PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 02: Eddie Nkethia of Arsenal is congratulated by team-mates after he scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Arsenal Vs Porstmouth: 5 things we learned – The future is bright
PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal is stretchered off following an injury during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
4. Let’s hope Lucas Torreira injury isn’t nasty
It looked like an uncomfortable, awkward fall. Breaking out from midfield early on, Lucas Torreira went to prod the ball past the Portsmouth defender. The Portsmouth defender lunged in, one leg sliding either side of the ball and Torreira’s leg. As the pair fell, Torreira’s leg twisted, turned, and looked to contort at a nasty angle.
The Uruguayan was left writhing in pain. He spent a few minutes on the floor receiving treatment before eventually being stretchered off, Dani Ceballos the man to replace him. No news regarding the injury has yet come forward, but it did not look nice.
Torreira has struggled for starting opportunities in recent weeks, Mikel Arteta preferring Ceballos as Granit Xhaka’s partner. As a result, a full 90 minutes here was critical as he looked to recoup full match sharpness in preparation for the final stretch of the season. Now, he might well spend a significant portion rehabbing in the physio room. Let’s hope it is not too nasty.
Arsenal crashed out of the Europa League and lost their ‘Get out of Jail Free’ card to qualify for next season’s Champions League, the Gunners steadied the ship and returned to some semblance of normality under new head coach Mikel Arteta with a consummate 2-0 victory over League One side Portsmouth in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Sokratis and Eddie Nketiah notched the goals, while an excellent centre-back partnership patrolled the backline and controlled the match throughout. This was a curiously professional response.</p>
<h2><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pain-in-the-arsenal-podcast-on-arsenal-fc/id1314514440?ign-mpt=uo%3D4%26amp%3Buo%3D4&mt=2%22>Listen to the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here! — Emergency Podcast: Nightmare</a></h2>
<p>Here are five things we learned from <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51697793">the 2-0 victory on Monday night</a>.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 27: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Matteo Guendouzi of Arsenal FC, Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal FC and Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal FC sits on the bench prior to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Emirates Stadium on February 27, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>5. What has Ainsley Maitland-Niles done?</h4>
<p>It has been a running storyline for the past few weeks, but for some strange reason, Mikel Arteta has fallen out with <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=ainsley+maitland-niles%22>Ainsley Maitland-Niles</a>. The young Englishman started the first five Premier League matches under Arteta and impressed in all of them, shifting into a hybrid right-back role that suited his central midfield instincts in possession.</p>
<p>But ever since Hector Bellerin returned from a hamstring injury and took his place in the starting XI, Maitland-Niles has disappeared from the picture. Bellerin is the number one right-back, while Arteta has now turned to centre-back Sokratis as the back-up while also signing Cedric Soares on a six-month loan deal in January.</p>
<p>Maitland-Niles has not been in the last three Premier League matchday squads, missed both legs against Olympiakos, and now sat on the bench when many of the young players started here, only handed a late cameo in the 90th minute. Sokratis is quite clearly not a right-back and does not look comfortable in the position, but Arteta perseveres with him. So what in the world has Maitland-Niles done?</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4. Let's hope Lucas Torreira injury isn't nasty </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal is stretchered off following an injury during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>4. Let’s hope Lucas Torreira injury isn’t nasty</h4>
<p>It looked like an uncomfortable, awkward fall. Breaking out from midfield early on, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=lucas+torreira%22>Lucas Torreira</a> went to prod the ball past the Portsmouth defender. The Portsmouth defender lunged in, one leg sliding either side of the ball and Torreira’s leg. As the pair fell, Torreira’s leg twisted, turned, and looked to contort at a nasty angle.</p>
<p>The Uruguayan was left writhing in pain. He spent a few minutes on the floor receiving treatment before eventually being stretchered off, Dani Ceballos the man to replace him. No news regarding the injury has yet come forward, but it did not look nice.</p>
<p>Torreira has struggled for starting opportunities in recent weeks, Mikel Arteta preferring Ceballos as Granit Xhaka’s partner. As a result, a full 90 minutes here was critical as he looked to recoup full match sharpness in preparation for the final stretch of the season. Now, he might well spend a significant portion rehabbing in the physio room. Let’s hope it is not too nasty.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Eddie Nketiah pushing Alexandre Lacazette hard </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Eddie Nkethia of Arsenal celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>3. Eddie Nketiah pushing Alexandre Lacazette hard</h4>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=eddie+nketiah%22>Eddie Nketiah</a> was not even meant to be at Arsenal. The young centre-forward had signed on a year-loan with Leeds United to gain regular playing time. Marcelo Bielsa, though, stuck with Patrick Bamford as his starting centre-forward. Nketiah rarely played.</p>
