Arsenal scrape through
That was not what many expected. After such a high-scoring game on Sunday to see this Arsenal side struggle to a 1-0 win over bottom-of-the-group FC Zurich was a disappointment but ultimately a relief.
This game will hardly be talked about again, but there were plenty of things to admire and raise questions from the Arsenal display. Mikel Arteta managed to rotate out seven of the players that started against Nottingham Forest, although the Spaniard did bring on five.
This heavy rotation is clearly having an impact on the consistency of performances but to give credit to FC Zurich it was certainly a far better showing from them than in St Gallen. That said, with the players on the field many would have hoped for a better performance from the Gunners.
READ MORE: Arsenal vs FC Zurich highlights: Tierney scores volley to secure Gunners win
It just won’t go for Jesus
The key talking point from an area needing improvement perspective was yet another game for Gabriel Jesus where the ball simply would not go in. The Brazilian had a number of chances to score but could not find that crucial moment.
His best chance came early in the second half. The ball fell to him on the left of the goal, one on one with the keeper, and his shot was deflected by Yanick Brecher over the bar for a corner.
An in-form Jesus might have had much more composure to find the net. A chance to score was missed and made worse by blocking what looked a goal-bound point-blank effort from Fabio Vieira in the first half; it was a display which showed a player whose luck is not currently on his side.
Tierney’s perfect night
If you’re a player out of the side, for the most part, the only thing you can do is take the chances which fall to you. That is exactly what Kieran Tierney did as the ball found its way on the half-volley to his left boot just outside the box and the Scot found the back of the net for what would be the only goal of the game.
Tierney celebrated the goal like it was the most important one he’d ever scored. Aaron Ramsdale ran the half-length of the field to join his teammate to enjoy what was clearly a big moment considering his struggles to get regular Premier League minutes.
Whilst Takehiro Tomiyasu might be injured, Tierney’s luck isn’t completely in with Oleksandr Zinchenko having returned to the squad after a long layoff. The former Celtic man will surely start on Sunday against Chelsea with the Japanese international potentially out and that could be a pivotal moment of the season for him.
Tomiyasu worries
You can be top of every table and still the world might not be perfect. That is seemingly the case as just when Zinchenko and Mohamed Elneny return, another player goes down.
Mikel Arteta told football.london after the game that defender Takehiro Tomiyasu simply felt something, and they didn’t want to take any risks but refused to be drawn on whether he would be a doubt for the World Cup. With no media duties now until just before the game on Sunday, the earliest indication will be the matchday squad for the Chelsea clash.
The World Cup might come at a good time for Arsenal as it will allow Tomiyasu, Zinchenko and Emile Smith Rowe the time to get back to full fitness for a return just before the new year. However, it remains an area of frustration that, yet another player has seemingly picked up a knock.
Lokonga makes impression
Albert Sambi Lokonga has been the subject of criticism for his comparatively weaker performances to Thomas Partey who he has rotated within the Europa League and the Premier League this season. This has been somewhat unfair considering he isn’t naturally an operator in the same role.
Against FC Zurich Lokonga was given the chance to play in a more comfortable advanced midfield position, playing where the suspended Granit Xhaka would typically play. Without question, Xhaka’s passing and influence were missed, but in the second half in particular Lokonga impressed.
He was making impacts at both ends of the pitch. Turning over possession, switching play and making progressive moves to push the Gunners up the pitch.
Vieira’s area of development
This is a simple one for me and it is confidence. There seems to be an obvious transition going on in Fabio Vieira’s world which makes sense considering how little time he has been at the club.
Yet if there was one specific thing the 22-year-old could do to improve his game it is confidence. For example, if you take Gabriel Martinelli, a player just oozing with the confidence to take players on, create opportunities and score, Vieira could do with harnessing that.
For me, it isn’t as simple as him ‘bulking up’ as some suggest. If he had the confidence to ride challenges, be more direct and play with a greater purpose it could transform his output.
It is hardly like Martin Odegaard runs the Arsenal attack with bulging muscles and a good loose-ball duel rate. Perhaps the winter mid-season break will allow Vieira the pre-season he never got and it will be 2023 when we see the best yet from the Portuguese attacker.
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