Arsenal are learning to weaponise home advantage, like the very best Premier League teams have always done. Back when they were all-conquering, both Liverpool and Manchester United had a brilliant ability to change gears in the second half to rescue points late in games, especially at home. Arsenal are learning how to do this at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are learning to weaponise home advantage, like the very best Premier League teams have always done.
Back when they were all-conquering, both Liverpool and Manchester United had a brilliant ability to change gears in the second half to rescue points late in games, especially at home.
Both Anfield and Old Trafford were horrendous places to survive in the closing period as they increased the pressure and doubled the pace. Their fans felt it happening and added their own vocal pressure and it led to so many teams capitulating.
Arsenal are learning how to do this at Emirates Stadium. A first-half display against Wolves was too predictable and had some home fans frustrated, but they knew that a second-half charge when the cavalry arrived was likely to have the desired effect.
Arsenal have scored more than twice as many goals in the second half of home games this season than in the first 45.
They may have only just made it over the line last Saturday, but how often did the old United and Liverpool teams do that in title-winning seasons?
It is worth noting that substitutions are also a big part of the Arsenal story.
Mikel Arteta did it by the book to start with: Mikel Merino to add a goal threat from midfield; Martin Odegaard to provide the spark that Eberechi Eze had not managed and Leandro Trossard to ask different questions to those posed by Gabriel Martinelli.
The most obvious substitution seemed to be Noni Madueke, having been brilliant in midweek against Club Brugge, scoring a couple of goals to boot. But no, Arteta kept him on the bench before introducing Gabriel Jesus in the 81st minute instead. Jesus did not score the winner, but he might as well have done.
It was his striker's positional instinct that forced the own goal from Wolves' Yerson Mosquera. More importantly, the cross for that 94th-minute winner was delivered by Bukayo Saka, the man Madueke would have replaced.
Late goals are vital as is a bit of luck - but as they say in the game, you make your own luck.
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Category: General Sports
