Arsenal's PL title hopes enhanced by physical edge and set-piece threat
Roberto De Zerbi offered no excuses for Brighton's defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday but he was eager to emphasise the quality of their opponent. "I think Arsenal are one of the best, maybe this season the best team in the Premier League," he said.
It was a bold claim and it was interesting to hear his logic. What is it that makes this Arsenal side so difficult to play against? The first words De Zerbi reached for in response were "energy" and "powerful". "We lost every second ball. We lost every duel."
Brighton could not compete physically, in other words, and they are not the first side to be overwhelmed by Arsenal lately. "Yes, they have good players," noted former Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom. "But there is a real edge to them as well."
The additions of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz have made a difference. Their stature instantly made Arsenal a more imposing team and the duo have helped improve their pressing game too.
The win over Brighton showed how. Mikel Arteta loves Havertz's ability to win duels. In conversation with Sky Sports recently, the Arsenal boss also talked up the 24-year-old's "football intelligence". Combined, they are invaluable qualities out of possession.
With Havertz pressing centrally along with Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard, Arsenal were able to disrupt Brighton's build-up and pin De Zerbi's side in their own half for long periods. "We are not used to suffering in this way," said the Brighton boss afterwards.
According to Opta, Arsenal won possession in the final third 11 times - their second-highest total in a Premier League game this season and as high as they managed in any game in the whole of last term.
There is further evidence of increased off-the-ball aggression in the
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