Arsenal (1) 4 Leeds United (0) 1

Premier League

Emirates Stadium, Drayton Park, London N5 1BU

Saturday, 1st April 2023. Kick-off time: 3.00pm

(4-3-3) Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, Rob Holding, Gabriel Magalhães, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Ødegaard (c), Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli.

Substitutes: Kieran Tierney, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe, Jakob Kiwior, (Jorge Luiz Frello Filho) Jorginho, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Matt Turner, Reuell Walters

Scorers: Gabriel Jesus (35 mins, 55 mins), White (47 mins), Xhaka (84 mins)

Arsenal Possession Percentage: 67%

Referee: Darren England

Assistant Referees: Dan Cook, Nick Hopton

Fourth Official: Jarred Gillett

VAR Team at Stockley Park: VAR Craig Pawson; AVAR Marc Perry

Attendance: 60,283

April Fools’ Day at the Emirates! Make no mistake about it though, in our experience, there can be a sting in that Leeds United tail, despite their lowly position in the Premiership table. Today we need to be clinical, and defeat the visitors firmly and confidently; with the score at lunchtime between Liverpool and Manchester City still firmly in our minds, we have to be utterly single-minded and continue our winning ways.

Movingly, both teams today have paid tribute to David Rocastle before kick-off with mascots carrying shirts with his name on the back of them. The midfielder died twenty years ago yesterday and his family are guests at the Emirates this afternoon. Within seconds of the start, Rasmus Kristensen was denied a goalscoring chance by Aaron Ramsdale; we then managed to break out and the visitors had to scramble to stop Gabriel Jesus having a shot on the edge of the penalty area. Following that, we are seeing more of the ball, but Leeds United tried to break out through Crysencio Summerville but Gabriel halted him close to our penalty area with a timely tackle. After those frantic first few minutes, the game has settled down, and we are seeing more of the ball against a Leeds United side sat very deep with a five-man defensive pattern at the back. After a quarter of an hour, Gabriel Jesus was left in acres of space in the middle. He rose to meet a cross but headed the ball over the bar. We then started to utterly dominate the match with clever play both on and off the ball, pinning the visitors back in their own half, and despite our constant pressure, their well-drilled defensive wall was keeping us out, but we have to be careful, as after the half hour mark, the visitors broke out to try to catch us on the break; Crysencio Summerville was given a sight of our goal but his low shot was too close to Aaron Ramsdale, who made a superb save. The visitors certainly had the bit between their teeth now, as a couple of minutes later, Crysencio Summerville set up Jack Harrison for a rising shot that Aaron Ramdale stopped farily easily. We had a penalty awarded to us a few minutes later, when Luke Ayling went down to stop a Gabriel Jesus shot, but our man sold him a clever dummy. Gabriel Jesus took a touch on the knee before dropping to the ground. An obvious penalty, which our little Brazilian forward, Gabriel Jesus, easily put past Illan Meslier to score the opening goal ten minutes before the break. We immediately went on the prowl for a second goal, and Illan Meslier was drawn from his penalty area to clear a chipped ball forward, but Gabriel Martinelli looked to lob him, but Luke Ayling was back between the sticks this time to stop the ball finding the net. So close. Despite yet more pressure from us, we went into half-time one goal ahead.

