Morning all.
One minute into extra time and a Chelsea player finally showed a bit of passion. Chalobah didn’t like Granit Xhaka preventing him from giving the ball back to Mendy. Chelsea were 1-0 down and perhaps thought that in the four minutes remaining, they could do what they hadn’t managed to do in the previous ninety. Score, or even look like scoring. A bit of pushing and shoving and a few expletives followed but no cards.
I’m not sure Aaron Ramsdale has ever had an easier game which says a lot about the players in front of him. Thomas Partey, Ben White, Gabriel, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko were all superb. Apart from not scoring the number of goals the Arsenal performance deserves, every player was superb in my opinion but it was Saliba who took home the man of the match award. Rightly so in my opinion.
Graham Potter must be wondering what was going through the Chelsea minds when they agreed to sign Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang. The only thing he did to catch the eye was a shocking challenge on Ben White. A red card might have been a better, and probably correct, outcome.
Bukayo Saka, whose previous corner kicks had been the best by his standards, swung one into the box and as it curled, it confused the Chelsea defenders. It looked like the ball was going to creep just inside the far post but Gabriel made sure it counted by blasting it into the roof of the net. Funny enough, later in the day, Arsenal’s women scored on of their many goals directly from a corner. Just after we went ahead, Aubameyang was hauled off by Potter, a moment I’m sure many Arsenal fans enjoyed watching.
1-0 to The Arsenal was how it ended and as much as I thought Michael Oliver had a good game, he could have stamped his authority on the match earlier than he did. Bukayo Saka has become a target. We saw it last week against Forest and again yesterday. Cucurella was the serial fouler for Chelsea from the off. Mikel Arteta didn’t like it that’s for sure and I bet Saka didn’t either, especially after he was shown a yellow card for a soft challenge on the same player. His first foul too I believe. Gabriel Jesus was another player constantly fouled, Gabriel Martinelli too. Basically, our attacking players.
Chances – the home team had very few whereas Arsenal had a few more. Gabriel Jesus was centimetres away from making a better connection with his head to a cross from Gabriel Martinelli. Another chance was blocked well by Silva. Ben White blasted an early chance we’ll over the bar and when he tried again later in the game, he dragged his shot wide. Martin Odegaard missed an opportunity to slip the ball to Martinelli who was in acres of space, instead going for goal himself but missing.
Not scoring the number of goals our performances deserve is frustrating, it’s probably more frustrating for the players though. The longer goes without a goal, the harder it’ll get for him to score but all he needs is for one to go in and I’m sure he’ll be firing on all cylinders again. Trouble is, he’s a workaholic, he wants to be involved and if that means dropping back to get it, he does so then we have one less player further up the pitch making themselves available. It’s almost like we’re playing with two number 10’s. Not that either he or Martin Odegaard wear that number.
This is hilarious I think. Have to love Granit Xhaka really, he’s having a great season, as are Arsenal.
Lastly, a word from Mikel Arteta about the fans:
They were absolutely brilliant again today, they’ve been phenomenal at home, away – around the place, the energy that they have created has transformed the team, I think. We are really pleased for them, really pleased for the team and especially the players, to play the way they have done today against this opponent deserves a lot of credit.
I think Mikel Arteta deserves a lot of credit too. Three consecutive victories at Stamford Bridge in the league is something not many managers can boast about. But he can…
See you in the comments..
Morning Rico
Great victory yesterday. Forcing Chelsea into playing counter-attacking football at home is some statement.
For the first time in many years We are beating my expectations!
Good morning Rico, one nil away from home is always a good result, but yesterday’s was of a different order as it was against one of our main rivals rather than a mid table side trying to park the bus.
A little unfair, of you, to omit Gabriel from your praise for our defence, but then I expect it was just a typo. 😉
Carabao Cup against Brighton at home on Wednesday, wholesale changes to the team no doubt.
Afternoon Rico and all.
Well put Rico that Xhaka interview is typical Xhaka, as for the scuffle with the Chelsea player Xhaka had no option but stand up to him and I recon it lifted our players for the final few minutes to make sure they didn’t score that lucky goal to equal the match.
I may be wrong but wasn’t the fourth official the main ref last week when Saka got injured
An honourable mention for Jermaine Jenas. His ability to fill thin air with drivel for 90 minutes is unsurpassed.
One of his many highlights was accusing Martinelli of trying to get injured on purpose, while ignoring the potential leg breaking challenge by Azpilicueta.
How he gets the lead ‘analyst’ role on BT is a mystery. In his defence he is an ex-Spurs player. I’m not certain what Alan Smith’s excuse is for digging out Arsenal at every opportunity on Sky?
Morning Pete, Cicero, Geoff and all.
Dirty Chelsea, but slick Arsenal. I thought Arteta gave Potter a wake-up call. Life in west London isn’t going to be easy for him. I bet he wishes he’d stayed by the south coast.
Man Utd play Barcelona in the playoff.
Liverpool v Real Madrid in CL
Totts v AC Milan
Chelsea v Dortmund
Nice read, Rico… what a result 👌
Cucurella was too busy holding onto Xhaka to even notice the ball go by and end up in the back of the net – it was hilarious and to think Chelsea paid more for him than we did for White 🤣
There are quite a few people (Chavs, Mancs, Spuds and Scousers) I will be saying “mind the gap” to – love it and long may it continue!!
Thanks Sue, I’d so love for us to pip City to the title but I think Newcastle might pip every club. I’d be happy with second though. 😂
Very good summing up rico, afternoon everyone.
What a fine day, what a match! I loved the reporters saying Chelsea can’t clear, they can’t get the ball out of their own half.
I thought we might have another tired performance, especially 2nd half. That’s the way we have been edging recently. But none of it, every player was a hero, and great to match our pre-season win over Chelsea. I thought at the time we had peaked to soon. Who would have thought then, that we would be in the position we are now?
Afternoon Andrew, thanks.
Jeans must have dished out praise to Arsenal through gritted teeth. Yep, great performance after the Europa fixture. Full throttle from the off. Chelsea deserved to be thumped.
Yeah the barcodes are looking good, Rico, although they haven’t been to the Emirates yet 😉 Interestingly we have the joint best defence with them (11) Going to be a cracker when we play them…
Have they played City, Liverpool etc yet Sue? Perhaps that’ll be the battle for the PL. Them not being in Europe is helping them. Along with a blank chequebook.
I agree. They drew 3-3 with City and lost 2-1 to Liverpool, Rico…
Ah yes, now you’ve said it Sue. Should be a good match up for us then, just no repeat of earlier in the year.,
Blimey, Liverpool FC is up for sale. FSG have had enough..
Not really Rico, they are inviting offers from parties interested in buying shares. Fenway Sports will retain ownership and total control but will stuff some more readies in their piggy bank.
Martinelli and Jesus in Brazil squad, no Gabriel or Firmino.
I’ve since read that Cicero, shame…
Bonkers decision Andrew, same as Ben White if Southgate ignores him.
My computer must be faulty as every time I read a story / report about Arsenal the last few days it’s all been positive from the media, boy are they going to have a crap Christmas if we win the next to matches.
New post up