Arsenal produced an outstanding display on Saturday evening, beating Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have been in dismal form of late, but managed to produce a superb performance to beat their London rivals.
Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka had Arsenal 2-0 up at the break, before Bukayo Saka looped in a third over a stranded Edouard Mendy.
Tammy Abraham brought Chelsea back into the game, but Bernd Leno saved Jorginho’s late penalty to quell any comeback attempts and give Arsenal a much-needed three points.
Mikel Arteta named a bold starting lineup, going with three young attackers behind Lacazette as Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli all started.
Arsenal fans have been calling for Arteta to go with youth over experience of late, and it certainly paid off with an energetic performance.
Gary Neville was impressed with two of those youngsters, suggesting during the Sky Sports coverage of the game (62mins) that Smith Rowe more than held his own when playing against one of the best defensive midfielders in the world in N’Golo Kante.
Neville added that he felt Martinelli was ‘very, very good’ and ‘outstanding’, raving about his hunger and desire as the Brazilian again showed signs of his quality.
“If you look at the first half performance, Emile Smith Rowe was playing against N’Golo Kante – probably one of the best holding midfield players in the world,” said Neville. “He’s done more than hold his own.”
“Very, very good. Not just in his play, but in his desire. He’s been outstanding; really hungry out there,” he added on Martinelli.
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