Take a glance at the headline figures – three points, 78 per cent possession, and goals from Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah – and the natural conclusion would be that Arsenal’s season got off to a solid, if not good, start.
But the key question that an observer should have carried into the match was whether Arsenal, with new signings worth £200 million, had improved from last season. On that count, the verdict is less clear.
While Mikel Arteta insisted that he was pleased with his team’s “dominant” performance, the Arsenal manager cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines, particularly in the first half.
With possession, Arsenal were slow and lethargic, prompting Arteta to remonstrate with his players, demanding they raise the tempo, and instruct
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