By Merlion
January 3 2025

Wonderful. A bug ran thru' the team, the best player out for months, newbies struggling to fit in, 17 years old first start and two Brazilian forwards scored. And the 2nd defeat for a strong home team. Who would ever expect this dramatic win after falling behind and nearly going down 0-2 with dodgy Goalie of the Day.

It was a nervy start for Nwaneri, lacking confidence to play forward passes and took players on, playing safe sideway and backward passes during first 20 to 30 minutes. But pundit said he completed 17 out of 17 passes in the 1st half, largely overshadowed his Captain who can't get going for the entire game.

A different Star Boy 2 emerged in the 2nd half. Taking on players, dribbling and prompting the Defence with his astute passes with lots of help from our two highly mobile Brazilians, interchanging and cutting into centre.

Partey volleyed an opportunistic shot. Flakken can only parried it with a quick who ran free between 2 defenders and headed home into an empty net. It was the instinctive movement of a centre-forward who kept running whereas the 2 defenders stopped running expecting the goalie to save the shot.

Then, Star Boy's corner and followed up with an assist and Arsenal fans celebrating a 3-1 win. A great start for 2025.

Three players were MOTM. But I believe Partey just shaded Jesus and Nwaneri with his dominating performance in midfield that stopped Brentford, and quick in sweeping against threat in midfield and yet, quick enough to support attacks with his excellent strike, that resulted in the all-important equalizer to settle Arsenal nerves.

6 - Raya - slow to react to Muemba shot at near corner. Perhaps he was dwelling on it, hence lost focus and let the ball slipped thru' his hands. But what a superb reaction with about half the ball crossed line.

6 - Timber - Solid but minus one point for collecting 5th yellow. The concern is still his lack of pace in tracking back and every EPL Manager knew that. Let's hope he is not punished by Newcastle and ManU in forthcoming cup games. It is a grave concern that that right side autobahn depends very much on an imperious Saliba to cover up Timber defects, and lack of defensive cover by both Odegaard and Nwaneri.

8 - Saliba - his imperious self with Brentford finding no joy at right side attack.

7 - Gabriel - minus one point for sitting back and not double teaming Meumba when he took on Calafiori 1-on-1 to score. Perhaps Gabriel might block the shot or blocking the shooting channel.

6 - Calafiori - other than that error, he was decent and decent going forward to link up with attacks and defending a high line. One suspect that the current defensive fragility is due to lack of synergy amongst Twin Tower, Timber and Calafiori. Definitely, injuries hampering his development within the Arsenal team.

9 - Partey - MOTM. What a player, the best performance ever for last 2 years during this injury-prone period. Intercepting, running, accurate passes and like a Partey in his prime. No more Old Man Partey but what time to rediscover his prime form. He is undroppable but will his legs last be playing 3/4 games for next 45 days? It is crucial that Arteta rotates Partey efficiently to protect hsi legs from recurring muscular injuries.

7 - Merino - one extra point for that poacher goal. He is our only Midfield-Trio that venture into the box regularly. Rice and Partey rarely did it, meaning Merino is our only bona fide left-side attacking midfielder when Havertz is the lone forward, and Trossard at wing/forward position. But he is slow and look as if he is not built for quick attacking plays with his deliberate passing and languid movement. His link up play, accurate passing and defensive works are good and with more playing time, he will definitely improve further.

5 - Odegaard - what an awful player who seemed to get worse and worse the more games he played. What ill him as he is no more than dynamic player he can be, prompting with his accurate passes and knew instinctive to execute those accurate passes into clear space. That 20m pass was anticipated, read all the way and easily intercepted resulting in a goal. He can't get the attacks going and if not for Nwaneri, we will have a toothless right side attack all game long. He is getting into the team on past performances and not on merit. Arteta must be bold to drop him against Brighton and let him get his head screwed right before he starts another game.

8 - Nwaneri - a nervous start, lacking confidence to take player on or passing forward, playing safe football. But he grew in the 2nd half, confidently taking on players and passing forward. A corner with a goal and an assist. What a debut in his 1st start in EPL. Star Boy 2 is that tonic to ease the pain of Saka out till March/April. Like Skelly, he can only get better the more game she played with 1st team.

9 - Jesus - what a scintillating performance as a centre-forward. Nothing more to say.

8 - Martinelli - he is getting his confidence back. It is the last thing Arsenal fans will expect him to volley the ball with such venom and accuracy into goal. Let's hope with his newfound freedom to move freely into centre and switching flank with Jesus resulting into a 15+ league scorer that we badly needed during this crucial 2nd half.

Substitute:
N/a - Rice - didn't see much of him to rate. He was rather anonymous, lethargic, perhaps feeling the effect of that bug.
N/A - Trossard - didn't see much of him to rate.
N/A - Skelly - didn't see much of him to rate.
N/A - Jorginho - too little playing time.
N/A - Zinchenko - too little playing time.

8 - Arteta - He was bold to field Nwaneri as RW against a strong Brentford who only lost to Forest at home. He read the situation correctly, knowing Odegaard is done in the dumps and the team needed creativity that Odegaard was unable to provide. Arteta had full confidence that both Jesus and Martinelli will deliver with their pace, movement and interchangeability which will suit Nwaneri. Well done!

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