A goal in a North London Derby for Arsenal is a joyous occasion for obvious reasons, however, when they fly in from outside the box leaving the crowd and viewers around the world in awe they’re even better. Thomas Partey managed to do exactly that last Saturday with his elegant curling effort that beat Hugo Lloris to give Arsenal a 1-0 lead..
Arsenal eventually had to fight back again after a Harry Kane equaliser from the penalty spot pegged them back, but the strike shouldn’t be forgotten. What is important too is that this was no fluke strike, this is something that has been worked on, and, in fact, it was Chelsea who gave Arsenal the opportunity to test it.
Martin Odegaard revealed after the game that the move was something Arsenal have worked on. Explaining how there was an expectation in the way Spurs would play opened up this exact opportunity.
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“It was a great goal,” Odegaard told the Arsenal official website. “We knew before the game he was going to be free in those areas and we practised that a lot, to find him in those areas, and he made a great shot.
"I think he played a great game as well. So, a lot of credit to him, and of course the team.”
So where do Chelsea come into it? Despite not facing the Blues yet in the Premier League this season, Arsenal travelled to the US in pre-season and battered their London rivals 4-0. Partey didn’t score, although he did come close.
It was this close chance that highlights exactly what Odegaard is talking about. Saka on the right-hand side in the 45th minute with Arsenal already 2-0 up, cuts onto his left spots Partey in space and plays a low pass into him to hit first time and curl a shot just over the top right corner of the goal.
Ben White also walks into the image in almost the exact same position he received the pass from Saka against Tottenham. Saka simply bypassed the defender instead on this occasion against Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta was seen celebrating wildly as you’d expect against Spurs. Although there was seemingly some evidence pointing toward what had just happened, suggesting the Spaniard was pleased to see a coached routine culminate in the opener.
Whilst teams might now be wiser to this tactic from Arsenal, it is one that is difficult to stop and especially good against sides, like Spurs, who opt for a ‘park the bus’ approach to try and stop the Gunners. Although, based on Partey’s history of shooting, it remains a significantly low xG opportunity.
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