal and two assists so far in the league. Both men will hope they have given Arteta something to think about for the next few weeks.
Leandro Trossard in the group
There was a speculative bid from Saudi Arabia for Trossard which was rejected and there seems to be no signs of him being unhappy by having to stay at the Emirates Stadium. Trossard looked sharp in training and will be attempting to make a strong claim for a start against Spurs.
Spurs tactic
While it is hard to judge on a few clips what the plan is for Spurs, especially with a host of senior players unavailable, it appears Arteta may have spotted something he feels needs to be worked on before the match. The Gunners were playing an intense attack against defensive game with roles being switch quickly. It looked as though the focus was mainly on the attackers to ensure they could finish in one-v-one situations. Sterling was particularly impressive in these clips and perhaps this drill is a hint at the type of game Arsenal are expecting against Tottenham i.e. quick counter attacks and ensuring they move from defence into attack seamlessly.
Arsenal were able to maintain their unbeaten start to the new Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Arsenal were able to claim the North London Derby bragging rights with this win. In what was a frenetic and feisty encounter, only Mikel Arteta’s side were able to produce a telling final touch…
Leandro Trossard earned himself a one match ban after receiving two yellow cards in Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal on Sunday. The Belgian was booked in the 34th minute for a professional foul on Savinho, before Michael Oliver showed the Arsenal No.19 a second yellow card for kicking the ball away just before the interval. It…
Mikel Arteta has been dealt a potentially huge injury blow ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Bournemouth. The Gunners will lock horns with Andoni Iraola’s side at the Vitality Stadium after the international break as the Premier League title race builds a head of steam. Arsenal head into the clash following a dramatic 3-1 win over Southampton,…
In his first week on the job at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta summoned Under-16s coach Dan Micciche to his office. The pair exchanged pleasantries in Italian, before Arteta turned to business and said “so, I hear you’ve got a player for me…” The Spaniard had been told by Edu of a 12-year-old making waves in the Under-16s team…
Arsenal could make a £31 million bid to replace defender Takehiro Tomiyasu with an elite club’s highly-rated player in January, as transfer chief Edu Gaspar and the Gunners recruitment team make a head start on next year already. Arsenal’s rumoured transfer targets for 2025 Mikel Arteta watched on as his side spent around £100 million on five key additions…
UEFA have revealed the official Arsenal squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign. A so-called ‘Swiss model’ has been implemented this season to increase the number of competing sides in the tournament from 32 to 36. Rather than operate a standard group stage, like previously, a league phase has been formed to guarantee at least eight games…
Arsenal were able to maintain their unbeaten start to the new Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Arsenal were able to claim the North London Derby bragging rights with this win. In what was a frenetic and feisty encounter, only Mikel Arteta’s side were able to produce a telling final touch…
Leandro Trossard earned himself a one match ban after receiving two yellow cards in Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal on Sunday. The Belgian was booked in the 34th minute for a professional foul on Savinho, before Michael Oliver showed the Arsenal No.19 a second yellow card for kicking the ball away just before the interval. It…
Mikel Arteta has been dealt a potentially huge injury blow ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Bournemouth. The Gunners will lock horns with Andoni Iraola’s side at the Vitality Stadium after the international break as the Premier League title race builds a head of steam. Arsenal head into the clash following a dramatic 3-1 win over Southampton,…
In his first week on the job at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta summoned Under-16s coach Dan Micciche to his office. The pair exchanged pleasantries in Italian, before Arteta turned to business and said “so, I hear you’ve got a player for me…” The Spaniard had been told by Edu of a 12-year-old making waves in the Under-16s team…
Arsenal could make a £31 million bid to replace defender Takehiro Tomiyasu with an elite club’s highly-rated player in January, as transfer chief Edu Gaspar and the Gunners recruitment team make a head start on next year already. Arsenal’s rumoured transfer targets for 2025 Mikel Arteta watched on as his side spent around £100 million on five key additions…
UEFA have revealed the official Arsenal squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign. A so-called ‘Swiss model’ has been implemented this season to increase the number of competing sides in the tournament from 32 to 36. Rather than operate a standard group stage, like previously, a league phase has been formed to guarantee at least eight games…
Arsenal were able to maintain their unbeaten start to the new Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. Arsenal were able to claim the North London Derby bragging rights with this win. In what was a frenetic and feisty encounter, only Mikel Arteta’s side were able to produce a telling final touch…
Leandro Trossard earned himself a one match ban after receiving two yellow cards in Manchester City 2-2 Arsenal on Sunday. The Belgian was booked in the 34th minute for a professional foul on Savinho, before Michael Oliver showed the Arsenal No.19 a second yellow card for kicking the ball away just before the interval. It…
Mikel Arteta has been dealt a potentially huge injury blow ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Bournemouth. The Gunners will lock horns with Andoni Iraola’s side at the Vitality Stadium after the international break as the Premier League title race builds a head of steam. Arsenal head into the clash following a dramatic 3-1 win over Southampton,…
In his first week on the job at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta summoned Under-16s coach Dan Micciche to his office. The pair exchanged pleasantries in Italian, before Arteta turned to business and said “so, I hear you’ve got a player for me…” The Spaniard had been told by Edu of a 12-year-old making waves in the Under-16s team…
Arsenal could make a £31 million bid to replace defender Takehiro Tomiyasu with an elite club’s highly-rated player in January, as transfer chief Edu Gaspar and the Gunners recruitment team make a head start on next year already. Arsenal’s rumoured transfer targets for 2025 Mikel Arteta watched on as his side spent around £100 million on five key additions…
UEFA have revealed the official Arsenal squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign. A so-called ‘Swiss model’ has been implemented this season to increase the number of competing sides in the tournament from 32 to 36. Rather than operate a standard group stage, like previously, a league phase has been formed to guarantee at least eight games…