That’s Europa over and done with for this year and it was good to finish with another victory albeit a slim one. I really felt sorry for Emiliano Martinez who not only must have struggled to keep his concentration but to have kept warm. I know I couldn’t stand still for ninety odd minutes in such cold temperatures as he pretty much had to. He probably couldn’t have had an easier game. Neither could Laurent Koscielny on his return to action.
Personally, I thought Mesut Ozil was disappointing again. Having created the opening for Lacazette to score, not only did he nearly get in the Frenchman’s way but he didn’t boss the game as I’d hoped he would. Maybe I’m being over critical but I thought he was pretty lacklustre and too keen to stay on the ground when he’d lost the ball.
The younger players, well I thought they did themselves and the club proud. Saka, at just 17 years old showed signs of being the winger we so desperately need. He could, probably should have scored at least once but maybe nerves got to him at the last minute, especially for the chance late in the game. Eddie did a lot of very good things in my opinion, he too could have had a goal or two. He did get the ball in the back of the net but frustratingly, was marginally offside. Willock looked calm, controlled and very good. Certainly a much improved player from last season in my opinion. AMN’s too, especially after Medley came on and he moved wide right. Medley himself did a good job at left back. Really positive for all the academy players. The absence of Smith-Rowe perhaps means he’ll be on the coach to Southampton. Unless he’s injured.
The only thing lacking I thought was tempo to the game. It was all a little bit too pedestrian at times but maybe that would have been different had the two sides needed something from the game to progress. The main thing is we’ve got our captain back fit, playing and smiling, we kept our unbeaten record going, we didn’t pick up any injuries and a lot of the academy players had more playing time. Some of whom will be hoping they’ve done enough to start the League Cup match against Tottenham. I guess that depends on how Unai Emery approaches the competition, especially as he knows the Arsenal fans will want another victory over the neighbours. Poch rested a few of his key players in the last round against West Ham so perhaps he’ll do the same next Wednesday.
Before then though, we’ve a trip to the south coast to play a Southampton team who sit second from bottom in the league table. A team who are in desperate need of points and have a new manager. Arsenal have gone through the same and it’s done us the world of good so we need to be aware of their situation. Improvement takes time though as we know.
Ralph Hasenhuttl is no fool though and he’s already sprung a few surprises in his relatively short managerial career having steered Ingolstadt to promotion into the Bundesliga in 2014-15 season and more recently, RB Leipzig side to second place behind champions Bayern Munich two seasons ago.
But I doubt he’s had enough time yet to improve a Southampton side which Mark Hughes left in the gutter…
Hopefully anyway.
Have a good Friday guys..
Morning Rico and all. A rather dull but I suppose, a professional performance last night. Very little to get excited about but the unbeaten run continues. Mesut and his future remain a mystery but, if a suitable club came in for him, it’s hard to see Arsenal fighting to keep him. Perhaps it’s all part of Unai’s bid to get him on board with the ‘new’ way. The problem must surely be his enormous wages and what they could be used for if he were to leave.
Good morning Rico and all.
I sat down to watch the game interested to see the youngsters, Koscielny’s return and to get an idea of Ozil’s form. As the game stuttered along it was obvious that the kids were enthusiastic and talented, Koscielny couldn’t have had a more leisurely return to action and Ozil, the Lacazette assist aside, was as lackadaisical as has become his habit of late. Where he should have been dictating play he merely took part, content to drop deep and do just enough to keep warm.
The second half was tedious enough to push me to do the Telegraph crossword while half watching the game.
Still, another win, another clean sheet another step on the road to the Emery era.
Morning Adam. I think Ozil will be looking for a new club very soon. He’s just not an Emery kind of player imo, he’s nothing more than a luxury.. An overpaid one.
Morning Cicero, think you summed it up in one comment.
Enjoyed the young ones giving everything but the some of the senior ones were playing like they didn’t want to be out there. Perhaps they didn’t.
Good morning Rico and everyone… Saka, Reiss Nelson… Are you pondering what I’m pondering?
Morning Mexy. Possibly, no wingers required next summer…
Exactly@ Rico… Or what do you think?
Nelson maybe but Saka needs more time.
I said last night that too many were playing carefully within themselves and as such it turned into a possession practice session.
Still onwards ,we have seen that we have produced a number of good prospects who need to develop and allow the club to boost the squad cheaply and spend whatever the budget is on a first team booster.
Regarding Ozil we may well have either faKe a risably low offer or send him away and donatte towards his wages. Hopefully the last of the Gazidis negotiations to vo or I suppose we can add Mikhi kola to that list
Afternoon Gooners
Afternoon Rico.
Yeah, as Adam wrote/typed/scribbled, it was quite low key, no crunching tackles, Qarabag content to leav3 the Emirates with their self respect intent and with their travelling band of around 100 fans happy.
It was pr9bably the lowest crowd I’d been in in the stadium, couldn’t have been more than 20,000 even if the idiots in the office claim an attendance of 56,000. But there was a good atmosphere among us hardy attendees and the youngsters sprinkled the game with their enthusiasm and promise.
Koscielny, looking fit and muscled, played the game almost with a permanent smile on his face, it was heartening to see Kozzer looking so good.
Pleased for Lacazette, after being robbed of two goals recently it was nice to see him score, this time it was poor Eddie who had his effort chalked off by the linesman.
Now we can put this competition on the back burner and focus on Southampton and Premier League points not forgetting the spectre of another NLD next Wednesday.
My money is on a penalty shoot out, so if Cech is in goal we’re in trouble…
The attendance issue was mentioned in the TV commentary Kev. they said the crowd was around 21,000 but around 50,000 tickets has been sold…including, of course, season tickets. Still I expect parking was a bit easier than normal,
Evening Kev, guys.
Kos has an interview on the official site, he said about how he’s back smiling and enjoying his football.
Agree re Saka Potter, maybe a loan next season to get regular football.
Ah, ok Cicero, 21,000, I’ve been in few of them at Highbury, a lot less than that actually, how times have changed. But as I mentioned there was a good atmosphere at the ground, last season there could have been 35,000 more at the stadium and the atmosphere would have been poisonous. Yeah parking was fine, not far from Islington Park St.
I think Saka will be fast tracked into the senior squad Rico, he’s 2 years younger than Nelson but almost up to his level already, he’s a special talent, I’d be surprised to see him loaned out if I’m honest…
I’d be happy if he was Kev, he’s certainly very good. I guess we know from the faith Emery has shown in Guendouzi, that perhaps age really is just a number.
If by chance we lose on Wednesday, I wonder how many, if any could be loaned out until the end of the season. Some of tnos3 who we’ve seen in the Europa fixtures need more football now, or rather better football, tougher matches to test themselves.
New post up now