Does this mean Arsenal don’t need a new striker?
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Highlights from the Carabao Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Crystal Palace
Your No. 9 popping up with a hat-trick just in time for Christmas in Arsenal’s 3-2 win against Crystal Palace is the perfect antidote when your attack is being questioned.
Arsenal’s recent laxity in open play and their reliance on set-pieces sparked the now annual debate over whether a new striker is needed in January. So what about Gabriel Jesus watching in the slot, at least for one half of the football?
Arsenal and Jesus proved in the second half that their problem is not a “striker”. Many claimed the Gunners needed a forward last January and they finished on 91 Premier League goals – the most in their history in the competition.
What Arsenal have proven – which needs fixing – is to rely on Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. It’s a creativity problem more than an offense problem.
Mikel Arteta’s side barely looked like scoring until the two came on separate substitutions and provided a sharp assist for Jesus within minutes of arriving on the pitch.
So whether it’s improving the left-wing position or getting better understudying for Saka and Odegaard – Leandro Trossard and Raheem Sterling failed to impress but Ethan Nwaneri looked promising – that’s where Arsenal’s focus must be, if they are to make a January move.
Sam Blitz
Palace will relish Saturday’s return
Saturday, December 21 at 5 p.m
Kick-off 17:30
Crystal Palace were up for the cup, certainly for 54 minutes anyway. Until Jesus equalised, Oliver Glasner would have shone with how aggressively and diligently organized his team was.
It showed for their opening goal after just four minutes when Jean-Phillipe Mateta chewed up and spat out Jakub Kiwior as they battled for a 50-50 ball from Dean Henderson before the striker kept his cool in front of goal. We shouldn’t be surprised now by Mateta’s deadly finish.
It is now 25 goals in his last 35 starts for club and country – any striker, bar Erling Haaland, at the top level would shake hands for such a return. Palace couldn’t quite sustain their prowess out of possession as Arsenal eventually broke through. But back at Selhurst Park last Saturday, with the same opposition, live on Sky Sportsthis Palace team certainly has the game plan and aggression to make life difficult for the Gunners again. However, they will have to do it for 90 minutes this time.
Lewis Jones
Elliott shines in Liverpool’s win
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Highlights from the Carabao Cup quarter-final match between Southampton and Liverpool
On his first start since May, Harvey Elliott shone in Liverpool’s 2-1 Carabao Cup quarter-final win at Southampton.
The midfielder scored what proved to be the winning goal with a clinically low finish in the first half.
Already at the age of 21, Elliott was one of the more experienced players in a youthful team and he led by example in midfield.
The Englishman made the most passes in the final third (21) in the match as he scored a player of the match.
“He’s been outstanding,” said Sky Sports’ Don Goodman. “Not just the goal, his all-round work ethic with and without the ball. An excellent game.”
Now Elliott hopes his performance can earn him a starting place in the Premier League to become more of a regular under Arne Slot.
Declan Olley
Defense First – A Sign of Things to Come for Struggling Saints?
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Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah appeared to bring down Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes in the dying minutes of the game
The plan was clear for all to see from the start when Liverpool came to St Mary’s for the second time in a month: stay compact, with rigid banks of five and four, frustrate Liverpool, hit them on the counter when the openings appeared and hope for the best .
Under Russell Martin, Southampton liked to dominate the ball. But with little success – and ultimately his dismissal just days ago – his temporary replacement Simon Rusk knew it wouldn’t wash, especially against arguably one of the best teams in the world right now.
For just over 20 minutes, Liverpool attacked and attacked, but were kept at bay. When the releases were pumped long, the fans reacted with cheers. Later there were brave blocks that kept the final score respectable.
Saints fans had seen their team leak goals like no one has recently – 11 in the last three Premier League games, in fact – and to see that defensive frailty disappear, even slightly, was very well received.
Is it a sign of things to come? It is difficult to say for sure until Martin’s permanent replacement is appointed. Should they play similarly in the Premier League, they may just have a very early start to a survival bid.
Dan Long
Fantastic Tonali stands up for Toon
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Highlights of the Carabao Cup quarter-final between Newcastle United and Brentford
If Sandro Tonali is unhappy at Newcastle, he certainly doesn’t look it.
The Italian midfielder finally seems to be living up to expectations and price tag at St James’s Park, with his brilliance proving the difference in the Magpies’ 3-1 win over Brentford.
The first goal was exceptional, the cleanest of hits that showed the technique at his disposal. His reaction and celebration shows the bond he has forged with the Toon support – who backed him emphatically through his suspension last season.
The second, the product of a well-crafted routine from a corner, showed his intelligence and spatial awareness. Away from the goals, he and Bruno Guimaraes dominated the middle of the park. It feels like a special partnership is forming between the two.
If not his finest display in a Newcastle shirt, this was certainly his most impactful. His quality steered the game in their direction. If he could be the man to steer the club to that coveted trophy, he will never be forgotten in the city.
Simeon Gholam
Schedule is catching up with Brentford
“It’s about getting the balance right in a tight week where we want to perform at our best in all three games.” That was Thomas Frank’s explanation in advance for making so many changes to the team that played against Chelsea on Sunday. Was he right?
Brentford are back in action against Nottingham Forest on Saturday so frustration is understandable. “I’ve been pretty vocal about the fact that I don’t think we had the optimal schedule but it is what it is. I have full faith that this team can compete,” he said.
Speaking, Frank added: “And by the way, a game is over 90 minutes not 60.” The problem was that by the time the Brentford boss turned to substitutes Bryan Mbeumo and Mikkel Damsgaard, Tonali had already bagged two goals for Newcastle.
Damsgaard was a real bright spark in the last half hour of the game, releasing Mbeumo to set up Yoane Wissa for Brentford’s consolation goal. Mbeumo’s beautiful pass had opened the defense wide and set up a chance for Wissa moments earlier.
Would it have made a difference if Frank felt able to start the trio? The Bees boss would point to the example of Ethan Pinnock, asked to start again only to come up early with a hamstring problem. Something has to give. It was Brentford’s cup hopes.
Adam Bate
