Sambi Lokonga impresses but needs remain
There was admitted panic when both the starting and backup defensive midfield options for Arsenal suffered injuries in the space of two days. Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny were both injured between Friday and Saturday, costing Arsenal two key positions.
Albert Sambi Lokonga’s inclusion in the Arsenal side was not one that inspired confidence. Why would it?
The Belgian’s profile is significantly different to Partey and Elneny in terms of both recent regular minutes in the Premier League and experience. However, the first 45 minutes did not highlight any weakness in the position whatsoever.
The second half saw a different Aston Villa enter the fray, but Lokonga remained calm in the middle, and the presence of Granit Xhaka alongside him was a noticeable benefit. Passing and control remained consistent, and the potential start this weekend should not come with the same level of anxiety as perhaps it did ahead of this evening.
That said, the need for Arsenal to bring in further midfield reinforcement remains. Elneny’s injury could be long-term, and Partey’s presence is far from guaranteed, even if his current affliction only keeps him away for a couple of weeks.
Time is running out for Edu. Links are present, but nothing is yet advanced as the clock ticks closer to the end of this summer’s business.
Martin Odegaard worries ahead of Man United
I am quickly running out of superlatives when it comes to this Norwegian maestro. The passing, the control, the inventiveness.
Martin Odegaard is running this Arsenal team like a puppeteer. Hence why, when he kicked the ball off, knowing he couldn’t continue any further, a collective gasp could nearly be heard from inside the ground.
The energy from the Emirates has been like a 60,000-strong crowd brought back to life after years of hibernation this season. However, the noise level dropped startlingly as Odegaard began to make his way off the field, picking up again to show appreciation for another star performance.
If Odegaard is unavailable this weekend, United will be in dreamland. Emile Smith-Rowe, who replaced him, lacks the same creativity that Odegaard has. Despite the club spending £34 million on a player who got double-digit assists last season, Fabio Vieira is yet to make his debut.
Having missed the preseason and neither of the previous two fixtures proving opportune moments to ease him in, it would be a shock to see him feature this Sunday. Therefore, prayers of hope will be shared amongst supporters that the club captain makes a swift recovery.
Gabriel Martinelli’s evolution
To describe this season as a ‘breakthrough’ for Gabriel Martinelli would be wrong. He has made many appearances and scored plenty of goals since his arrival in 2019.
Under Unai Emery, he made his breakthrough, but this season signals something else. Three goals from the opening five games, and Martinelli is on his way to a potentially fantastic season.
I still pinch myself at the crazily small fee the club paid for this guy and hope we have managed to pull off a similar deal for Marquinhos, who has been impressive since his arrival. But this season for the first ‘Gabby’ is a sign of evolution.
The coiled spring in regards to his goalscoring looks to have been unleashed, and Gabriel Jesus’ introduction certainly has much to do with it. The fact Martinelli looked dangerous without the presence of Oleksandr Zinchenko was also a reassuring sign.
The Ukrainian had added plenty to Arsenal’s left, and his combinations with Xhaka had elevated Martinelli’s effectiveness. But more needs to come from our Brazilian starlet, and an ace display this weekend would cap off a near-perfect start to the new season for him.
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