Arsenal vs Leeds: 4 talking points as Aubameyang scores hat-trick

Dani Ceballos Thrives With Technical Operator in Front

Supporters were witness to some of the good and the bad from Dani Ceballos on Sunday. Given the result it will be the former which gets heralded, but where did that performance come from? Why was the midfield under Arsenal’s control up until the latter stages?

There was real vigour from Ceballos alongside Xhaka, with the pair putting in a solid combined display that will have caused some surprise given the lack of minutes the Spaniard has had of late. His energy shone through in the duels, where he was first to second balls, aggressive in the tackles and, with Xhaka’s protection, he could almost play a sweeper-ish role picking up loose balls around central areas.

Was there overplaying? Certainly. It’s one part of his game he must tone down as the adrenaline can sometimes get the better of him.

Key to his performance, and indeed the whole team’s, was the addition of a technical operator in between the lines. Ceballos hasn’t had the chance all too often to play in a 4-2-3-1 where there is a certified No. 10 playing, granting him that out-ball in front.

Having that third man in midfield eases the progressive issues that plagued Arsenal pre-Christmas, and every player has looked much improved as a result. So often he’s been left to pick the ball up deep and navigate his way through a sea of midfielders and defenders, always ending up going wide. With Odegaard, or indeed anyone in the side, fluid movements can be made up the pitch through the thirds, limiting the ball carrying requirements on Ceballos’ shoulder.

This was him at his highest level seen all season. Perhaps even more than that.