By Daniel Finton (Deputy Editor)
What up, Pimps?
Welcome one and welcome all to the Finton's Frolic right opinion zone. After a comfortable win away to the side named after a fungus, the Gunners should have at least a sliver of confidence going into Sunday's bout to Wolves. Even if it's smaller than the slice of pumpkin pie your auntie on a diet had for Thanksgiving, at least it's something.
The side showed a great deal of directness and the scoreline was exemplative of that. A 38 minute spell in the second half saw Nicolas Pepe score the opener, Reiss Nelson score five minutes after and Folarin Balogun score his first professional goal for the club.
The match showed just how capable a great deal of the youngsters are to prove themselves. And in my, right opinion, I believe the ankle biters should be rewarded with more frequent Premier League outings because of their no-nonsense approach.
Nelson and Joe Willock in particular, impressed me once again. The pairs' willingness to venture into the box and provide movement in the final third helped their teammates exponentially. Often times when the older players are deployed, the attacking front is stagnant. That was far from the case yesterday. Fluidity was actually there for once.
Willock has come under a great deal of senseless scrutiny since bursting onto the scene, but he is now starting to show doubters that he is capable of putting in the hard yards and while providing output too, I.E. the assist to Nelson. As for Nelson, questions were being asked, and I was one asking them to be honest. There were times where the 20-year-old looked too raw and completely unsure of himself. Now, however, he is showing confidence and something we do not have-the mindset of an old-fashioned winger. Almost Ray Parlour- esque. That coupled with his modern-day set of skills makes for an intriguing type of player.
I wasn't impressed by Eddie Nketiah to be honest, but the night is still young for him and he still has time to grow into a top player. However, with regards to Emile Smith Rowe and Folarin Balogun, I was extremely so and as were most. The former was only on the pitch after returning from a lengthy injury for about 15 minutes and managed an assist to the latter who only played for eight. In other words, out of the five out and out youth players included (completely barring Ainsley Maitland-Niles because I consider him a senior player) four of which had direct goal contributions.
The moral of the story is; play the kids. Our attack in Premier League matchups is horribly impotent, boring and as I said earlier, stagnant. Introducing energy into the side may turn Arsenal's poor fortunes in front of goal around. The buzzing bees around the struggling, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang may provide the captain with more space to do what he does best while also chipping in with the odd goal or two themselves.
Against Wolves, I think it would be harsh not to see Nelson from the start and also think the same can be said for Willock. A front four of Willock in behind, Nelson on the right, Bukayo Saka (if fit) on the left and Aubameyang down the middle would provide us with an incredibly direct and absolutely rapid attack quartet.
As ever, we'll see what happens but until then, thanks for tuning in, Toodloo...!
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