On the bus after Leicester. Trossard pulls the miracle when the hope fades
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli delivered the goals for Arsenal to pass the final test. The test that was very close to be failed. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard who mostly replaced each other, were the ones to sort out the game in Odegaa
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli delivered the goals for Arsenal to pass the final test. The test that was very close to be failed. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard who mostly replaced each other, were the ones to sort out the game in Odegaard's absence.
Arsenal went into the game with the news of City losing points at Newcastle. The game where they not only deserved to lose points, but deserved to lose in general. It could be seem that while City has lost the game flow without Rodri and De Bruyne, they didn't lose the strong aura that surrounds their team. The Newcastle that was genuinely more aggressive, had better chances throughout the whole game went into bus parking for the last 10 minutes to preserve the draw instead of having a go at all three points. I am pretty sure they would do it against Liverpool, but City - everybody's still afraid. It was also very warm to see the big Norwegian baby be silent most of the game, probably was showing examples of staying humble.
City's result came on the brink of pretty spicy pre-match press-conferences. Arteta has thrown a bomb by telling "he knows what happens at City" on another annoying "dark arts" question. But what stood out more for me is telling that their reaction is much better than "pat on the back and saying: you are on a good track". That's a deep emotion surfaced that totally counters "Pep's a friend" narrative. Guardiola was pissed about Arteta's comments and slipped on well set up banana skin mentioning "115 charges" that was not on the table of any of press-conference. He also promised "war" in the reverse fixture. The whole conflict is gassed up by the journalists, but the responses from both managers surfaced the underlying conflict on a club-level. I believe there will be further development on this topic.
Back to the game
The starting line-up quite expectedly matched the line-up against City. The only question was: will we able to get a two goal lead in the first 60 minutes and avoid the nervous game ending? Initial 10 minutes were quite sloppy for Arsenal, but then Saka started to have a real go at Leicester's defence and the team followed him. As against Atlanta, the main threat from Arsenal was coming from the wings - either through Saka or Martinelli. Saka was dribbling past opponents, but couldn't often find the free partners. Martinelli was running into spaces, but couldn't finish... until he suddenly could. The reason why he scored is that he used his instincts in a split second and didn't have time to get into his head. In contrast to the 1:1 chances, where he has a lot of time to build up the pressure. I think it's a confirmation of problem being in his head, not in his legs. And considering that in the recent games he was our most dangerous player, I really hope he can restart the scoring engine.
Arsenal haven't learned how to open up the defence through centre without Odegaard. At least with the current starting squad. And I don't think it's going to change with the miracle healing of Merino, who's apparently held in the cage. However, I have a feeling we didn't explore all our options yet. But let's get back to this later.
It was quire please seeing Saliba being constantly aware of whereabout of Vardy and not letting him even sniff a goal chance. Timber has pushed on the right side and exited the half with an assist. Calafiori has taken over Zinchenko functions with a stronger physical presence. It would be hard for White to take back his starting place when he's completely healed. And Zinchenko looks to be made obsolete by Calafiori.
The first half ended with a cool Trossard's finish, 2 goal lead and what seemed to be at the time a positive answer to the final test question. I was looking at the table to see how more goals we need to overcome City. And probably the same thought entered the players' heads, because after the half time the player lost their concentration. The ball deflected on the first Leicester goal, but it would have never gone in against City. Havertz didn't play until the and with his man, Ndidi was running alone (it was hard to pinpoint who missed his run) - and that was enough. That tiny bit of sloppiness enough on PL level to concede a goal. And then another counterattack, Calafiori is late to block the space, the miraculous shot by Justin - and it's suddenly a draw. That's a classic reminder of why you should be always 2 goals up against the weaker team. Such shots happen from time to time and they bite very hard.
It meant only one thing - it was going to be another very hard ending for Arsenal. It also meant that Nwaneri entrance was delayed, since Arteta relies on experienced players in hard time. It's quite ironic that as the time went by Ethan went in for Partey, while Sterling has already been 10 minutes on the pitch. And in his first 4 minutes on the pitch he posed much more threat, than Raheem in his whole time. Nwaneri produced a brilliant curled shot into the far bottom corner and dribbled past three defenders in the Leicester box without losing the ball. Sometimes, the young one is ready to deliver without the so-called "needed experience".
Referees again?
Before the plot resolution, there has been another astonishing refereeing decision. Skip, who was very lucky not to receive a straight red for the first half challenge on Martinelli, has smashed Saka's boot, while being nowhere near the ball. He already had a yellow, so of course he was sent off the referee just went on with the game. It's another shocking decision and an argument into general conspiracy against Arsenal. PGMOL will punish Arsenal and let opponents go where possible. I can't underscore enough the admiration of players to keep going after such events happens game after game.
It's fair to say the referee was not to blame for the game score. Arsenal has wasted several good opportunities in the second half scoring over 4 xG against less than 0.4 xG from Leicester. The most obvious one was Trossard missing a sitter presented to him on the silver platter by Declan Rice. Who knew that when the hope was fading out around the Emirates, he pulled some magic and squeezed the ball through the forest of Leicester legs into the net. To be fair, it's quite a high probability of goal being a deflection when the teams defends so low in the final part of the game. I know that everybody's praising the Leicester goalkeeper for being a reason of such a tough game. But it's always like this - the more opportunities you give the goalkeeper to save, the more his confidence grows, the better saves he pulls off. But if you score early from a great chance, there won't be such a performance.
Anyway, Havertz added a fourth and the game was over. Importance of Trossard's goal and the victory could not be overestimated. Right before the game, there was a historical moment - bookmakers have made Arsenal a favourite for this year's title, having the same number of lost points as City. If we had a draw today, all this impulse would be lost and we'd be back to the passenger seat. But we are driving now and the big guys with big money believe in us!