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<p>In the January transfer window, Arsenal recalled Nketiah from his loan, initially with the idea of re-loaning him out again. But he impressed in training and Mikel Arteta demanded that he remain with the team for the rest of the season. Since that time, Nketiah has now scored three goals in four appearances.</p>
<p>This was his best performance of the lot. Not only did he burst into the penalty area and prod home a rebounded finish to extend the Gunners’ lead; his all-around play was excellent. He dropped deep to shuttle the ball forwards; he ran into the channels to stretch the pitch and create space for others; he worked incessantly hard to recover possession, tracking back into midfield and pressing the Portsmouth centre-halves.</p>
<p>While Nketiah has flourished upon his return to Arsenal, presumed started<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=alexandre+lacazette%22> Alexandre Lacazette</a> has endured his worst run at the club. He may have scored in two of his last three outings, but his overall play has depreciated as his confidence has cratered. Nketiah even started over Lacazette in the last two league games. The young gun is challenging the master, and at this stage, he might just be deserving of that precious starting spot.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. FA Cup there to be won </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-99492" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1209958507-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Pablo Mari of Arsenal celebrates after his teammate Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal (not pictured) scored their team’s first goal during the FA Cup Fifth Round match between Portsmouth FC and Arsenal FC at Fratton Park on March 02, 2020 in Portsmouth, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>2. FA Cup there to be won</h4>
<p>Prior to last week, Arsenal’s priorities were recovering their position in the Premier League and making a late run at a top-four finish and progressing through the rounds of the Europa League with a chance of both winning a European title and qualifying for the Champions League. After Thursday’s disaster, the latter of those aims is clearly not possible.</p>
<p>As such, the FA Cup now comes into view as a primary target for Mikel Arteta and his players. The Spaniard has spoken previously about the desire to instil a winning culture in the squad. To do that, you have to win trophies, and the FA Cup is now the only remaining competition that Arsenal can win this season.</p>
<p>There are still plenty of excellent remaining in the draw, including both Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs, although Liverpool and Chelsea play each other in the fifth round. It will be no cakewalk to win the FA Cup. But Arsenal have a chance of ending this dastardly season with a trophy, and they should not take that lightly.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 1. This is why Mikel Arteta believes in Reiss Nelson </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">(Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h4>1. This is why Mikel Arteta believes in Reiss Nelson</h4>
<p>While many of the young players at Arsenal have flourished in recent weeks, breaking into the first team and proving that they are capable of performing at the highest level, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=reiss+nelson%22>Reiss Nelson</a> has endured yet another frustrating year, largely due to repeated niggling injuries robbing him of any momentum.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>But when <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/?s=mikel+arteta%22>Mikel Arteta</a> arrived at the club, he went out of his way to declare how much he believed in Nelson’s ability. The youngster started Arteta’s first two games in charge, there was that famous picture of Arteta with his arm around Nelson like Pep Guardiola used to do with Raheem Sterling, and it seemed as though Nelson was ready to respond and grow. Then, typically, he suffered another injury.</p>
<p>This was his return from injury, and he showed exactly why Arteta believed — and likely still believes — in his ability. Direct with the ball, he skipped by defenders with ease. His delivery was excellent, playing two beautiful crosses for the two goals. He also held onto the ball at times to ease pressure, his touch was superb in tight spaces, and he helped shuttle Arsenal up the pitch with neat dribbling skills.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Arsenal Vs Portsmouth: Player ratings" data-url="https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-portsmouth-player-ratings-reiss-nelson-arrived/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-porstmouth-5-things-learned-future-bright/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2020/03/02/arsenal-vs-portsmouth-player-ratings-reiss-nelson-arrived/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Arsenal Vs Portsmouth: Player ratings </a> </div>
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<p>Nelson was the best player on the pitch. And he showed precisely why there is hope for his future yet, even after a tumultuous season thus far.</p><!—pageview_candidate—></p>">
