Napoli 0-1 Arsenal, and it was Martin Ødegaard again. Fifteen minutes from time, the only goal of a night Arsenal should have won by three or four.
Twenty-six efforts, eight on target, 57% of the ball. That's not a smash-and-grab in a hostile stadium. That's a side bullying Serie A's second-best team and then finding every possible way not to punish them.
The starting eleven was the interesting bit. Viktor Gyökeres, Mikel Merino and Eberechi Eze all in, Raya behind a back line of White, Konsa, Gabriel and Hincapié. Tzolis, Havertz, Zubimendi and Bruno Guimarães all on the bench. Squad depth being used as depth rather than as a press release.
Ødegaard now has four in all competitions and it's early September. He's the captain and he's played like the best player on the pitch in consecutive games. The reading on The Athletic is that patience and persistence got Arsenal through this one, and I'd agree — nothing about the performance suggested panic when the chances kept going begging.
Arteta's own line was that the margin should have been much bigger. He's right, and it'll matter in a group that still has Real Madrid, Bayern and Dortmund in it. Goal difference decides seedings in the league phase.
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel has ruled Arsenal should have had a stoppage-time penalty at Villa Park for Ian Maatsen's challenge on Bruno Guimarães, and that Maatsen should have gone off. Arsenal won that game 1-0 anyway. Small comfort, but it's on the record now.
The U19s won 1-2 at Napoli on the same trip. The U18s lost to Brighton, which Adam Smith has picked over.
Mylo Bernard is confirmed, the 16-year-old striker arriving from Crystal Palace after eight years at Selhurst Park. He joins the scholarship intake and turns professional on his next birthday. Seventh academy addition of the summer.
Sunderland away on Saturday, and the squad will have had two nights fewer than they'd like.
Leave a comment