Five things Arsenal learned from beating Huddersfield: Torreira scores a bicycle
By Kian Long
Arsenal left it late against Huddersfield but they all count.
It was by no means Arsenal’s finest display but they got all three points. It was a scrappy affair and at times it looked like Unai Emery had run out of ideas. It took a late bicycle kick from Lucas Torreira to break down the unusually resilient Huddersfield defence and pick up three points. That’s not a bad way to win!
There were both positives and negatives to take from this result. So, without further ado, what can Arsenal learn from beating Huddersfield?
1. Koscielny and Monreal made their comebacks
One of the key tales heading into this match was the comebacks of Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal. They both started on the bench but it was still positive for the Arsenal fans to see. Koscielny had been out since last season following his injury he picked up against Atletico Madrid. Monreal’s injury took place at the start of this season but it still feels like a long time.
In the end, it was only Monreal that was required by Emery. He came on for the injured Shkodran Mustafi in the second half and his importance was shown almost immediately. At around the 70th-minute mark, Huddersfield was on the counter with Depoitre but it was Monreal who stepped in the stop him.
Monreal has returned to fitness at the right time. He is ideal for Arsenal’s three-at-the-back system, shining there under Arsene Wenger. With all of Emery’s preferred centre-backs injured/suspended, Monreal can play there. It could even be him and Koscielny, which would be a huge risk.