MATCH REVIEW THREAD: Dundalk 2-4 Arsenal. The Gunners maintained their 100% record in the group with a win away at Dundalk. In this thread, I provide an in-depth match review of the game. Likes/RTs so that more people can see this would be much appreciated, enjoy!

FIRST HALF: Arteta retained the 3-4-3 that was deployed against Spurs last Sunday, although tweaks were made with the way the Gunners set up in possession. With Kolasinac out injured, AMN shifted towards the left whilst the creative ESR made his first start of the season.

Chambers was also given his first start, playing on the right of the back three. Out of possession, Arsenal would shift to a 5-4-1. Both Pepe and ESR supported the two wing-backs Cedric and Kolasinac, with Elneny/Willock in front of the 3 CBs. In possession, and during the...

build-up, Arsenal resorted to a 3-2-5 shape with Willock and Elneny dropping in to aid the transition from defence to attack. As Arteta's men progressed forward, Joe would push forward and make it a 6 in attack
(3-1-6). What's key to note is that Mari (at LCB) wouldn't...

overlap/advance forward like Tierney does when playing in this system. Cedric would partner Pepe offensively, and both rotated throughout. Occasionally, Nico would operate in the half-spaces, with the Portuguese international staying wide and vice versa. On the opposite flank...

ESR and AMN were developing a partnership and predominantly AMN would occupy the width, which allowed ESR to operate in the half-spaces and drift centrally.

Regarding the first-half display, the Londoners started well. During the initial 15/20 minutes of the half, greater...

energy/intensity was installed in the press, which is an aspect that has been lacking in the PL. Elneny would push forward, apply pressure along with others around him occupying positions which eliminated passing lanes, forcing turnovers. ESR was a bright spark, and both he...

and AMN looked threatening through the left. Arsenal did manage to break the deadlock in the 11th minute, with Nketiah anticipating the clearance made from the Dundalk defender and capitalised on the opportunity. A typical Eddie goal, always pressing with energy, looking...

to make life uncomfortable for the opposition. 6 minutes later, and the Gunners extended their lead with a rare goal for Elneny. Initially, its excellent play from ESR, who was flourishing in his first start of the campaign. Graduating from the Hale End academy...

the 20-year-old received the ball wide, drifted into the half-space whilst AMN would maintain width. He lays it to Elneny, and the Egyptian does the rest, rifling a fierce strike into the top corner. Surprisingly, Arsenal failed to maintain these levels and the home side...

opened their accounts in the 21st minute. A quick one-two on the edge of the box and Flores found the far corner with a powerful strike, although Icelandic GK Runarsson should have done better. As the half continued, the Gunners were lethargic in their play on the ball...

with nothing substantial to note creativity wise. Dundalk, however, could have levelled the game just before the interval.

SECOND HALF: The expectation was that Arsenal would raise their levels after the break. Instead, it was flat until the introduction of Balogun. Folarin...

was integral for the third goal, holding the ball up, with his back to goal before laying it into the path of Willock, who scored his 3rd of the season. And in the 79th minute, Balogun once again showed his worth, scoring his sides fourth of the evening. Pepe, who despite

had a quieter game, drifts centrally and provides the all-important assist. The frustration for Arteta would have been the goals conceded, and the Irish team grabbed their second of the night from a set-piece. Hoare finds himself in between Mari and the young Azeez...

planting a header into the bottom corner.

Overall, despite a convincing scoreline, it wasn't Arsenal's best performance in this year's EL group stage games. What's worth mentioning is the poor conditions of the pitch and this certainly didn't help the Gunners in developing...

greater periods of fluid attacking play.

INDIVIDUAL DISPLAYS: Runnarson retained his place in the EL, and it wasn't a performance that would threaten Leno's No.1. spot. The Icelandic GK looked nervous and should have done better with both goals conceded. His small frame is...

concerning and Gooners would worry if Leno was to sustain an injury. The 3 CBs weren't tested to the levels that they would face in the PL. Mari, who looked unconvincing defensively, showed his qualities in possession, with his ball-playing ability. Chambers, playing on...

the right side of the back three dealt with situations that came his way along with Mustafi, who also played some excellent long diagonals to the wide attackers. Elneny, playing as the deepest midfielder, maintained consistency with his performances. Recycled possession well...

pressed with intensity, aided the build-up play and scored a great goal. With Xhaka underperforming, the Egyptian should start on Sunday. Willock playing as the more adventurous CM wasn't as lively compared to his previous EL displays, despite scoring Arsenal's third. Joe drove..

with the ball well, and found himself in advanced areas, but made poor decisions in the danger zones. Cedric, who was impressive last Thursday, wasn't as influential as expected. Despite a few decent crosses, there wasn't that same chemistry developing from the right. Defensively

the Portuguese international was untroubled. On the left was AMN and both he and ESR developed a healthy/threatening partnership. Energetic, disciplined in and out of possession and is certainly pushing for a start in the PL. ESR was brilliant. Loves to operate in the half...

spaces and in central zones, intelligent off the ball movement, effective in finding space, neat passes that were released quickly and also deserved his assist. With Ozil unavailable, ESR is the most tailored in operating as a creative midfielder. Pepe was quiet and not as...

lively when compared to his previous EL displays, despite an assist to his name. Nketiah now the club's top scorer of the season, continues to maintain productivity in front of goal. Although his all-round game needs developing, Eddie will always score goals if chances come his..

way. Super sub-Balogun was fantastic. Excellent hold-up play and possesses the ability to bring others into the play. He presented this trait with the Gunners' third goal and showed composure when Pepe gave him the chance to score his 2nd for the first team.

The Gunners need to transition their EL displays into the PL and it must start come Sunday. Hope you enjoyed the read. If you're new, I've recently made a YT channel, covering Arsenal content. It would mean a lot if you subscribe and follow my journey. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28MDtdmsbQmkVLaCuhKahw?view_as=subscriber