The game was a friendly, but it still gave
us an insight into what we might expect when the competitive games finally
restart. Awkward, wrist-spudding celebrations, the commands of the coaching
staff bellowing over the field and hearing every crack and slap of shots and
saves.Would hearing a fake crowd better than
having no crowd? Depends.
In a Bundesliga game this week, there was a VAR check on a goal, throughout which they played deafening whistling sounds. It was enough to make you want to push a pencil deep into your ear and out the other side. Before that moment, the fake crowd wasn’t too annoying. But if the clubs are in control of it and the players and referee can hear it, how long before they boo every decision that goes against them and cheer all the ones for them.
2. Eddie Nketiah's Hat-Trick
Although he wasn’t in the starting line-up, the youngster still collected a poacher’s hat trick. Eddie has always been a star in the eyes of anyone who watches the reserves or under 21s, but he has not always grabbed the opportunities given to him in the first team. Does the pressure of the first team get to him? Who knows?
If it does, then this period is a great chance for him. Playing behind closed doors, away from the fans, could give him time to establish himself as an important player for the team and build his confidence for when normality returns to match days. It will be difficult to take the place of an in-form Lacazette or Aubameyang, but the fact the boss can now make five changes instead of just three, is surely good news for Nketiah.
3. Aubameyang’s Goal
The goal was neat, direct and with a beautiful finish. Ozil showed his subtle intelligence and ability to start quick moves in motion… the pre-pre-assist. The quick pass for Tierney showed great awareness of his team mates. He knew the pass he would make before the ball was played to him. The finish from Aubameyang reminded us once again what a talent he is.
A lovely goal, Ozil stole the ball back inside the Arsenal half by prodding the ball to Tierney, who immediately released the Gabon international lurking out wide left. He ran at the defender, always looking to cut in on his right. The defender seemed to be well positioned, but at the last moment the striker cut inside, made the space and curled his shot into the far corner, slipping as he struck the ball.
4. The keepers
There might be one aspect of playing behind closed doors goalkeepers enjoy. Has anyone watching a game at home heard a save before? Previously saves were drowned out by the crowd, in fact most armchair fans will have forgotten they even made a noise. But the saves the keepers made sounded like dramatic gunshots, giving saves for the camera a new dimension.
In terms of performances, Bernd Leno will undoubtable enjoy keeping a clean sheet no matter what the fixture is. He made one fine save to his right from a Charlton header that looked dangerous. The opposition keeper made a few of those dramatic gunshot saves but was left embarrassing rooted for some Arsenal goals.
5. Ainsley Maitland-Niles (AMN)
AMN has made it no secret that he doesn’t see himself as a right back. A shame given that under Arteta’s guidance, he looked far more comfortable playing there. The gaffer even seem to tailor the role to AMN by allowing him to move infield when Arsenal have the ball.The heart wants what the heart wants and on this rare occasion, AMN got a start in his preferred in the centre of midfield. He looked to be playing offensively; he cracked off a decent looking shot from outside the box and later burst through on goal, although he could not finish the chance off. If it’s his way or the highway, let’s hope the Hale End product can really make the position his own.
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