Per week in the past, Arsenal took the handbrake off and went for broke towards rivals, Spurs. They gained 4-1. The soccer on show was among the finest we have seen from Mikel Arteta‘s males all season lengthy.
But, that was solely Tottenham, relegation-threatened Tottenham that’s. Sorry, however we needed to get that in there. Seven days on and their win over Chelsea was quite extra gritty. Given the way in which the second leg performed out within the Carabao Cup semi-final between these two groups, that was hardly a shock.
On this event, Liam Rosenior’s males definitely put a extra attacking recreation plan into place however in the end it turned a battle of the set-piece. That has quite been the story of this Premier League season.
The Gunners weren’t at their finest on Sunday however they gained the battle of the corners, bagging two set-pieces courtesy of headers from William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
These two objectives have been sandwiched by a Chelsea aim from a set-play, glanced into the again of his personal web by Piero Hincapie. The rating learn 2-1 on the full-time whistle and it was simply as shut as that scoreline suggests.
How Arsenal defeated Chelsea on Sunday
If Arteta’s males win the league title in Might, it is secure to say they’ll have performed so the arduous means. That recreation towards Spurs apart, Arsenal have struggled in latest weeks with their 2-2 draw towards Wolves the nadir of their quest for Premier League glory.
However, crucially, they’ve bounced again from that end result, now beating Spurs and Chelsea in successive weeks. It wasn’t a classic show nevertheless it was efficient on Sunday.
Honestly, there weren’t many in crimson and white who flattered however, as they so usually do, that they had their backline to thank for coming away with three factors, though not within the conventional means.
Whereas Areta’s facet have grow to be the most effective defensive sides in Europe since he turned supervisor, it was within the ultimate third the place they shone this weekend.
This very a lot turned a struggle of set-pieces and it was Arsenal, the set-play kings, who reigned supreme. They opened the scoring by Saliba who netted for the primary time this time period.
Bukayo Saka’s supply was swung in the direction of the again put up the place Gabriel Magalhaes bulldozed Reece James to 1 facet after which discovered his fellow centre-back who beat the goalkeeper by way of a deflection.
Whereas Hincapie did head into the again of his personal web simply moments earlier than the break, the hosts have been higher within the second 45 minutes and courtesy of a Declan Rice nook, Timber couldn’t miss his header from yards out to win the sport.
The Dutch defender has not been at his better of late, a lot in order that Arteta subbed the full-back final outing towards Spurs, however he was again to his finest towards Chelsea.
The north Londoners didn’t precisely coast to victory however they did have a late crimson card to thank. Pedro Neto bundled Gabriel Martinelli over and acquired a second yellow card.
Martinelli’s cameo, though he didn’t rating or help a aim, was a shiny one and it might not be a shock to see him begin in midweek towards Brighton.
Arsenal’s worst participant vs Chelsea
There weren’t many gamers in crimson or white who would probably come away from this win too keen on their particular person efficiency. That may definitely be utilized to Leandro Trossard.
For the Belgian, this has been a quite fascinating marketing campaign. Final summer season, he was attracting curiosity from elsewhere however the Arsenal hierarchy determined to offer him a pay rise, a gesture that mirrored his significance to Arteta’s challenge.
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Arsenal participant scores vs Chelsea |
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David Raya – 9 |
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Jurrien Timber – 8 |
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William Saliba – 9 |
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Gabriel Magalhaes – 8 |
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Piero Hincapie – 6 |
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Martin Zubimendi – 4 |
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Declan Rice – 7 |
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Eberechi Eze – 5 |
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Bukayo Saka – 8 |
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Leandro Trossard – 3 |
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Viktor Gyokeres – 5 |
He paid that again instantly, scoring eight occasions and registering six assists in his first 22 matches of the marketing campaign. He regarded like the most effective wingers within the league.
Nevertheless, 2026 has been a very difficult one for the 31-year-old who’s arguably now exhibiting his age. His performances are getting worse by the week and it is abundantly clear that Arsenal have to make signing a brand new left winger in the summertime a precedence.
Throughout this calendar 12 months, Trossard has gone goalless in his 14 outings, supplying only a solitary help towards Sunderland initially of February.
Whereas the Belgium worldwide’s kind has been deteriorating for some time now, he saved what was arguably his worst show of the marketing campaign for Chelsea on Sunday.
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Trossard vs Chelsea |
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|---|---|
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Minutes performed |
56 |
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Touches |
33 |
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Pictures |
1 |
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Pictures on course |
0 |
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Correct passes |
16/19 (84) |
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Key passes |
1 |
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Crosses |
0 |
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Profitable dribbles |
2/3 |
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Possession misplaced |
10x |
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Floor duels gained |
4/10 |
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Aerial duels gained |
0/0 |
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Fouls |
1 |
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Tackles |
0 |
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Interceptions |
0 |
Arteta has not been afraid to make early subs when issues are going flawed. Simply ask Eberechi Eze. Nicely, on this event, it was Trossard who was getting that therapy, taken off after simply 56 minutes.
Throughout his time on the sphere, Trossard was wholly ineffective, leaving the pitch with simply 33 touches to his identify, two fewer than goalkeeper David Raya.
What was most alarming, although, is that the ahead registered only one shot and a solitary key move. He additionally misplaced as many as 60% of his duels. This was merely not ok for a participant who often calls for a lot of not simply himself but in addition his teammates.
As he trudged off earlier than the hour mark, Trossard did so understanding he had been locked down by Reece James. The Chelsea right-back, who equipped the Blues’ aim, delivered a whole efficiency that noticed him win all 5 of his duels. That may be a testomony to how poorly Arsenal’s left winger performed.
So, as they journey to Brighton in just a few days, Trossard should come out of the beginning lineup to face his former employers. It is time to see what Eze or Martinelli can do off the left.
Arteta’s most costly defender ever now seems to be completed at Arsenal
For all of Arsenal’s defensive success, Mikel Arteta should look to promote a struggling defender this summer season.
