Arteta tired of VAR
This was not a classic by any stretch of the imagination. While Arsenal will be delighted with Gabriel Martinelli's second-half strike, Mikel Arteta probably would have a moment of quiet relief himself about the fact that he wouldn't have to answer questions against VAR yet again.
After an official apology denied Leandro Trossard a winning goal against Brentford, the Belgian was once again the victim as officials in Stockley Park intervened to rule out his superb finish for a foul by Ben White on Danny Ward in the build-up. On second viewing the decision was marginal, but it probably would have been a pill that Arsenal were just about able to swallow.
However, there would have been a bitter taste in the mouth seconds later when Bukayo Saka was denied a penalty after being hauled down by Harry Souttar. If the White tug was a foul, then this surely was too, and if the game had stayed 0-0, Arteta would have no doubt been fuming at the inconsistency of officials yet again. Come full time though it was clear that he was desperate to shift the focus away from referees onto his side's performance.
"It’s over now," he said of the controversy in his post-match press conference. "I don’t want to be talking about those situations too much. We’re extremely happy to win two away games against Leicester and Aston Villa and deserve them with the way we played. Onto the next one now which is Everton."
After weeks of column inches on what is one of the most tedious topics in professional football it is refreshing to hear a manager avoiding the chance to lay into the referees. Arsenal will no doubt be disappointed at being denied a second goal, but they'll probably be happy to be talking about something else at full-time this time around.
Arsenal's new number nine
We're getting to the point of the season where we probably won't see too many new things, but Leandro Trossard playing up front was certainly fascinating. Mikel Arteta had highlighted the Belgian's versatility as a reason for signing him in January, but until Saturday we had only seen him wide on the left wing.
Things changed at the King Power as he was shifted into the false nine position he's played at Brighton to great effect. Trossard's link with Gabriel Martinelli was almost reminiscent of the way Gabriel Jesus brings the best out of the Arsenal number 11. While Eddie Nketiah tends to stay relatively central Trossard is more of a floater in the front line. He and Martinelli were constantly swapping positions, doubling, up and pulling Leicester's tightly packed defence out of position. Speaking after the game Arteta admitted he was delighted with how the experiment had gone.
"Really well," he told football.london. "I think he was really good. He got involved in many situations that could have led to many more big chances. He was involved in that incredible goal that he scored that was disallowed. He was involved in the goal of Gabi with the pass that he played to him. He’s so good in tight spaces and small spaces with that creativity to open people up. I’m really happy we have him."
It does seem as though this is a setup we could see more often going forward. With three matches this week and Eddie Nketiah understood to be not fully fit, that versatility is something Arteta appears excited by.
The Spaniard is often criticised for sticking too rigidly to his tactical plans. However, on Saturday he fielded a fluent and vibrant attack that on another day could have scored plenty more. As Arsenal look to win the Premier League they'll need to find different ways to win matches, and this versatility could be key.
Gabriel great again
On days when the game isn't pretty, you need scrappers in your team and Gabriel is certainly one of them. It's probably disingenuous to the Brazilian to classify him as a bruiser of a centre back. His superb ball forward in the build-up to Gabriel Martinelli's winner was as elegant as they come, but next to the swan-like elegance of William Saliba you're always going to look rougher around the edges.
Gabriel though is growing with each game into a real leader in this Arsenal side and you see it in how he conducts himself on the pitch. The 24-year-old is someone who is intent on ensuring his side maintain their standards and that was evident at Villa Park.
On one occasion when Jorginho cheaply gave the ball away by looking to shoulder the ball back, Gabriel yelled towards the Italian to tell him to use his chest and control the ball immediately after cutting out the Leicester counter. Even at full time after conceding just 0.02 expected goals, the Brazilian was seen in a heated conversation with Saliba about what had gone on.
While the two centre backs may not have been fully content at full time, Arteta certainly was. "I think defensively we were incredible," the Spaniard said. "To restrict Leicester to one shot in the whole game is really difficult and I think the players did really well."
It's quite the comeback for Gabriel who struggled desperately during the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City. While in previous years that emotion might have spilled over into other matches and led to overcompensation, the Brazilian has slowly played his way back into a superb run of form and is probably up there is the best centre back in the league right now.
Classenal
Arguably one of the highlights from the game came before a ball had even been kicked. It's one year since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and with a crucial player in the Arsenal team from the country, the Gunners were extra motivated to commemorate the date.
Cue a gesture of real class from Martin Odegaard who suggested giving the captaincy for the day to Oleksandr Zinchenko. As the left back led Arsenal onto the pitch sporting a yellow and blue armband in the colours of his country, the message was clear. It also shows the unity from this Gunners group, and speaking after the game Mikel Arteta was delighted with the statement his side had made.
“It was great because it was an initiative from the players,” the boss explained. “Martin came to me yesterday and they wanted to have that gesture with him.
“Today we wanted to win for him, for his loved ones, and for all the Ukrainian people that I think has inspired the world with that fighting spirit and with the togetherness they showed as a country. If we can add some happiness today to them and reflecting on who Alex is for us, it was a good opportunity, so I’m delighted to dedicate that win to them.”
Praise should go to Odegaard for leading such a classy initiative. For a club associated with rich traditions, he is someone who has shown his worthiness yet again to be their leader.
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