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3. Unai Emery has a selection problem

I have been extremely positive regarding Unai Emery’s proactive substitutions this season. The reactive, delayed nature of Arsene Wenger’s game-management was infuriating, so it was refreshing to see a manager be decisive and progressive with his tactical, in-game adjustments.

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However, there is a problem. Emery has had to be successful with his substitutions because the first halves have consistently dug Arsenal into unwanted holes. The same was the case here. Playing three at the back with Granit Xhaka as a centre-half was a curious choice. Not starting Alexandre Lacazette seemed like a mistake.

By half-time, Arsenal were 2-1 down thanks to two Danny Ings’ goals. That meant that they had still not led a game at half-time in the Premier League this season. The holes they dug themselves into, eventually, would be too big to climb out of.

And that is precisely what the Gunners found out here. They nearly resurrected themselves once again. Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s deflected strike gave hope. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had chances. Alexandre Lacazette was close to scoring. But the damage had been done. Emery’s selection problem cost Arsenal.