Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left agasp by something that happened last night’s otherwise fairly straightforward win over Luton Town.
Arteta will have been delighted to see his team, who had made five changes, win the game at something of a canter.
Rob Edwards’ side were supposed to be a potential banana skin, a team who had scored in their last 18 Premier League games.
However, Arsenal rarely looked threatened, even though their XI was pretty unrecognisable from recent months.
It was odd to watch an Arsenal side without Declan Rice marauding around the midfield, just as peculiar as it felt not to have Bukayo Saka on the right.
But if Arteta had Saturday’s tough trip to Brighton & Hove Albion in mind when choosing his team, it seems like he did make a good call.
That being said, speaking after the game, the Arsenal manager was full of praise for the so-called ‘fringe players’ who came in and delivered.
Mikel Arteta shocked Thomas Partey hadn’t started for Arsenal since August before last night
As well as celebrating the performances of the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Leandro Trossard, Mikel Arteta admitted he was shocked that Thomas Partey hadn’t started since August.
Although he looked a little rusty at first, Partey did remind everyone at the club of his ability, a player who has been crucial for Arteta when not injured.
Arteta stated: “We made five changes for players that fully deserved to play, because they give me the right reasons every day to do so. They have to be used and I think they had a really good impact on the team.
“Emile had an impact for sure, and Reiss as well. Alex had some really good moments, Thomas had his first start since August, that is unbelievable.
“Leo comes into the team and he makes an impact. It’s really important because now they’re physically better, mentally better, they are confident and they are ready to go.”
Time for Thomas Partey to replace Jorginho in the pivot?
Of course, following Partey’s assured performance last night, it will be interesting to see how the £45m-midfielder fits into Arteta’s Arsenal plans moving forward.
Rice won’t be dropped, that’s for certain, but he could well replace Jorginho in the pivot in side’s biggest games to come – a big call for the Arsenal boss.
But either way, it’s definitely the kind of ‘positive problem’ that Arteta needs for the run-in when Arsenal will still be competing on two fronts.
Similarly, it will be intriguing to see how much of a role Jurrien Timber can play in the final months – a player now getting much closer to a return.
A fascinating period for the club, and there are some big calls for Arteta to get right.
All that being said, Robbie Savage was left blown by one Arsenal performance last night.
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