Do we have a fundamental issue finishing off games, or did Kairat catch us off guard?

Arsenal had a torrid time at the weekend. They needed to win to push the gap with Manchester City and Aston Villa back to seven points. They faced a Manchester United side that had just beaten City the week before and looked good for it. Arsenal took the lead, but they were undone by mistakes and world class strikes. A 3-2 loss was devastating, but the Gunners still hold a four point lead at the top. They had some respite this week with a Champions League fixture that was ultimately a dead rubber. Kairat Almaty have already been knocked out and Arsenal had already guaranteed top two. This fixture was more just a formality and for Arsenal to claim that illustrious top spot. The 100% win record was also on the line.

First Half

The game started perfectly for the Gunners. Kai Havertz picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch and spotted the run of Viktor Gyokeres through the middle. His perfectly weighted pass was picked up by the striker and he carried the ball to the edge of the Kairat box, sending his shot arrowing into the bottom corner. 1-0 Arsenal. However, Arsenal were pegged back unexpectedly after Riccardo Calafiori conceded a penalty seven minutes in. Jorginho stepped up and equalised for the Kazakhstani side. Not long later Arsenal did put themselves in front again. The ball was played over the top with Havertz and Gyokeres both racing towards it. They both roughly arrived at the same time, but Gyokeres took the defender with him allowing Havertz time to compose himself in the box and smash the ball home. 2-1 Arsenal. Viktor had a couple of efforts after that, with one that should’ve been a goal, but he couldn’t guide his shot into the open net. The Gunners continued to probe and did find a third eventually. Christian Norgaard and Kai Havertz linked up excellently in the box. The German found space to send a cross towards the back post. Gyokeres slid in and poked it goal wards, but Gabriel Martinelli was on hand to make sure the ball definitely went in. After his goal, Martinelli went in search of another for his collection, but the keeper was equal to it. After a blistering half of football, 3-1 was a decent result so far.

Second Half

As expected, Arsenal began the second half in total control. Within a couple of minutes Martin Odegaard saw a tame header saved. A little while later Noni Madueke lashed a shot at goal from outside the box, but the keeper denied him. As the half wore on, the North London had a number of attempts. However, they couldn’t find the precision from the first half. Eberechi Eze hit one high and wide, Madueke had a shot blocked, Odegaard had another header saved and Norgaard sent an effort wide. Realistically speaking, Arsenal didn’t really put Kairat to the sword, even though the game was set up to finish that way. Gabriel Jesus had a goal disallowed for offside, but that was as close as we got in truth. Having said that, Jesus should’ve scored two other chances, but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. Mikel Arteta’s side were cruising in first gear and didn’t seem to care about the result all that much, as long as they won. The away side presented Arsenal with a punishing blow as they pulled a goal back to make it 3-2 right at the death. There wasn’t enough time for Kairat to try for an equaliser, much to Arsenal’s delight. That was it, 100% record maintained and top of the league.

Statistics

Make no mistake, Arsenal could’ve and should’ve had about seven. They had 25 shots with 11 on target. This generated an xG of 3.94, 10 big chances were created. For Kairat they had 4 shots with 2 on target. They generated 1.11 xG and had 2 big chances. Funnily enough, they created more xG than both Manchester United and Liverpool when they visited the Emirates.

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Kepa – 5 – He was a passenger for a majority of the game, but still conceded two goals. One was a penalty, which is a 50/50, and the other was a strike from close range. It wasn’t terrible, but yet again we’re looking at a team that concede two goals with just two shots on target.

White – 7 – He was the captain in this one, but it’s one of those games that his defensive skills weren’t tested. He was decent going forward, constantly providing an option for Madueke.

Mosquera – 7 – I like how much he anticipates the game. The amount of times Kairat could’ve countered, but Mosquera was there to eliminate any danger. He was strong and used his frame to bully the striker.

Calafiori – 5 – Gave away the penalty, but still really good to see him back. If he can stay fit then he’ll be crucial for the second half of the season.

Lewis-Skelly – 7 – I thought he had a very solid game. It wasn’t a match that we needed to worry about his defensive vulnerabilities, but we got to see some positive work in attack. He deserved an assist and really should’ve scored too .

