Morning all.
We needed a win at Old Trafford and we got it. Not the most convincing of victories but on the penultimate game day of the season, who cares? Leandro Trossard was the match winner again after some good work from Havertz and that was enough to take the title race to the final day of the season.
Arsenal hasn’t been in this position for twenty years as the pundits continually remind us but they forget we’re not the only club to have been left behind by the big spending Chelsea, Man Utd and Man City. In fact Liverpool are the only club to have truly chalked Man City since Guardiola arrived in England but, for two seasons now it’s us. It’s Arsenal who are their biggest threat.
I could go through the game, give a view on who was good or not but I feel there’s little point really. Judging our guys on the final away day of the season after a win would be pointless. But I thought William Saliba was outstanding.
We probably won’t win the league, not when we’re at this stage of the season and needing either Totts or Wolves to do us a favour but even so, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal has improved on last season. Yesterday’s win was our 27th of this campaign which is better than most Arsenal season barring 1970/71 and 1930/31. Not even the Invincible’s bettered this seasons win ratio but draws instead of defeats made a difference. Our goals scored tally stands at 89, better than the rest of the league and certainly better than Arsenals own performance last season and many many before that.
The much maligned Kai Havertz 6/7 months ago has gone from strength to strength since. He’s notched up 7 assists which is more than his last 3 seasons combined. He’s also chipped in with a few goals, 12 in total.
Leandro Trossard, the difference maker yesterday, the ‘plan b’ for Mudryk – well if that’s true which I doubt, we certainly got the better player. His finish was all we needed and he didn’t disappoint.
Yesterday’s game also proved that stats don’t tell the whole story in life. Utd bettered our shots ratio but only 2 of their 14 needed Raya to intervene and even they were easy for him to deal with.
As said and on more than one occasion recently, we need a favour. A big favour from either Totts or West Ham although both would be nice. I’m not banking on either though. We also need Liverpool to beat Villa tonight so that only a defeat of Man City would give Totts a chance of beating Villa to 4th spot.
There are a lot of ifs and buts from this season, if we’d not concede that late goal against Fulham is one which sticks in my mind, if we’d have only taken one of the many chances we created against Villa in both the home and away games is another but, football doesn’t work like that. For each if or but we have, City, Liverpool and every other club has theirs too.
We’re improving which is the most important part of this Mikel Arteta plan. We have one game left and then we can see how the summer unfolds as far as player movement goes. There’s all sorts of rumours about who the club are going to sell which to be fair, anyone could have written had logic been applied. More important than who goes is who stays and who joins. After a summer of Euros, Olympic Games and Copa America, Mikel Arteta will need a squad full of players who he trusts to play and not those who seem to be doing little more than making up the numbers.
Enjoy the win guys, any win at Old Trafford is a great one…
Catch up in the comments.
It’s not Wolves Rico, it’s West Ham.
Good morning Rico, I thought it was, not only hilarious, but indicative of the sorry state of a once great club to see the rain pouring through the holes in the roof of the stand. This morning the papers are awash ( rain pouring through..get it) with the comments from former players about the depths to which United have sunk. 😉
On a more serious matter, Partey’s participation against United once again led to Rice having to play deeper to cover for him thus restricting his more attacking contributions which tended to leave Odegaard with little help higher up the pitch. The Jorginho/Rice combination is far more effective.
Just to let you know.Its not Wolves unfortunately.Finsl day.
It’s the Oilers vs The Spammers.Who let’s face it are absolutely useless.So I’m expecting a 5/6 spanking.
Oops, so it is. Wolves have already been thrashed by City. Thanks guys.
Morning Cicero.
I too laughed at the rain coming down and through the roof at the end. Sums up Utd in one. Tired, worn out and holes everywhere….
I know we thought we had it bad after Arsene Wenger but boy, Utd are in a mess and I’m loving it. As are two Liverpool fans I bumped into on my dog walk…
Partey is/has been one of my favourite players as when his fit and firing he’s just been a joy to watch. But, his great days are far behind him I think, his legs are gone. I hope he moves in the summer for his sake as much as Arsenal’s. Can’t be easy being booed each week because of the ghastly rumours associated with him, none of which have ever been confirmed.
Morning Rico and Associates
I couldn’t help but feel slightly underwhelmed by our win at OT, not least because if the boot had been on the other foot that I reckon they would have punished us more. Maybe the psychology of the occasion got to our players?
Interesting when comparing 70/71 and 30/31 to today as in both those seasons Arsenal played 42 games.
I can’t help but have this feeling of having two Premier League titles stolen from us, this season for sure. It degrades the competition and makes the football authorities look toothless – who would have thought?
Agree with the Partey line, he looked vulnerable at times but I’d still keep him to his last year and then let him leave, I can’t see us getting any offers for him that are worthwhile considering.
Morning Kev, I thought we were poor but after the final whistle, I didn’t care. I think it was Potter who said we dropped to their level and I think he’s right. I was also disappointed Martinelli didn’t bury one of his chances..
If we get a decent offer for Partey I think Arsenal will take it. We’ve kept Jorginho but he can’t play in every game and there’s no guarantee that Partey will be fit enough to have a bearing on our season. For what’s it’s worth, I think a midfielder will be one of the first signings we make, before Chelsea get going… lol
Second place sewn up,27 wins,yet another clean sheet,and taking the league to the last day,that will do for me.
It was shameless how they targeted Saka,not even any pretence of playing by the rules,just kick him,pull his shirt – and he was still too good for them.
I’ve just read it was nerve jangling (Mirror) I didn’t think they were ever going to score,It wasn’t nervy like the Spurs game.
I have zero faith in Spurs helping us,wouldn’t be surprised if City go ahead on goal difference. We will just have to hope West Ham can pull of a miracle on the last day. David Moyes final game.
Hard not to look back at the 5 points dropped against Fulham,also the loss to West Ham. Mind you we were also shafted by the officials,Villa and Newcastle away especially.
Limey, Havertz too. How many times was he shoved in the back when going to an aerial challenge?
The officials have definitely done us no favours it certain games. Maybe they’ll make up for it on Tuesday by giving Totts half a dozen penalties 😜
Miedema is leaving Arsenal in the summer.
Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo is going for free in the summer… just saying..
Afternoon Rico and all.
Let’s hope If City do beat Tottenham, it’s by one goal only as our goal difference is only 3 goals.
Good luck to Miedema, IT will be a shame to see her leave but after reading about her last injury, it could be the best result for all.
Afternoon Geoff, not convinced goals will come into the equation now unless City draw which if is the case, will make no difference to their goal tally.
Yes Rico, I agree, if we get a decent offer for Partey and he doesn’t expect a ‘loyalty bonus’ etc for him to leave then yes I think we’ll sell him. But that’s the elephant in the room, what is a decent off?
A’noon Rico and fellow travellers
A great result at OT even if the performance was a little nervy. Another goal from Trossard, who has been phenomenal this season. He has forced his way into the side and delivered with goals.
We got Bad Partey yesterday. He definitely speeds the play up, but can be caught in possession as he tends to let the ball run across his body a lot. Luckily, when it happened Hojland reverted to type in front of goal. Unfortunately he can’t be relied upon to have an injury free run of games, so I expect he will be moved on and a replacement bought.
The only way goals might come into it is if they draw one of their remaining two games then providing we beat Everton it will be 89 points each. Can’t see it happening but hope springs eternal ……………………………..Apparently
I thought Havertz had the potential to hit 10 goals this season. He’s done that and added some important assists to his game. The one yesterday was perfect for Trossard to run onto. After a shaky start and some unfair criticism his season has to be considered a success.
He could be getting 20+ goals next season.
Could he be a more skillful incarnation of Alan Smith?
Some similar to what we paid for Jorginho I’d have thought Kev. It’s his wages which hurt too, he’s on a lot of money for little return.
Afternoon Pete, points mattered more eh. The performance was grim after a good start.
I too expect Partey to go and I’m still munching humble pie re Havertz.
Prefer apple crumble but I reckon a lot of us are , You are not alone.
Black cherry for me.
Half the fan base I reckon. Not sure I’ve seen a player change course so quickly as Havertz.
One could not have anticipated a more chaotic match between Aston Villa and Liverpool. OMG!
Good result though as Totts can still get 4th if they win their last two games and Villa lose their last…
Party is not the only player. Arteta needs to speak to Gabriel about holding players jumpers, he does it far too often and in clear view of the camera’s, it’s only a matter of time before he gives away a penalty.
Good morning all.
I was sorry to read that Viv Miedema is to leave at the end of the season. I am even more sorry to learn that she is most likely to join Manchester City on a free transfer. At just twenty-seven she still has a few good years left. Women’s football does not provide the astronomical wages that the men’s game does so a good signing on fee and a decent wage will help secure her financial future. Good luck to her and thanks for her efforts while at Arsenal.
Morning all.
Me too re Miedema, seems a bit before time unless she wants a new challenge.
New post up