Arsenal: The basis of a very exciting season

Arsenal won both of their opening Premier League matches, and certain elements and brief moments in their performances point to a very exciting year ahead.

Arsenal are two league matches into the 2019/20 season. Drawing any reasonable conclusions from such a small sample size would be not just naive but damningly irresponsible. Nevertheless, from what the Gunners have shown in these opening victories, there are plenty of signs to be excited about the year ahead.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Dani Ceballos, the Best Player in the World

Let’s start with the new players that have been added to the squad, and that does not just include the summer acquisitions. Dani Ceballos made his first start for the club in central midfield. He was joined by 19-year-old Joe Willock, who has now started both matches. Meanwhile, Reiss Nelson started his second match of the season and David Luiz came into the defence for a full debut.

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In differing manners, all of these players impressed one way or another. Willock has shown nous beyond his years, his combination of athleticism and technical skill making him the ideal all-encompassing central midfielder for the modern game. Luiz was solid alongside Sokratis at the back, as well as showcasing his experience and leadership qualities off the pitch, while Nelson highlighted what he is capable in spurts.

It was Ceballos, however, that stole the show at the weekend. The new Santi Cazorla who looks very much like the old Santi Cazorla was instrumental to everything good that Arsenal did. He assisted both the goals, ran rings around the Burnley midfield throughout, and was a release-valve against the high press time and time again. He even showed Mesut Ozil what it looks like to press high up the pitch.

And then there was club-record signing, Nicolas Pepe, who was introduced at half-time of the victory over Burnley. While the Ivorian is yet to score or assist, his touches looking a little inconsistent at this early stage, there have been plenty of moments to make the heart flutter, including when he nutmegged Ben Mee on his way to driving at an exposed Burnley defence.

Moreover, amid all the newness, Matteo Guendouzi has stepped up his game massively since last season. He looks ready to take a greater level of responsibility in the heart of the midfield, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles also continues his steady growth at right-back in place of Hector Bellern, who, with fellow full-back Kieran Tierney, is set to inject pace and athleticism into the Arsenal flanks upon his return in October.

And of course, there is the relentless and understated brilliance of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. They are the only two players to have scored so far this season, perfectly illustrating both their prolific nature in front of goal and Arsenal’s dependence on them.

This has not been a perfect start to the season, of course. But there have been plenty of positive signs. There is reason for excitement for the year ahead, and, at this stage, that is all that Arsenal fans can really ask for.