Arsenal’s Stiffs Give Arteta Something To Think About

Newcastle United 0 Arsenal 2
Premier League
Sunday 2nd May 2pm

Eight changes from Thursday evening’s match in Spain was no surprise, as it was Odegaard, Xhaka and Ceballos – who played less than an hour against Villarreal for all too obvious reasons – who remained. The Spaniard had a better game at St James’ Park, although who knows what the midfield will look like in four days’ time. I assume there is a faint hope that Kieran Tierney might be fit, although not even being on the bench today suggests that Xhaka will remain at left back, with Elneny presumably partnering the rested Thomas Partey in front of the defence. Elneny’s performance did suggest he could do a job, although the quality of the opposition must be borne in mind.

However, the performances of Bellerin and Martinelli should also give Arteta some food for thought. He at least has some attacking options now, although Aubameyang as the central striker is pretty much a given. He scored the second goal yesterday to give himself a boost. Martinelli was arguably the standout player for the visitors, constantly threatening, although his compatriot David Luiz – who might have been in contention for Thursday - suffered a fresh hamstring strain, and you have to imagine he has played his final game for Arsenal. Yes, Arteta likes him, but for me the cons have outweighed the pros (and there have been some – as we saw when he started the move for the opening goal) over the two seasons he has been at the club. Significantly, Gabriel actually looked very comfortable bringing the ball forward, as one would expect from a Brazilian. Hell, even Willian put a bit of a shift in when the team were pressing in the first half, although to still not have scored an actual goal for the team is bordering on the criminal. 

It was a goal from an unusual source that confirmed Arsenal’s early dominance, Elneny striking a half-volley from Bellerin’s cross after Aubameyang had failed to control it. Newcastle rarely threatened for most of the match, and assuming they do stay up, it will be their spirit rather than technical ability that is the reason. There were a few spirited challenges in this match, although one that bordered on wreckless saw a red card for Schar in second half injury time. The game was done and dusted by that point, the second goal having settled it. It was ten years ago that Arsenal threw away a 4-0 lead in this fixture that started with a red card for Abou Diaby. It never felt like a repeat of any sort was on the cards, even with Mike Dean officiating. I suspect the lack of a home crowd hampered the home side’s chances as much as anything. 

Confession time now. In the developments around UEFA’s proposal for a revamp of the Champions League and the busted flush of the threat of a breakaway European Super League, I took my eye off the ball and had no concept that UEFA will be launching a competition inferior to the Europa League to add to the delights of European football next season. Now, there will still be seven English clubs that take part across the three competitions, but seventh place (if the League Cup winners finish in the top six, as has happened in recent years) will now qualify the team that makes it for something called the Europa Conference League. It’s a way, I suspect, of giving more clubs from the smaller nations the opportunity to play in UEFA competitions, and hell, a trophy is a trophy, so 20 years after the disappearance of the Cup Winners’ Cup, we will have three European trophies again. 

However, it only applies to Arsenal mathematically. Or at least that’s how it feels. Are they going to take maximum points from their remaining four matches (giving them 61 in total)? Arsenal need two of the teams above them to fail to make 61 points, but that's a long shot - possible, but unlikely. Of course Thursday’s result will determine what follows, there may be no choice but to push for four league wins and see what happens if Unai Emery has his way.

As for the Newcastle game – it was refreshing to see an Arsenal side take apart weaker opposition. Too often this season, that hasn’t happened, which is why the club have fallen out of contention for Champions League qualification and are relying on beating Manchester United in Gdansk. All eyes on Thursday. Villarreal will be a lot harder to break down than Newcastle, although of course, a 1-0 would do nicely.

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