It’s Just Like Watching Brazil… playing in a snowstorm in the West Midlands

 

West Bromwich Albion 0 Arsenal 4   
Premier League   
Saturday 2nd January 2021 - 8pm   

Arsenal have been surrounding themselves, quality-wise, with clubs of less lofty ambitions lately, in terms of their position in the league table. This was symbolized by the shirts sponsors of the two clubs that faced each other in wintry conditions at the Hawthons yesterday, with the visitors sporting ‘Fly Emirates’ across their chests – not that anyone is flying much anywhere these days. Sam Allardyce’s men were sponsored by Ideal Boilers. I am not certain how much the latter had to do with the undersoil heating at the Baggies’ stadium, but whoever did install it can be pleased with the results of their work last night, as the game was able to go ahead and complete, in spite of more snow falling during the 90 minutes.

There were many good performances in Arsenal’s side over the course of a standout performance, the quality of which we haven't seen for a long time. Players were positive, making runs into space and passing accurately more often than we have become accustomed to. Perhaps, symbolically, the selection of Dani Ceballos instead of Mohamed Elneny symbolized the greater desire to make things happen. I suspect the Egyptian was dropped for his poor passing against Brighton. Unquestionably, the inclusion of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka added greater hunger to the attacking play than the hapless pair of Willian and Pepe. And of course, we have the cult hero that is Kieran Tierney. The Tesco carrier bag was the start of a myth in the making. Last night’s game – warming up in a short sleeved shirt, and then playing the game in one, eschewing gloves (or indeed legwarmers) merely confirmed how much we've lacked a bit of Scottish grit for too long at Arsenal. The likes of Frank McLintock, Willie Young and going back some Alex James come to mind. Tierney is of the same breed. The only shame in his obvious contribution to Arsenal is that fans are unable to celebrate him in person at matches, but hopefully that will come.

Aside from Elneny, the other change to the eleven that beat Brighton was Lacazette starting instead of Martinelli, with Aubameyang moving wide left to accommodate. It was understandable on one level. Lacazette has started scoring again, and Arteta would not have wanted to drop his captain when he is searching for form. Martinelli’s match fitness is also a factor. I suspect the young Brazilian will get a start against Newcastle in the FA Cup. 

Arsenal began the game well, with Saka the evident main source of danger. The visitors could have easily been ahead long before Tierney did open the scoring at the midway point of the first half. And what a sweet solo goal it was, beating his man, cutting in from the wing and dispatching a right foot shot with aplomb. Memories flooded back of Nigel Winterburn finishing with his ‘wrong’ foot back in 1989, although further out. Tierney’s ability to forge his opening made this an even better goal, and over 30 years on, full backs do have to be better on the ball than the days of ‘Nutty’. 

The second goal was a thing of beauty that also brought back memories of better days. A magnificent move involving Saka, Smith Rowe and Lacazette combining with some glorious one and two-touch football to literally carve Sam Allardyce’s defence into pieces. It was the simplest of finishes by Saka, but the most sublime of goals. If that isn’t the goal of the month for January, it will be a very special one that beats it. What a difference the inclusion of both Saka and Smith Rowe bring to the team, their combination work mouth watering. Most of all, it has given us hope that there is a way ahead for this club, because it sure isn’t the overpaid outcast who should have been fulfilling the role Smith Rowe has been performing of late. Mesut Ozil had the audacity to tweet “Nice game my boys. Great spirit – 3 wins in a row. Team looks good with a no10 like Emile Smith Rowe – the difference maker”. I’ve not read the replies, although I can imagine there was a bit of blocking activity by whoever monitors Ozil’s social media in the hours that followed. Ozil had so many chances to make a difference, but so rarely did…

West Brom did have a chance to get one back towards the end of the first half, but Leno saved the shot easily enough. By this time the weather had taken a turn for the worse, described to me in a message from Doktor Scheide as “more snow than Paul Merson’s old training ground locker”. I have been getting gallows humour from the good Doktor for far too long, so it was good to have a chuckle with the Gunners actually ahead in a match for a change. 

The snow certainly slowed the ball up in the earlier part of the second half, before it stopped and melted, although by that time Arsenal had doubled their lead. Both goals came from Alex Lacazette, both times being in the right place at the right time to take advantage of the work of his colleagues, Saka and Smith Rowe for the third goal, Tierney for the fourth. It was interesting to see the joy of Dani Ceballos when the third went in after the ball had hit the post and then been blocked on the line. It really meant something to him. Here is a player with a desperate desire to win who seems to love the club. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens when Thomas Partey is fit again. Ceballos is obviously better than Elneny, but is Arteta going to drop Xhaka? Would that compromise the team’s shape? 

Defensively, Mari and Holding seem to have developed a decent partnership, so Gabriel will present a fresh dilemma after his return from suspension. Still, it’s at least good to have options, and once the Europa League returns in February, they will be needed. Until then, Arteta has to keep his players motivated, even though game time for some will be limited to the FA Cup. The recent performances will have taken some pressure off of the club to spend in January, which will have delighted the bean counters. 

Three wins in a row, a climb up to eleventh in the table, and a genuine sense that finally, Arteta is on the way to finding the right blend in his team. Significantly, it does not include a number of the more highly paid squad members or the club’s record signing. If the January window can do one thing, it’s to see the departures of those who are no longer contributing. Arsenal will have to take a loss on most of those to get them off the wage bill, but the longer the deadwood hang around, the longer the rebuild is going to take. Some should feel ashamed of themselves having seen what the youngsters have brought to the party since Christmas Day.

It is early days, but there are certainly signs of the green shoots of recovery. Let’s hope they can keep this going with the confidence that recent results will have brought about. And that Arteta does not start Willian and Pepe ahead of any of Saka, ESR and Martinelli. Being a good manager is about making tough decisions. These ones look obvious to me. Give the underperformers a run-out in the cups, to avoid overplaying the genuine ‘difference makers’ at the club.

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