Our picks

Arsenal 1 Huddersfield Town 0 | Talking Points

Despite leaving it late, Arsenal responded to their midweek draw with Manchester United and continued their unbeaten run in a 1-0 victory against Huddersfield.

It took the home side 83 minutes to break down a stubborn Huddersfield defence who stood strong against arguably one of the most inform attacking outfits in the league. A curling Guendouzi cross was controlled immaculately by Aubameyang who chipped the ball over Lossl to Torreria who volleyed home.

Despite the late drama, chances had been plentiful. An early Alexandre Lacazette chance had the ball in the back of the net but it was controversially ruled out for offside to keep the scores level. The Frenchman intercepted a loose back-pass, rounded the keeper and tucked it away but despite not being offside from the initial Huddersfield back-pass, the Frenchman was in an offside position following an Aubameyang flick on. Before being substituted, Lacazette spurned another glorious opportunity. Bellerin drove a ball across goal which found the striker yet after turning well and in acres of space, he blazed the ball high over Lossl’s goal into the Emirates crowd.

The visitors could have had a couple for themselves though. Huddersfield midfielder Alex Pritchard had their best chance of the 90 minutes but fired over with Leno at his mercy. In the final moments, Laurent Depoitre thought he should have been awarded a penalty after receiving a firm nudge in the back from Sokratis but nothing was given and the Gunners claimed all three points.

First-half horrors 

Arsenal have not lead in the first half of any Premier League game this season and the fact that they are 14 games unbeaten in the league is a testament to their second-half performances. This game did pose a great chance to banish this record though as the Terriers hold a poor defensive record and had conceded 26 goals prior to this one. Despite this, Wagner’s men defended well and held off intense spells of pressure throughout; yet to hold on 90 minutes was just a step too far. Emery’s side face relegation bound Burnley and Southampton in the coming weeks and will be hoping to eliminate this first half struggle.

Torreria terrific once more

The Uruguayan who signed for £22 million in the summer is having quite an impact in the north of London. Midway through the game, Jonas Lossl was forced into a splendid save following a vicious curling effort from Torreria, however the Huddersfield keeper could do little about the winner. A fantastic acrobatic volley sealed the deal for Arsenal and added a second in three games for the midfielder. After perfect performances against Manchester United and in the North London derby, the Uruguayan is proving to be priceless in the middle for the Gunners.



Huddersfield sinking 

Since Wagner’s side won their first game of the season against Fulham, they have picked up only four points in their last five. The win put them clear of the relegation zone at the time yet after Burnley’s 1-0 victory over Brighton at the weekend, the Terriers find themselves back in trouble and two points inside the dreaded relegation zone.

Arsenals agenda 

Another win means the Gunners go 14 games unbeaten in the Premier League and with Chelsea beating the champions 2-0 and Spurs easing past Leicester by the same scoreline at the weekend, the win was absolutely cruical for Emery and his side. With the former clubs picking up victories, the Gunners are left in fifth on goal difference yet are in a good position to qualify for a Champions League spot.

If the North London side can secure their  place in the top four, it will be the first time since Leicester City’s 2015/16 league win that they have qualified for Europe’s elite competition. Considering this is Emery’s first season at the club he seems to have transformed the side into a ruthless goal-scoring machine – scoring the second highest goals scored in the league (35). His side’s current form possesses the question of whether or not they are fit to challenge for League title once again.

Hope for Huddersfield 

Despite now loosing three on the bounce and sinking back to the bottom, Wanger will take some hope from their upcoming fixtures. Their next two fixtures see them at home to Newcastle (15th) and Southampton (19th); the two fixtures could be crucial in the relegation battle and Wagner will be desperate to take advantage of being at home. Having said this, neither will be easy with the Magpies and the Saints both in similar positions. After their Boxing Day clash against Manchester Untied, Huddersfield will face newly promoted Cardiff and Fulham and a lacklustre Burnley side in a busy January schedule. So although it may not be coming off for the Terriers against the big sides, there is certainly a route for escape in the coming weeks.

90MAAT News Now

Premier League Table

90MAAT Social Media

ScoopDragon Football News Network

Search The Site