Arsenal concluded their pre-season preparations on August 2nd, after defeating FC Monaco in the penalty shootout and claiming the Emirates CUP.
The match, taking place at the Emirates Stadium marked the debut of Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz and Declan Rice playing at home. Next up Mikel Arteta's side is set to face Manchester City for the Community Shield showdown.
Following the Gunners' victorious game Isaan Khan from Mail Sport pointed out the main takeaways of the match.
- Gabriel Jesus has a crucial place in the squad
Jesus' shock injury before the clash with Monaco is likely to keep him benched at the beginning of the upcoming football season. This absence is bound to show its mark on the Gunners' performance.
The 26-year-old missed the game on Wednesday due to a knee injury. Thanks to another injury sustained during his appearances for Brazil in the World Cup, this physical issue comes as a worry for Arsenal fans.
Although last season showed that Arteta's squad can survive without some of its key players, including Jesus, the Brazilian striker adds a new dimension at the Emirates Stadium.
- Declan Rice has advanced his position on the pitch
During pre-season, Declan Rice mostly assumed positions that limited his forward movements. However, in the match against Monaco, he displayed a different aspect of his game.
His partnership with Gabriel Martinelli on the left side was remarkable, causing trouble for Monaco's defense with their overlapping runs. Martinelli's speed and dribbling skills demanded close attention from Chrislain Matsima, affording Rice the opportunity to make runs towards the byline and cut inside.
The England international's combination of vision and physicality allowed him to execute these moves effectively.
- Defensive composition must be appropriately balanced.
Due to Arteta's tendency to experiment with positional intricacies, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu exchanged positions in the first half, with Timber even shifting to a midfield role in the second period.
While their forward-thinking approach brought some excitement, it left William Saliba particularly exposed at the back, often struggling to catch up with the opposition's attacks. This was evident when he had to resort to a foul to prevent a Monaco forward from getting dangerously close to the goal.
Therefore, the the defensive setup needs to be properly balanced before the start of the season. Otherwise, the center-backs will remain vulnerable, and such weaknesses will be severely punished in the Premier League.
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