Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the 2023/24 Premier League campaign continued on Sunday afternoon as we travelled to Goodison Park and took a narrow 1-0 victory over Sean Dyche’s Everton side.
Manager Mikel Arteta saw his side dig deep to take the win as despite being largely in control of the game and utterly dominating possession, we did only get four shots on target and even then we had to wait until the 69th minute before we finally took the advantage, and earned what was really a well deserved win. With a far less than perfect record at Goodison in more recent years, we have lost four of the last five, this win would have been a much needed boost, and of course, having joined us from Brentford on a season long loan spell over the summer, it was also a debut clean sheet for goalkeeper David Raya.
Thanks to Leandro Trossard’s winner, we again move to within two points of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side as we hope to go one better than we managed to last campaign. As long as we can keep the gap minimal premier league winners odds for the coming year will continue to have us as one of the favourites.
“It was a long time without a win here,” Arteta explained. “We played a great game, we didn’t give anything away. We dominated the game and created numerous chances. The score should probably have been bigger. I really enjoyed this. Against Manchester United, I saw my face after and it was a bit of relief. This was enjoyment.”
One of the biggest talking points to come out of the game was our managers decision to drop Aaron Ramsdale and give Raya his bow, but Arteta appeared to be somewhat perplexed as to why this was such a big deal, saying on Monday.
“It’s the same rationale that Fabio Vieira played here or Eddie Nketiah played instead of Gabriel Jesus. I haven’t had a single question on why Gabriel Jesus hasn’t started and he’s won more trophies than anyone, including me, in that dressing room. I cannot have two players like this in one position and not play them. David has tremendous qualities like Aaron has, like Karl Hein has, but we have to use them you know.”
Most fans would probably have expected some rotation for the Everton clash as we have a big week of football coming up now. Wednesday sees us return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2016/17 campaign as we face Dutch Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven, and then it is the North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur the following Sunday and fans will be keeping a keen eye on who he selects between the sticks for the next one, as he more than hinted that there would be further goalkeeper rotation – even commenting that there have been times during his spell as manager at the Emirates that he was actually tempted to switch goalkeepers in the middle of a match.
“I didn’t have the courage to do it. But I’m able to take a winger, or a striker, or a central defender or to drop to a five and hold that result. We drew those games and I was so unhappy. Why? Why not? (change the keeper). We have all the qualities in another goalkeeper to do something when something is happening and you want to change momentum. Do it. Now my feeling is to get everybody engaged in the team. They have to play, regardless of the competition. We have to do it.”
We will have to see what Arteta does next as both of them have their individual qualities and strengths but there is a strong line of thought that says you do not overly rotate keepers as it simply mixes up the understanding in defence. It could simply be the gaffer does see Raya as our Cup keeper and ahead of the CL return, given Everton’s form, just wanted the 28 year old Spaniard to get 90 minutes under his belt first.
Arteta Begins His Goalkeeper Games, Or Was It A One Off?
