{"id":12755,"date":"2026-02-01T05:37:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T05:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=12755"},"modified":"2026-02-03T01:28:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T01:28:12","slug":"a-promising-return-to-form","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=12755","title":{"rendered":"A Promising Return to Form"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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After the disappointing result and performance last weekend, at home, against a relatively mediocre Manchester United side, Mikel Arteta had said that maybe the players need to be reminded of how good they actually are. The fact that he said it openly may also have been a gentle corrective to what he must have perceived a current of negativity among Arsenal fanbase, on the matchday audience and otherwise. The last few years had naturally preconditioned some in the Arsenal fanbase to anticipate a collapse of the title challenge whenever there is even a hint of failing becomes apparent. Do we dare to believe, consistently and unshakeably? Or do we try to protect ourselves from the eventual heartbreak by assuming the worst? Or, do we simply just enjoy the ride, with all its terror and exaltation, anxiety and release, the uncertainty adding to the joy of the achievements when they arrive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We each have our own ways of being in the world. I belong to the third group, surfing the waves as they come. But I fully respect others who perceive the ups and downs in our performances differently. I respect, as long as I am not forced to have to defend what at the end is a purely aesthetic choice. The events within every match as well as the statistics gathered at the end can always be interpreted in many different ways, through different lenses, and even though sometimes educated guesses can be made about the outcome of the season, most of the times the patterns unfolding aren\u2019t very clear until the season ends and we have the privilege of looking at it as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An away match against an in-form Leeds, playing in front of their raucous home supporters, seemed a stern enough test for Arsenal following two draws and a rather unpleasant home loss. The performances in PL in that period, or even a few matches before that when we had to dig deep to overcome inconsistency and sloppiness that seemed to have lately crept into our game, had begun to raise concerns about different facets of our game, but mostly in the goalscoring department. On the other hand, the fact that we had topped the CL league stage with a perfect eight wins out of eight and goal difference of +19, and were still topping the PL table with a goal difference of +25 (only one less than City in the second place, four points behind) offered assurances \u2013 especially to most here in the \u2018Holicverse \u2013 that that dip in performances and results were merely temporary, likely caused more by fatigue following a busy and difficult winter schedule, and didn\u2019t point to anything fundamentally amiss with the squad or the tactics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The midweek CL match against the Kazakh champions saw Kai Havertz starting for the first time since his return from a long injury, and he played a different version of the left-sided number eight role, working almost as a partnership with Gy\u00f6keres, setting up a goal for him with a delightful through ball, and scoring a goal himself with Viktor blocking defenders to make space for Kai to finish sumptuously. As we wondered in the preview, the combination and how they operated looked so clearly intentional that it was likely to be tried again very soon. It turned out to be as soon as this next match after that. Arteta sometimes gets criticized for tactical predictability and even conservatism. While he has a bias towards consistent modalities of operation \u2013 which has served us magnificently, lest anyone needs a reminder \u2013 he has never lacked courage to move pieces around as and when needed. Resting \u00d8degaard for such a pivotal match, and trusting the Kai-Viktor partnership to work out was a courageous decision. In hindsight it looks to have been a perfect decision, but that doesn\u2019t take anything away from the willingness and courage to change. It is possible it was also prompted by the physicality of the Leeds midfield and defense, and in that case too the decision turned out to be a finely judged one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rest of the team looked as expected. However, Bukayo Saka felt some niggles in the warm-up and was replaced by Noni Madueke. The fact that such a forced substitution just before the match eventually worked out so well is not an accident, it is a testament to the preparedness of the player himself, the coaches, the manager, and the other players, to be able to adapt to changing situations and rise up to any challenge. That adaptability, when complemented by quality, is the key to consistency and eventual success.                  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raya
Timber-Saliba-Gabriel-Hincapi\u00e9
Havertz-Zubimendi-Rice
Madueke-Gy\u00f6keres-Trossard<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leeds lined up in the 3-4-2-1 formation, with Ethan Ampadu at the heart of the midfield and Calvert-Lewin as the lone striker. Farke had mostly been setting up his team in 3-5-2, but the slightly altered variation one suspects was meant to offer a staggered layer of defensive screen to protect against transitions if the attack minded wingbacks lose possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leeds started with intent and energy, full of pressing from the front and running off the ball. Saliba-Gabriel were back to their serene best, and despite the intensity Leeds didn\u2019t find their way through to our box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arsenal had the first sight of the goal. There was one more tactical tweak in this match. Zubimendi started a little bit higher up and Rice stayed back on the left side instead of his recent roaming left sided eight role. Kai was playing more centrally and often moving across the field, and in combination with Rice\u2019s slightly more defensive positioning that allowed Zubimendi to break through the lines vertically and use his uncanny ability to find pockets of space to contribute more in the attack. From one fluid passing movement he made space to shoot at the goal, but the finish lacked power or conviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madueke, with his directness and his ability to go outside and inside with equal ease on either feet, started to create considerable uncertainty in the left side of the Leeds defense. Gy\u00f6keres occupying the central positions and Havertz moving intently in and around the final third, the central midfield and defenders couldn\u2019t really get out to help Justin and Gudmundsson. That uncertainty allowed Madueke to deliver a wonderfully precise cross for Zubimendi to head home for the first goal. Darlow, the Leeds keeper, almost pulled off a superb reflex save but there was too much power. This was Martin\u2019s fourth PL goal of the season, all of them are finishes that showcase the versatility of talent and his extraordinary ability to find space and read the situations. Just like his Sociedad and Spanish team mate Mikel Merino, his game is going to evolve to even greater