Arsenal: 4 talking points from 3-0 AFC Wimbledon win

Arsenal secured their passage to the Carabao Cup last 16 with a 3-0 home win over AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday night, setting up a tie with Leeds United in the next round.

It was a game Mikel Arteta’s side were expected to win, facing a team 38 places below them in the English football pyramid, and they got the ball rolling nice and early in the 11th minute.

Gabriel Martinelli was felled in the box with Alexandre Lacazette, who is yet to miss a spot-kick for Arsenal, tucking away the resulting penalty.

That was the only shot on target for the Gunners in a first half where the manager opted to field a strong side, one he hinted at pre-match, a decision that paid off after the break even if there were a few in attendance who were hoping for a touch of youth injection.

4 talking points from the 3-0 AFC Wimbledon win as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal secure their place in the Carabao Cup fourth round

Thomas Partey was given 60 minutes before being replaced by Emile Smith Rowe, who calmed any nerves on the night as he tucked home 17 minutes later from Alexandre Lacazette’s pass in the box.

Bukayo Saka even entered the fray shortly before the second in front of an Emirates Stadium boasting an impressive 45,000 strong crowd, and he was involved with his fellow Hale Ender in the build up.

With the clock ticking there was time for the best goal of the night to put the game beyond any doubt, arriving via the heel of Eddie Nketiah. Cedric’s cross from the right found the striker, whose delightful improvised flick finish nestled into the bottom far corner.

It’s a result that nicely sets up a mouthwatering clash with Tottenham on Sunday, as the win makes it three on the bounce for the Gunners with three clean sheets to boot. Spirits are high and momentum is behind the team, and here are the talking points from a soothing night in north London.

1. Aaron Ramsdale is the Undisputed Number One

There wasn’t much in the way or argument about this in the first place.

Getting the nod for the visit of Norwich and then keeping his place against Burnley, there were few doubts over Aaron Ramsdale’s suitability to the role and his place in the standings, but to see Bernd Leno chosen to start against AFC Wimbledon with he 23-year-old nowhere in sight completely cemented that.

The German had precious little to do on the night with the Dons not managing to register a shot on target, but the selections still dispel any unfounded murmurs of Leno being reinstated to the team for the North London Derby.

It nips all that nonsense in the bud and places Ramsdale as the undisputed first choice.

Having impressed since coming into the side, most notably away at Turf Moor, there is no reason whatsoever to make further changes. He’s got his chance and now he’s owning it.

Continued…

2. Thomas Partey’s Inclusion Causes Panic

With four days separating Wednesday’s clash and the visit of Tottenham, every supporter gasped at reading a teamsheet not only containing Thomas Partey in the squad, but in the starting lineup. Shouldn’t he have been wrapped up in cotton wool?

It’s an area of the game that supporters worry about far more than players and coaches. The prospect of a professional sportsperson playing more than once a week is deemed an obscene concept.

What the sports/physio science team believe is right for the player is what is usually listened to though. In the case of the Ghanaian, he needs minutes.

Looking shattered after 45 minutes of the Burnley match, nothing will get him more up to speed with the physical demands of playing high intensity football than…actually playing football. Spending a week of training between Turf Moor and the North London Derby without being able to build up that match fitness – nothing prepares players more than competitive matches – wouldn’t have been ideal preparation.

That doesn’t stop everyone worrying, and if he had got an injury there would have been uproar, but now on his way back from the ankle setback he’s had 30, 70 and 60 minutes of playing time. He needed this acclimatisation.

Thankfully all went well. A fit Partey is a firing Partey.

Continued…

3. Mikel Arteta Taking No Risks With Strong Lineup

Would it have been nice to see a couple of academy stars on the bench? Yes, it would have.

Instead the manager opted to field a side stuffed full of senior players, and while there were ten changes to the lineup from the win over Burnley, it was a team consisting of fringe first teamers.

Seeing the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool inject a host of youth for their third round ties, Arteta didn’t follow suit and satisfy a few hungry supporters who were keen to see what the academy had on offer – namely Charlie Patino.

It’s a trophy the manager clearly wants to win (as all do) and in maintaining continuity he’s building a winning mentality and confidence that will be essential if Arsenal are to achieve their goals this season. Given the Premier League starting lineup is nailed down, his thinking must be that he wants the whole senior squad in the same boat, with the same emotions and the same confidence.

You can understand it. The first team is the most important and if they’re fitter then Arsenal are fitter.

But did there need to be not even one youngster on the bench? With all due respect, it’s AFC Wimbledon at home. A League One side. Arsenal have a strong enough squad to maintain the winning momentum without having field Sead Kolasinac on the bench, for example.

This is the way the manager is going, however, and there is plenty of understanding behind it. It’s hoped he’ll do likewise with the FA Cup, however, since that trophy also offers Europa League football.

Continued…

4. Karl Hein Moving Ahead of Arthur Okonkwo in the Pecking Order

During the summer there was such a considerable amount of work to do that a few deals understandably flew under the radar.

Not only were sales sanctioned and players brought in, there were a host of young talents at the club who Arsenal needed to tie down to long-term contracts. One of whom was Arthur Okonkwo.

Very highly regarded at London Colney, not only did Arsenal manage to convince him to sign a long-term deal, he also was also pushed up into the senior squad.

Therefore, seeing Karl Hein take up a spot on the bench (again) suggests that there has been change on that front. The Estonian seems to have jumped up in the pecking order and become the unofficial third choice.

He also recently committed to the club on a long-term deal and after an impressive pre-season and some fine displays with his country in World Cup qualifying, there can be few arguments over whether he warrants his place. There is clearly competition everywhere.

Hein is still only 19 and Okonkwo 20, meaning there is plenty of room for growth in either. That battle is becoming an interesting sidenote.