Two minutes after the break, we grabbed a second goal when Gabriel Martinelli beat Luke Ayling and then whipped a low ball to the far post for Ben White to arrive and fire the ball into the net off the underside of the bar. A superb start to the second half! After some pressure from us, eight minutes later, Leandro Trossard found himself between two Leeds United defenders. He carried the ball for a few metres and fired across a low ball that Gabriel Jesus easily met to finish on the run, for his second goal of the day, and our third. We went hunting for a fourth goal and a little while later, Gabriel Martinelli’s header at the near post from a corner was dramatically pushed away by goalie Illan Meslier. On the hour, Gabriel Jesus was replaced by Bukayo Saka, whilst Jorginho entered the fray, to replace Thomas Partey. Unexpectedly, the visitors got together a nice move, with Luis Sinisterra and Rasmus Kristensen combining to set up Brenden Aaronson in our penalty area, but his dinked effort was athletically pushed away by Aaron Ramsdale. With fourteen minutes of the game remaining the visitors somehow got a goal back through Rasmus Kristensen whose shot took a wicked accidental deflection off Oleksandr Zinchenko. Although we started to look a wee bit nervous after the visitors’ goal, all jittery nerves were settled when, six minutes from the end of the game, our captain Martin Ødegaard floated a beautiful cross into the middle of the penalty area, which was superbly met by vice-captain Granit Xhaka, who diverted his clever header just inside the post for our fourth goal of the afternoon. No way back for the visitors now! Shortly afterwards, our captain and vice-captain, (along with Oleksandr Zinchenko) was replaced by Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith-Rowe and Fábio Vieira to keep things stable for the remainder of the match. Game management became the order of the day, and after five minutes injury time, referee Darren England brought matters to a conclusion.

Despite one or two dodgy moments, particularly in the first half, our class and clever play managed to overcome the visitors, and the reward for our eventual victory was eight points ahead of Manchester City with ourselves playing a game more than our Mancunian rivals. Our confidence was there for all to see, and as such, in the second half, we completely dominated the match. We have a massive game on Easter Sunday against Liverpool at Anfield, and hopefully today’s victory will give us the impetus to grab three vital points on our march to our first Premiership trophy for nineteen years. Fingers crossed. Keep going, chaps.

Remember everyone, keep the faith, get behind the team and the manager, as this season is going to be crucial for our future success in all competitions. Stick with the winners. Our next match: Liverpool at Anfield on Easter Sunday, 9th April at 4.30pm (Premier League). Be there, if you can. Victoria Concordia Crescit.

Steve

Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten: Arsenal v Racing Club de Paris 1930-1962 by Steve Ingless (Rangemore Publications, ISBN 978-1-5272-0135-4) is now available on Amazon

With Chelsea’s recent transfer spending, a lot has been written about how bloated their squad is. But they are not the only ones who will be looking to rid themselves of double figure senior players this summer.

As it stands, we have a 26-man senior squad – although not all of these need to be registered under Premier League rules. We also have 8 senior players out on loan taking us to a 34 man squad. And that is before any further academy promotions (we have a huge chunk of players that have recently turned 20).

We will need to sell (or loan) a dozen players this summer to bring Arteta’s “working” squad back down to around 25/26.

(Note: Before a smartarse says “34-12 is 22” you have to take into account 2 or 3 new signings and a couple of youth promotions that would take us back up to 26).

Kieran Tierney

I suspect Tierney will be Arsenal’s biggest name first team player to leave us in the summer.

The Scotsman has seen himself drop down in the pecking order at Arsenal with Oleksandr Zinchenko as first choice.

Tierney is not a bad player, but he does not fit Arteta’s system.

We play with our full backs tucked in, with Zinchenko and Ben White looking to add extra midfield options in attack. Tierney is more of a traditional full back who likes to get chalk on his boots, get round his winger and put crosses in.

I do think this is a valuable option for Arsenal when we are chasing a game. Someone that can come on and make the pitch a bit wider in attack. But the modern game is about having a “like for like” replacement in case of injury rather than a “different option”.

Earlier this season, we saw Takehiro Tomiyasu start ahead of Tierney when Zinchenko was out injured.

With Ben White’s form, I expect Tomiyasu to become “first replacement” at both left and right back. New signing Jakub Kiwor has also previously played left back, defensive midfield. You would have to think that experience would make him another option behind Zinchenko.

Throw in Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Lino Sousa, and the strength in depth is added to with the presence of the teenagers.

Tierney’s unsuitability is shown in his passing – this season he is our clubs worst passer with a pass accuracy of just 79.3%. He has never finished a Premier League season with an 80%+ pass accuracy.

