'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Nuno Tavares keeps his place
Much has been made of the competition for game time between Nuno Tavares and Kieran Tierney. Many believe the Scotsman is the ordained first-choice left-back. But in his absence, Tavares stole the show and rightly kept his place despite Tierney’s return to fitness.
The Portuguese full-back has been immense in his ball-carrying, 1v1 dribbling and all-round variation in the final third.
But last week he showed that he’s a diamond in the rough that needs fine-tuning. His mistake for Liverpool’s second goal effectively killed the game and left his team-mates ready for the slaughter.
Mikel Arteta could have easily dropped the youngster for today’s game. Instead, he kept faith in him, and Tavares repaid that faith with an electric display.
It remains to be seen whether this is permanent or if Tierney will reclaim his place soon. Regardless, the best teams in the world have two quality players battling for each position and Arteta is building towards that.
#2 Gabriel Martinelli is back
People seem to underestimate the toils of traveling to a foreign land, breaking into the first team at 18 and scoring goals in the Premier League. Martinelli also experienced a career-threatening injury and represented his country at the Olympics.
Gabriel Martinelli has done all that in the space of a couple of years and the kid is still only 20 years old. That is a lot for a young player to endure and yet he has kept the same focus despite all the criticism he’s received online.
Fans have been crying out for the Brazilian to get more minutes this season, having only made four starts in all comps. Today, he showed his manager why.
Within just 95 seconds of him coming onto the pitch, Martinelli made a perfectly timed run in behind Newcastle’s defense. He then executed a world-class volley to secure the win. This is the kind of movement and finishing the Gunners have lacked from wide areas. Hopefully we see more of the 20-year-old in the coming weeks.
#1 Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang must improve
It feels weird to say that the club’s top scorer should improve but that’s exactly what Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang needs to do. Seven goals in 13 apps don’t sound too shabby. But when you consider that three of those came against Championship side West Bromwich Albion, you start to see the cracks.
Last season, many felt the new contract had weighed too heavily on the striker. However, in reality, a mixture of family issues and illness were what hindered him. This season, he has no excuse.
Funnily enough, what we’re currently seeing from Aubameyang is the opposite of what he’s done throughout his career. All of a sudden, he’s being asked to be more involved in build-up play, press off the ball and work hard for the team. These are things he never had to do at his previous clubs. He was always only asked to finish off moves rather than be part of them.
Regardless, he may be working harder but his finishing has been abysmal in recent games. History tells us that this is just a blip but only time will tell. If Arsenal are to finish in the top four this season, they need a fully firing captain in their ranks.
