Arsenal secured a seventh consecutive victory and extended their lead at the top of the Premier League this weekend, but not everyone was happy with what they saw at the Emirates.
The Gunners appear in unstoppable form and they capitalised on a weekend where Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all lost by securing a 1-0 win against Crystal Palace to cement their status as the current favourites to win the title.
Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice were sensational in the win, as was Jurrien Timber, who is fast becoming the standout right-back in world football.
The Netherlands international however called for calm ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup clash against Brighton: “It is good to stay neutral, and not to get too high.
“Obviously, we’ve been doing well, but it’s still early in the season, and we just have to keep getting better game by game.
“The next game is already in three days, which is a (Carabao) Cup match (against Brighton), and the next Premier League game (against Burnley) is going to be tough as well.
“So, let’s keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard, and then from there, we’ll see what happens.”
Stelling reveals he turned TV off during Arsenal win over Palace
Arsenal’s bid to land their first league title in 22 years has been built on a remarkable defence which has shipped just three goals, and only one from open play, in their 13 fixtures across all competitions.
They have of course dominated in the opposition box as well, scoring just five of their 16 league goals from open play, and former Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling was disgusted by the lack of expansive football during the win over Palace.
“They can’t keep relying on set plays, they just can’t,” he said on talkSPORT on Monday morning.
He continued: “I love some of the Arsenal players, I love Saka, I love Odegaard, I love Eze. But please, please be just a bit more expansive. I mean watching Arsenal against Palace, was watching paint dry. It was purgatory. I started watching that match, and I had enough of it before they had a shot. I’d turned over by then, to watch Villa versus City, which was a much better game.”
Arsenal’s clean sheet against Palace was their fifth in succession, And Timber is proud of their tough to play against style: “Everyone plays a part in it, but it’s a good thing and a good foundation to build on.
“From that standard, you just have to keep getting better and be consistent in what we do, and then throughout the whole season, hopefully we’ll turn it into something beautiful.
“It gives you confidence and it shows that we’re doing really well, and also, if it’s for multiple games in a row, it says something about consistency.
“We just have to keep improving, and look at what we can do better, but also take that feeling with you, that confidence and go into the next game with the same mindset.”
Mikel Arteta awaits news on injuries sustained to William Saliba, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori, which is perhaps the only damp spot on an otherwise flawless October for the Gunners.