Talk of a potential big-money bid for Lucas Paqueta had dominated the pre-match discussion in the lead-up to Arsenal ’s final pre-season fixture in the USA.
But by the end of the 90 minutes, the conversation had quickly switched to praising the brilliant quartet of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who combined to destroy Chelsea 4-0 at the Camping World Stadium.
If Arsenal playing Chelsea was meant to be just a dull, fitness-boosting exercise, clearly no one gave the memo to Mikel Arteta or his 11 starting players. They were sharp and determined to go for victory from the first minute, pressing intently in the American heat and making their fellow London opponents feel uncomfortable every time the ball landed at their feet.
It did not take long for their work to push Chelsea into a mistake as Granit Xhaka intercepted a loose Trevoh Chalobah pass, found Jesus in space and he lobbed Edouard Mendy with consummate ease. Then Martinelli made Mendy pay for a poor clearance, spotting Martin Odegaard's run with an accurate through pass and the Norwegian finished sublimely into the bottom corner.
Their domination became a running theme throughout the game, simply waiting for their lethargic opponents to slip up and punish them. And sure enough, Saka made it three after reacting first to Mendy's spill from an Odegaard effort. When Albert Sambi Lokonga rounded off the victory in stoppage time, Arsenal were dancing around, even showboating at times, and zipping the ball around with confidence.
By the end of the game, pundits were praising Arsenal for a committed display — and a repeat of that in a fortnight’s time for their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace would surely see them secure a comfortable three points. Jesus led the line like a classic No.9, while Saka and Martinelli were constant menaces in the wide areas.
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With Odegaard particularly influential in the No.10 role, not only creating but retrieving the ball on several occasions in the final third, it begged the question why technical director Edu Gaspar was even discussing the prospect of spending £55million on Lyon playmaker Paqueta, although the Brazilian admitted a transfer would be unlikely at this stage.
“I’m very respectful when I talk about Lucas, I’m a guy who likes him a lot, I’ve always liked him, since my time with Brazil’s national team,” the Arsenal chief told TNT Sports Brazil. "He’s had a great season, he was considered the best [overseas] player in the French league. But as of today, the reality is that there's not even a conversation to sign him. There's nothing as we've many players in that position, that's it... can't say more."
Of course, while the transfer window can often see teams get carried away, there is no denying Paqueta, with 11 goals for the Ligue 1 outfit last season, would be a sound addition. But Odegaard has taken on the role as his side's chief creator, with Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe likely to provide competition, and it would be a curious decision to see Edu lump £55m or £60m on a player that Arsenal do not need.
Especially when Arteta has some areas left to address, with a central midfielder required to provide competition for Xhaka and Thomas Partey. Youri Tielemans looks the most likely candidate and Arteta said: "You can see that we are still a little bit short in some positions for the way we want to play," he said. "It is something we are trying to address."
Given that Edu has effectively ruled out signing Paqueta, it could be seen as a disappointment from some fans’ perspective as they may harbour for the return of the days of talented technicians and one-touch football at the Emirates. But the Spaniard would argue his side have demonstrated that, by pulling Chelsea apart, their attackers are good enough to compete with the best.
And if they manage to address those areas where they are lacking in depth, the Gunners will be a team to be feared, rather than ridiculed, in the upcoming campaign.
