Review of September – a look back on a positive month for the Gunners

Arteta

Review of September – a look back on a positive month for the Gunners 

By Oscar Maung-Haley 


What a difference a month makes. 
At the end of August, Mikel Arteta’s side had just capitulated to an embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Manchester City. 
Fast forward through September, and life at the Emirates looks far more positive than it did just a month prior. Here’s our review of Arsenal’s September action. 

International break came at just the right time 

MO v Burnley

A tumultuous start to the new Premier League campaign had many thinking whether Arteta would still be in a job come the start of September let alone the end. 
The Spaniard oversaw three dismal losses to Brentford, Chelsea and Manchester City in the league during August. 
However, in his defence, the starting line-ups fielded for all three of those games were nowhere near Arsenal’s best. In fact, the international break coming when it did, at the start of September, could have saved Arteta and Arsenal’s season. 
It allowed the Gunners to get their players back up to speed, be that due to a lack of fitness, recovering from injuries, or returning from an intense summer. 
After the international break, Arsenal won four of their next five games in all competitions, with the only blot on their copy book coming in last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Brighton. 
It’s always a bit strange to be given international football a few weeks after the season has started but in this case it certainly helped the Gunners find their feet after a shaky start. 

Build a spine 

AR1 vs Brighton

All the best Premier League teams and recent champions have a strong spine they can rely upon. 
September saw Arsenal field, for the first time, what could potentially be their spine. 
In the 1-0 win over Norwich, which kick-started the Gunners recent run of good form, Arsenal were able to field what now looks to be their strongest back four, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney forming the quartet. 
In addition, they also handed a first Premier League start to Aaron Ramsdale, who has been a revelation between the stick since his arrival from Sheffield United. 
A week later against Burnley, the same back four was shielded by a midfield of Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe, with Bukayo Saka, Nicholas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang operating in attack. 
That team on paper is a strong starting line-up. They might not have the depth to test Manchester City or Chelsea, but on paper, Arsenal have the makings of a really impressive starting XI if the youngsters continue to develop at a rate of knots. 

Derby day delight 

ESR v Spurs

How could we not mention a north London derby day win? 
On the 26th of September, the Emirates, bathed in an end of summer glow, played host to a rampant 3-1 Arsenal win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur. 
Goals from Smith Rowe, Aubameyang and Saka within the opening 35 minutes of action all but wrapped things up in the first half for the Gunners, in what was one of their best attacking displays in years. 
It was a reminder of how good it is to see fans back in the stands and it was also a reminder that if this squad can continue to grow, Arsenal could really push on to become top four and title contenders again in the years to come. 
PHOTO CREDITS: GETTY IMAGES 

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