Mikel Arteta started Myles Lewis-Skelly alongside Declan Rice at Sunderland.
By the end of the night, Bruno Guimarães had given him a serious decision to make.
The £75million summer signing came off the bench at half-time and completely changed Arsenal’s midfield dynamic in the 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.
Guimarães then scored the breakthrough goal just two minutes after David Raya saved Enzo Le Fée’s penalty.
ReadArsenal’s full Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal match report covers the key moments from another important away win.
But the bigger consequence may come in Arteta’s midfield selection.
Bruno Guimaraes changes Arsenal’s control
Arsenal struggled to impose themselves consistently during the first half.
Sunderland pressed aggressively, competed well physically and prevented Arteta’s side from establishing the level of midfield control they usually want.
Guimarães changed that almost immediately.
The Guardian’s match report highlighted Arteta’s half-time change as one of the key tactical decisions of the game, with the Brazilian adding composure before producing the decisive goal.
That strike could hardly have been better timed.
Raya had just denied Sunderland from the penalty spot when Guimarães collected the ball outside the area and curled Arsenal into the lead.
Reuters confirmed it was his first Arsenal goal since completing his £75m move from Newcastle United.
Lewis-Skelly now faces real Arsenal competition
This should not suddenly become a negative verdict on Lewis-Skelly.
The teenager has earned Arteta’s trust and offers something different alongside Rice.
But Sunderland showed why Arsenal spent so heavily on Guimarães.
He gave Arsenal:
- more security under pressure
- quicker progression through midfield
- greater experience in a hostile away environment
- another player capable of deciding a game individually
That is exactly the sort of depth Arsenal lacked at times during previous title challenges.
Arteta can now rotate between two very different midfield profiles rather than being forced into one solution.
The timing also matters.
Arsenal travel to Ipswich Town in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday before returning to Premier League action away to Brighton next Saturday. The Premier League fixture list confirms Brighton as Arsenal’s next league opponent, while the EFL Cup schedule has Arteta’s side at Portman Road on Tuesday.
Those games give Arteta opportunities to rotate.
But after Guimarães’ Sunderland impact, one question is suddenly much harder to avoid.
When Arsenal’s strongest league XI is selected again, who partners Rice?
Comments.
Loading comments…