Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal: 4 huge positives from 2-1 Wolves win

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates their sides second goal with team mate Nicolas Pepe during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates their sides second goal with team mate Nicolas Pepe during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Arsenal, Eddie
Arsenal’s English striker Eddie Nketiah runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

2. Nicolas Pepe & Eddie Nketiah’s Contributions

Even if their places in the starting lineup are less certain than most, the decision to trim the squad in January meant that every member of the 20-man group would have a say before the season’s end.

Even the unloved ones like Nicolas Pepe and Nketiah. Especially the unloved ones like Pepe and Nketiah.

The attackers in the squad would have their moments. Every dog has his day. On this particular day, the two players coming off the bench were the finest pedigree Crufts winners the NEC in Birmingham has ever seen.

Both Pepe and Nketiah were outstanding. Lacazette was breaking records for the number of shots he was having but it wasn’t his day in front of goal, and it would require some inspiration off the bench to add the cutting edge for Arsenal. Pepe looked as engaged and sharp as he’s ever done, while Nketiah’s energy and composure in key moments was exactly that he’d been lacking in cameos gone by.

When you take the risk to reduce the squad and not replace outgoing bodies, this is exactly what you’re relying on.

Continued on next page…

Home/Arsenal News