Why shouldn’t a keeper make two or three top notch saves? If opposition players miss their chances to score goals, that’s their problem, not ours. After all, when was the last time someone said Arsenal were unlucky after missing opportunities of our own? Oh no, our players will be criticised until the cows come home because it’s easier. Or it suits that persons agenda. Football is simple, whoever scores most, wins. We scored 3, Everton scored 2. Same when it comes to defending our own goal. Two or three months ago, our defending was dreadful and quite rightly heavily criticised, so now we’re digging in deep, fighting hard in order not to concede another goal, how about a bit of praise for the determination we showed?
There were moments when we were under pressure admittedly, just as there were times our passing was all at sea but after a tough match in Greece, a late night finish and little recovery time, beating Everton was a great result
The luck, or good fortune was with Everton I thought. Their first goal should never have been allowed because regardless of how good the finish was, the boot was too high. It was dangerous. As was Richarlison’s tackle on Ceballos later in the game.
Ten or so minutes after going behind, Kolasinac suffered what looked like a nasty injury and had to be replaced by Saka. It was he who yet again played a huge part in our equaliser with a lovely ball into the box. A tap in for Eddie it was not. It was a great finish, well timed and certainly well placed. We went ahead soon after thanks to a lovely finish by Aubameyang. David Luiz has one of those moments when he’d picked up the ball in the defence and took the initiative. Everton dropped off him as took the ball forward, Aubameyang timed his run to perfection, Luiz played his through ball with precision. Eddie was ready for the cross should it come, Auba only had eyes for the bottom right hand corner.
With halftime just minutes away, Richarlison was rather fortunate to remain on the pitch after a nasty, reckless challenge on Dani Ceballos. Then they equalised. Bernd Leno’s misjudgment will be highlighted but I think more could have been done beforehand to prevent the goal.
No sooner was the break over, we restored the lead thanks to another goal from our captain. Pepe was the provider of the cross, Auba directed his header powerfully into the ground and over Pickford’s outstretched arm. Eddie was unlucky not to have score a second when his instinctive first touch strike hit the crossbar.
Everton searched for the equaliser and they put us under a bit of pressure but when it mattered, we held strong with Leno playing his part. A point blank save being the best of his action.
As I said earlier in the post, we made mistakes. We were sloppy at times as passes went astray. Leno made an error of judgement but more than made up for it during the rest of the game. Ceballos worked hard and did a lot of good things but he also made a few wayward passes too. Saka, a fans favourite that’s for sure. A sublime cross for our goal but plenty of errors too. Ozil, well, what is there to say other than he had a quiet game. Mustafi, another really strong performance alongside Luiz. Young Eddie. A super finish and he gets into the right places as proved when Auba scored his first.
We weren’t perfect by a long way but not in a bad way if that makes sense. Not in a disorganised way, or a couldn’t care less kind of way either as everyone was working hard. Aubameyang was back in his own box mopping up, proof of just how much these guys are prepared to work for their teammates and their coach. They don’t want to lose and yesterday they didn’t want a draw either.
We’ve all been critical of our attacking players and their inability to take their chances, well they took them yesterday and that was the difference between us and the opposition.
Luck? No. Hard work, determination and digging deep? Yes.
See you in the comments guys.
New post.
Le Coq, how can the prima deliverer of meat pies throughout Cornwall become a vegan? 😉
I can’t stand it, Rico!! They’re the jammiest team in the league… although I nearly fainted when var disallowed that goal haha!
Oh I hope so, Rico…….
Well beat them Sue… 🤔
I can’t believe how jammy that lot are..
Argh I’m gutted!! Never expected West Ham to score one let alone two – gave me hope, only to be dashed…. bloody Fabianski ☹
They’re never gonna lose 🥺
Pleasure Lc.
I used to Sue, nothing like you have though. Just chickens as pets..And a woofa. I’m envious of your small holding but not the work which comes with it..
You’re a veggie, Rico!…. nice one!! I don’t eat meat… am a pescatarian. Do you keep any birds/animals? One day I’ll have a small holding with a couple of pigs, an alpaca and a sheep 😄
Thanks Rico!
An armpit is my worst nightmare Sue. I’m ok for a few stops but then I get really twitchy. I’d rather just taxi it from Paddington but I’d need to remortgage my home to do that.
I’m vegetarian Lc and take B12 supplements but it’s present in many foods other than meat. Boots sell a vegetarian Omega tablet too which I take & multivitamin with iron.
