Arsenal beat PSG 5-1 in an exciting friendly match in the International Champions Cup in Singapore.
It may have been a preseason game, played against a PSG side full of reserve players and youth prospects, but Unai Emery can still be very satisfied with his side’s work as they looked sharp, clinical and a constant threat. What did we learn from today’s game?
1. A show of faith, and support, for Mesut Ozil
(Photo credit ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Mesut Ozil has not enjoyed the best of summers.
His Germany side flopped at the World Cup, finishing bottom of their group after an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to South Korea. In the fallout from that failure, the German media and public alike pretty much lined up at Ozil’s door, pitchforks and torches in hand, and some almost exclusively blamed Ozil for Die Mannschaft’s poor showing.
This forced Ozil to announce his retirement – along with releasing a lengthy statement on the issue. However, on his return to action for Arsenal, Unai Emery has shown a lot of faith in the former Real Madrid midfielder, even naming him as captain against PSG.
And the German repaid Emery’s faith tenfold with his performance. Ozil was a constant creative threat to PSG in the 65 minutes he played, scoring the first goal after 13 minutes and laying on a number of chances for the likes of Henrik Mhykitarian and Pierre Emerick Aubemyang.
If Ozil can keep up these kinds of performances in the Premier League this season, his international woes will be a distant memory and Arsenal will be the major benefactors.
2. World Cup snub has benefitted Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette is one of a host of big names that will still be wondering what might have been after his omission from the French World Cup winning side this summer.
That being said, it seems to have done the striker, who scored 17 goals in all competitions last season, absolutely no harm at all. Replacing the bright Alex Iwobi at halftime, Lacazette bagged two goals in just over 25 minutes and looked sharp throughout the second half.
If he can keep linking up effectively with record signing, Pierre Emerick Aubemyang, then Arsenal could be a joy to watch this season.
3. Iwobi could thrive under Emery
It can sometimes be dangerous to read too much into a preseason friendly. However, Unai Emery set his Arsenal side up with a clear gameplan today.
Especially in the first half, they hit PSG with numerous counter attacks at break-neck speed. They also used their forward line to press PSG in their own half and forced them into a lot of mistakes. Alex Iwobi was a key part of that in the first half and the likes of ex-Arsenal man Lassana Diarra looked terrified in possession – Iwobi was constantly on the prowl for any mistakes.
Iwobi has had a mixed time in his three professional seasons with Arsenal so far but, with a contract extension rumoured to be on the horizon and him playing such an effective part in the first half of today’s game, this could be when the Nigerian international really puts down his marker in the Arsenal starting XI.
4. Guendouzi shows up Rabiot
(Photo by Lionel Ng/Getty Images)
In contrast to PSG’s young side, Arsenal fielded a lineup with vast amounts of international and club experience – the likes of Ozil, Aubemyang and Mhikitaryian are seasoned professionals.
But one name that stood out to Gunners fans was that of 19-year-old Frenchman, Matteo Guendouzi. After a shaky performance against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, Emery backed the youngster by starting him in the midfield pivot role today.
And Guendouzi was in no mood to let another opportunity pass him by. He played the role to perfection with a Michael Carrick-like performance, dictating the pace of play from deep, passing the ball with real authority and helping the likes of Mohamed Elneny shield Arsenal’s defence very effectively. Guendouzi was the key part of a midfield trio that kept his much more experienced compatriot, Adrien Rabiot, firmly at bay.
He’s already played 30 times for Lorient’s first team in France – keep your eyes on this youngster as he grows at the Emirates.
5. Nkunku the pick of the bunch for PSG youngsters
5-1 was a little unfair on PSG’s young side today. They showed a lot of flair and talent but ultimately, massive defensive naivety let them down.
However, Thomas Tuchel will be very pleased with the performance of 20-year-old Christopher Nkunku. The attacking midfielder was PSG’s main threat throughout, firing a number of threatening efforts at the Arsenal goal. He scored via the penalty spot in the second half and also forced Emiliano Martinez into a smart save with his long-range free kick.
France already have an embarrassment of riches in terms of exciting young talent but, with a strong performance here and 27 appearances for the first team last season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Nkunku knocking on Didier Deschamp’s door in the near future.
The post Guendouzi upstages Rabiot: Five things learned as Arsenal hammer PSG in friendly appeared first on Squawka News.
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