On Saturday night two heavyweight gladiators met within the type of Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua. Practically 200 miles north on Sunday, two heavyweights met once more, this time on the Etihad Stadium as Arsenal took on title rivals Manchester Metropolis.
Kai Havertz might have despatched Rodri sprawling to the canvas like AJ after simply 5 seconds on the clock however there was no knockout blow yesterday.
As an alternative, Metropolis and Arsenal shared the spoils from a contest that couldn’t have been extra one-sided in the event that they tried.
It was a peculiar match. The inevitable Erling Haaland struck the primary blow and for a time frame it regarded as if Pep Guardiola’s males, as Dubois had performed 18 hours or so prior, had been going to win the struggle.
But, Mikel Arteta’s facet fought again by means of two defenders; Ricciardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes, earlier than Leandro Trossard’s silly purple card condemned his teammates to a second half of parking the bus.
Arsenal did so sensationally properly till John Stones popped up with a matter of moments left to rescue a 2-2 draw for his staff.
So, in a recreation of unimaginable highs and unimaginable lows, it was Trossard or Michael Oliver relying in your persuasion who was in charge.
Trossard’s efficiency vs Man Metropolis
Since signing from Brighton in a cut price £27m deal again in January 2023, the Belgian has been a drive for the Gunners.
Solely Bukayo Saka scored greater than Trossard’s haul of 17 in all completions for Arsenal final season and after discovering the web in opposition to Aston Villa in match week two, it regarded as if he was set one other charming yr in entrance of purpose.
Effectively, maybe let’s suppose once more, we could? The winger has been hit and miss this season and you may hardly blame a component of ineffectiveness over his previous couple of matches. Enjoying out of place in a extra central function within the absence of injured Martin Odegaard, it’s not been a triumphant time.
The Belgium worldwide was fairly nameless in opposition to the Lilywhites final week and was simply as poor, if not worse, on the Etihad on Sunday.
He spurned a wonderful first-half likelihood after assembly Gabriel Martinelli’s cutback after which got here a second of insanity.
Only a matter of weeks in the past he had seen teammate Declan Rice despatched off for ‘delaying the restart’ and the identical eventuality fell Trossard’s approach this weekend, heaving the ball ahead regardless of Oliver having already blown his whistle for a free-kick.
The referee whipped out a yellow card and because it was a second warning swiftly handed him a purple for his troubles. Like Rice, he’d been made to pay the worth for kicking the ball away. This time there might be no excuse..
It wasn’t as if he was having a very nice afternoon earlier than that, failing to win any of his particular person duels and unsurprisingly boasting fewer touches (11) than goalkeeper David Raya (52).
So, what occurs subsequent? Effectively, Trossard is now suspended for the League Cup tie with Bolton Wanderers in midweek.
He’s again for the match with Leicester subsequent weekend however shouldn’t hold his place following a show that GOAL reporter Charles Watts steered warranted a dismal 3/10 match ranking.
Trossard’s greatest alternative
With Odegaard nonetheless nursing his ankle damage then the conflict with each Bolton in a number of days time and the Premier League fixture with Leicester subsequent weekend represents the best likelihood to present Ethan Nwaneri his first senior begin for the membership.
Showing aged 15 within the Premier League, coming off the bench in opposition to Brentford in 2022, he’s now 17 and extensively considered one of many hottest younger abilities within the nation.
Arsenal’s youngest debutants | ||
|---|---|---|
Participant | Age at debut | Yr & opponent confronted |
#1 Ethan Nwaneri | 15 years, 5 months, 28 days | 2022: Brentford |
#2 Cesc Fabregas | 16 years, 5 months, 24 days | 2003: Rotherham |
#3 Jack Wilshere | 16 years, 8 months, 12 days | 2008: Blackburn |
#4 Jermaine Pennant | 16 years, 10 months, 15 days | 1999: Middlesbrough |
#5 Paul Vaessen | 16 years, 11 months, 11 days | 1978: Lokomotive Leipzig |
#6 Ryan Smith | 16 years, 11 months, 18 days | 2003: Rotherham |
#7 Gedion Zelalem | 16 years, 11 months, 29 days | 2014: Coventry |
#8 Armand Traore | 17 years, 16 days | 2006: West Brom |
Information through Transfermarkt. | ||
A fleeting four-minute substitute show within the north London derby are all of the minutes he’s performed in 2024/25 however there may be absolutely no higher time to lastly combine him and unleash the younger Englishman than over the membership’s subsequent two fixtures.
So, why is Nwaneri such a promising younger participant? Effectively, he possesses that uncommon present of creating one thing occur out of nothing. For these of an Arsenal persuasion, let’s name it the Odegaard gene.
Able to unlocking a defence by merely discovering the web himself or by weaving his magic to pick a teammate, {the teenager} seemingly has all of it and is able to take the Premier League by storm.
The Odegaard function is ideal for him, enjoying off the best facet however occupying central areas that helped him obtain one of the best a part of 18 targets and 4 assists in youth motion final time period.
It could be too far to say that is now or by no means for Nwaneri however it will be important for him to get a footing and really feel for the Premier League frequently now.
Hailed as an “excellent inner answer” by analyst Ben Mattinson, that’s exactly what he might show to be as Arsenal look to resolve not simply Trossard’s purple card however their gutting Odegaard blow.
In opposition to the newly promoted Leicester, the England youth worldwide might lastly earn an opportunity to impress. He definitely deserves to after their Belgian’s second of insanity on Sunday.
