3 positives & negatives from Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Oxford United

Positive #3: Rapid fire

Matt Turner is yet to concede an open-play goal for Arsenal and he continued his impressive start to life as Aaron Ramsdale’s understudy on Monday night. He made a big save with the score at 0-0 and he looks like he’s growing in confidence with the ball at his feet.

Gabriel, meanwhile, continues to be an absolute rock at the back and has not set a foot wrong since signing his new contract.

Arsenal avoided a potential replay match if the game had ended in a deadlock which is ideal with the current match congestion.

Despite Bukayo Saka coming off after getting looked at by the medical team, Arsenal also escaped with the match injury free, with Arteta saying that Saka was “fine” after the match. Phew.

Negative #3: Fan overreactions

After a disappointing first half, it was not at all surprising to see fingers yet again pointed at Sambi Lokonga. He had a disappointing game and should have done more against lesser competition, but the criticism he continues to get is at an unfair level. I am a fan of the player, and I want to see more; that’s one thing, but some fans treat him like he’s the worst player to wear an Arsenal shirt which is so reactionary.

A loan may be the solution because it’s exhausting to see this level of hate for a player that’s still learning his trade on foreign soil. The entire team was lacklustre in the first half, and yet he was targeted.