Thanks Andrew. Agree re Ceballos. He’s starting to get going now he’s fit. I like him but I bet Real will want a hefty fee for him in the summer.
Afternoon Limey, thanks. We have Pompey on Monday too in the FA Cup. I wonder if Bola is in contention yet or Mari.
https://mobile.twitter.com/VintageArsanal/status/1231928721377882117?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Thanks Rico.
Only saw MotD and thought Everton deserved a point, think they had about 10 more shots than us, but hey who cares!
Yes, come on the Hammers tonight, not just for our record but anything to put Speed Mick`s Budgies nose out of joint!.
Hey Rico, is it you who is the Vegan on here ?…………………I am considering it, but want to know how you get Vitamin B12 and other vitamins, minerals etc` which come from meat …….is it through multi-vitamin supplements ?
Haha good one, andrew….👍😄
Not forever Sue, not next league match 🙂
I don’t mind the tube, Rico…well apart from the odd occasion when it’s completely rammed and you have someone’s armpit in your face! 😂
Gary Neville thinks Auba is world class… I do too! I never tire of watching his goals (& celebrations)… he was superb yesterday, and I know we could do with the money, but I don’t want him going anywhere!! I think I’d cry if we sold him, especially if it was to a rival!!
Am praying West Ham win tonight – will love them forever if they do! COYI
Afternoon Rico,
Well summed up. A vital win too. Who plays left back on Thursday is an issue – Saka looked out on his feet.
Maybe he will play Thursday, then sit out the FA Cup game, it’s 9 days after Thursday until the West Ham game.
Funniest thing for me yesterday was Souness grudgingly saying nice things about Arsenal, and Gary Neville constantly whinging about how bad we are, he must really hate Arsenal.
Hope that link works Potter without being an AV Forum member?
It’s hidden on their website for existing customers, except a £25 add-on! £17 if you barter. But this press release shows integrated deal with Sky Entertainment, Sky Sports and BT Sports for £47. Few extras for HD (in this age!) and CatchUp/Netflix, but paying less with BT now than I would have done next month without.
https://www.avforums.com/news/sky-announces-combined-sky-sports-and-bt-sport-packages.17244
Got the details Andrew ,not heard anything from Sky on email or adverts
Nice positive report Rico, afternoon all. I thought Ceballos showed a lot of discipline, seemed to hold back most of time until he got the ball, without Torreira is was essential to be that DM we have called for for so long. Also great technique controlling and disposing ball quickly. Rather than slow sideways or back we often do.
Signed up Saturday for new Sky contract with BT Sports integrated under one billing, and 40 per cent reduction for 18 months. Took an hour finding someone at Sky who knew what was in their press release the previous day, and that existing customers could re-contract to take offer! But no more messing about with Apps watching stuck re-runs anymore 🙂
Ditto Sue, and I hate the tube…
I get that Cicero, but there’s a difference being a left back and being a winger as far as defending goes..
I go on the train, Rico… a lot easier… plus you’d never catch me driving in London 😄
Hi Scott I am still taking positive and anger classes, but must admit Arteta is doing ok so far but I will still hold my judgement until the end of the season he deserve that much.
I don’t want to put a damper on the Tierney situation, it’s been raining here for the last twelve hours so it’s already damp enough in my view, but shoulder injuries can have lasting effects on footballers. Just ask Walcott, Debuchy and Jenkinson.
Saka may not make it as a fullback, but defence is part of the responsibility of both wingers and wing backs so he needs to work hard on that part of his game.
Thanks Sue, when you go to the Emirates, do you drive or train?
Cicero, Tierney should be back soon and I’ve no idea how serious Kolasinac injury is. If we’re to believe what’s been written, Saka doesn’t want to be a defender so the club will have to be smart. If another club offers him a contract as a winger, he might just be tempted. Personally, I doubt he’ll ever make a great defender..
Afternoon Rico and all the gang, 3 games in a week, a long trip to Greece then facing a well rested team who’ve just finished their mid season break, no wonder we ran out of legs in the final 30 minutes, but we hung on. If that had been Liverpool then the media would have been acting as if they’d overdosed on viagra, it’s pathetic to listen to some of those has beens and never been anything’s, but in a way that’s a positive isn’t it? We don’t want them feeling sorry for us we want them hating on us, because then we know we’re doing ok – fcuk ‘em…
Glad to hear it Sue, there’s no atmosphere among those prawn sandwiches. 😉
Great post, Rico! Let’s hope Tierney is back asap, as Saka needs a break.. he’s done so well but needs a rest. He has a lot on his shoulders! Is there any news on Kolasinac?
