Pundit Garth Crooks has praised Arsenal’s intelligent technique for celebrating their defensive power in away video games because it appears to provide them a psychological edge in troublesome matches on the highway within the Premier League.
The Gunners earned a convincing 3-0 win away to Brighton on the weekend, placing them high of the desk with seven video games to go, and Crooks was impressed with the second when Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba celebrated a defensive block collectively, which ensured a clear sheet.
The block from Gabriel, who made Crooks’ Premier League staff of the week on BBC Sport, was not a vital second by way of profitable the sport as it might absolutely solely have given Brighton a late comfort, nevertheless it’s clear how a lot it means to those Arsenal gamers that they’re so laborious to beat as of late.
The north London outfit have typically been characterised up to now for being a little bit of a delicate contact, however they’re now extremely stable and barely give their opponents a sniff at aim, maybe partly resulting from this sort of mentality from gamers like Gabriel and Saliba.
In a detailed title race the place aim distinction is also key, it is going to be vital for Arsenal to maintain on closing video games out like this if they’re to keep up that slim benefit over Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis.
Arsenal praised for ‘intelligent’ technique
Discussing Arsenal’s technique, Crooks stated: “How Arsenal defend of their subsequent seven Premier League fixtures will decide whether or not they are going to be topped champions or not. That’s the reason their whole again 5 celebrated as if that they had scored a aim when Gabriel blocked a shot within the dying minutes of a match that had already been gained in opposition to Brighton. To concede at that stage within the 3-0 victory would have been a not more than a mere comfort for the house aspect.
“Nonetheless, Arsenal’s fifth consecutive clear sheet away from residence signifies one thing much more significant. It suggests they know they’re on a roll and the momentum they’ve created might see them by means of to the final day of the season. Gabriel and William Saliba have been magnificent on this regard they usually have created a formidable centre-back partnership.”
He added: “Saliba was the primary participant to run to Gabriel after the Brazilian defender made a wonderful late block, which was precisely the spirit Arteta was referring to. What can be conspicuous is the way in which Arsenal are stirring the feelings of their away supporters.
“The Gunners have some troublesome journeys to make between now and the tip of the season as a way to raise the title and their gamers will want their ardour and help. So celebrating their victories so vividly and brazenly is constructing even higher momentum, with everybody wanting ahead to the following away fixture. It’s a intelligent technique and one that will in the long run show pivotal to their title problem.”