Morning all.
As Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville gushed over Emile Smith Rowe after the game, I kind of smiled. When they talked about the way our midfielder plays, reminiscent of the likes of Bobby Pires, Freddie, Fabregas etc, again, I smiled. His and their ability to play one touch football as well as running with the ball, always knowing the right time to release it, yes, you guessed it. I smiled. Loans both in England and abroad might have helped ESR to grown as a human being but can anyone honestly deny that Arsene Wenger hasn’t had a huge impact on the way ESR now plays? It was always well documented that the under 21’s and under 18’s were coached as Arsene wanted them to play and now we’re seeing the reward. When a player has the talent, he’ll rise to the top. ESR has all the talent but his rise is just begun. The same can be said about Bukayo Saka because he too has travelled a similar path albeit his didn’t involve going out on loan. Arsenal have two very special players and their homegrown.
I found it interesting that ESR mentioned after the game that it’s Lacazette who is his footballing buddy. The one who helps him the most and perhaps that’s why we’ve seen a turn around in the Frenchman’s form. It’s been pretty clear to see that when the younger guys play, he’s happier on the pitch. He’s more effective on the pitch.
The first half was a bit of a disappointment once more. Our play was too slow in its build up. Aubameyang spurned a couple of good chances and it looked like we were going to struggle to break down a very defensive Newcastle setup. It looked like Aubameyang was going to have another night where nothing he tried worked.
The second half was totally different. Once Aubameyang opened the scoring, we rolled Newcastle over quite easily. Cedric, in for Bellerin was very good I thought, ESR and Saka too. Partey nabbed an assist, Aubameyang scored two goals and Saka got one too. Leno might as well have popped off for a nap because he had so little to do. Martinelli getting minutes was a bonus. Rob Holding was very good again. I loved his good old fashioned crunching tackle and his response to the players reaction. On another night, Luiz might have scored two from set-pieces, with the amount of space he was afforded, he should have converted at least one of his opportunities. He’ll be disappointed I’m sure.
Granit Xhaka needs to assert some authority I think. When we get a free kick just outside the box, surely it has to be his. Not Willian’s. Never Willian’s.
66 minutes for Partey was a boost for our midfield. He didn’t even look rusty although tougher midfield battles will come his way. It was he who started the goal scoring ball rolling with a pass to Aubameyang.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5w73AnhRC8Y
A good result in the end with a much improved second half performance which has helped us to finally get out of the bottom half of the table but now the fixtures get tougher. Southampton/Shrewsbury away in the FA Cup and then Southampton in the league at St Mary’s. Then it’s Man Utd at home before facing both Wolves and Aston Villa away. That’s five fixtures in fourteen days. That’s tough on the players but great for the fans.
See you in the comments.
Hi Rico, not sure if there’s something up but I had to go through News Now to get this post.
Just saying… 😉
Hi Kev, not sure why it does that sometimes. 🤔
I got to it from the email and clicked the link on the bottom.
How many points will we be happy with from those four league matches ? . Despite the recent run of wins and clean sheets we are in a transition and Southampton are likely to get a dry run against us in the cup directly before we play them in the league.
Still it didn’t do Bruce much good but we are going to have difficult choices about who plays and who gets rested. If we play with the same team as last night do we show Hasenhuttl our hand . Do we gamble on the cup as our route to Europe or is league position more important ?
Hi Rico… nice read 👍 Going by the first half, I could’ve watched Married at First Sight Australia instead and I wouldn’t have missed a thing haha!!
It was a fantastic 2nd half – Sky are showing it again right now – I have it on 😉
One game at a time, I know, but there were so many positives from last night.. I’m really loving CDB and Saka combining… look at the goals/assists they’ve racked up since Boxing day – they’re both brilliant!! Some serious gushing going on!!
Things are looking good, Rico!
CDB? Who he?
Croydon De Bruyne (aka ESR), Cicero 😜
Aha, like TRP. I’m with you now Sue. 😉
I think Mikel Arteta will field a similar team to the one which played Newcastle in the FA Cup against either Saints or Shrewsbury, hopefully the latter. Lol
Hi Sue, thanks.
We haven’t scored a goal when ESR hasn’t played apparently. Worrying stats if factual.
I smiled when Arteta said Ozil quality at the club will be missed. How exactly I wondered..
Maximum points Potter. Imo, Wolves and Utd are nothing special and we need to make amends for the home loss to Villa. That’s if we get to play that game because of their Covid problems.
Benfica have 17 Covid cases. Our fixture next month could perhaps be in jeopardy.
No. 5 players with covid. 17 with all staff.
Five is bad enough though.
If Benfica can’t field a team then Arsenal should get a bye into the next round.
The Saints it is then on Saturday, Rico. 12.15 kick off – bloody typical, I’m working until 1pm.. oh well we don’t usually turn up until the 2nd half 😂
Chilwell is wishing he’d stayed at Leicester 🤣 Loving it, all that money the Chavs spent and they thought they’d run away with it all!!
Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has signed a new 5 year deal with the club, putting pen to paper on a £45,000 a week contract. 📄✍🏼 (Transfer Exchange)
Happy days!!!
Morning Sue, that’s superb news!!
Morning Sue, Scott and all.
I read ESR had been offered one but didn’t know he’d signed it. Brilliant news. That’s him and Saka tied down.
Two tricky fixtures against the Saints then…
New post up now