As it stands, Zinchenko completes 89.2% of his passes, Ben White 86.3% and Tomiyasu 84.9%. Throw in Tierney’s injury record and it makes complete sense to cash in on him.

Tierney would have no shortage of interest from home and abroad. Could easily see the likes of Leicester City and West Ham entering a bidding war for him which would see a fee towards £30m.

Emile Smith Rowe

I love Emile Smith Rowe. He is a fantastic player. But he also has huge injury issues.

His latest injury has resulted in him playing just 111 Premier League minutes this season.

I have followed his career since his academy days. And even back then he had injury issues.

Last season was his first injury free one of his career and he showed what he can do. But this seasons groin injury is a repeat of an injury he has had a few times.

A groin injury wrecked his expected breakthrough season in 2018/19. He later also suffered a hamstring injury which saw his season end.

He has suffered muscle injuries in four of his five seasons since 2018. Injuries have led him to miss nearly a year of football.

Like Jack Wilshere, I feel he will never be injury free. And at 22, this summer might be a good time to cash in on him.

You would expect Arsenal to be able to get around £40m for him. And my concern is the next long term injury he suffers will see his value plummet.

Cash in this summer and replace him with someone who has a better injury record.

Nicolas Pepe

Whenever Arsenal’s record signing leaves, we will take a big loss on his transfer fee.

The Ivorian joined us for £72million in 2019, meaning that he will have just one year left on his contract this summer.

Due to the way the accounting works, any sale in excess of £15million would result in a “book profit” for the financial year:

2019/20 – £14.4m amortised
2020/21 – £14.4m
2021/22 – £14.4m
2022/23 – £14.4m

That means that come the 2023/24 financial year (and season), we will have just £14.4m left to account for. Any incoming transfer fee will be considerd a “profit” in the 2023/24 accounts.

He has played OK at Nice, so I would be surprised if did not get an offer in that region for him. Would not be surprised if we try and get around £20m for him, but then agree to pay half his £140,000 a week wages (with his new deal at a name club being £70,000).

That would make a deal be worth £16.36m net to Arsenal, and a small profit based on what is left to be amortised.

Cedric Soares

The Portuguese right back looks on his way to Fulham on loan (it might even be completed by the time we hit publish on this).

Initial reports are this deal will not contain an option to buy. But if he becomes a first team regular for the Cottagers, and they stay up (they will!), a permenant deal will probably be done in the summer. I would expect around £3m for him.

Nuno Tavares

Arsenal need to get better at selling players. And Nuno Tavares will show if we have improved in this region.

It has not really worked out for the raw Portuguese full-back in the 2-years since signing for us.

He is clearly a physical talent, and a very naturally gifted technically footballer. But he does not have the positional discipline to play in Arteta’s structured system.

Capable of brilliance one minute, and then found horrendously out of position the next, he has remained inconsistent whilst on loan at Marseille.

Whilst he is erratic, he has also established himself as Marseille’s first choice left back as they chase a top 3 finish in France. That will be enough to see them qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal blocked an “option to buy” clause when he went out on loan. Signed for £7m, you would have to think a sale will be done for any offers over £15m.

Reiss Nelson

I feel for Reiss Nelson. He has not had it easy.

In 2017, it was predicted he would be the next superstar to come out of the academy. A loan deal to 1899 Hoffenheim could not have gone better and comparisons were being made between himself and childhood friend Jadon Sancho.

2019/20 was supposed to be a breakthrough season for him. And he was expected to make a huge impact in the Europa League. But then hamstring and ankle injuries began to take hold.

In his place, another academy graduate was given the chance – Bukayo Saka. And just like that, Nelson’s route to the first team was blocked by someone 2-years younger and more talented.

As Saka grew in importance, Nelson disappeared off the scene, playing just 70 minutes of Premier League football in 2020/21. A poor loan spell at Feynoord followed.