Norgaard – 8 – Really impressed with his performance again. Whenever I’ve watched him play he always looks good, but that could just be the calibre of opposition. He was instrumental in Martinelli’s goal. He’s clearly competent, so let’s give Zubimendi some more rest.

Eze – 8 – Not everything worked out for him and perhaps it could be said that he took too long to get his shots off. However, he was a constant threat and was just finding space galore. It was an excellent performance from the creative hub of the team. Deserved an assist.

Havertz – 9 (MOTM) – What way to mark your return to the starting lineup after a year out. We’d seen flashes of quality in the cameo’s he’s made since returning from injury, but this was incredible. He played just off Gyokeres and it worked really well. He got an assist for the first goal, scored the second and got the pre-assist for the third. If he can maintain fitness and form, he’s going to elevate our team.

Madueke – 7 – He provided some real moments of quality, the kind that get the supporters on their feet. He is very skilful and he showed that multiple times, but we’re still seeing issues with his final product. The final action of the game, from his perspective, kind of sums him up. He done really well to get himself into the box, but when he arrived he absolutely ballooned his shot over the bar. Not even just straight over the bar, it kind of went off towards the corner flag.

Gyokeres – 8 – I think this was the first game I’ve seen him have multiple big chances. He missed a majority of them, but did score and did kind of have a goal stolen by Martinelli. There’s potential with this Havertz x Gyokeres partnership.

Martinelli – 8 – The Brazilian was a menace for the Kairat right back. He was quick, sharp and full of energy. He scored a goal and created numerous others. He can be really dangerous on his day.

Substitutes

Hincapie – 5 – I’m not warming to him as much as I’d like to, but he’s had a couple of injuries and is still adjusting to a new league. He has obvious qualities, although he can switch off quite frequently. For example, Kairat’s second goal.

Odegaard – 5 – Replaced Havertz, but didn’t bring the same level of danger. He buzzed around the pitch and linked up nicely, but his passing lacked that cutting edge. It was a game for him to really step up and prove what he can do, but it just wasn’t good enough.

Jesus – 6 – He had a goal chalked off, which was a decent finish, but he missed two other golden opportunities. Having said that, if you’re not in the right position then you don’t even have those chances fall at your feet.

Brando Bailey-Joseph – 7 – He didn’t do anything that provided a ‘wow’ moment, but you could tell he wanted to impress. Whenever he picked up the ball he looked up and played sharp passes in order to receive it back. He had one situation that could’ve landed him with a 1-on-1 with the keeper, but his first touch let him down. Really happy for him to have made his debut.

Ibrahim – N/A – Fantastic for the lad to earn his debut.

Summary

This was never a game that Arsenal needed to win, a draw would’ve been enough to secure top spot. However, the performance lacked something in the second half. I can’t really fault the first half, aside from Calafiori’s penalty giveaway. When you want this team to really go for it, they tend to just sit off and allow the game to flow in any direction. You’re sitting at half time 3-1 up, you’re expecting at least a couple more goals added. No, we actually conceded. Kairat won the 2nd half 1-0. Outside of all that, our Champions League campaign has been an utter blast. We’ve won 8, scored the most goals with 23 and conceded the least with just 4. As campaigns go, this has been incredible. We’ve also set ourselves up for a slightly more favourable route to the final. Our second leg is always at home and after every away leg we will play a home fixture in the Premier League. Now, all we have to do is translate that form to the Premiership.

Leeds vs Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Back to the Premier League and the Kairat Almaty game saw pretty much the entire core of the squad rested. No minutes for Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka and Trossard. Those players have technically had more rest than the Leeds squad as they played Monday night. We have to go as strong as possible as we desperately need to win. If we do win then we open up the seven point gap again before City and Villa play. It’s not much, but it could add to the psychological element. I expect Calafiori to return to the starting XI again, but I can see him being subbed out later on. Much the same with Havertz, I think Arteta will enjoy rolling him out to the Premier League again. Even if it’s just for 45-60 minutes. Other than that, everyone else is expected to start. Let’s get it!