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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Arsenal were made to rue a poor first half showing against Tottenham on Sunday as they were held to a 2-2 draw in the north London derby.
The Gunners were shoddy in the opening 45 minutes as mistakes from Sokratis, Bernd Leno and Granit Xhaka meant they were 2-0 down at the break.
However, their formidable forward line dragged them back, as goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rescued a point.
Despite that, it could have been different had Unai Emery selected a different player in midfield.
On the chalkboard
One of the most surprising elements of the Spaniard’s team selection was the absence of Dani Ceballos.
Although he was restricted against Liverpool a week previous, failing to create a chance, his performance at the Emirates against Burnley showed the impetus he can bring.
Arsenal started with a midfield trio of Matteo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira and Xhaka, but all of them failed to really create in the first period, with just the latter managing a key pass in the first half.
Guendouzi popped up with the equalising assist, but the Gunners arguably missed someone like Ceballos.
When he was introduced he proved he could cope with the frantic nature of the play and his ability to keep possession was something they missed during the early stages.
He was only on the field for 27 minutes but managed to create two opportunities and his close-knit control helped Arsenal have the better end to the game.
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Against Burnley two weeks ago, the 23-year-old mustered two assists, three shots and four dribbles, per WhoScored.
That was against a side who liked to sit back, and indeed that’s what Spurs did as they tried to catch their opposition on the counter-attack.
Perhaps on the road the midfield three that Emery chose would have been preferable, but at home, he could have afforded to play a more creative outlet.
If there were concerns that he wouldn’t be able to cope with the enormity of the occasion, he proved that wrong when he came on.
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