Arsenal beat AC Milan 2-1 to lift the Dubai Super Cup and continue the momentum of their mid-season friendlies. The World Cup continues, and William Saliba remains in Qatar but as more and more players return to the group, Mikel Arteta is gradually reassembling his group that has seen the Gunners top the table at Christmas with a five-point gap to Manchester City.
Arteta has been keen to see his side not dip in intensity and quality despite the significant number of starters still missing from the Arsenal eleven. The performances against both Lyon and AC Milan have been good, and the Italian side provided a much sterner test than their French opponents.
There were varying performances from a number of the group against the Serie A champions. football.london takes a look at who exactly the winners and losers from the fixture were on a more individual basis.
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Winners
Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard was challenged to add more goals to his game this season and going into the return of the Premier League he is the current top scorer of the league leaders. He scored twice today, although his second was very fortuitous.
But there was no luck with his brilliant free kick. This is not the first he has scored for Arsenal, a bending effort against Burnley last season also caught the eyes of supporters and perhaps, if perfected, Odegaard’s set plays will be a true asset to the team.
Fabio Vieira
It was imperative that Fabio Vieira enjoyed a fruitful mid-season break having missed out on the preseason in the summer due to a foot injury. A goal and an assist against Lyon and another creative role in the Gunners’ second vs AC Milan has certainly helped the Portuguese creator to stand out.
Furthermore, playing out of position on the right-hand side, Vieira struggled to show his qualities when used here against PSV in the Europa League. He certainly did against the Italian champions yesterday and will encourage Mikel Arteta that he was right to invest in the 22-year-old.
Ben White and Thomas Partey
Ben White and Thomas Partey were the first players to return to action with Arsenal after participating in the World Cup. While Partey played every game, White did not get a minute of action in Qatar but both started against Milan and put in a good half of football as they work back to integrating into the domestic action.
Losers
Marquinhos
Marquinhos looks like a player who has gone from playing every week to someone who is now playing far fewer minutes, and that is exactly the case. A loan this winter is an absolute must for the Brazilian who, in these two friendlies, has come off with a lower estimation of his long-term future at the club.
This might seem harsh but playing in a position currently occupied by Bukayo Saka, just two years older, Marquinhos to succeed needs to be doing more. Yet, it is certainly fair to point out that the lack of minutes and a response from time away is exactly what he needs.
Eddie Nketiah
Don’t panic, no I do not think he played badly, in fact, I was impressed. But Eddie Nketiah I am sure is feeling somewhat like he lost today simply because he didn’t score in successive games.
With Gabriel Jesus out, Nketiah is going to start, and he says he is ready to do so. The mentality of being disappointed with not scoring despite winning is good, this ambition is what can help take the forward through this period of starting games for the Gunners.
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