heights in the red-and-white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leeds 0 – Arsenal 1 (Zubimendi 27\u2019)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only Madueke was giving the defense a torrid time with his dribbles and runs \u2013 Gudmundsson saw an early yellow \u2013 his delivery from corner-kicks were excellent too. He has become remarkably good in his deliveries over the last couple of months and even when he is playing in place of Saka, we no longer miss Saka\u2019s pinpoint corners that much anymore. From one such delivery \u2013 a curling, fast, looping inswinger straight in front of the goalkeeper heading towards goal, needing just any touch \u2013 that bamboozled both Darlow and Calvert-Lewin enough for the goalkeeper to bundle the ball into his own net. I didn\u2019t quite understand the logic behind awarding this as an own goal, surely the ball was heading straight to the goal? Hopefully the dubious goals panel or however they are called nowadays will rectify this later and deservedly award Noni his first PL goal in Arsenal colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leeds 0 – Arsenal 2 (Zubimendi 27\u2019, OG (Darlow) 38\u2019)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arsenal played out the rest of the second half with confidence and composure, quieted the crowd and asserted their control over the match. I felt it was important to not give away any opportunities with mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farke introduced a couple of changes at the beginning of the second half, bringing Longstaff and Okafor to offer what I suspect more directness. They started brightly, the crowd was behind them, and for the first ten-odd minutes we were defending deep. Leeds were putting more men forward, and Trossard used that opportunity to put Gy\u00f6keres through with a lovely one-touch pass. Viktor\u2019s run from the deep was good, but he took too long to finish and Rodon ran back fast to block his goalbound shot. The fact that he finished well from a very similar movement following an excellent outside-of-the-boot Martinelli pass in the Inter match underlines a crucial point about the main challenge Gy\u00f6keres is currently facing: his lack of acclimatisation to the new reality that compared to the rest of Europe, PL defenders are stronger, faster and for the most part technically superior. Whether that lack is due to any innate limitations or simply a matter of readjustments, only time will tell. I have my own opinions, and they tend to be positive ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around the 60th minute, Arteta made his first changes: \u00d8degaard came in for Havertz who continued his much awaited and encouraging return, Martinelli replaced Madueke who had played one of his best matches for Arsenal. Gabi went to the right flank while Leo stayed back on the left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gabriel Martinelli is a wonderful footballer. Yes, he is not technically the most sophisticated \u2013 especially in a team that has players like Saka, \u00d8degaard, Zubimendi or even Trossard sometimes his lack of nuance becomes too obvious \u2013 and neither is he consistently threatening with the ball on his feet. But he has a lot of great qualities \u2013 physical, psychological and also technical. I am probably in a minority, but I think he offers a combination of abilities that is genuinely unique and something that is a big plus for this squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was a great bit of play from Martinelli who ran onto a pass from \u00d8degaard ahead of Struijk, made space for himself, and delivered a wonderful cross into the box with his left-foot \u2013 worth noting how much more two-footed he has become lately, it is an obvious but underappreciated fact, very good players continue to evolve their game in all directions even when they are established professionals \u2013 which Gy\u00f6keres scored from with a typical center-forward finishing, holding off the physical challenge from his marker. It was also worth noting that in recent matches the team has started to find him with a bit more frequency in the box, and while his finishing still leaves room for improvement, maybe the goals too will start to come with a greater frequency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leeds 0 – Arsenal 3 (Zubimendi 27\u2019, OG (Darlow) 38\u2019, Gy\u00f6keres 69\u2019)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we watch the goal again, it is worth noting \u00d8degaard\u2019s role in it. Zubimendi, staying deep between the two central defenders, starts the move with a pass to his right to Saliba. Saliba waits for a passing lane to open up; watch \u00d8degaard swiftly moving horizontally through the middle on the wrong side of the midfielders, ghosting in to receive the ball from Saliba in a congested midfield, and within a few seconds move forward and finds Martinelli in exactly the kind of open space that Gabi thrives in. That I thought was a masterful demonstration of understated brilliance. Whatever has been ailing him nowadays, it is worth remembering the old adage: form is temporary, class is permanent. He has always been, is, and will always be a magnificent footballer. He looked sharp and fresh coming on as a sub. Maybe a bit of rest and recovery will do him good. He is the connective tissue of the team, and when he is at his best he is one of the best creators in the league.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gy\u00f6keres and Hincapi\u00e9 were soon substituted by Jesus and Calafiori. Jesus had two good chances almost immediately \u2013 he missed a one-on-one with the keeper after Rice found him, and his header from a Timber cross was straight to the keeper \u2013 and his sharp movements troubled what was now a tiring Leeds defense. Arteta made his final sub, bringing Eze in for Trossard. His early season efficacy in the final third has dropped off a bit, but today he was very good in keeping control of possession, helping to defend, and circulating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then the sumptuous fourth goal came. From a Timber throw-in on the right side, the ball arrived to Calafiori via \u00d8degaard and Rice, Ricky went on one of his puzzling in-out-in runs that tends offer some much in terms of unpredictability to our attack, he passed the ball \u00d8degaard, who found Jesus through a crowded defense. The hold-up play, the dragback to make space for himself, and the curling finish using the defender as his shield was world-class. He has always been capable of those moments, and has produced many of those over the years. Maybe just not consistently enough to be thought of as in the same class as all the great Brazilian strikers, but at his best he is a genuine match-winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leeds 0 – Arsenal 4 (Zubimendi 27\u2019, OG (Darlow) 38\u2019, Gy\u00f6keres 69\u2019, Jesus 86\u2019)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was a performance of high quality, great control and composure on and off the ball, and demonstrating an ability to move through different phases of the game with exactly the right set of ideas, executed expertly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Rice mentioned in the post-match interview, if we can continue to play each game as a cup final as we did today, the squad has a great opportunity to create their own Arsenal legacy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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