In an impressive pre-season display, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta praised his new recruits for their contributions in the 5-0 victory over the MLS All-Stars in Washington.
The Gunners’ new signings, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz, all made their debuts and showcased their talents during the match.
Arteta particularly highlighted the versatility of Kai Havertz, who scored the final goal of the game. The German midfielder’s ability to play in multiple positions was lauded by the Arsenal manager.
“He gives us something different with his quality and his height where he can be a target man if we need to beat the press,” Arteta commented.
While Havertz played in the attacking midfield position during the game, Arteta hinted that the player might be utilized in various roles throughout the season.
The spotlight also fell on Jurrien Timber, the €40 million acquisition from Ajax. Timber displayed his versatility by playing both in midfield and at right back during an impressive cameo appearance.
Arteta praised the young talent, saying, “He gives you the capacity to invert and occupy different spaces.
He’s so comfortable on the ball in that phase. As well, he’s got that aggression in the duels and that dynamism which I really like. He is going to be a really important player for us.”
Arteta acknowledged that integrating new players into an established squad and tactical setup takes time but expressed confidence in finding the best way to utilize each of the three signings. “The idea is to be more unpredictable every year and be more difficult for the opponents to stop and nullify what we want to do,” he said.
Despite not being at their fluent best in the first half, Arsenal secured a 2-0 lead at half-time with goals from Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard.
Arteta emphasized the importance of a competitive match against a strong opposition and praised the support from Arsenal fans in the stadium.
With the new additions to the squad, Arsenal aims to achieve greater fluidity and open up more options in their attacking and defensive play.
As the pre-season progresses, Arteta will continue to work on building the chemistry among the players to create a formidable and unpredictable team for the upcoming season.
Overall, the 5-0 victory showcased the potential of Arsenal’s new signings and provided a glimpse of the team’s ambitions for the future.
As the season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate seeing how these fresh talents will contribute to the Gunners’ success on the pitch.
