I'm sorry my blog title is not unique. I imagine that many news outlets alreasy have a similar title.
Well, it was more like an annihilation of a usually stubborn, defensively resolute, Crystal Palace side on Saturday - it was five unreplied goals and an Arsenal performance overall that one can say, "it's more like it".
It was Arsenal back to their craft in set-piece execution with Gabriel Magalhães scoring one and instigating another. This increases their lead in this regard– ìt's now 13 goals from set-pieces in the EPL for Arsenal this season, the highest in the entire EPL.
Prior to this match, the team had been on break for about 2 weeks in Dubai, after their recent uninspiring results.
Ìt was a refreshed Gunners side, ready for war and war they brought to their home turf, hitting Palace for five. The defence too was not left out as Saliba has the highest clean sheets of any defender in EPL this season, 8. This lifted Arsenal to third in the table, with a game more than the first two. The EPL has taken notice and the title charge is somewhat back on track.
However this isn't such a big deal, I expected it. My last blog on Arsenal said–
The above is a screenshot of part of the blog. This is what I presented as the MOST IMPORTANT factor for an improvement of results. There was really no crisis after those loses to West Ham and Fulham just before Dubai. Thus, I wasn't loosing sleep over Arsenal's return to EPL. The victory over Palace was what I expected, so I don't have to shout over the roof about that.
The team just needed what that screenshot says – PROPER REST. So no surprises for me that it was a revitalised team on Saturday, physically and mentally. The defenders( including the much maligned Zinchenko), midfielders, attackers, even the goalkeeper gave refreshing performances.
So beyond this match I'm hoping Arteta is listening to another part of that blog which says–
"Arteta will have to learn to rule over his emotions in player selection. All these "valiant" efforts of trying to prove that every one of his signings is perfect, is unnecessary and is costing my dear club. It is being too emotional."
I admired his bravery with substitutions on Saturday, some departure from his former quite uninventive style at times.
I think we have our Gunners back now.
Cheers