Arteta’s men have to make the most of their fast start
LONGEVITY is the buzz word at Arsenal. They’re enjoying a run of seven wins in eight matches that leaves them top of the Premier League but are not patting themselves on the back.
With their promising start comes recognition this isn’t time for selfcongratulation. Instead, there is an acceptance that the club can’t afford to let this moment slip.
One of the youngest teams in Europe’s top five divisions, they appear to be on the brink of something special.
The priority is to extend the contracts of two key men, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, whose performances are earning rave reviews.
Jamie Carragher was the latest to Tweet his appreciation for France international defender Saliba in Saturday’s crucial derby win over Tottenham.
Expect the wheels to start moving on an improved contract, too, for Gabriel Martinelli. He is fast emerging as one of the most important players in Mikel Arteta’s team with his pace and directness.
Persuading the trio to sign long-term deals is subject to varying factors — none more so than qualifying regularly for the Champions League.
It looks inconceivable that Arsenal won’t finish in the top four this season, and the club intend to spend again in January with a new central midfielder on the radar.
Arteta is taking involvement in the Europa League seriously but is set to rest key players during the group stage as he prioritises the Premier League.
The club are leaving no stone unturned in ensuring their Premier League challenge does not fade, and a group of leaders in Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus and captain Martin Odegaard will ensure the team stay on an even keel should the waters get choppy.
Xhaka, in particular, deserves credit for the way he’s turned his Arsenal career around. At half-time on Saturday, the Swiss midfielder is understood to have apologised for his role in what led to Tottenham’s first-half penalty equaliser, which Harry Kane dispatched for his 100th Premier League away goal. Xhaka had failed to clear in the box before Gabriel’s poor tackle on Richarlison forced referee Anthony Taylor’s hand.
On reflection, Gabriel’s decision to go to ground was gravely misjudged, while keeper Aaron Ramsdale sparked havoc by rushing out before realising he had to retreat.
But the fact Xhaka took the bullets in the dressing room speaks volumes for his character.
It all bodes well for Arteta’s ‘process’, albeit he will temper the euphoria and expectations before his team face Liverpool on Sunday.
For Spurs, a sobering reversal at the hands of their fierce rivals was not only their first defeat of the league campaign but cast doubt on recent progress.
Antonio Conte had gone into the game claiming there was very little to separate the teams last season, and that Arsenal had been buying quality players from champions Manchester City. Perhaps he feared a reality check and it came with little consolation.
‘We don’t want to feel this taste of defeat again,’ said captain Hugo Lloris. ‘If we want to continue to grow as a team, then we have to take this feeling and change it as soon as possible. The best answer we can give is to win the next few games.’
Partey gave Arsenal the lead prior to Kane’s equaliser, before a sequence of errors led to the Gunners’ second, scored by Jesus in the 49th minute.
Conte left the Emirates grumbling about openings wasted by poor passing on the break and the inconsistencies of English referees after Emerson Royal’s red card in the 62nd minute.
Royal had been run ragged by Martinelli and there was an element of frustration about the tackle which ended with his studs going into his fellow Brazilian’s ankle.
Royal will be banned for fixtures against Brighton, Everton and Manchester United and, although there are options at right wing-back, injuries are biting elsewhere. Lucas Moura suffered a setback having returned to training last week and Dejan Kulusevski is expected to be out for at least two more weeks with a hamstring issue.
After the red card, Spurs played for nine minutes with Richarlison vaguely deployed at right wing-back but barely defending, during which time Xhaka scored Arsenal’s third.
Defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany tomorrow would make it three in four outings and the summer optimism will be draining away.
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale 6; White 7 (Tomiyasu 89), Saliba 8, Gabriel 6, Zinchenko 7 (Tierney 73); Partey 8 (Lokonga 73), Xhaka 8; Saka 7, Odegaard 7 (Vieira 80), Martinelli 7; Jesus 9 (Nketiah 80). Subs not used: Turner, Holding, Nelson, Marquinhos. Booked: Saliba, Martinelli. TOTTENHAM (3-4-3): Lloris 5; Romero 6, Dier 6, Lenglet 5 (Sánchez 71); Royal 5, Bentancur 7, Hojbjerg 6 (Skipp 75), Perisic 6 (Bissouma 71); Richarlison 6 (Sessegnon 71), Kane 7, Son 6 (Doherty 72). Subs not used: Forster, Gil, Spence, Sarr. Booked: Dier. Sent off: Royal. Man of the match: Gabriel Jesus. Referee: Anthony Taylor. Attendance: 60,278.