Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Huddersfield Town: 5 things we learned – Iwobi dispels doubters

By Andrew Dowdeswell

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Alex Iwobi of Arsenal scores his team's first goal under pressure from Terence Kongolo of Huddersfield Town during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal FC at John Smith's Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Alex Iwobi of Arsenal scores his team's first goal under pressure from Terence Kongolo of Huddersfield Town during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal FC at John Smith's Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /
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HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 09: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates after his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal FC at John Smith’s Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 09: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates after his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal FC at John Smith’s Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

1. Not very good, but enough

Unai Emery did not shirk the pressure this week when he was asked whether this was a must-win game for his Arsenal team. Usually, managers are little coyer when they know their answer will pile the expectation on. Emery faced it head-on. Here, his players delivered.

This was far from a vintage display. The passing was slow, ponderous and inaccurate, chances could only be created on the counter-attack, the defending was, at times, a little last-gasp. But at the end of it all, none of that really matters: the 2-1 victory will delight Emery, despite the lacking display.

Arsenal now jump to within one point of Manchester United, after they beat Fulham 3-0 earlier in the day, and level on points with Chelsea, who play Manchester City on Sunday. The top four is very on, although Emery cannot expect his team to challenge if they continue to play like they did here.

Next. Arsenal Vs Huddersfield Town: Player ratings. dark

In the end, it was enough. And in a must-win game, that is all that matters. But this was hardly the most encouraging performance in the world. Arsenal still have a lot of work to do.