Arsenal bounced back from last week’s defeat to Aston Villa with a very important win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday night.
However, even though the visiting team was at the bottom of the Premier League with two points, it was by no means an easy victory.
In fact, had it not been for a late own goal from Bukayo Saka’s cross, the Gunners would have come out of the encounter with just a one-point lead, leaving them behind Manchester City.
Due to poor performances across the pitch, Arsenal will end the season in second place for the fourth year in a row if Mikel Arteta continues to start certain players alongside Victor Gokeres.
Arsenal’s poor performance
Martin Zvimendi has produced near-flawless performances since joining the club in the summer, becoming a key cog in Arteta’s usually dominant machine.
However, against Wolves on Saturday night, the Spaniard looked well off the pace and struggled to influence the game in any meaningful way, both offensively and defensively.
For example, he failed a single important pass, lost the ball 10 times, played one long ball and lost 100% of ground duels, so it was not surprising to see him replaced by Mikel Merino early in the second 45.
It was also an unforgettable night for Eberechi Eze, who stayed in midfield.
Was the Englishman the worst player on the pitch? No, but he failed to produce anything significant through his 57 minutes of idleness and was understandably replaced by Martin Odegaard.
Eze match vs Wolves | |
|---|---|
minutes | 57 minutes |
Expected assist | 0.03 |
key pass | 0 |
Cross (accurate) | 1 (0) |
shot | 0 |
dribbling (successful) | 4(2) |
touch | 35 |
Loss of belongings | 8 |
Ground Duel (Win) | 6(3) |
All stats by Sofascore | |
The former Crystal Palace star, for example, only had 0.03 expected assists on the pitch, failed to make any important passes or crosses, failed to take a single shot, and missed 50% of his dribbles.
Finally, the starter who probably receives the most criticism is Gokeres, unfortunately and unsurprisingly.
Arsenal fans are desperate for the Swedish striker to do well this season and there is still time until he does so, but Saturday night’s performance was another cause for serious concern.
The former Sporting CP star was virtually unknown throughout the game and even when he did have a few half-chances, he capitalized on them.
Gokeres match vs Wolves | |
|---|---|
minutes | 81 minutes |
expected number of goals | 0.04 |
Number of shots on target | 0 |
touch | 15 |
Loss of belongings | 8 |
dribbling (successful) | 1 (0) |
exact path | 3/6 |
Duel (win) | 6(3) |
key pass | 0 |
All stats by Sofascore | |
By the time he was replaced by Gabriel Jesus in the 81st minute, the 27-year-old had just 15 touches, an expected goal value of just 0.04, missed shots on target and lost the ball eight times, fully deserving of a match rating of 4/10 from Kostas Lianos of the Sun.
Overall, it feels like Arsenal will finish second this season if Gokeres continues to play like this and Arteta continues to pick him, but the same could be said for Saturday’s other starter.
Arsenal star Arteta must not start again
Some of Arteta’s personnel decisions are heavily influenced by who is or isn’t fit this season, but if Arsenal want to ensure they finish top of the table, Gabriel Martinelli will have to stop starting, at least in the Premier League.
Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, this is not to say that the Brazilian international cannot be part of the North Londoners’ campaign. Of course you can.
But what is becoming increasingly clear is that when the former Ituano talent starts a game, he is less effective than when he comes off the bench.
Saturday night was a perfect example of that. Gokeres was somehow even less effective, but the 24-year-old wasn’t much better.
For example, in 57 minutes of relatively idle play, he posted an expected goals rate of 0.34, but failed to score and missed a big chance. He also failed to take a shot on target, took just 33 touches, failed to make any important passes, lost the ball 11 times, and completed just 12 of 18 passes.
Martinelli game vs. Wolves | |
|---|---|
minutes | 57 minutes |
expected number of goals | 0.34 |
the goal | 0 |
Expected assist | 0.03 |
Number of shots on target | 0 |
key pass | 0 |
exact path | 12/18 |
dribbling (successful) | 2(1) |
touch | 33 |
Loss of belongings | 11 |
All stats by Sofascore | |
In short, it was a woefully ineffective performance from the speedy winger, in stark contrast to Saka on the right who led to two own goals for Wolves.
The winger, sometimes described by podcaster Phil Costa as “awkward and indecisive”, clearly should no longer start games, but he could still be an incredibly useful option off the bench.
In fact, he’s been just as productive this season, with three of his six goals and one assist all coming off the bench and taking advantage of tired opponents.
After all, if the first quarter of this season, and Saturday night in particular, proved anything to Arteta, it’s that neither Gökeres nor Martinelli can start if Arsenal want to win the Premier League this year.
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