Much to the surprise of most fans, a much-rotated Arsenal side comfortably got the better of Leicester City on Sunday.
I think that most supporters would not have been surprised by the amount of rotation that Arteta - now apparently targeting European glory over progress in the Premier League - made; the 6 changes including rests for Saka and Aubameyang, and with 'notable' recalls for Pepe and Willian. However, that all pointed to a long afternoon, coming up against a Leicester side sitting in third in the table and smarting from their Europa Cup exit on Thursday evening.
To enhance the early pessimism, Arsenal conceded their usual early goal - the result of a catalogue of individual and collective errors. Tierney was stranded ahead of the play as Xhaka and Willian contrived to lose the ball to Tielemans on the left touchline 35 yards from goal. As he drove towards goal with Xhaka in his wake, Pablo Mari channelled his inner Mustafi and backed off, backed off again - and then backed off a little bit further... to be fair, he got no help from Elneny, who made no attempt to go to the ball from his central position, but surely Mari should have simply engaged Tielemans and left Vardy to somebody else? And as a result Tielemans got almost all the way to the 6-yard box before driving the ball hard and low past Leno and into the far corner. Shambolic all round, to be frank.
To give them credit, Arsenal responded well, dominating possession and building momentum as Leicester sat back. And it wasn't long before they were awarded a penalty when the tricky and ever-dangerous Pepe was brought down on the edge of the box by a combination of Ndidi and Tielemans. Unfortunately, however, VAR found that the initial contact had been made by Ndidi just outside the box - despite Pepe falling inside it - and the penalty award was rescinded. But this should have served as a warning for Leicester, as Pepe tormented third choice left-back Thomas for the rest of the half.
Arsenal continued to dominate, as Maddison-less Leicester struggled for ideas apart from the occasional long-range effort. Vardy was kept quiet and, let's face it, Iheanacho is no Dennis Bergkamp! Barnes was doing his best, but had his work cut out defensively in front of poor Thomas on the Leicester left.
Willian had looked motivated and involved from the start - for all that there were a few too many backwards passes - and it looked like his cameo in a winning cause against Benfica had ignited his Arsenal career. It made a pleasant change to see him driving at the opposition for a change, and hopefully he has his mojo back (I believe that Arteta should take some of the credit, if that is the case). Meanwhile Smith Rowe did what he does best, linking the midfield and attack, and leading the press alongside Lacazette.
The threat of Pepe finally got Thomas booked on 37 minutes - I thought he should have had his card a few minutes earlier - and from the resultant Willian free kick Luiz's late run and flicked header into the left corner of the net levelled the game up. A nice routine and a goal Made In Chelsea, dare I say; and it was nothing less than Arsenal deserved at that stage.
Moments later ESR sat down, looking rather forlorn, and he was replaced immediately by Odegaard. It's precautionary, thankfully, and hopefully not too serious. Like-for-like, though, by Arteta, with no change of formation. And before the end of the half a penalty was awarded - by VAR; and why he needed referee Tierney - who had unaccountably allowed play to go on - to go over and take a look I do not know. Ndidi's hands were raised as he attempted to block Pepe's shot and it was as clear as day. Was it a penalty? Yes, Ndidi!
The move had started with some really decisive play and 30-yard run at pace by none other than Willian; which was good to see. Laca slammed the penalty kick home with consummate ease; his fifth successful Arsenal penalty out of 5.
And at half-time Thomas - a red card waiting to happen if there ever was one - was replaced by Albrighton. But anything that Rodgers may have had planned was almost immediately undone as Barnes went down - entirely under his own steam - and was carried off with his right knee in an inflatable cast. He's an exciting player, on the fringes of the England squad, and I wish him well. And with his departure so ended any chance Leicester had of getting back into the game.
Just minutes later and Xhaka - who had as good a game as I can remember - won the ball in midfield and fed Pepe, who drove infield from the right. A quick pass to Odegaard, who with quick feet released the closing Willian, and the Brazilian's flick was slotted home from a yard by Pepe - who deserved his goal.
And that was it, really. Game dead and buried with over half an hour to go. The only other notes I have are a) 20 minutes into Partey's legs, b) Saka got his rest and c) Auba came on late on and nearly scored, but there's no sign of Gabriel Martinelli. Leicester did wake up in the final 5 minutes for a late, forlorn push. But it was all too little, too late.
And on the back of the excellent result against Benfica - never in doubt, eh? - this has turned into a good week for Arsenal. And just a few thoughts on the Europa League tie:
Firstly, elimination at the last-32 stage would have derailed the entire season, and re-raised doubts about the Manager. Secondly, Dani Ceballos won't look back on the game with much fondness, having conceded the free kick from which Benfica equalised and then gifted Benfica the lead in the second half. And thirdly, we have to thank the determination of Kieran Tierney, the sheer class and brilliance of Bukayo Saka and the predatory instincts of Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang for getting Arsenal through... to a reunion with Sokratis. But we're through, and on balance deserve to be - Arsenal were comfortably the better side over the two legs.
Onwards and upwards - a week off ,and then a tricky visit to Burnley - for all that they looked diabolically poor at Spurs over the weekend. Long may that form continue.
Stay safe. Back in a week.
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