Arsenal came away from their do-or-die Premier League clash against Everton with a 2-0 triumph at Goodison Park today.
It’s the first time since Valentine’s Day that we have seen the Gunners win a game in the Premier League, this against table-toppers Leicester City.
The latest win against the Toffees leaves Arsenal sitting in third place in the Premier League table, three point behind Spurs and eight adrift of Leicester, but with a game to spare by the end of the day.
So what have we learned about Arsenal today?
Well here are FIVE things that caught my attention:
1. The Welbeck and Iwobi combo
Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi, for me, look to have a great understanding with one another. On a number of occasions today, and against Barcelona in midweek, the duo linked up superbly which could have ended with a goal. They always knew where one another were and if this pairing continues in this fashion then It could well become a deadly partnership for the Gunners in the near future.
2. Arsenal perform when the pressure is off
When the pressure is off, Arsenal play football. It’s that simple. They seem to have a mentality issue when they are on the front foot and this was evident earlier in the season when things were going right. Now that they have a big gap between them and Leicester City in the Premier League, Arsene Wenger’s men can go out and simply play football to the best of their ability, which they did today.
3. Giroud should remain on the bench
I know the Frenchman is our top scorer this season with 20 (12 in the Premier League), but in the past couple of games he hasn’t been up to scratch. As a result, Olivier Giroud hasn’t started in the Premier League since that awful 2-1 home defeat to Swansea at the start of the month, and with Welbeck in form and looking up for it, it’s safe to say that Giroud keep warming the bench for the time being.
4. Elneny has settled in well
Not much was known about the man Wenger brought in from Basel in January, but Mohamed Elneny has quickly settled at Arsenal, and comfortably. From the games I’ve seen him play in, the Egyptian midfielder, has rapidly got to grips with the Arsenal philosophy and the team’s playing style. In addition, Elneny looks to have comfortably adapted to the Premier League, which has certainly surprised me, especially having played previously for Swiss side Basel.
5. Gunners are still in the title race
I know, I know – I’m crazy for saying this, especially after what we’ve seen from our side over the past couple of months. But, mathematically, we are still in the title race after this win and our remaining fixtures tell us that we still have a chance of winning the Premier League title. If Arsenal can build momentum from today and go on an unbeaten run, whilst also hoping Spurs and Leicester slip up, they could still be crowned Premier League champions. It’s a long shot, but nothing is impossible. Still a lot of points to play for.
