Arsenal’s £45m “ghost” should never have lasted the full 90 against Spurs

During 24 hours, Arsenalchances of winning Premier League took a big boost. It’s funny how fast football changes, isn’t it?

The Gunners have been dealt two bitter blows in their bid to win silverware in their previous two games, losing in the Carabao Cup to Newcastle and then in the FA Cup to Manchester United.

However, after Liverpool drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, Mikel ArtetaThe ‘Owl’s men managed to close the gap to four points at the top by beating their biggest rivals, Tottenham, 2-1 on Wednesday.

It wasn’t a vintage performance, but it was enough and, on a positive note, Arsenal are starting to find solutions in the final third.

In the last three games, The Gunners produced an xG score of 7.78. While in several games before that they struggled to create at all, now at least they are getting opportunities. They just have a hard time finding the end of the net.

Any chance of a new striker this month, Arteta? Let’s focus on the positives for a moment though.

Arsenal’s best players against Tottenham

Since the fatal hamstring injury of Bukaya Saka, the club needed to strengthen the players.

It was a challenge to find someone to replace him and they have now tried five different players; Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri and Raheem Sterling on the right as Saka is sent off.

All of them but Sterling have scored – so you could say they’ve stepped up – but you’d still want more from your forward line.

One player who really needs to do more is Martin Odegaard. Fortunately, the Norwegian may be slowly approaching his best form again.

The club captain has signed up an incredible ten key passes in the defeat to Man United in the FA Cup a few days ago and dictated again a nice game on Wednesday in the derby, four pass key registration and providing the assist for Trossard’s winner.

Speaking of Trossard, it was high time the Belgian did something. He struggled for form, in particular, he did not score in seven consecutive league games before the visit of Ange Postecoglou’s team.

However, his goal was brilliantly received, creating a left-footed chance before firing past new Spurs goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.

Another to shine was 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, the first 18-year-old to start for Arsenal in the north London derby since a certain Cesc Fabregas.

The teenager was the epitome of calmness at left back, completing 94% of his passes and winning four out of five duels. He also lost possession just five times after 46 touches. He really makes the position his own and already looks like an older player.

Unfortunately, not everyone caught their eye.

Arsenal’s worst results against Tottenham

One man who seems to be struggling for confidence right now Kai Havertz who just can’t find the end of the net.

Against Newcastle a week ago, the German missed a great opportunity with a header from just a yard out before spurning a number of chances last Sunday, most alarmingly firing over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Havertz struggled again this time, missing two big chances, including a free header in the box.

The goals will no doubt come again for the former Chelsea man, but his last three performances have summed up why he is Arsenal he was reportedly thinking about signing a player like Benjamin Cesko.

Another worse player was the midfielder Thomas Parteythe player who showed why the Gunners are supposedly is getting close to signing a contract with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Given his average performance, it may have been a surprise to see him from Ghana for the full 90 minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

Although the midfielder completed 91% of his passes and won five of his eight tackles, had the player been tracked in the build-up to Spurs’ goal, they may have kept a clean sheet.

Indeed, Partey let Pape Matar Sarro run down the right side of the pitch without any pressure and Tottenham ended up taking a corner that was not properly taken and then Heung-min Son hit the net.

It was a moment in the game that drew widespread criticism, with Aaron Catterson-Reid of The Athletic commenting that “Partey is a spirit in transition” while Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley noted it “his lack of effort is shocking”.

So, while Partey cost £45m when he first signed for Arsenalhe shouldn’t earn a penny over the summer as his contract expires.

It’s time for Arteta to replace him. Zubimendi, we are waiting for you.