Match Analysis: Arsenal defeat Millwall 4-1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB2QJRv4BaE

It was a strong performance from Arsenal as they scored four goals against Millwall on Saturday, July 24. After having a couple of preseason matches that were lackluster it seems that manager Mikel Arteta was able to find the right adjustments in an ever-changing squad.

Arsenal was expected to be in Orlando, FL for the Florida Cup to take on Inter Milan, but due to a small breakout of COVID-19 within the team, Arsenal was forced to pull out of the preseason competition. Fortunately, they were able to rebound with a match against Millwall and it allowed fans to see the likes of new midfielder signing, Albert Sambi Lokonga, in action for the first time.

In the opening 10 minutes of the match, it looked like the left flank will continue to be a threat heading into next season. It should come as no surprise since Arteta has brought Tierney more into an attacking role since the start of last season. Tierney was dominant in possession and crosses into the box during his time against Millwall.

While the Gunners were dominant in the opening minutes they did face a scare as Millwall defender, Jake Cooper, was able to notch a header off the post after a threatening free-kick crossed into the box. One note that continues to reappear in these preseason matches is the fact that Arsenal is tending to regress in their aerial defense (particularly set-piece aerial defense) that they were so strong in during the previous season.

The first goal would finally come from Arsenal defender Callum Chambers in the 17th minute. It was a precise cross from Nicholas Pepe that found a bicycle kick from Aubameyang at the end of it, but Aubameyang’s shot hit the crossbar with Callum Chambers able to finish the rebound into the back of the net.

It would’ve been an amazing goal from Aubameyang, who is looking to get back in his best form after a difficult 20/21 season, but it’s also an important momentum piece for Chambers. Chambers has struggled to establish his role since returning from a torn ACL, but in his few appearances he has shown to play as a traditional right-back under Arteta. With a goal like this in the preseason, it can prove to be an important building block for his momentum to keep his good form moving forward.

During the second half Arsenal fans finally got to see the debut of Lokonga, who looked strong with Thomas Partey alongside him. One of the first details seen from Lokonga was the consistency to prioritize the forward pass. The forward pass from a traditional No 8 or No 6 was lacking last season as the only midfielders in that traditional role to attempt those forward passes were Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka, the latter looking at a move to A.S. Roma.

The second Arsenal goal came in the 59th minute from Alexandre Lacazette. It was a strong header off the end of a delivering cross from Chambers. In this preseason it appears that Lacazette is beginning to find that strong form he has shown glimpses of during his time at Arsenal and that’s the kind of sign Arteta will be hoping for. The link-up play between Pepe, Lacazette, and Aubameyang continues to improve game by game in this preseason and it’s one to keep an eye on, especially if it’s the attack Arteta is leaning towards in his starting 11.

Lacazette kept his stellar performance going in the 65th minute create a dummy’d play from a Reiss Nelson cross to allow a beautiful strike from Pepe. Depending on if he’s in the plans or not under Arteta, it’ll be interesting to see if Lacazette will remain a player at Arsenal past this transfer window. Regardless, he continues to shine this preseason and it continues to show on the pitch.

The fourth goal of the match came from Folarin Balogun, a positive sign for a youngster who committed to his future at Arsenal earlier this summer. With so many strikers on the squad at the moment and Balogun committing his long-term future to Arsenal, one player to keep an eye on is Eddie Nketiah who only has one year left on his contract. Nketiah received plenty of minutes so far in the preseason, but it is still unclear if Arsenal will keep him in their plans or if they will cash in on him with plenty of fellow Premier League teams inquiring for him.

The one knock on this Arsenal performance once again comes from a late goal in the match from Billy Mitchell. It is a bit concerning that Arsenal continues to give up goals from set-pieces and especially in the air. A positive from this concerning factor is the fact that it is still only preseason and multiple reports continue to rumor that the Ben White transfer is almost all but done for Arsenal. Adding another potentially strong center-back is a positive sign for Arteta and Arsenal, but there is still lots of work to complete before the summer transfer window closes.

With less than 20 days left before the Premier League season starts, Arsenal will look to offload several players like Xhaka, Kolašinac, Willian, Joe Willock, Hector Bellerin, and others while bringing in a few more positional players. Arsenal opens up their season on the road against Brentford on Aug. 13.