Daily Bits and Bobs

Arsenal drop a 10/10 performance in Prague….

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Firstly, a get well soon message to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who contracted malaria whilst on international duty.

Secondly, what a performance and result by Arsenal last night. I do hope a 4-0 at a ground where no other club has won for the last eighteen months isn’t just dismissed because ‘Slavia were poor’. From start to finish and from the first player to step onto the pitch to the last, Arsenal were simply too good.

Some moments were better than others but that’s what usually happens over the course of ninety minutes but when it came to creating opportunities to score, our players were ruthless.

Arsenal were ahead early but VAR intervened. It took them ages to spot a little speck of dust on Smith Rowe’s boot was offside. Saka had placed his shot perfectly it seemed but the Slavia keeper tipped it onto the woodwork. Unlucky for him, the rebound came straight out to ESR who fired it home. But it wasn’t to count. Head and shoulders dropped? Absolutely not, in fact I think it was the opposite. Arsenal had breached the opposition’s goal and they wanted more.

Within twenty five minutes, the game was all but over.

Calum Chambers and Thomas Partey played a part in our opening goal but it was Emile Smith Rowe who played a ridiculously good ball through the legs of a Slavia defender to Pepe. I thought the chance had gone but our left winger had other ideas. Speed, footwork and a lovely finish over the keepers head.

Smith-Rowe was at it again down our right hand side. He played the ball to Saka, a Slavia defender was a bit clumsy and as Saka hit the ground, referee Cakir pointed to the spot. Up stepped Lacazette, cool as a cucumber, with a perfect penalty. 2-0.

Arsenal seemed to be enjoying themselves and it wasn’t long before 2-0 became 3-0. This time Chambers was the provider for Saka to score. Earlier in the game our number 7 had hit his shot across goal, this time he placed it just inside the near post. Kolar in the Slavia goal had no chance.

The second half was about keeping what we had and not doing anything silly, staying in control and seeing the game out. Of course we all would have loved to see more goals but on Sunday we play again. Even so, with ten minutes to go, Lacazette got his second of the night to make it 4-0. A fine goal it was too.

 

 

That’s Arsenal under Mikel Arteta at their best. It’s what we Arsenal fans crave to see on a regular basis and hopefully in time we will. The kids aren’t kids anymore, certainly not Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli. They are the players give Arsenal energy, direction and skill. Their hunger, willingness and pride drives them on. When Pepe and Lacazette play alongside or around them, they get on board.

Apart from taking goal kicks, I don’t think Bernd Leno had much to do. The back four were solid and dependable, clearing everything and anything which looked dangerous. Pablo Mari and Rob Holding are developing into a solid looking central pairing and Calum Chambers, well, he’s showing sign of still being that right back teased and tormented by Swansea. For Mikel Arteta to opt for him ahead of Hector Bellerin speaks volumes in my opinion. Granit Xhaka at left back continued to be Mr dependable. Admittedly, quicker wingers would probably cause him problems but last night he did well. As did Thomas Partey and Dani Ceballos.

Like I said, everyone played their part and when they do, Arsenal really can play well.

Another positive was that none of our players appeared to pick up any injuries and the changes Mikel Arteta made were probably more about the game against Fulham and giving another five players a runout. Even Folarin Balogun experienced a few minutes on the pitch. Gabriel Martinelli too and after his run at the Slavia defender, he deserved a goal but his shot whistled just wide.

Next up for Arsenal in this competition is Villareal when Mikel Arteta will go head to head with the man he replaced, Unai Emery. Two Spaniard’s who have a point to prove. I think there’ll be a few Arsenal players with a point to prove too.

In the League, it’s Fulham on Sunday. A lunchtime kick off at The Emirates.

See you in the comments.

 

 

 

rico

52 thoughts on “Arsenal drop a 10/10 performance in Prague….”

  1. Sue says:

    Nice one, Rico 👍
    Well, what a spirited performance that was!! Loved it..
    Such a delight seeing everyone put a shift in and that was some shift from ESR once again (he was my motm!) 👌 So much love for him and Saka!!

    4 excellent goals, Laca on fire..everything clicked.. Will wear my shirt with pride today!!

    And I hope Auba is fighting fit and back on the pitch soon ❤

  2. Devilgunner says:

    Good report Rico. Can you kindly serve similar ones after every game?? that would be most welcome 😉😉😉

    Did I enjoy the game?? you can bet on that. but wanted more. True, as you pointed out, we need to conserve energy for next game. And that is important. But I really want us to maul someone. I have not yet forgotten or moved on from the 8 we got from Man Utd, the 6 we got from Dippers, Chavs and City. Its been a long time since we racked up the goals to the tune of 5-8 in our favour. Maybe we will save it for the final??

    yes, 1-0 or 10-0 still count as one game won. whether that is a final, a league game or just a friendly. But if the opposition is Man Utd, Liverpool, Spuddies, Chavs or City will make it more sweeter. Because if they get the chance they will not stop, and surely will enjoy themselves much much more.