Now 23, and injured again, you have to feel his time at Arsenal is over, despite that goal against Bournemouth.

Nelson’s contract expires this summer. The clubs only hope of a fee will be compensation if he joins another English side. If he moves abroad, it will be a free transfer. £0m.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

We triggered the one year extension in Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ contract last summer, prior to loaning him out to Southampton.

The hope would have been that a good loan spell would see his value rise, and we could then get a decent fee for him this summer. If anything, his stock has further fallen at Southampton.

It would have been 3-years since Arsenal pulled the plug on a £20m move to Wolves. And also 3-years since he won his 5 England caps. His fall off has been dramatic.

It is not just his fault, we have also messed him about.

Nlocking that Wolves move was a mistake all round – it would have generated Arsenal key funds and allowed AMN to get on with his career. He would play just 486 minutes of Premier League football in 2020/21 before being loaned out to WBA as they got relegated.

We then blocked a move to Leicester the next summer. He would play just 265 minutes before another January loan. This time to Roma.

In 2022, we tried to sell him but there were no takers and he ended up on loan with Southampton. He has started just 5 league games for the side proping up the table.

With a year left on his contract, I would not be surprised if we sell him for any offer in the summer. Even if it is under £5m.

Folarin Balogun

With 17 goals in 24 games in France for Reims, Balogun is showing that he is transitioning from talented youth product to senior staff. But it could be too late for him to have an impact at Arsenal.

Gabriel Jesus is the clubs first choice striker, and Eddie Nketiah is proving week in, week out that he is a suitable replacement.

At this point, some will argue “with Champions League football next year, we need more squad depth”. But I feel that depth is provided by both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard – both of whom have played down the middle and could do the job as 3rd choice striker.

When you look beyond the goals of Balogun, he is a player that our Stad DNA system would probably reject.

For Reims, he has a pass accuracy of just 67.4%. That is way down on our worst passer of the ball Kieran Tierney (76.7%). Jesus (81.9%), Martinelli (82.3%), Saka (82.8%) and Nketiah (83.3%) are all vastly superior on the ball.

With just 1 assist this season, you have to question whether he has the all round play to be a striker at Arsenal.

4 of Balogun’s 17 goals have also come from the penalty spot and he sits 5th on the Ligue 1 top scorers list – below the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Wissam Ben Yedder.

He turns 22 in July, so he is probably at his peak transfer fee wise whilst he still has the “potential tag”. I would expect £30m with some sell on clauses and maybe even a buy back clause.

Pablo Mari

I refuse to accept Pablo Mari as a flop signing.

Gabriel Magalhães was always our main target to play left sided centre back, but was not available in January 2020 when we were desperate for extra defensive reinforcements.

Mari was probably the best deal we could do in terms of the attributes Arteta wanted, his experience level and cost.

He was signed with an obligation to buy, which covered the Gabriel deal which was not complete.

Covid and then injury did disrupt his Arsenal career, but cost just €7m

Monza have an obligation to buy if they do not get relegated (currently sit 13th), with the clause reported to be in the region of €7m (£6m).

Auston Trusty

The American was signed from Colorado Rapids in 2022 and immediately loaned to Birmingham City.

At the time, the feeling was we had signed him to “put him in the European shop window”. We paid just £1.5m for him.

He has been exceptional for a struggling Birmingham City this season. Probably their Player of the Season. And this will lead to plenty of interest from top-end Championship sides or those lesser Premier League teams. You could certainly see someone like Leeds United moving for him with their American links.

A case could be made that he returns to Arsenal as 4th choice centre back, but this would require Rob Holding leaving. The fact Trusty would take up a non-home grown playing spot makes this scenario unlikely.

I can see Arsenal trebeling their money on Trusty. Would not be surprised if he left us after a single year for £7.5m+.

Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson

Anyone need a keeper for 5-a-side on Thursday?

Keenos