TOTL. Still. And for another few weeks with the impending international corruption break coming.
If last week was heart-pumping, thrilling and stressful. The this week, against a very serious, capable Fulham, was no-drama, serene and like a marijuana induced trance.
Though Fulham pressed high up for the first ten minutes or so, thereafter, we proceeded to carve through them at will. The first half was basically the only half. The third goal deemed the second half irrelevant. By then though, Trossard had delivered three goals for his teammates.
If you consider we could have paid three times as much for another Ukrainian, you realize how fortunate we were to have him. Plug and play, ready for action. He has fit seamlessly into this team. And he wasn’t even supposed to be fit for this game.
With Saka having a (well deserved) quieter game and Martinelli showing only a few flashes of creativity, it was left to Trossard – with help from the midfield – to set up this victory. Xhaka had already played one precise and intelligent pass through to Martinelli to get our first goal before it was deemed off-side. But from that moment on, we turned up the speed of interplay and crated numerous chances.
Odegaard was given the time and space to open up their defense. Partey was at his majestical best and ZInny roamed around at leisure.
The closest Fulham came in the first half was when Ramsdale lingered to long on the ball – twice – and created opportunities for them. Beyond that though he did not have a save to make.
In seasons past our corners struggled to get past the first man. Now though, there is a degree of inventiveness that would do Apple proud. From the Zinny goal at Villa to the routines we now witness, it’s hard to predict which corner routine will be next. But, today, it was a straight-forward in swinging Trossard corner that landed right on Gariel’s head and then into the net. I have expected VAR to claim White had breathed on Leno to nullify the goal. This though was a classic example of Leno’s blindspot. A great shot-stopper sure but he’s always been a little vulnerable from corners. Never one to dominate the box. This was a header inside the six-yard area.
Thereafter we continued to create. The interplay across the entire team was so smooth and quick. One touch passing and movement. It was a pleasure to watch. Xhaka again released Trossard to stand up a header for Martinelli. And then, right before the end of the half, the third goal; the game ending goal. This was a classic example of the poise and maturity of the team. It started deep on the right-hand channel involving intricate passing while Fulham tried to apply some pressure. Saliba then release a sumptuous cross field ball to Xhaka who again, immediately released Trossard. The transition from front to back was so smooth and rapid. And eventually he delivered the ball over the hapless Robinson to Odegaard, who, calmly as you like pulverized it past poor Leno.
Up till then it seemed we were never destined to get that third goal. We created so many chances, Trossard failed to actually score, breakaways seemed to petter out. Xhaka had a chance to score a Wilshire-like Norwich goal but took one touch too many. The level of play – and relaxation – was of the highest quality. The rhythm, speed and movement was as good as we’ve seen this season. Obviously Fulham suffered due to the lack of Willian. Their game-changer was unable to perform his magic. But we were. That first half performance was utterly dominant.
Having watch dour City this weekend, there was only one team that looked like league Champions. I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. It won’t take more than one slip up to lose this title. But the quality of play and understanding of this team is at another level now. None of the silly mistakes or momentary lapses in concentration – even if the bar did have to help us out (along with Saliba reflexes) – that we witnessed last week. Or in mid-week; not that I watched the No-Hoppa-Cup match. I think Ramsdale had one real save to make in the second half. Even though Fulham came out with more energy and thrust, we managed the game through quite easily. We could have scored more but the game had been won in the first half.
We were even able to get Jesus some minutes. Naturally he should have scored as well. But having him back – along with the addition of Trossard – now gives us options we’ve been lacking. I’m not sure what the status is of Eddie but now we have cover. And, additionally, ESR did not get any minutes today. We saw Nelson earn some deserved minutes. He also setup Odegaard to blast one over. Tierney got some minutes as well. Along with Tomy. Tierney even managed a few forward passes.
I do feel a little sorry for Tierney. From previously being a mainstay of the team and potential captain, he’s not struggling for minutes. Not only is Zinny playing his position like he’s from another planet but Tomy seems a more solid option as the replacement. The quality, speed and intensity of play has shifted in this team so much. Bombing up the left-wing and firing in crosses is not sufficient any more. The level of interplay and movement required is at a level Tierney has yet to adjust to. Not that I’d look to off-load him. Whatever the out come this year, we’ll need a deeper squad next year. And he should remain part of it.
Aside from the pure pleasure and enjoyment on that first half performance it reminded me of the seismic changes in the style of our play. It’s worth remembering how we used to play both before Arteta – in the era of the Accountant – and in his early years. Even going back to the injury blighted performances of last year. They seem National League-like in comparison to what we’re now witnessing. This team is playing the highest quality football in the league. And not just based on league position. No-one entertains like our Arsenal.
And that’s down to Arteta. It’s remarkable how he as remade this team; how he’s remade this club. The key and brave decisions he’s taken. And the commitment to a style of play. While other teams waiver, Arteta has remained true to the spirit of Wenger. Where others aspire to playing entertaining football, he delivers. And this team is not finished yet. Our best years are still to come. This team is maybe, two years, away from reaching it’s peak.
I don’t want to get too far ahead based on the adrenaline of todays performance but the Champions League will ultimately be the challenge this team will have to rise to. Rather than Sporting midweek we’ll be playing Milan. But rather than meekly defending and whining about various players (te he), Arsenal will be entertaining. That’s for next year. Let’s hope we enter that competition as Champions.
In the meantime, we kept a clean-sheet. Ramsdale should value that because he came close to throwing it away. But the defense in front of him was barely troubled today. White was back to his solid best. Gabriel and Saliba were able to manhandle the ugly Serb and Zinny had the freedom of the park.
And we scored three goal for two league games running. We have the creativity and capability I’ve not seen in this team for a long, long time. And though Torssard will rightly get the plaudits, and Odegaard, Zinny and Partey will also bask in the attention, I wanted to focus just a little on Xhaka. Today he was truly excellent. Finding pockets of space on the left and setting up Trossard. Xhaka was the vital supply-line. His journey from immobile defensive midfielder to the creative role he occupies now is entirely down to Arteta. From Wenger, through Ljunberg and the Accountant, no-one played him in this position. It’s Arteta’s vision that unlocked this new Xhaka. And today we again saw the benefit.
We did not even need to wheel out Jorginho today. Hopefully he plays midweek. We need to preserve Partey, to wrap him in cotton-wool. Today he was again exceptional. So understated. But so important to this team. His vision and passing is unparalleled. As was some of his close control and back-heels! Keeping him both fit and away from any Casemiro red-cards will go a long way to determine whether we can win this league.
Only 11 more games left now. 11 more games to either enjoy or suffer. But this team has also far exceeded expectations. And they are a pleasure to watch. They make you proud to support Arsenal FC. Now let’s hope we survive the NoHoppa Cup so that we have a full-team for the visit of Palace. We’ll have two Vieira’s in the house. Let’s hope neither is required on the pitch.
So, here we sit, TOTL. And for the first time, I feel that this team really is capable of holding on. Which, of course, means I’ve jus jinxed them. And, after the end of season implosion last year, I know I should hold my optimism in place. But after a performance like today’s, why not revel in it? This team is something special. As is our manager. And not special in a Mustafi or David Luiz or some of my kids type of way either.
-LB7