Arsenal capped off their pre-season with a 2-0 win over Lyon on the Emirates – with each targets coming from centre-backs by the use of set-pieces.
The Gunners’ defence was undoubtedly considered one of their strongest belongings all through the 2023/24 marketing campaign. William Saliba and Gabriel acquired reward for his or her inpenetrable defensive relationship, commanding the backline while additionally contributing in assault.
It appears heading into the brand new season – Arsenal will as soon as once more depend on this duo.
Saliba and Gabriel have been instrumental throughout the Gunners’ victory over Lyon on Sunday. The Frenchman was the primary to carve his identify onto the scoresheet, nodding the ball into the again of the online after an outstanding cross from Declan Rice.
Rice was fast to help the following objective, once more from the nook, however this time it discovered Gabriel, who made gentle work of ending the prospect. The defenders fired Arsenal into the lead and highlighted a way that the group will look to make use of all through the 2024/25 season – scoring from set-pieces.
They’ll thank coach Nicolas Jover for his or her success in set-pieces. At any time when the gamers arrive close to the penalty space to try a shot on objective, he is there, on the touchline. It might be a case of it is not damaged then do not repair it – however Arsenal know they will rating on this manner, and they’ll proceed to strive.
Add in 6’2″ Riccardo Calafiori into that blend and shortly Arsenal will likely be scoring extra targets from set-pieces than they will think about. The Italian arrived on the Emirates this summer time for a charge of as much as £42m. His signing raised questions for some – who thought that Arsenal already had a fairly excellent backline, however Calafiori’s presence will add much more to Mikel Arteta’s defence.
The previous Bologna star made his long-awaited debut throughout Arsenal’s victory over Lyon – approaching within the sixty fourth minute to exchange Oleksandr Zinchenko. He acquired an enormous applause as he was welcomed onto the pitch – with followers eager to see what the thrilling signing may do.
He slotted into the left centre-back function shortly after approaching at left-back, wanting calm and composed whereas taking part in alongside his teammates.
Arsenal’s defenders may as soon as once more steal the present this season, with Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori probably on the coronary heart of every part that is good on the Emirates.
They kick off their 2024/25 marketing campaign by internet hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on 17 August and will likely be eager to show that they imply enterprise from the offset.
