SMASH & GAB GUNNERS!
Arteta hails his Brazilian debutants
THE boys from Brazil grabbed centre-stage – as Mikel Arteta once more showed his Midas touch.
Arsenal’s boss blooded his South American new boys and both played pivotal roles as the Gunners eased their way into the new campaign.
At the back, new £27million recruit Gabriel gave an assured goalscoring debut and hinted at a bright, longterm future with a confident and powerful display.
And Arteta freed up Willian by using him in a central role – with the old-timer having a hand in all three goals as Fulham boss Scott Parker was handed a harsh lesson.
The Cottagers chief was left scratching his head. But in the away dug-out it appears that Arteta can do no wrong.
The Spaniard bloodied the nose of several rivals by winning the FA Cup.
Liverpool were also defeated in the Community Shield and while an opening day victory over opponents who were promoted just four weeks ago isn’t the stuff of dreams, it is all adding to the confidence that is steadily building at the Emirates.
Injuries at the back forced Arteta’s hand over Gabriel’s selection.
But even that came up trumps. He said: “They were both really good.
“For Willian, it’s easier because he knows the league and he’s very settled here, so I knew that his performance would happen straightaway.
“For Gabriel, it was a big chance for him to come in today. He hasn’t played for six months – but he had a terrific performance.
“Ideally I wanted to give him some time because he’s only trained for a few days – so there was a risk of injury as well. Credit to him, he performed really well.”
At 32, Willian is not a player for next year. Or one who will move on after two of his four-year contract, with the Gunners banking a chunky profit.
He’s someone for the here and now. And, on that basis, he looked to have enjoyed himself in an Arsenal shirt every bit as much as he ever did at Chelsea as he moved centrally with devastating effect.
It was a similar story wi t h Gabriel, given a first start f o l l owing his move from Lille.
The best centre-backs are physically imposing, don’t mind a scrap, play if they have to and take great pride in not giving the opposition so much as a free-kick within sight of goal.
It has to be said, amid all this praise, that Fulham did make life easy for their opponents.
A bright start was undermined by hapless defending.
A half- hit Granit Xhaka shot was poked goalwards by Willian after Tim Ream got his feet in a tangle, six yards from his own goal.
Keeper Marek Rodak saved the original effort, but Alexandre Lacazette snaffled up the rebound.
Moments after the re-start, it was two.
Again, Fulham were their own worst enemies.
This time, Willian’s right- wing corner was nodded home from inside the six- yard box by the unmarked Gabriel.
And just after the hour,
ART OF MANAGEMENT Boss Mikel pats opening goalscorer Alexandre Lacazette the contest was over. The end of a lovely, pitch- length, flowing move was provided by Aubameyang after a crossfield pass from Willian.
The Gabon striker cut inside onto his right-foot and did the inevitable.
After the final whistle, Aubameyang revealed that Arteta demands “excellence”.
And the manager added: “We have to raise the level. This is what I’m demanding. Selection is getting more complicated.
“But it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Parker spoke about “fine margins”, but the scoreline was not unfair.
He said: “We have come from the Championship and you can’t let defeat after defeat really cripple you.
“We’re going to lose more than we win, but we have to keep learning and developing.
“We’ve brought in players to improve us – and we need to get them up to speed quickly.”
FULHAM: Rodak 6, Odoi 5, Hector 6, Ream 6, Bryan 5, Kebano 5 (Agnuissa 63, 5), Cairney 7, Cavaleiro 6, Reed 6, Onomah 5 (Decordova-reid 75, 5), Kamara 5 (Mitrovic 63, 5).
Subs not used: Areola, Knockaert, Marchand, Christie.
ARSENAL: Leno 6, Maitland-niles 6, Gabriel 8, Holding 7, Bellerin 6, Xhaka 6 (Ceballos 79), Elneny 7, Tierney 6, Willian 9 ( Pepe 75, 5), Lacazette 6 (Nketiah 86), Aubameyang 7.
MANOF THE MATCH: Willian. Looked a revelation played more centrally as he consistently caused problems to a petrified, retreating Fulham rearguard.
REFEREE: Chris Kavanagh 7.