Still so happy with the win… great win over Mikel’s old team (& Ancelotti!!) I saw on Twitter that fixture has seen the most goals in PL history (110)…..
The Arteta effect – don’t you just love it??!!
I’ve got a ticket to the West Ham game – can’t wait!!
Be more, not before….
Rico, with the injury to Kolasinac, it looks as though Saka is going to get a long run of games at left back, so he will have to before diligent and more defensive minded. Perhaps he will turn out to be a classy defender.
Empty seats could be down to half term so families away or just returning. Unless they went to the Canary Islands, in which case they might still be there….
Hi Sohara, although the official attendance was 60,296, there did appear to be a good few empty seats, I know the attendance figure is based on tickets sold rather than actual bums on seats but could it have been as high?
The atmosphere yesterday at the game was great, even when we went a goal down the crowd were totally behind the team. It has been good for the last few home games . So great to hear the fans signing the different players names again . I do believe we all think that this time we really have got our Arsenal back
I’m not fussed either Cicero, it’s they who look stupid with their clear and obvious agenda. Meanwhile, we can just carry on carrying on improving I hope.
Agree re Saka defensive frailties but then he’s not a left back so it’d be harsh to be overly critical imo.
‘morning all.
That cross from Saka was a peach. It’s a pity that his defensive discipline is so poor. He too often goes up-field and leaves a huge space behind him, if he could concentrate on holding his position but be ready to make the forward run, from deep, when the ball is in front of him so that he can get beyond his fullback and put in those lovely crosses, he could be a World beater.
I was also pleased to see Bellerin beating the fullback and putting a couple of good crosses in too.
Rico, I’m not bothered by the negativity of the media, water off a ducks back. I had to laugh at Souness, he almost choked on his words when forced to say something good about Arsenal yesterday.
Scott, he needs to stay grounded though and take this chance he’s been given. Same goes for Saka, Nelson etc. I just hope none of them think they’ve made it already because reality is, their careers are only just beginning.
Rico, Eddie is a ripper imo.
Not sure if you recall, but when the Arsenal came to Oz a few years back, I thought Eddie and Nelson were incredibly impressive for kids.
Eddie’s movement on and off the ball is very good, and that finish was a ripper.
The cross was great Scott, as was the one for Lacazette in Greece but much praise has to go to Eddie to for the finish. I asked myself one thing after he scored, would Lacazette have put the chance away? I’m not convinced he would…
Hi Geoff, exactly. And we play again on Thursday which is another quick turnaround. Kolasinac was meant to give Saka a break, and as Arteta said, he had his own concerns too.
I really don’t think thing we can play down the importance of that result yesterday..
I think he will Adam. He’s got his mates around him like Nelson, AMN, Eddie and Smith Rowe when he returns plus he can probably see that he’ll get game time with us. I’d like to think his parents etc are offering him sensible advice which is to stay put. For now at least.
Geoff, Arteta has won you over then???
🙂 🙂
Rico, I only meant “that” cross-when did we last see that from one of our players?
Incredible stuff.
Mustafi has always been able to play, but he’s eliminated those horrible errors.
He had 1 or 2 in every game and he’s cut that back to none.
Not sure if it’s just his confidence has been restored but hey, who cares hahaha
He’s going very well.
Hi Rico and all well written Rico it was not our best game but take into account the mid week game we did well and the players never gave up every time everton scored we fort harder in the past we would have given in but the players now are starting to believe in each other
Rico. I agree. Apart from the cross, which was magnificent, he wasn’t quite on it yesterday. Understandable though after a full week and considering his age. No doubt that’s why Kola came in. I wonder if he will sign a long contract?
Hi Scott. All.
I thought Saka was pretty poor yesterday, great moments yes, but the rest of his game was full of errors. That’s not me being cruel, just honest. He’s young, learning, knackered and I love him. Same with Eddie, great goal, great movement but a way to go imo.
Mustafi. Who is this this new silver fox who can defend? 😂
Hello Rico and all.
When we win, it’s always down to luck or poor opposition 🙂
Pfft.
We are a different animal now.
Arteta IS the man, the players are giving us their all and as fans, we all appreciate that, so Support the lads on the pitch.
All of these factors make ya a hard ten to beat.
Even watching on TV, the noise from the fans is brilliant and no question it lifts the players.
We aren’t soft touches any more, and we are certainly no easy beats.
Eddie could well be the next Ian Wright imo.
Saka is just ridiculously good.