Arsenal Vs Burnley: Dani Ceballos and the speed of the game

Dani Ceballos made his Premier League debut for Arsenal last weekend. Although he had some nice touches, he still has some things to learn, most of which are related to the speed of the game.

Dani Ceballos was afforded 26 minutes in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United. It was his first appearance in the Premier League, his first experience of English football, his first chance to show what he is capable of. It would be fair to say that his inaugural outing was inconsistent.

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There were flashes of his skill, coming to receive the ball and spinning away from defenders, some cute, clever passes, always wanting the ball to progress the play, pressing more than any other player in the Premier League, according to StatsBomb. But there were also moments when he looked a little unprepared for what English football has to offer.

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His performance reminded me of the early Robert Pires years. There was clearly a very talented player in there somewhere, but he simply needed time and opportunity to adapt to the change in style of football.

In fact, Pires has spoken extensively about his early struggles at Arsenal. Early on, he expected to start against Sunderland, making his Northeast debut. Instead, Arsene Wenger left him on the bench. After the match, Pires was happy he did. Speaking to French Football Weekly later, the winger said:

"“After 20 minutes, I said to myself ‘what the hell am I doing here?!’ The physicality! And then Vieira was flattened by a terrible tackle! Pffft. And I said to myself ‘what am I doing here?’ But he was right, Arsène. I watched, I learnt, I spent a few matches on the bench, and that’s how you progress.”"

Pires needed time to develop.

Now, the differences between English football and that played on the continent are not nearly as stark as they were in the early 00s. But there are characteristics that are still unique to the English game, chiefly the speed at which it is played and the lack of time that you have on the ball. And Ceballos was noticeably not ready to handle them last weekend.

However, as Trevor Sinclair noted this week on TalkSport, if he can figure it out, he has all the tools to flourish in the heart of the Arsenal midfield:

"“Ceballos is an unbelievable talent and I can’t wait for him to get going. Brace yourselves. He is going to get bums off seats, for sure. He’s so clever, one of the brightest players I’ve seen and if he can deal with the intensity of the Premier League, I’ve got no doubt he’s going to be a hit at Arsenal.”"

So when Arsenal come to play Burnley on Saturday lunchtime, with Ceballos potentially in line to start, look for him to be more effective than last week, his talent coming to the fore as he greater prepares himself for the riguours of English football.

It was only 26 minutes. But Ceballos will have learned a heck of a lot in those 26 minutes, just as Pires did sat on the bench in Sunderland. And if he continues to learn just as Pires did, the Gunners might well have a special player on their hands.