Arsenal have confirmed that they are good, now the laborious work begins

From the Emirates Stadium – 5 wins from 5 video games. That’ll sound candy within the ears of any Arsenal fan. The one 100% report within the league and, on Wednesday night time, it was straightforward work…principally.

In fact, with elevated league place comes elevated scrutiny. If you are going to act like a title-challenging group, you are going to get handled like one. That signifies that whenever you play a fully woeful Aston Villa facet and do not put them away till effectively into the second half, and you have not performed in opposition to a great group all season, some individuals could be justified in asking precisely how clad the Emperor is.

The excellent news first; no one’s truly placing Arsenal ahead as title contenders but. This squad will not be constructed to compete with Manchester Metropolis, it is construct to compete with Spurs, Chelsea, anybody else with their eyes on the decrease Champions League locations – that is simply the place the challenge’s at proper now.

They’re higher this season although. If Champions League soccer would not materialise, it is a disappointment. And if you cannot put away Fulham and Villa by yourself turf in consecutive video games, it is price having just a little take a look at what your drawback is.

First off? Gabriel Jesus is a extremely good striker who freelances a bit. You will discover him popping up out extensive and creating alternatives, working at defenders, and…being caught for a subsequent transfer, as a result of no one’s shifted in to exchange his presence or give him a goal.

Bukayo Saka was significantly responsible of that on the weekend, which sadly leads onto one other little subject. Saka has been electrical between the midway line and the 18-yard field, however his ending has been problematic. A faucet-in on the again put up went screaming into the gang in opposition to Villa (sure, Emi Martinez obtained a contact on it, sure, he nonetheless ought to’ve executed higher). It would not be truthful to say that he is seemed off as such, however he hasn’t seemed on.

It is quite a bit higher than it could possibly be (see: Arsenal getting executed at house by inferior groups yearly for the final decade), however this group completely must be extra scientific in the event that they’re to be something greater than a perennial disappointment. When Villa scored straight from a nook with quarter-hour to go, it completely reeked of…effectively, Arsenalling.

Similar to on Saturday although, the response was speedy. Martinelli completed from shut vary, Martinez didn’t make a save that was inside his capabilities, and Arsenal held on for 3 factors.

That is good. This is higher. Final season’s Arsenal group would possibly’ve taken two factors from the final week, this season’s has six. What Mikel Arteta is constructing is working, however the profligacy being proven even on this profitable run cannot proceed for the remainder of the marketing campaign. Man Metropolis, Liverpool, Chelsea as soon as their defence has been patched in, even Spurs – they will not enable as many probabilities because the Gunners have been losing.

The primary take a look at of the season goes to be coming at Previous Trafford on the weekend. Arsenal are on the up, however it is time to see simply how excessive they’ll fly.