I couldn’t be more pleased with the manner in which the away match against City transpired. The fixtures are only going to pile up more and more as we get deeper into the season and, candidly, the FA Cup is not a priority. The fact that we had to take on Manchester City at the Etihad was a really tricky match to navigate, but Arteta seems to have nailed it.
All week I flip flopped on what I’d like to see – a full strength Arsenal or a rotated side. One one hand, there’s an eight day gap following the match so why not go full strength? Plus, then our guys can be more familiar with the opponent ahead of future matches. On the other, let’s give them some rest and not show City who we really are ahead of the matches that matter against them in the Prem. Arteta went with a generally rotated side, but we still looked like the same Arsenal. Who would have guessed that would happen?!
We competed with them the entire match and probably even outplayed them. Tomiyasu looked great, Tierney and Trossard combined really nicely, Matt Turner especially looked like he belonged, playing well with his feet and dealing with everything thrown at him. He looks so improved since he first came in, a welcome sight indeed. Holding did just enough in 45 minutes against Haaland, but sadly it’s becoming more clear as time goes on that he is a player that doesn’t fit the new Arsenal. He’s a player I’d look to move on for a decent fee this summer, given he’s English and has so much Premier League experience. Not to pile on Sambi, but he looks so lost out there. It’s genuinely sad to see him struggle time and time again off the ball. On it he was fine, but his complete lack of positioning is such a problem. He stormed straight down the tunnel following the match rather than clapping the away fans. A player with big talent, but mentally just isn’t there. He, like Holding, needs to move on sadly.
City took the game with a pretty random goal from Nathan Ake randomly being up top in attack for a moment. It was a really nice finish that Turner could do nothing about. It’s the perfect way to get scored on and go out of the tournament. Let City’s schedule pile up, while we focus on the league. A really positive night, that was really only marred by an apparent injury to Partey.
While it sounds like a rib injury and one that won’t keep him out for any amount of time, it further emphasizes how badly we need another body in midfield. Sambi isn’t trusted, nor should he be. The Elneny injury is a mysterious one given the way Arteta refuses to communicate injuries to the public, but sounds like a worry. The big bids for Caicedo are encouraging, but it seems clear Brighton don’t want to sell if they’re rejecting these huge sums of money. Maybe they’re playing hardball, maybe not, but regardless we need another body who we can depend on. Somebody proven at the top level, even a loan, is fine. I trust whoever Arteta and Edu decide to bring in, but they have to bring somebody in. Two days left in the window. Let’s see what happens.
Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for all the latest updates. COYG!
Absolute Arsenal 
Leave a comment