Picking up where they left off against Newcastle, Arsenal came out all guns blazing against Greek giants Olympiacos.
They outplayed and dominated their visitors, and while the 2-0 scoreline suggests control, it barely scratches the surface of how hungry this Arsenal side looked.
It should have been a far more comfortable margin given the chances the home side carved out.
Still, there was plenty to take away from the performance. Here is what stood out for me:
Squad Depth on Show
Picture this: Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka all on the bench. Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Piero Hincapié were not even in the squad. Yet Mikel Arteta still fielded a side brimming with quality.
Opponents must envy Arsenal’s depth. The summer spending spree is already paying dividends. Arteta can now rotate without compromise, fielding a strong line-up at every opportunity.
Injuries, which derailed last season’s charge, no longer feel like a death sentence for this Arsenal side.
Ødegaard’s Best Arsenal Game in a While
Martin Ødegaard ran the show. If Eberechi Eze’s display against Newcastle served as a wake-up call, Ødegaard answered it with a masterclass.
He led in every key metric:
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Most touches (86)
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Most final-third passes (26)
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Most chances created (4)
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Most possessions won (8)
Gyökeres Starved of Service
It keeps being said: Arsenal must feed Viktor Gyökeres. He was triple-marked throughout the game, often isolated with little support.
Still, he worked tirelessly, winning defensive headers, chasing lost causes and making lung-busting runs.
He thrives on goals, and his confidence feeds off them. Arsenal need to supply him better – and fast.
That said, he showed his class. Strong, rapid and relentless, he gave the Olympiacos defenders a torrid time.
Arsenal remain watertight in the Champions League this season. The 2-0 win, courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, extends their record to 14 straight home victories in the group and league phase.
Daniel O
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It was a good performance, especially the first half.
The bench is what stood out for me. Players that even the best teams would love in their side.
It gives me confidence of our chances. We just need to make sure that we maintain consistency..
Gyo for a hat trick against the Hammers!
Great to see Odegaard back fit and in form. In this form he brings a different dimension and energizes the whole forward play.
Don’t think Gyokeres was starved of service, he had quite a few chances, pretty sure the goals will come.
Feeling sorry for Yok on basis all that abuse Kai got from Arsenal fans despite a decent overall return in goal involvements per game – even Havertz pregnant girlfriend got some online abuse – so we all know what likely coming for Yok if he can’t match Kai’s goal involvements despite his best efforts to prove he belongs at top table of football.
Both try so very hard in our clubs cause, and act so professionally, yet fan frustration and abuse is coming in this desperate pressure to win something isn’t it?
Kai looks technically and physically stronger than Yok in a buff off, or is it too early to say this?
What we learned? Our squad is scary good. Gyokores is getting better. MLS played well. Raya saved our bacon. Our subs bring life to a flagging team. Zubimendi is struggling. Saka CAN play left wing. White is struggling to get back his fitness and we need Rice in midfield.
@Reggie
☝🏾
If the goals are coming from the left, I don’t mind. We all knew he was great on the left before he was moved to the right.
More options. COYG
I do believe that some of us were asking that MA might consider switching Saka and Martinelli last season and I still think it would be a interesting move during a game.
It seems that Martinelli is back to his best, while Saka is struggling a bit, so why not give it a try against WHU?
What we learnt is comparing last season’s Arsenal with this season’s is like chalk and cheese. Due to the depth of the squad this Arsenal team can go the marathon of the season unscathed despite the never stopping injuries. Because West Ham derailed Arsenal from the title race in the past 2 or 3 seasons doesn’t mean they will do same on Saturday. Arsenal will embarrass WH for half a dozen goals. Arteta has now fine tuned his approach after City game dictching his negativity.
Quick point. I have to hold my hand up and say I was in the Ramsdale in camp when Arteta brought in Raya. This whole notion of 2 number one goalkeepers was never a real thing.
And I didn’t really see the benefits…
However…the number of clean sheet says has kept is quite something and the save against Olympicacos looked out of this world. ! So far play to.him …he has won me over for sure and of course the defenders also help in clean sheets but some of Raya’s saves last 18 months have been excellent.
So kudos to.him ! Keep going !
The double save at Old Trafford sticks in the memory. He had to rise quickly to make the second, strong athleticism.