In the build-up: debate. Leandro Trossard was picked over Kai Havertz, the only change from Arsenal‘s midweek win over Lens, for Saturday’s match against Wolves.
Was Havertz dropped? That notion seems too harsh, the German having scored twice in his previous two matches and drawn praise from Mikel Arteta on Friday for finding his feet. “Everything is starting to come together,” the Arsenal manager said.
Trossard’s inclusion was therefore more likely a sign that rotation is in the offing throughout December. A luxury, for now, that Arteta has at his disposal, likewise the Belgian’s versatility given he finished the win over Wolves out wide.
“That’s the beauty of having him,” said Arteta. “He can play as a nine, as an attacking midfielder, as a winger, he’s so intelligent and his work rate has gone through the roof, you see how he’s chasing people, how he’s pressing and he’s got this talent in small spaces to find openings and gaps. I am really happy with him.”
High praise indeed, and following on from his equally effusive comments about Havertz, should choosing between Havertz or Trossard remain Arteta’s biggest conundrum – their most talked about tactical decision among fans – then that is a blatant indication Arsenal are firing on all cylinders.
This is however in danger of changing, as witnessed in the 2-1 win over Wolves, which was not so much a tale of two halves as opposed to a tale of a routine 85 minutes followed by a frantic finale.
The hard work was almost undone, with two fine first-half team goals a distant memory by the time Matheus Cunha scored in the 86th minute. Oleksandr Zinchenko, who had played an inch-perfect one-two with Gabriel Jesus to set up Arsenal’s second goal, suffered one lapse of concentration, and with it the calm atmosphere soon transformed to concern.
It filtered down to the players, and though Eddie Nketiah had a chance to put the game to bed just before the 90-minute mark, come added time it was Wolves piling the pressure on a panicky Arsenal defence.
This concern soon turned to fury when six added minutes was extended to nine, and the frustration was as palpable as the relief at the sound, eventually, of the referee’s whistle.
And so what had the makings of a statement win turned into another three points ground out. A sixth Premier League win by one goal of the season, and while all that truly matters is the full-time result being in your favour, there will be two concerns for Arteta that may outweigh the Havertz vs Trossard debate come Luton on Tuesday.
Firstly, the sight of Takehiro Tomiyasu hobbling off. The Arsenal right-back was making his fourth straight league start, and assisted Bukayo Saka for his opener in the first half before going off in the 79th minute. Ben White was his able replacement, but in a busy month Arsenal will hope this is not the start of the tide turning in terms of personnel available. A relentless schedule could yet say otherwise.
And while it would be too strong to suggest this was a direct catalyst for Wolves’ fightback, changes both enforced and tactical threw Arsenal off kilter, with Havertz having also come on to replace Gabriel Martinelli.
The second concern then reared its ugly head when Zinchenko gifted possession to Wolves for their goal. On this occasion, it was not damaging, but if you continue to walk dangerously, then perhaps the next time it will not only reduce the deficit, but lead to the dropping of points.
Arteta was therefore able to laugh it off, acknowledging these things can happen when saying: “You have to love him, how he is, every player as well.
“He has strengths and weaknesses and Alex has got many more strengths. This happened, it can happen to any player, we have to learn from it, because in those areas it’s a big no to play especially after certain things on the previous phrase and that’s it, we will get better.”
A big no. A warning for Zinchenko, and a wake-up call for Arsenal. Arteta must hope he can laugh off the next error as well, whenever it comes.
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