So what’s the verdict on Arsenal’s new signings after Saints performance?

What to think of our new signings?

Today Arsenal managed to scrape a 2-1 victory over our Premier League opponents Southampton, in what was a tight affair at the Emirates Stadium. An unlucky own goal from Petr Cech spoiled the starter, before Laurent Koscielny hit back with a superb overhead kick to level things up. A 94th minute penalty from Santi Cazorla sealed the three points for the Gunners, but the main talking point tonight will be how did our new signings do?

First off, Lucas Perez, who despite having competition from Wenger’s keen interest to play Olivier Giroud, did actually start for the Gunners up top. The Spanish star made his debut and had some good opportunities during the first half. Lucas made a lot of runs, maximising the pace that he has to his game, which of course is something we do see with Giroud, and ultimately he was unlucky to not be more in the mix during the game. Lucas struggled to receive positive service from his teammates, especially from the wings, and so as he was playing as a lone striker up front, it’s very difficult for him to be involved in both the build up play and have the instinct to be ready in the box. Lucas didn’t play the whole game and he was subbed off midway through the second half for Olivier Giroud. Giroud eventually went on to win Arsenal a last gasp penalty.

Shkodran Mustafi had a calm, yet strong, debut in which I felt he showed the right balance between passion and aggression. Mustafi was strong in his stance and wasn’t afraid to get a heavy tackle in, however he wasn’t clumsy with his tackling, like Gabriel and Chambers can often be. Even though he is still relatively young in his career, Mustafi played with a great amount of collectiveness on the pitch, in which his experience and communication on both the big stages of European football and international football really showed. Mustafi is going to be a great centre back partner for Laurent Koscielny and hopefully we see the Gunners dry up the amount of goals we concede in the league. At a rumoured £35 million buy, Arsenal fans had high expectations of the German international and I think they will be pleased with what they saw today.

So there we have it, two great debuts for the club’s two latest additions. I’m expecting big things from both players over the course of this season and although of course they will take some time to truly settle into the team, if today has any bearing of their potential success at Arsenal, then I think we can be hopeful that Wenger has made two good purchases here.

By AH

9 Comments

  1. Arsene should not have thrown Perez in so early in my opinion. Strikers need confidence. Arsenal have been sluggish minus some of our big players in the previous couple of games. It would be better to put Perez in when all the big guns are playing and we’re in full flow. I thought this before the game, and when I seen it was Ox and Theo on the wings I especially thought it. No Xhaka either, his tempo is sorely needed. Wenger decided not to play Xhaka in the first game against Liv, I could see his reasoning, but Xhaka was here allot longer than one or two weeks and yet he does it the other way round. I wont complain too much, this was the only real annoyance of the day for me. I want Perez to dislodge Giroud, but there is a danger we could ruin him by relying on him in big games when he’s not ready. Not every import hits the ground running, most of them take a bit of time.

    Mustafi, I think the signs are very good. I just hope those runs forward were because we needed a goal rather than being signs of things to come. I want to talk about Mustafi, but I keep thinking Koscielny!. The best thing about this so called lost decade is the Boss!.

    1. I think his reasoning may have been Coqzorla has plenty of experience together. With a big game against PSG Xhaka-Elneny will probs get the start.
      Coquelin was one of the few players who really impressed me against Southampton. Was energetic and played that simple role that can be so crucial when executed well.

        1. Thought the same about Coquelin. Had one of his best games. Was surprised most websites were rating him as 6-6.5/10. But then, I watched the game on a crappy screen.

  2. I really don’t know why some people want Lucas to play on the wings. He is my only hope of a aguero esque striker …. But some people have the Wenger mindset of playing him on the wings with giroud central

  3. I think this is our best team

    GK: Cech,
    FBs: Bellerin, Monreal,
    CBs: Koscielny, Mustafi,
    CM: Xhaka, Cazorla, Ozil,
    Forwards: Alexis, Perez and Giroud

    But the team we had out there today still should have won the match more easily before injury time. Maybe they just need more time to gel

  4. This season Manchester city or Chelsea will win the league. Arsenal don’t have a 30 goals a season striker or winger. Late plunge into the deep window meant nothing. Wenger took out every tall player from the lineup. I am baffled that people are praising Cazorla for a mere penalty kick in a PL match. What happened to Xhaka by the way ?

  5. I am glad Wenger gambled and played both new players against Southampton. We always knew it can take time for foreign players to get used to the PL and the fact that Mustafi struggled a bit can also be down to the fact he has not played a lot this season. The quicker he can develop an understanding with Kos and the rest of his teammates the better. We won (ugly and undeservedly) he has one game in the PL under his belt so for me the gamble paid off.

    Perez had an assist, didn’t he?

    I think Wenger did the right thing, I also think this team is Arsenal through and through. In other words not consistent enough and lack of ledership to even dream about winning the PL. Mentally weak. Look at how City started after the international break, there was no reason for us not to play with urgency from the get go. That’s the manager and his poor preparation IMO.

    Finally, Ox and Walcott??? Pitty

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