Preview: Arsenal out to protect their 100% record away at Sunderland
By Karl Matchett Mikel Arteta’s squad looks strong, deep and equipped with the mindset which now simply expects victory each game – yet it’s Martin Ødegaard’s return to form which has caught the eye most. The revitalised viking Often, a hard summer’s effort at a Fifa World Cup can lead to a stuttering start for the game’s star players – but Ødegaard, who spent most of his June and July orchestrating celebratory rowing for the Norway squad, has come back looking a different player. Over the previous two campaigns he scored seven goals for Arsenal, including just one last term – yet it’s already four in five games this year and his overall performance level is considerably improved, more high-tempo and certainly more central to the Gunners’ attacking play. Midfield face-off Amid Arsenal’s summer regeneration, the £75m signing of Bruno Guimarães looks decent value against some other midfield movers – but it’s a slight surprise he hasn’t yet managed to make a case for inclusion, even accounting for a minor injury early on. He has just 19 league minutes so far with Myles Lewis-Skelly earning a starting spot domestically instead, and playing well enough to account for that. Against former Gunner Granit Xhaka and the adventurous Noah Sadiki in the Sunderland midfield, however, it will be instructive if Arteta opts to go for the more combative Brazilian over his younger English teammate. Sadiki is the more diligent passer and line-breaking runner in possession; Xhaka has the vision to relentlessly spray passes wide and from deep to bypass opposition midfield pairings. In both cases, a desire and willingness to close down quickly, harass and recount possession will be crucial for Arsenal to keep up their smothering, tiresome approach of forcing teams into submission – perhaps a tailor-made role for Guimarães to show what he can do off the ball, before displaying his quality on it. Recent form After defeat on the opening weekend Sunderland have won two and drawn once, including a Carabao Cup victory in midweek. Arsenal’s form is more straightforward: they won the Community Shield, have won three from three in the league and now once in Europe – all with just one goal conceded. Team news Habib Diarra is Sunderland’s absentee through injury, while Arsenal are still without defensive trio Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. Otherwise, everyone looks available for selection.
By Karl Matchett
Mikel Arteta’s squad looks strong, deep and equipped with the mindset which now simply expects victory each game – yet it’s Martin Ødegaard’s return to form which has caught the eye most.
The revitalised viking
Often, a hard summer’s effort at a Fifa World Cup can lead to a stuttering start for the game’s star players – but Ødegaard, who spent most of his June and July orchestrating celebratory rowing for the Norway squad, has come back looking a different player. Over the previous two campaigns he scored seven goals for Arsenal, including just one last term – yet it’s already four in five games this year and his overall performance level is considerably improved, more high-tempo and certainly more central to the Gunners’ attacking play.
Midfield face-off
Amid Arsenal’s summer regeneration, the £75m signing of Bruno Guimarães looks decent value against some other midfield movers – but it’s a slight surprise he hasn’t yet managed to make a case for inclusion, even accounting for a minor injury early on. He has just 19 league minutes so far with Myles Lewis-Skelly earning a starting spot domestically instead, and playing well enough to account for that.
Against former Gunner Granit Xhaka and the adventurous Noah Sadiki in the Sunderland midfield, however, it will be instructive if Arteta opts to go for the more combative Brazilian over his younger English teammate. Sadiki is the more diligent passer and line-breaking runner in possession; Xhaka has the vision to relentlessly spray passes wide and from deep to bypass opposition midfield pairings. In both cases, a desire and willingness to close down quickly, harass and recount possession will be crucial for Arsenal to keep up their smothering, tiresome approach of forcing teams into submission – perhaps a tailor-made role for Guimarães to show what he can do off the ball, before displaying his quality on it.
Recent form
After defeat on the opening weekend Sunderland have won two and drawn once, including a Carabao Cup victory in midweek. Arsenal’s form is more straightforward: they won the Community Shield, have won three from three in the league and now once in Europe – all with just one goal conceded.
Team news
Habib Diarra is Sunderland’s absentee through injury, while Arsenal are still without defensive trio Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber. Otherwise, everyone looks available for selection.
Key player
Ødegaard rightly has the headlines but don’t overlook how much Kai Havertz has also contributed. Among Premier League forwards this season – early days, of course – he’s top for distance covered per 90 and has two goals from a 0.56xG too. An excellent all-rounder in a finely tuned side, he should be aiming for only his second-ever 20-goal season this term.
Prediction
Sunderland might offer some resistance, but they don’t look quite as tuned-in as at this point last season and the Gunners should once more find a way: Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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