Arsenal’s youngsters are the gift that keeps on giving

Leeds United 1 Arsenal 4 
Premier League 
Saturday 18th December 2021  5.30pm   

Arsenal enjoyed a three decent slices of fortune yesterday, before the match at Elland Road even kicked off. Firstly, there probably couldn’t have been a better time to play this fixture, with the combination of Leeds’ incredible injury list and confidence surely severely dented after their 7-0 defeat at Manchester City during the week. 

Second, the match going ahead at all on a day when the five other Premier League games were all called off due to the spread of Covid amongst the squads. Third, on that note, the fact that Mikel Arteta was able to play an unchanged starting eleven for the fourth time in a row – remarkable when you consider that there are players in the squad that have contracted the virus.

Let’s see what happens today. At the time of writing, one of the four scheduled fixtures has already been postponed, at least saving Leicester fans starting the journey northwest to Goodison Park. It’s going to be a real challenge to fit all the matches in for the teams playing in European competition, although the abandonment of the FA Cup this season could be an inevitability if the call-offs continue. It feels like those involved with first team squads in any way may have to start living in a lockdown style bubble, although that would also have to apply to the families they live with, and it’s difficult to envisage such self-sacrifice when the rest of society can still attend Christmas Parties and enjoy shopping, restaurants, bars and cinemas.

Anyway, Arsenal seized the opportunity to make hay whilst the sun was shining, albeit on a December evening in Leeds. They were very much on the front foot for the first half, exploiting the home side’s tactics of attacking in numbers by counter attacking, as they frequently did. By the end of the 45 minutes, Arteta’s men had registered 11 attempts on target. I was happy enough with the first half against West Ham – and there were three on target in the same period of Wednesday evening.

It’s fair to say that Arsenal might have scored double the three they did, but all the same, it was an excellent attacking performance. Gabriel Martinelli demonstrated why he has remained in the team even with the return of Emile Smith Rowe, who has become a bit of a supersub just lately. Two excellent finishes, Granit Xhaka involved in the build-up to both. There is a thought that Martinelli might end up as the centre forward in the long term to accommodate Smith Rowe, but in that role, Lacazette played very intelligently yesterday with his movement. His contribution should not be underestimated even if his name was not on the scoresheet. The build up to the opening goal was a combination of Saka, Laca and Xhaka before the ball fell to the young Brazilian to apply the finish. Sorry, but I won’t get the chance to write that too often.

For the third goal, Laca and Saka created havoc in the Leeds box before Saka’s shot was deflected past the keeper. You felt this was an excellent opportunity to work on the goal difference. Since the Aubameyang incident the team have played three matches, with Lacazette leading the team, and won them all convincingly. It sure doesn’t strengthen the former captain’s chances of being welcomed back into the starting eleven.

Leeds had a better second half, and for a brief period there was a glimmer of hope after a mistimed Ben White lunge gave them a penalty. Taken by Raphina, it was an example – after Arsenal’s recent spot-kicks – of how to give the keeper zero chance of stopping it. I know there is pressure but professional footballers should be able to fire the ball accurately at speed into the top corner from 12 yards. 

The revival of Marcelo Bielsa’s team didn’t last too long, once Smith Rowe was on the pitch, and teed up by Odegaard, he finished nicely. Most of Arsenal’s goals these days are coming from wide attacking positions, and the young players. Arteta has fielded the youngest starting elevens in the division and you have to say, if we simply look at the last three games, the future looks very bright. Of course we have seen good runs before, but what is key in this one is that – if the two games before New Years Day can go ahead (which feels unlikely right now, but fingers crossed) – they pick up six further points. 

Manchester City (home), Spurs (away) and Chelsea (away) are three of the first five Premier League games in 2022. It’s too early to expect anything from these trio of matches except the north London derby, but what we want to see is a sign that Arsenal will not inevitably be beaten comprehensively in these type of fixtures. This is a stepping stone towards becoming competitive again. Arsenal have faced two relegation contenders and a weakened West Ham at home in this enjoyable run. However, they have delivered the goods, and that is encouraging. Winning the games you should is a positive trait, and team spirit seems unaffected by the freezing out of Aubameyang. 

‘Match of the Day’ last night was a nod to the distant past. Younger readers may not be aware that when the programme first started, there was only one match shown, then later two, and after that three. Cameras were not at every top flight game. So although it wouldn’t be fair to say we were transported back to the 1960s yesterday with only one game being featured, it felt a bit special, partly because it was Arsenal’s game that was the sole focus of the show. They didn’t have the pundits over 50 years ago, and last night Martin Keown pointed out the importance of Martin Odegaard’s contribution. It was enlightening to see how often he made things happen. After some initial doubts, he is beginning to look like another excellent signing. 

So it seems to be a case of the kids are alright, and you can’t deny that there is a lot to feel good about going forward if the club can hang onto these talents as they get better and better. The horrible nature of the defeats at Old Trafford and Everton are fading into the background now, although the lessons from those matches will need to be drawn upon soon enough. For now let us celebrate Arsenal nestling into the top four for Christmas, look forward to seeing some less familiar faces against Sunderland in Tuesday’s League Cup quarter final (surely not Auba though?) and enjoy the prize quartet of attacking youngsters on which a future can be built. 

Now it is down to Mikel Arteta to ensure this run is not a flash in the pan, and that his team can compete against more challenging opposition. People want to see progress, signs that the club is on an upward trajectory. Bad results dent that feeling. Given the circumstances of this season, there really is no excuse for Arsenal not to qualify for the Champions League. Let’s see if they can remain in the top four and that 2021-22 becomes the start of a revival we are all desperate to see.

A quick note to finish here that my old writing partner Alex Fynn has a few remaining copies of the 2016 edition of our book 'Arsenal: the Making of a Modern Superclub' to sell at £5 plus £3.50 postage to UK addresses. He can send abroad but the shipping will be more than the cost of the book – inquire anyway if you can live with that. This is now the only way you can get a copy as it is sold out from the publishers and no longer reprinting. Reply to this tweet - if you want a copy or email me at gooner.ed@gmail.com for details of how to make payment.

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