Arsenal FC have carved out a four-point lead after their best start in the Premier League. SPOX and GOAL shed light on why that is.
arsenal-Soaring: The Arrival of Gabriel Jesus
It’s impossible to downplay Gabriel Jesus’ influence on the current Arsenal team. His summer move from Manchester City to the Gunners completely changed the way Mikel Arteta’s side attack.
Last season it was clear that they needed a new attacking center to lead the attacking line. With Alexandre Lacazette at the centre, Arsenal lacked mobility and danger in the box. This left the Gunners almost entirely dependent on Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe to score their goals.
But with Jesus on the team, that all changed. The Brazilian has scored five goals in ten Premier League games, more than Lacazette all of last season, while also providing three assists.
But Jesus didn’t just cause a sensation with his fools. His pace and his pressing are extremely important on the offensive. With his movements, he is a constant threat to defenders.
He has also instilled a winning mentality in the young side and has played an important leadership role alongside captain Martin Ødegaard and Granit Xhaka.
arsenal-high flight: The youth
Arsenal are the second youngest side in the Premier League this season after Southampton – and it is precisely those youth who have been the driving force behind the Gunners’ success in their first ten games.
Bukayo Saka’s winner on Sunday in Leeds was the 24th league goal Arsenal have scored this season. Nine of those goals were scored by players aged 21 or younger.
It was also the 55th goal for Arsenal by a player under the age of 21 during Mikel Arteta’s tenure – that’s 23 more than any other side during his tenure.
Having such a young team can have its downsides at the end of the season, as demonstrated towards the end of the 2021/22 season when Arsenal failed to hold their own in the race for the top four. But for now, that youthful energy is playing a big part in the Gunners’ stellar start to the new season.
arsenal-high flight: Arteta’s leadership
The manager deserves huge credit for Arsenal’s start. He made a number of important decisions that have paid off so far.
The decision to appoint Martin Ødegaard as captain has paid off. As is Granit Xhaka’s steadfast backing, who looks like a whole new player under the Spaniard.
On defense, Arteta had to figure out how to fit certain players into his system. He opted to field William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in central defence, with Ben White playing at right-back in place of the reliable Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Many doubted White’s ability to fill the role, but so far he has been one of Arsenal’s stars of the season.
Arteta’s decision to field Tomiyasu at left-back in the Liverpool win was another brilliant move. It was a questionable decision as Kieran Tierney was on the bench. But right-footed Tomiyasu took out Mohamed Salah so badly that the Egyptian star was sent off with 20 minutes remaining.
Like his team, Arteta is still relatively young and inexperienced. He’s still learning, but this season most of his decisions have proven to be the right ones.
arsenal-high flight: A perfect preparation
It was a big deal for Arsenal. Arteta was able to have proper preparation with his squad for the first time since joining Arsenal and he took full advantage of it.
New signings Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko were brought in early, as was William Saliba, who was finally integrated into the squad after three loan deals. The preparatory trip to the United States was a great success. Arsenal won both games, including a 4-0 win against Chelsea in Orlando.
Jesus was a direct hit and the team spirit was clearly noticeable. This was highlighted by everyone who made the trip.
Arsenal ended their preparations with a 6-0 win over Sevilla FC to win the Emirates Cup. They’d won every friendly game that summer.
