Arsenal ‘finishers’ Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Martinelli bail out Mikel Arteta as Pep Guardiola’s Man Metropolis ‘parks the bus’ – Premier League hits and misses

Arsenal’s ‘finishers’ step up once more

Mikel Arteta used the phrase “finishers” when speaking up the significance of Arsenal’s substitutes within the wake of their Champions League win over Athletic Membership on Tuesday. They received them out of a tough spot once more 5 days later within the 1-1 draw in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.

There didn’t seem like a lot on when Eberechi Eze picked up the ball in his personal half within the third of seven minutes of stoppage time following a listless Arsenal show however his ball excessive was completely weighted for fellow “finisher” Martinelli to do the remainder.

The move and looping end that adopted had been uncommon moments of particular person high quality in an Arsenal efficiency which lacked attacking inspiration. For Martinelli, recent from his aim and help from the bench in midweek, it was one other level proved.

Extra broadly, although, it mirrored, once more, the elevated depth accessible to Arteta. There might be little doubt the Arsenal boss received his line-up unsuitable however he’s proper in pondering video games might be modified from the bench, even when this time it was just for a draw.

Martinelli, specifically, will hope his newest contribution is sufficient to win him a spot within the beginning line-up in opposition to Newcastle subsequent weekend. However, together with Eze, he gave one other reminder that Arsenal have the instruments to show video games with their substitutes too.
Nick Wright

Did Pep ‘park the bus’?

Pep Guardiola smiled when it was put to him that he had “parked the bus” in his post-match press convention on the Emirates Stadium. “One time in 10 years isn’t bad,” joked the Manchester Metropolis boss.

His facet recorded simply 32.8 per cent possession of their draw with Arsenal, the bottom share of the ball by a Guardiola group in any league sport in his 601-game top-flight profession in administration.

Guardiola put it right down to Arsenal’s high quality moderately than a deliberate tactical ploy. Perhaps there was some reality in that given the second-lowest share share of his managerial profession got here in opposition to the identical opponents two years in the past.

However he additionally pointed to the context of a gruelling week for his gamers, with Arsenal having had two days extra relaxation than Metropolis, who beat Napoli within the Champions League on Thursday, having gained the Manchester derby the earlier Sunday.

There was additionally an acceptance that his new-look group are nonetheless discovering their manner, and that the modifications in personnel in current months demand sure changes to their fashion. Erling Haaland’s aim confirmed the elevated emphasis on direct assaults. The shortage of possession, although, was one thing completely different completely.
Nick Wright

Newcastle’s away-goal drought regarding

A mixed anticipated objectives of 0.69 just about sums up what was a colorless affair between Newcastle and Bournemouth. The goalless draw was removed from thrilling however that isn’t one thing Newcastle are unfamiliar with away from St James’ Park this season.

Newcastle have failed to attain of their final 4 away video games which provides to their lack of wins on the highway over their final six.

It was a heavily-changed Newcastle facet with Eddie Howe making seven modifications to the group that had been crushed by Barcelona.

Nonetheless, a kind of modifications included their club-record signing, Nick Woltemade. For the entire spectacular actions he had on the ball, he did not register a single shot, which can fear Howe.

Having misplaced one of many league’s main goalscorers in Alexander Isak, Newcastle have an undesirable goalscoring drawback, which can open the door for the hyperlink to be made to the Swede’s departure. Fortunately for them, although, they are going to be given time to treatment their toothless away goalscoring run, as their subsequent journey is to Brighton, after the subsequent worldwide break.
William Bitibiri

Sunderland’s ‘captain improbable’ Xhaka delivers once more

A couple of eyebrows had been raised when Granit Xhaka swapped Bayer Leverkusen for newly-promoted Sunderland in the summertime – however the determination of each the membership and the participant has been vindicated already.

The 32-year-old has performed each minute to date within the Black Cats’ first Premier League marketing campaign since 2016/17, serving to Regis Le Bris’ facet to eight factors from their first 5 video games.

Not solely is he a chilled presence in entrance of a defence with restricted top-flight expertise, however he additionally supplies useful help going ahead.

Xhaka laid on the help for Wilson Isidor through the 2-1 win over Brentford final month, and did the identical within the 1-1 draw in opposition to Aston Villa, along with his intelligent cushioned header teeing up Isidor to strike and earn some extent.

In his post-match press convention, Le Bris mentioned his captain had spoken to the group after Reinildo’s pointless pink card.

His expertise and know-how will assist Sunderland when the going is sweet – but additionally within the inevitable powerful moments later down the road.
Dan Lengthy