Arsenal 2-1 Leeds: 4 positives and negatives

Positive #3 – Arsenal’s ‘Weaknesses’ in the Form of Their Lives

A lot has understandably been made of the general quality of the Arsenal teams that have been put out over the last four games. Lineups featuring Cedric, Mohamed Elneny, Rob Holding and Eddie Nketiah are fighting for Champions League football.

Even just a few weeks ago that would have been an absurd thought.

Yet two of those supposed weaknesses are in the best form of their entire Arsenal careers. Looking back across their respective time at the club, have Elneny or Nketiah ever played this well? Nope, they haven’t.

Elneny has had spells in the team during his early years, but his form has never been this strong. The calmest head in capital is being tidy in possession, progressing the ball through the lines, playing passes into space(!), and bringing control to the team in moments of paramount importance. It can’t be understated how valuable he’s been in the latter stages of matches when Arsenal are holding onto a lead.

As for Nketiah, he’s in the form of his life. Initial concerns over his involvement centred around him being unable to do ‘Lacazette things’, yet he’s doing the lay-offs and interplay the Frenchman offers to a high standard. His touch looks strong, he looks strong, and confidence is coursing through his veins at moment with four goals in his last four starts.

Even when he wasn’t scoring there were loud calls for Lacazette to play in the ‘big’ fixtures like Spurs, but right now you wouldn’t dare change Nketiah.

Arsenal have two previously fringe players operating at the peak of their powers to date. Well timed, lads.

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