81 passes, 95.1% accuracy, 3 tackles – Arsenal defender has given Arteta selection headache after tonight
Arsenal got their Europa League campaign off to a winning start on Thursday night with a 2-1 victory over FC Zurich.
The Gunners made it six wins out of seven in all competitions thanks to goals from Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah.
Mikel Arteta’s charges took the lead in St Gallen after just 16 minutes, the summer signing scoring the opener.
Arsenal broke on the counter, with Eddie Nketiah racing down the left channel.
He then whipped the ball in across the face of goal, and the onrushing Marquinhos duly slammed home.
Arsenal, however, conceded in the 44th minute after Nketiah was adjudged to have fouled Fidan Aliti inside the box.
Mirlind Kryeziu made no mistake from the spot, sending Matt Turner the wrong way to equalise.
Nketiah would then make amends just after the hour mark.
He headed in Marquinhos’ cross at the back post to earn the visitors all three points in Group A.
While the two forwards made most of the headlines, there were other Arsenal players who impressed on the night.
Takehiro Tomiyasu finally made his first start of the season, having worked his way up to full match sharpness.
And the 23-year-old delivered an impressive display, giving Arteta yet another selection headache.
As per Whoscored, Tomiyasu clocked up 96 touches and 81 passes at an accuracy of 95.1 percent.
The Japan international registered one shot, key pass, one cross, and six accurate long balls out of six.
And in terms of defensive work, Tomiyasu made three tackles and three clearances.
While Ben White has been doing well at right-back, his spot will surely be under threat now.
And then, Arteta will have to decide whether to put White back at centre-half – but then, who would he drop?
As a manager, these are the sort of dilemmas you want to have.