    I enjoyed seeing Xhaka getting another good game at LB. He allowed Pepe to bomb forward and tucked in midfield when we went up.

    One point I must make about Chambers……did you notice his run when he got the ball until Saka scored with his assist?? He won the ball, then instead of running along the touchline he cut inside with it and then at the right moment he passed to Saka. Now when Saka went outside with the ball Chambers tucked inside at an angle. However, when Saka came infield Chambers arrowed his run diagonally and went towards the touchline to prove width. Just check it. And then compare it with Bellerin, Soares and AMN….who always hugged the touchline. AMN used to tuck in last year in the run to the FA Cup win…..but in League games he always hugged the touchline.

    All Chambers needs now is belief and that he stays fit without injury. And who knows…..maybe he will be the answer to RB position next year

  3. rico says:

    Thanks Sue.

    I certainly hope Auba is fully fit again soon but on the pitch? I think we’re better when he’s not on the pitch.

  4. rico says:

    Thanks Devil. If only eh.

    What is it I wonder about Arsenal and playing away from home, we seem to be so much better much of the time.

    Yesterday was all about energy, and finishing. As Kev said to Jm prior to game, if Arsenal can covert chances to goals more often, we’ll win.

  6. allezkev says:

    Yes Scott, the youngsters are our future, some of our older players can go on this journey with them but there will be casualties who’ll fall by the wayside because these young players seem to understand Arteta better than some senior guys who are set in their ways.
    It’s why I’m becoming a Xhaka fan, he buys in, Pepe is trying hard now, but we still have a few who aren’t suited and will move on.

    Our Academy is doing a great job with more talent to come, just ask Rick, never mind La Masia we’ve got La Hale Endia.

  7. Cicero says:

    Good morning all from a sunny but chill Norfolk.

    Not a day to carp about our players but I think I understand why Arteta insists on playing out from the back. Bernd Leno’s distribution. Two goal kicks straight into touch around the halfway line. Several others picked off by the opposition. That’s just not good enough.

    Beyond those errors, everything else he was asked to do he did well and with confidence.

  8. allezkev says:

    Thanks for the malaria info Cicero, there seems more to this story than meets the eye, but it seems if you are right that it’s possible Aubameyang isn’t going to be on point for up to a year?

    His contract runs out in 2023 so be prepared for Auba to have a fabulous 2022/23 season!

  9. rico says:

    Arsenal should be able to make a compensation claim for Auba shouldn’t they? After all, he was on international duty when he fell ill.

  10. Devilgunner says:

    Just imagine what would the team look like if two players did not get away…..Gnabry and Bennacer.

  11. andrewh1313 says:

    Good report rico, please keep up the winning ones more as Devil said! Morning all.
    Now that playing at home has lost its large crowds influencing refs and geeing up players, I wonder if the players are more together after having spent hours in a plane or coach trip rather than just parking their car at the ground? Seems more likely than the colour of the seats as Manchester U are trying!

  12. gunnerpete says:

    I am 79 soon and have been a true Gunner for 72 years. I cannot remember being so chuffed about a result and team performance like that since the Begkamp / Henry days. The blend is near perfect and now Arteta has learned from his mistakes by playing the best players you have and not just the names or reputations we should surge on from now. We have at last a George Graham defence with some great back up to come in next season. Our midfield and forward line works so much better when Auba is not there (I dont know why) but the line up last night was near perfect with Martinelli to come in plus Balogun. Deep down I hope MA has the guts to continue his clear out by selling a few names like Auba/Belerin/Elhneny/ Leno/Willock/AMN and a few loanies. The money raised could then buy a great goalie and near great Bissumma with another goalscorer. We would then win the lot.

  14. Devilgunner says:

    Andrew1313……currently no ball boys are allowed I think. So Bendtner could not have been retained.

  15. Devilgunner says:

    Kev…..I wonder if this chap works with you…..

    Last Wednesday a passenger in a taxi heading for King’s Cross station leaned over to ask the driver a question and gently tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb and stopped just inches from a large plate window.
    For a few moments everything was silent in the cab. Then, the shaking driver said “are you OK? I’m so sorry, but you scared the daylights out of me.” The badly shaken passenger apologized to the driver and said, “I didn’t realize that a mere tap on the shoulder would startle someone so badly.”
    The driver replied, “No, no, I’m the one who is sorry, it’s entirely my fault. Today is my very first day driving a cab. I’ve been driving a hearse for the past 25 years.”

  17. rico says:

    Pete, I wouldn’t give up on AMN just yet. He’s getting good reviews at West Brom, plus he can fill in at right back. I think every squad needs a utility player or two.

  18. andrewh1313 says:

    rico, your comment re utility player brought back a memory of David Hillier for some reason! Read the other day, he’s a firefighter now.

