Five things we learnt from the Gunners’ victory
Arsenal must start killing off matches
Arsenal’s last two matches have seen them secure convincing victories, yet they have not troubled the scoresheet in the second half in either match. While Chelsea never looked like fighting back once they were 3-0 down, the Gunners should have put more past Thibaut Courtois.
The same can be said here. Yes, Basel goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik had a memorable match to keep out Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil despite numerous opportunities to score, but Basel fought back in the second half
and could have had a goal themselves. If Arsenal continue to fly out of the blocks with early goals, another straight after half-time will settle matches for good.
Sanchez and Walcott can be Arsenal’s greatest strike combination
The pair have developed a bond that was on show for all to see at The Emirates. The obvious would be to look at Sanchez’s two assists for Walcott – the first a weighted cross for the England international to score just his second header of his Arsenal career and the second a lovely one-two to put Walcott through on goal – but it’s the work they do before they reach the ball that stands out.
Sanchez knows to draw defenders in by coming short, freeing up the space for Walcott to attack into. The winger is flourishing this season with five goals already, but it is this understanding and his ability to learn to adapt his game that is reaping reward.
Secure Özil’s and Sanchez’s future at once
With their contracts up in 2018, both Sanchez and Özil have proven their worth in gold already this season. Arsene Wenger can ill-afford to lose either man if he wants his side to be taken seriously, so it’s incredibly important to secure them to long-term deals as soon as possible.
If that means shelling out the additional £10,000-a-week in wages, then so be it. The two put bums on seats at the Emirates Stadium, and immediately lift them off again with fans in anticipation of goals whenever they receive the ball. Tying them down gives Wenger a world class spine to build on.
Mertesacker will not get back into this team
Shkodran Mustafi has taken his time to get up and running, but by all accounts he is up to speed in the Premier League. The German was brought in late in the transfer window to replace the injured Per Mertesacker, and he’s done exactly that.
Mustafi is clearly faster than his compatriot, he has a better reading of the game and is equally as vocal in his organisational skills. He is younger and the fans have warmed to him already, and when Mertesacker returns from injury at the end of the calendar year, he won’t be getting back into the first team any time soon.
Can Arsenal keep up their gung-ho style against the likes of City?
While Arsenal’s recent performances against Hull, Chelsea and now Basel have been mightily impressive, they still haven’t proven that their ready to challenge for top honours. The opening-weekend defeat by Liverpool doesn’t really count given Arsenal’s side were weakened, so it will take until the return match at Anfield plus the two ties against Manchester City that will really display where this side currently is.
If Arsenal continue to allow Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi to push on as they do and Özil to escape the bulk of defending duties, then they need to have a radical plan in place to defend against the likes of Sadio Mane, Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero. Do that, and who knows where this team could go.