Fulham 0-3 Arsenal: 4 Things We Learned From Premier League Opener

Well, that couldn’t have gone much better, could it?

A nervy beginning – that was more in part to Fulham’s confident start than Arsenal’s sloppiness – was quelled just eight minutes in when Alexandre Lacazette got off the mark for the season with a scrappy opener.

The Cottagers continued to try and play the way that got them promoted from the Championship last season; patient build up play and short passes through the thirds, edging their way towards wide areas of the pitch.

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In a similar vein to the same time these two sides last met, the Gunners got another early goal in the second half as debutant Gabriel Magalhaes headed (shouldered?) home from Willian’s corner to put the visitors in a commanding position.

Fulham heads dropped at this point, and even the imposing presence of Aleksandar Mitrović was unable to inspire Scott Parker’s men to find a route back into the game. The three points were wrapped up in fine style as a sweeping move culimnated in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang bending a sweet strike beyond Marek Rodák with half an hour to go.

2020/21 really couldn’t have got off to a better start. The dust has settled on a performance that was far from rusty, so here is what we learned from Saturday’s Premier League clash.

Gabriel Magalhaes is Everything Arsenal Have Been Missing

https://twitter.com/PainInThArsenal/status/1304811299075960832

I bet nobody was saying that three minutes in!

Indeed, after Ainsley Maitland-Niles‘ pass back to goal was strangely left by the 22-year-old Brazilian, allowing Aboubakar Kamara to sneak in and almost round Bernd Leno for the opener, supporters’ hearts sank.

Mere minutes into his debut, there was a dreaded feeling that this defensive curse that has plagued the club for years had seeped its way into Gabriel already. He was struck by the supposed Arsenal hoodoo.

Which is what makes the following 80 minutes of his performance all the more impressive. For a lad who doesn’t speak a word of English, he came across so assured in everything he did. Noticeably the onus was on him, not his more experienced partner Rob Holding, to pass out from the back. Every time in possession, his head was up, his arms stretched out, looking for a ball into the feet of whoever found the room.

A couple of loose passes to start with were quickly ironed out, and he zipped the ball across the turf with a confidence we never thought possible after those opening moments. Scoring a debut goal really topped it off.

Early days (and weak opposition), sure, but he looks like everything the Gunners have been sorely missing. Not to mention, HE HAS A LEFT FOOT. Goodness gracious it was nice to see a centre-half spread the ball out wide with an in-swinging motion for a change. We’ve missed that. And yes, I know it’s ‘only’ Fulham.

No Doubting Who is #1

With Emiliano Martinez heading to Aston Villa in a deal worth around £20m, the confusion and paper talk over who will (or should) be in net can be put to bed.

Leno is Arsenal’s number one and likely will be for a good number of years. The money is coming in, will be invested partially, we hope, in a new goalkeeper, with the rest of the cash going straight into midfield additions.

Recency bias had a few people nervous about Leno’s return to the starting lineup, but the aforementioned moment with Gabriel was a timely reminder that he is still a darn good keeper. He was so quick to react to the miscommunication, getting down low to not only block Kamara, but win the ball cleanly and spare his new teammate’s blushes.

Without much to do, he coasted through proceedings mostly untroubled, but when called upon he still showed the class he’s got with some comfortable takes and smart positioning. Martinez will be missed and we wish him all the best, but we’re in safe hands. Time to move on.

Mikel Arteta Has Created His Own Brand

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1304872451483066369

It’s a telling sign of Arteta’s confidence in his team that in the last three matches they club have played, the same setup has been implemented. Wembley showpieces against far superior opposition in Chelsea and Liverpool were followed up with the same 3-4-3 formation and equally alike tactics against Premier League newbies Fulham.

Wing-backs who are given license to drift into midfield and bulk up the numbers, just as they are permitted to run beyond the last line of defence, have become a mainstay in the Spaniard’s approach.

At times in possession, it even shifted into a back four with Gabriel and Holding flanked by Bellerin and Tierney either side, with Maitland-Niles tucking into central areas to allow Willian the space to roam.

Proven to be a winning strategy, the only noticeable difference in Saturday’s win to the previous encounters was the added aggressiveness off the ball. Sitting deeper and biding their time was drilled into the side for the clashes against superior opposition, yet against Fulham the pressing was done higher up the pitch and in greater numbers.

Incredible, really, how clear it is in every member of the squad how well they’re coached. They know exactly what is wanted of them at all times. Good lord that’s refreshing to see, isn’t it?

This Squad is Massive

Let’s quickly run through them all: William Saliba, Sokratis, Cedric Soares, Shkodran Mustafi, Lucas Torreira, Emile Smith Rowe, Calum Chambers, David Luiz, Pablo Mari, Gabriel Martinelli, Mesut Özil, Matteo Guendouzi and Reiss Nelson.

All of the above weren’t in the matchday squad.

For many, it comes down to the manager’s desire to move them on. Torreira, Guendouzi, Sokratis and Chambers could all join Martinez in leaving this summer. For some of the others, it’s simply the result of hugely imbalanced squad with an overload in certain areas and a distinct lack of bodies in others.

A grossly overstocked central defence needs trimming within the next few weeks, while there still needs to be space for whoever will come in to bolster the midfield.

Considering Arsenal were so low on quality last season, having that many players who offer nothing to the matchday squad is frightening. Hopefully at least some the clearing out will take place before we welcome West Ham to north London.