Arsenal had a terrible end to the first half of the 2023–24 season. Before the mid-season break, they had drawn one game, lost three, and only won one in their last five games.
Things had to change…. Speaking of changes Mikel Arteta had three clear goals in the second half of this season. “We wanted to start the second part of the season with a great performance, with a great result, and build that positivity and momentum again, and I think the boys did a good job today,” Arteta revealed of his objectives after the dominant 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Two of his objectives came through on Saturday. The win over Palace was, for sure, a great result. Some Gooners might say it was Arsenal’s best game in a long time.
Well, scoring five goals and not conceding any was a great performance in itself. For the first time in a while, Arsenal did not just put up a performance; they crowned it with a convincing win.
The first two objectives for the second half of the season were met, but we will have to wait and see about the third goal, which is to build that positivity and momentum for the run to the end of the season.
Ultimately, Arsenal just needs to improve their attack and keep winning games like they have against Palace, and they’ll end their 20-year league title drought.
Sam P
the most fickle supporters on the planet, just days ago it was crisis club the season is over, one game later and it’s all roses
truth is neither is right, we had a couple of off games (which even Man C do) and the world is imminently coming to an end, then one reversal of fortune and we are going to win the league
massive over reaction to every game either way
embarrassing
I challenge the notion that we got everything right. Indeed, it was a great result, but it came from 2 corners, and essentially 3 counter attacks, which isn’t our predominant style of play.
Our possession and build-up play resulted in very few openings at all. So, I am left with the weird sensation of not really being that confident following a 5-0 victory. It was great to see ESR get a decent run-out and for Martinelli to get back to his clinical best.
I agree. We could not create anything from open play until the 60th minute. And three goals from counter-attack when Palace sent players up, not the normal state of affairs for us.
The game did show however that ESR is much better ball carrier than Kai and in some games he fits better. And Martinelli is probably our best goal scorer and should play much nearer to the goal, because in most games he does not get any goal-scoring opportunities.
I totally agree about Martinelli, he’s the best finisher at the club and I think he would make a better striker than Jesus. I really like Jesus and respect the effort he puts in every match but he just isn’t a goal threat.
I watched the Liverpool game and Nunez was back-tracking and defending in the fullback position but also ended up with 2 goals, which fundamentally tells me that Jesus doesn’t have the instinct to be a striker, but he’s a fantastic winger.
Spot on Ben.
Agreed it was not picture perfect but a win is a win specially in the circumstances to boost our confidence. That said, I agree about ESR, a great player and I just hope MA starts him over Havertz, he deserves a starting place.
This is the same Crystal Palace that score two goals against the champions, this is the same Palace that shared the spoils with the champions, surely we must be doing something right.
Performance wise we have been consistent, it’s our finishing that’s clearly been the problem.
Of course we got it right.
People actually challenging the notion did we?
With no substances behind there comments
would you rather we score 5 goals from open play and conceed 6
Omg head gone comments and no pleasing
Palace are going through a bad patch but they are no mugs
We made them look like mugs and hats off to the manager and team for getting it right
I would take 5 goals every week keep a clean sheet and all goals from set pieces all day long
Get real people
Onwards and upwards
Well said Alanball08. What matters at the end of the day is the result which takes us just 2 points behind Liverpool. Also we kept a clean sheet. I only hope MA starts ESR over Havertz, he is a real gem. We looked so much better going forward after ESR came on.
Consistency is the key to success. Palace played poorly but you can only beat the one who is in front of you. Now, Arsenal need to move on from here and put in a string of great performances to be in the running for the PL and CL titles.
Artetaball requires basically 2 types of outfield players; Drivers and Occupiers.
Drivers – Saka, Jesus, Nelson, Martinelli, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Eddie, Marquinhos, Timbre.
Occupiers – Magalhaes, Saliba, White, Kiwior, Tomiyasu, Havertz, Partey, Rice, Lino Sousa.
This squad is enough to win the premier league and champions league this season, if used judiciously, and bar unfortunate injuries.
None of the guys in the market including Victor Boniface, Isak Alexander, Benzema, Ivan Toney etc is going to do any better upfront than Havertz in the Artetaball system. It wont work!
What Artetaball needs upfront is ‘elusiveness’ from a proper driver, not a permanent target man. It takes a driver to lead the line for this current team. One more player in the mould of Jesus, Nketiah or Martinelli would just be fine. That is why calling back Marquinhos from Nantes loan is a brilliant idea.
Emile, Jorginho, Trossard, Elneny, Cedric, and Vieira should all be let go. They are the guys that will cost Arteta the league and europe this season. They are not proper drivers not proper occupiers.
Emile particularly deserves to go become the protagonist that he deserves to be elsewhere.
Trevoh Chalobah and Amadou Onana are the occupiers Arsenal should be looking to bring in, this window, if at all compulsory to improve the occupiers pack. Same way a 6months loan for Sadio Mane would work magic in turning the drivers pack to world class!
This way, Arsenal will win the league and conquer Europe.
Arteta must use the right players for his Artetaball tactics.
We only got rotations and early substitutions right. It’s not yet uhuru for some of us. We still have works to do. Our shooting ability, over carrying ball, sideways and backways passes are still there. One good thing about the victory is the morale boost it will give to players. Crystal Palace was very poor. They are not a good yardstick to measure our ability until we meet a stronger opposition. Let Arteta shame some of us by being consistent in his new found love of rotation and prompt substitutions. Until then, we will take him serious.