  20. Cicero says:

    Who was the utility player that gave a whole new meaning to “being dropped”? He finished up with a broken elbow.

  24. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Regarding yesterday’s game:
    a) Gabriel, he had been “soft” in his approach to the game. Yesterday, we were decided and very compact;
    b) We managed to stop the physical strength of Slavia’s midfield, preventing control of the midfield (which he had in the 1st game) and preventing the team from breaking in 2; c) As I posted before, it seemed to me that Slavia played better away than at home. It was confirmed

  25. Devilgunner says:

    Just googled and searched malaria. It can lie dormant in a body up to a year

    So there is no guarantee that Auba got the Malaria the last time he went to Gabon’s game. He might have had it pre December……hence his drop in his performances. However, we all saw how he performed in his last Gabon game so I dont think its the case. Because Malaria is a parasite which eats the haemoglobin….cells which carry oxygen around the body. That is why its difficult to run constantly for 90 minutes. You cant breath properly.

  27. Cicero says:

    If you catch malaria and don’t immediately receive treatment it will make you seriously ill within days and will probably kill you. It only lies dormant, in the kidneys, after treatment has cured the symptoms. If Auba contracted the disease in a previous trip and didn’t get treatment he would be brown bread by now.

  28. Cicero says:

    A couple of years ago my wife and I were planning a trip to India, it included travel by water in a region designated medium to high risk for malaria. We looked very closely at the risk of infection and took the appropriate precautions. we are both still around thanks to the preventative medication we took.

  29. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the House.
    Thanks for a excellent post Rico, you summed up the tone spot on.
    Theres just one thing I could not understand ,why did arteta replace ESR with Eleney, could he not have given Nelson a chance to show what he could do after all we were winning 3-0 at the time.
    It was great seeing Chambers and Holding haveing good games.

  31. allezkev says:

    Nobody can tap you on the shoulder DG because of the glass partition between the driver and passengers, it’s why travelling in a licensed black taxi is the safest way to get around town…

    So I reckon that must have been a mini cab DG because they can drive any old car as a private hire driver and if he was a mini cab then he most certainly wasn’t driving a taxi, so whoever wrote that story wasn’t strictly accurate, but then show me an accurate journo and you’ll be showing me something unique… 🙂

  32. Devilgunner says:

    I read it on the web…..one of the jokes on it Kev.

    I just posted it because it was so funny

  33. Limey says:

    Lovely write up Rico,
    the first half was the best I’ve seen for a long time.Even the second half was stress -free,if I’d a cigar to hand I would have lit up – and I don’t even smoke !
    Credit to the defence- Chambers, Holding & Mari are the so solid crew.Xhaka was great again,it must be great for Arteta to have him. I’ve changed my opinion on him,I’m sure a lot of us have.
    But everyone played their part,we certainly don’t miss our captain.
    The media have assumed that Man Utd will get to the final,they are strong favourites,but favourites don’t always win. I will be cheering on Roma in that one..

  34. Rick says:

    This evening our u18’s are away to WHU in the FA Youth cup
    and it is live on Twich on the main website
    I am hoping that the youngsters who have been playing for the U23’s
    will be playing and we will have a strong team.
    If any of you watch the game(I will) you will see some of the very talented
    young players that Hale end are producing.
    Keep a eye out for the following,
    Norton Cuffy (rb) Monlouse (c/b) Kirk (c/b) Omari Hutchinson ( (m/f)
    Kido Taylor Hart normaly no 10 Kaylon Edwards (No9)
    A few days ago I said come on Mikal give K/T Hart a pro contract.
    I am hearing he has signed one which great news.
    By the way the other players I have not named are not too bad as well
    See you later

  36. Sue says:

    Dzeko has scored more goals against United (7) than any other English club… and 5 have been at Old Trafford 😉 Come on!!!

  38. rico says:

    Thanks Limey. Funny you should say that about Xhaka, because he’s back in my good books too. His range of passing is pretty good. Lol

    Ditto re Roma, I’ll have everything crossed..

  41. Rick says:

    Team
    Ejeheri
    Norton Cuffy
    Kirk
    Molouis
    Ogungbo
    Azeez
    Henrh Franicis
    Hutchinson
    Flres
    Taylor Hart
    Edwards
    Edus Son on the bench

  50. Aussie Geoff says:

    I have never flown out of Australia but I thought people took a Malaria needle or tablet before heading into area’s that have Malaria. either way lets hope Auba gets well soon but not rush him back into the team we look much better with out him.

  51. potter says:

    A brief read of medical journals reveals that there are 4 strains of Malaria 2 of which are reoccuring and 2 one off hits. If treated early the patientis usually recovered within 14 days to a month but the side effects can take longer to go .If not treated early it can be fatal and one strain is more dangerous it would seem.
    Dependant of which strain he has , we may see him again this season or may on the other hand we may not .
    Could this be the reason that the Balogun situation was suddenly bought to a head.?

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