Shrewd Arsenal making giant strides again
By Daily Tab24. Updated:10:33. Aug 22, 2023.
Arsenal seems to be on course to another go at the Premier League, picking up from where they left off last season. Last season recorded a monumental collapse, which eventually gifted Manchester City Football Club the league title. But if Arsenal learned anything from their last season collapse; it’s confidence and hard work – cross over the line and with your veins pushed out of a fist.
Against Nottingham Forest, they worked hard to cross the line, with a decent defending, and that is what they need most this season if they are to have a go at the league title. Defense wins you title, they say, and Arsenal’s defense looks ready for the job of closing out and down.
As Chelsea and Manchester United fumble, Arsenal is holding firm, knowing that winning games with the score line they have recorded aids in building confidence and once the confidence is fully fledged, they would fire on all cylinders.
To come out one zero winner against Crystal Place at home with one man down at 67minutes shows a league contending character. Premier league clubs know how hard Crystal Palace at home could be, and Arsenal hanging on for so long to secure the precious points that keeps them on same horizon with Manchester City and Brighton is a statement well made.
When the final whistle sounded, celebration followed from Arsenal while Crystal Palace players squeezed their faces, lowered their heads and held their bruised pride while they walked down the tunnel. They knew they didn’t turn up, there were couple of chances that were not taken. When Arsenal were one man down, it was a clearer advantage to get something out of the game, but like last season Liverpool were reduced to 10 men, they failed to take their chances.
A clumsy challenge on Nketiah who is rightly and efficiently playing in the absence of Jesus Gabriel who is nursing his injury, led to a penalty after a check of foul play from Partey. A quick free kick was met by Nketiah who responded smartly and was brought down by encroaching Johnstones, Crystal Palace goal keeper who has been decent until that challenge.
Partey could had spoilt the show for Arsenal after it was checked if his obstruction of Crustal Palace player that tried to attack the ball that was played through to Nketiah impacted the play. It was later confirmed to not be enough contact. Odegaard stepped up and coolly slotted in the penalty – sending Johnstones the wrong way. The penalty later proved the difference – three massive points for Arsenal on a night they were expected to drop points.
Arsenal’s two matches have been hard fought victories with one goal setting them apart, but that is what a team that is building rhythm does, they start with rough and touch victories to hush and rush ones.
Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the character of his team; they are showing the big boy’s character and will soon click to fire on all cylinders.
