Arsenal focus must remain with crucial fixtures ahead

Beating Norwich, even if only 1-0, was really vital for Arsenal should they have any hope of seriously improving upon the early season issues that plague them. There should’ve been more goals, especially in the latter portion of the match, and the defenders must be applauded for their role in the clean sheet.

While it was a good start to the run of matches between the first and second international breaks, it will have to be maintained and improved still further, for the matches are coming thick and fast, and both points and goals are still so important after the first run of matches of this campaign. Hyper-focus will be necessary for continuing such form moving forward.

Next comes Burnley, and Sean Dyche’s side always has solid defensive organization and so for Arsenal this will be what needs to be overcome.

However, creativity was much better than previously seen, and the defensive backline looked far more interesting and formidable with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel, and Kieran Tierney than it previously has. Aaron Ramsdale continues to show why he was worth purchasing, and why that means that Bernd Leno will not last much longer than this year in north London. Pairing Albert Sambi Lokonga with Ainsley Maitland-Niles was also really interesting and thoughtful in my opinion, and while something I approve of, is unlikely to stick at Turf Moor.

Arsenal may have beaten Norwich, yet Burnley will be no easy contest either for Mikel Arteta’s side next in the Premier League

While Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka will always be looming and playing in larger matches, the practical depth for Arsenal is certainly much improved from last season.

While the Gunners are no longer sitting the relegation territory, they will have to keep it up against Burnley, AFC Wimbledon, and Tottenham Hotspur. Those three games, played between September 18-26, will be important, but grueling.

Tottenham, who were just humbled by Patrick Vieira and Crystal Palace, will not be easy either; no North London Derby ever is. But with wins against the Canaries, the Clarets and the Dons, the Gunners will have a real shot to have built up momentum and confidence for that match.

If what was seen against Norwich is a taste of what is to come, the back end of Arsenal should actually be in good shape moving forward. Tomiyasu looked like a young, confident, experienced, and physically gifted player who can play on the right as well as centrally.

Ramsdale battling Leno will only be beneficial, even if the former looks like winning the race. Ben White, with the protection of Gabriel to his left and Tomiyasu to his right, can play a good defensive game while creating chances in the build-up from the back with his David Luiz-like progressive qualities.

Aubameyang has done his part, mostly, early on this season, and Nicolas Pepe is showing dashes of the player the club signed from Lille. Bukayo Saka remains a wunderkind for club and country, and Martin Odegaard is a real engine as a No. 10. These players will have to take their play up several notches as well, and names like Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli certainly have parts to play too.

Goals will have to be scored, especially considering the lack of them last term and already this season. These players are those who are most likely and capable of doing so, and so they must. Without increased production to accompany the improved play at other positions, the goal deficit of this early season will come back to haunt the team as the campaign goes on.

If this team can continue to improve, to come together, to fight through adversity, they will be fine in all of the competitions they’ll be in this year. If they do not, it will eventually be the end of Arteta at Arsenal, despite that it very well could be premature and impatient. I have confidence that they both can and will, yet this all remains to be seen. Burnley in the Premier League awaits.