3 positives & negatives as Arsenal gain a point versus Atalanta

Positive #2: Solid OOP (out of possession)

Another away day for Arsenal, another clean sheet.

And no wonder given how events unfolded: The Gunners rarely ventured forward, instead opting to sit deep, hold their shape and force Atalanta to try play through them. Bar a few potshots from Juan Cuadrado, they never really came close to success.

This ‘steely’ approach might denote our growing maturity on the road, with Arteta being keen to take the sting out of home crowds and frustrate opponents before hoping for one moment of quality that could swing matters in our favour.

It will not win any aesthetic prizes, but it often proves effective and (fortunately) did so again on Thursday.

Negative #2: Thomas Partey disasterclass

Although he was not the only one below par, Thomas Partey showed us why he is no longer part of the starting 11.

The 31-year-old gave the ball away needlessly on occasion and did little to try unlock the Atalanta defence, often passing sideways or else just getting the weight all wrong and leaving his teammates vulnerable to transitions – game states in which his physical decline becomes sorely apparent.

Partey topped off his poor night by conceding the penalty, dragging Éderson down after he had been beaten all ends up via some clever movement. He made way for Jorginho shortly before the hour mark.

Sadly, the Ghanaian does not have it in him to track back anymore and he shows a carelessness in possession that will cost Arsenal goals over a season – the team cannot put up with if they are to challenge for big honours.

Makes you wonder how Arteta will set up without Martin Odegaard…

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