Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the Premier League season with a comfortable 3-0 win away at Bournemouth, as Mikel Arteta‘s side continue to impress.
Martin Odegaard was in the right place at the right time to put Arsenal ahead inside six minutes, turning in Gabriel Martinelli’s saved effort. And the captain doubled his and Arsenal’s tally just five minutes later, smashing his effort past Mark Travers. This time it was Gabriel Jesus’ turn to assist the Norwegian.
Arsenal started the second half just like the first, and William Saliba scored a stunning goal to open his account for the Gunners, and wrap up all three points. It’s the ultimate contrast in performance from last season, as Arsenal found themselves bottom of the Premier League after their opening three matches. With Arsenal heading into Sunday top of the pile, Daily Star Sport takes a look at what Arteta got right at the Vitality Stadium.
Read More: Erik ten Hag urged to copy Mikel Arteta in bid to save Man Utd career by Arsenal legend
Blistering start
(Image: REUTERS)
Arteta ensured that Arsenal were sharp straight from the first whistle, and any potential nerves that may have crept in away from home were eliminated within 11 minutes. Arsenal have experienced mixed success away at Bournemouth in the past, but they didn’t even allow the home side to get going.
Arsenal have made fast starts in every game this season, and the longest it’s taken them is 23 minutes so far. Making quick starts used to be an issue for the Gunners, but Arteta has managed to get his side out of any bad habits.
The way they started the second half also proved their intentions, as Scott Parker’s team talk at half-time was quickly undone. The Gunners are proving to be a problem wherever they go, and they’ve sent a warning to the rest of the Premier League.
Not making any changes
(Image: Getty Images)
Arteta couldn’t get his side going at the start of last season, but his squad can’t do any wrong 12 months on. Arteta named an unchanged side for the third successive Premier League match, as if nothing is broken, why fix it?
But this was a statement in itself, as it was the first time since 2003 that Arsenal have named the same starting XI in the opening three games of a league season. During the 2003/04 season Arsenal remained unbeaten, and although no one is suggesting they could emulate that, they’re yet to slip up.
Arteta has got the balance right at Arsenal, and when Saliba is scoring world-class goals from centre-back it proves that confidence is flowing through the Gunners camp. Arsenal look hungry, and no one wants to lose their place.
Ben White’s new role
(Image: Getty Images)
Ben White was brought in for £50million last summer, but it’s this season that the former Brighton defender is really starting to settle in and mature. White is naturally a centre-back, although his versatility means he is also capable at both right-back and in a defensive midfield role, and it’s out wide where Arteta is finding him a success.
With Cedric out and Takehiro Tomiyasu struggling for fitness, White has been playing at right-back to kick off this season, and he’s starred in that role for the Gunners. White offers a lot going forward, and has a lot more to his game than just being a ball-winning centre-back.
With Saliba thriving alongside Gabriel, it’s the perfect way for Arteta to get all of his stars into one side. Tomiyasu replaced White during the closing stages as he looks to get back to match fitness, but it’s a nice problem for Arteta to have, with players battling for a role.
Naming Odegaard captain
(Image: REUTERS)
After stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of his captaincy, Arteta was left with the difficult choice of selecting a new leader to help manage his side on the field. The Spaniard gave Odegaard the honour, after the Norwegian ran the show for the Gunners last season.
And he’s stepped up even more since being given the armband, and was influential as he fired Arsenal into an early 2-0 lead against Bournemouth. Odegaard has it all, from vision to passing and goalscoring, but his communication is really boosting Arsenal.
Odegaard has been one of Arsenal’s best players since signing from Real Madrid, and he has the full backing of every teammate too, as not only does the midfielder seem popular, he has earned complete respect. It’s proved so far to be an inspired decision by Arteta.
Read Next: