Morning all.
A much changed side from the one which crumbled at Watford faced Frankfurt yesterday evening in what was expected to be our toughest test in the group.
Martinez, Chambers, Luiz, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Torreira, Xhaka, Willock, Smith Rowe, Saka, Aubameyang. – Maitland-Niles, Ceballos and Pepe came off the bench to replace Smith Rowe, Willock and Kolasinac.
There is something about European games that brings out the best in Frankfurt. Their UEFA Europa League record is hugely impressive. In 30 games in the competition, including qualifying, they have won a whopping 21 times and lost on just three occasions.
Their performances at the Commerzbank Arena are still more breathtaking: Only continental heavyweights Porto, Inter Milan, and Chelsea have avoided defeat there with Frankfurt unbeaten in 15 games.
And their group-stage record? We’re glad you asked: Six games, six wins, 17 goals scored, one conceded. You don’t need to know anything else. – Bundesliga.com
Saka and Martinez were the pick of the players with Saka just pipping the other to the BT Sports award. Probably because of his goal which was a peach of a strike.
The final scoreline doesn’t really tell the whole story though as overall, Frankfurt had more chances than us but if you don’t take them, tough. We had the best opportunities early on though but neither Torreira or Willock were able to covert them. I don’t think either side played particularly well.
However, I think we need to be a tad forgiving for our performance. Smith Rowe was playing in his first match since goodness knows when, Chambers filled in at right back after starting the opening game of the season against Newcastle in the centre of defence and much of last season in midfield for Fulham and Saka, Mustafi, Martinez and Torreira were I believe, making their first start of the season. Hopefully the more they play as this competition goes on and the domestic cups come into play, the better and the more confident they’ll get.
Smith Rowe looked rusty but we know he’s a talented young player. Saka grew in confidence as the game went on and in the end, scored one and had a big part to play in our other two. At the other end of the pitch, Martinez didn’t put a foot wrong and his performance was equal if not better than some of those from Leno this season. He saved our blushes on more than one occasion but then so has Leno. It’s what they’re paid to do but finally, we seem to have two quality keepers battling for top spot.
Mustafi had a good game too I thought, nothing outstanding but nothing stupid or careless either and if Sokratis and Luiz continue to play as they have so far, a Holding and Mustafi partnership isn’t perhaps far away. As for the rest of players, well nothing to really set the world alight but as said, they got the job done at a ground no other English side has won at before. Three goals scored, none conceded, happy days…..
It wasn’t brilliant, far from it but I’m happy for Saka, Martinez and the rest of the younger players who went out to Germany, played in what sounded like a very hostile atmosphere and got the job done. For sure, we all want to see perfection and perhaps had our capitulation against Watford not happed or if we’d been playing a lot better than we have been under Unai Emery, the focus on performance wouldn’t such an issue. But because that’s not been happening it’s easy to see last nights match as just another in a long list of poor performances from Arsenal. Regardless though, that young team achieved a great result out in Germany with a few special moments thrown in, especially for Saka and Martinez.Willock too who also got on the scoresheet. For them it will mean everything right now.
Finally, the under 23’s play later on today so good luck to them. Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin are pencilled in to make their return so fingers crossed all goes well. Not sure if Rob Holding will get another run out though and I hope he doesn’t because that’ll mean he’s ready for the first team.
See you in the comments guys…
Morning Rico, a nice positive but realistic post…
A comment I read on another blog may have some validity and that is in the UEFA Cup our teams gets a little more time to play than in the EPL.
This could be down to a respect issue, English clubs are big games for most other foreign clubs these days or it could just be that the pressing game is at a much higher level in England than anywhere else?
Whatever it is a 3-0 win, away from home in europe and at a ground where no other English club has won before has to be a boost to morale.
There were a lot of positives to take from the game, the main one for me was that Aubameyang came through it unscathed…
Of course there are still issues that remain with our team, the tactics, the manager, certain players, defensive solidity, you all know them, but let’s enjoy the win…
I guess the lack of comments mean that we are…
Tierney and Bellerin are set to play for the Arsenal U23’s this evening, very positive.
Holding travelled with the party yesterday, more positivity.
I did read that Arsenal always take 19 players on a european tie, just in case someone has a set back…
Ok, off to the vet for a check up….
No, not me, the cat…. 🙂
Hi Kev, I thought it might grab it busier on here but as you say, we won so….
Afternoon everyone,
well that was enjoyable.Martinez calm,authorative, commanding – everything you want from a goalkeeper.Both centre backs looked solid.Saka just brilliant.
We were still wide open in midfield,if they had their shooting boots on it could have been different,but a great result.
The guys on BT Sport were desperate for us to lose,with the honourable exception of Harrison and Keown.The anti Arsenal bias is laughable.
Villa will be a different kettle of fish – our players usually perform at the Emirates though.
Kev is right, teams seem to stand back a bit, to respect us more in Europe.
The only London team to win in Europe this week, can’t be bad..
Hartson oops.
Limey, we sometimes forget what an enormous club Arsenal are, Arsenal losing or even drawing, is big big news, a recipe for multi clicks and anyway, BT Sport in general are total wankers, you only have to look at some of the knobheads they employ for their analysis – lmfao!
Alan Smith wrote something recently criticising the club, the club he won all his major honours with, the club that gave him a testimonial, apparently he’s persona non grata at the Emirates and I’m not surprised at all…
Btw, the cat was fine…
It’s quite interesting Limey when you compare the coverage of Arsenal and Wolves for example.
Last season Wolves had a great season and their manager Nuno Espirito, was being lauded, their success got them into the Europa League and into the realms of a top six club – and it’s been a shock to their system.
Losing at home yesterday to a mid range Portuguese club and languishing at the bottom of the league, all that with a very talented squad, a squad that’s a lot more experienced than Arsenal’s (do Arsenal have the youngest squad in the EPL?) but where is the kind of criticism for them or their manager that we get?
Do BT Sport try a destabilising job on them?
And Utd huffed and puffed to a 1-0 victory at OT Limey. Never heard of the team they played.
Did you get the once over Kev? Lol
The vet recommended me a nice comb to give my coat a good brush Rico 😀
I think we do our fair share of criticising some aspects of the club so why not an ex-player who might possibly expect more than we do?Mind you I didn’t read that particular article Kev.
Afternoon all. Good one Rico.
Saw the highlights and couldn’t believe we were still level after all the chances they missed. Mind you, Torreira shouldn’t have missed his.
Excellent goals from us and a fortunate win, but, we won!
Well done lads!
😂 Kev
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Kev I hope it wasn’t the Vet in the Spec saver Add.
Looking forward to seeing Bellerin and Tierney play tonight.
Back Later
Afternoon Andorra, Smith isn’t a fan though, he’s just getting paid an awful lot of money to be critical. It’s the Sky Sports agenda…
😄😄 Rick
Well there I was driving down Oxford Street yesterday evening, turning left at Oxford Circus into Regent Street, heading north towards Langham Place when these two young fellas flagged me down and asked for some restaurant.
The tall guy had the address on his phone and I took it off of him to read, thinking to myself that he looked familiar.
William Saliba…
I took them to Great Portland St, just around the corner and had a quick chat with Bill, his English is very good and he’s a big lad, very muscular and built for the EPL.
I to,d him the result and he looked pleased.
I wished him luck, shook his hand and off they went, nice guy.
Then I realised that his credit card hadn’t worked properly….
So, William Saliba owes me £5…..
Very true Kev,
All this media negativity is a back handed compliment I suppose.One of the worst is Paul Merson at sky,he was such a popular player too,my cousin named his son Merson.He spouts so much garbage, although I had to laugh when he started to wind up Spurs fans for never winning anything.
Afternoon Rick, is it on the arsenal player?
Afternoon Rico and all. Kev. Very true about Espiritu Santo at Wolves and it just goes to show that results are everything. Last night’s game was completely weird. Two appalling defences went to head to head and the Germans lost. Supporting Arsenal is a roller coaster of emotional turmoils, interspersed with the occasional footballing delight. I reckon that Unai is close to moving into his overdraft where supporter’s goodwill is concerned. If he sorts a system that suits the players we have at Arsenal and not those at his previous clubs then who knows, he might just drag it back. Starting on Sunday.
But, our defence is too flakey for words at the moment.
Loved Emi Martinez last night his extra height seemed to mean that he wasn’t so stretched and his handling was exemplary. Quite how Auba missed that tap-in remains a mystery.
Still, we won and that as they say…….
Afternoon Adam. Seems to me that there are two types of clubs, maybe three actually. 1) PL survival, 2) Results and 3) Results and performance. I’d like to think we sit in the last category.
It wasn’t so long ago that Chelsea won the champions league but did they keep the manager afterwards? Nope, gone and probably because they were ver6 very lucky to have won it…
Martinez is definitely ready and Leno needs to watch his back.It shows that a season loan with regular football works. Which brings us to Chambers ,man of the season for a relegated team played with his back to the wall as a defensive midfielder . Can anyone think of a team that could do with one of those?
Funny enough, yes Potter..
Rico it’s on Wolves TV
You can watch at no cost
Without doubt an excellent result. In the circumstances, Europa League, away from home, a back four that had never played together, a raucous and committed home support and an intimidating atmosphere almost a miracle.
I was glad to see Aubameyang finally got on the score sheet to make up a bit for earlier fluffing three clear-cut chances. Mind you he wasn’t the only one to miss out, Torreira missed a sitter as well as a header that, as the shortest player on the pitch, he had no right to have reached anyway.
Willock’s goal after 38 minutes was probably the most important, it knocked the stuffing out of Eintracht and significantly reduced the noise level. Saka’s effort completed the job Willock started and Aubameyang rubbed their noses in the ground.
One thing that I was particularly pleased to see was that Martinez didn’t always follow the script as far as playing from the back. His early release to Xhaka, who was able to charge forward, led to the second goal.
A remarkable fact, an entire post and out of twenty-three comments mine is the only one to mention our Captain.
Rick 3-56……..Nice one, cheers Buddy. Starts at 6-45
Thanks Rick
Evening Rico and all ! Another good post Rico. WOW what a harem scarem game of football.
I thought Martinez was brilliant, not only the saves he made but as Cicero said his distribution was good. I hope we don`t lose him.
How can we be so open at the back all the time? It can`t be down to just crap players……..Emery must tell them to play open like that.
I had a twitchy bum the whole game , really chuffed for the boys at the end though.
Evening Mike.
Every time they pushed forward they looked liked scoring. I thought Martinez was brave and didn’t shy away from anything at a players feet. He’s on a long term contract I think so fingers crossed he doesn’t get itchy feet.
Hi Rico,
Haven’t seen the game yet but a win at Frankfurt is terrific. Despite all the shots Fr had 7 on target and Ars had 6.
Possession was 50/50. As always statistics don’t win a game only goals. Well done gunners at difficult venue versus an
excellent club.
Entertaining game for the neutrals among us which is none as this is an Arsenal site !….
😆
Yes, I agree with Adam…………two appalling defences went head to head, lucky for us we had the Devils Triangle which Frankfurts sausage defense disappeared into.
Question ?………………………..is Saka ahead of Nelson ?
Finished 2-2 tonight Tierney and Bellerin had an hour each . Wolves scored in time added on . Didn’t see match so any report will be welcome.
Excellent score, but EF had several chances to score and more efficiently had scored more than 3 goals.
We remain very permissible with a midfield always inferior to our opponents.
New post up now