Morning all.
I didn’t see the game, just the highlights, so can’t comment on how we played but we scored three goals which was enough to secure a place in the next round. That fixture will be against Leeds at The Emirates Stadium in the last week of October.
The pick of the goals was definitely Eddie’s. Interestingly, he got the nod ahead of Flo Balogun which suggests to me, there’s still a place for him at Arsenal if he and the club can agree a new deal. Bearing in mind he and Balogun share the same agent, lateness is no surprise.
Mikel Arteta fielded a strong team last night, the surprise perhaps being Thomas Partey but I can understand why he played. He’s not long back from injury and probably needs minutes on the pitch to build up his strength and fitness levels. I have a feeling that one of his shots from distance will finally find the back of the net on Sunday. What a difference his accuracy is compared to last season.
Arsenal’s other two goals came from a penalty which Lacazette rifled into the back of the net after Martinelli was fouled in the box and ESR with a nice finish. It might have looked easy but I’ve seen them missed.
From the highlights I’ve seen, Wimbledon seemed to be quite physical, especially on Martinelli. Somethings never change I guess. Thank goodness we don’t have to play them again anytime soon, unless the FA Cup draw pairs the two sides up again.
Not so long ago, Pep Guardiola had a moan about the Man City fans not turning up in numbers for a midweek game. What a contrast to Arsenal fans who turned up last night to watch a League Cup fixture against a League One team.
Honestly I was surprised to see that many fans tonight for the game. Lacazette told Arsenal Media. We are happy and we enjoy it when they are there. We missed them a lot during the pandemic so now that they are here, we have to give back the confidence that they give us.
Mikel Arteta had nothing but praise for the fans too.
There’s a real belief around the team and we’re looking forward to playing the derby in front of our crowd [on Sunday],” he said. “Again, thank you very much for coming – they made a spectacular evening. It’s never easy to come on Wednesday night, so thank you for what they’ve done, because it makes a huge impact.
It’s incredible, honestly. When [anybody] was doubting about anything that was happening before the supporters and the team, you can see how they feel. They’re really willing to help and they’re really willing to be behind the team. The team and every individual appreciates what they’re doing. Thank you so much and hopefully we’ll meet here on Sunday again.
The media can spin negativity, certain Arsenal websites can too but the reality is, Arsenal wouldn’t sell tickets for matches like last night if there wasn’t some kind of belief amongst a vast number of fans. Probably the majority of Arsenal fans. The club put the money where their mouth is in the summer and brought in players who are exciting to watch. Players who Mikel Arteta believes can play his style of football. If they can’t or won’t, they’ll be gone.
Arsenal fans have been crying out for a rebuild since Arsene Wenger drifted through his final years and now we’re getting it. There’s a reason to be optimistic. Not because we’ve just beaten a League One team but because we have a squad which which will only grow and improve together.
Anyway, the best way to go into a NLD is with a win and that’s exactly what Arsenal are going to do.
See you in the comments….
Nice one.
Hi Rico… Nice read 👍 I had to settle for the highlights as I couldn’t find a stream anywhere! 3 great goals.. Leeds at home in the next round
I’m a very lucky girl; managed to pick up 2 tickets on the exchange for Sunday – lower tier front row – buzzing!!! Can’t wait
Plus it was great seeing Miedema pick up her award for joining the 100 club 👌
Hi Sue, thanks. Ditto, it wasn’t anywhere which was a shame.
Excellent news re Sunday, take a bit of good luck with you.
It’s very quiet on here Rico, did Arsenal win by any chance yesterday, where have all the one-comment Doomers gone?
Very puzzled why Arsenal managed to let us purchase a stream of pre-season games but couldn’t find a way to tell us where or whether game was streaming. Someone at club should be looking out for fans wanting to watch!
Lokonga and Tavares look like two shrewd pieces of transfer business by Edu and Arteta whilst Maitland Niles is possibly showing signs of saving an Arsenal career that was going no where and Partey was superb.
Soares had a decent game as did the whole defence.
AFC Wimbledon played some really nice football, didn’t hoof it at all and didn’t look out of place, they, like Arsenal, just need a decent striker.
I did read a good comment somewhere that Tavares could end up playing like Gareth Bale, you know starts out as a left back and ends up as an attacking midfielder, a long shot I know but he has got something about him despite the rough edges. I wonder if the Benfica fans are still laughing and if they’ve got anymore jokes we can have?
Good afternoon Rico and all
Nice post.
That was me all along Kev…..I said that when I saw Tavarez play the first time. Infact I was astounded when JM said that Benfica fans laughed at us signing him. I still see him as an attacking midfielder and I have the hunch that when Joel Lopez is ready,, Tavarez will be pushed up on the wings to play there. He needs to be patient and Arteta needs to guide him properly.
He has the ball skills to give a good account of himself forward up front. Not as the CF but as a left sided AM.
Hi Rico, I think I’ve got a comment in moderation, I was just trying to make a bit of noise in response to Kev’s @ 12.09.
Often the same Kev, sad really. I wonder why we bother really..
Aaron, the club probably have no say in it because TV companies have broadcasting rights.
Afternoon Devil, Cicero. Can’t see anything in moderation Cicero..
Seeing as Aubameyang isn’t doing what is expected of him, I doubt it’ll be long before we see a change. Martinelli on the left with Lacazette in the middle perhaps..
Saying that, wasn’t Martinelli on the right last night?
Agree re AMN Kev, I think the chat he and Arteta had has done the world of good.
Afternoon rico, all. If we can get past Spurs at the weekend, we are putting together a nice run, which was definitely needed. Just heard that my son has tickets for Sunday, his previous games have been Brentwood and then City away, so hope that’s not going to jinx it!
Afternoon Andrew. What a difference a fully fit squad can make. Not sure we’d have won our opening three with a fully fit squad but I think the performances would have been better.
Well I’m glad that you still do bother Rico, hang on in there because Sunday/Monday will be so so different…
Not after we win Kev. 😜
Well I must have missed that comment of yours on Tavares DG, but yes he certainly has the look of a wing forward and maybe that’s what he used to be when he was younger as most full backs start out playing in other positions.
It was great to be back at The Grove after 18 months and there certainly was a great vibe at the ground with many more youngsters and children, walking down Holloway Road is like walking down a street I really don’t recognise anymore as it’s full of an array of bijou restaurants and eateries with the odd chippie although it looks as if Piebury Corner has closed its doors for good, hopefully I’ll get tickets for Leeds in the next round.
Let’s just win first Rico and then worry about it. 😉
Not seen much of Tavares but what I have seen is really encouraging. Young, enthusiastic, competitive and always busy. Honestly, if Tierney misses a game and Tavares has to fill in, I wouldn’t be worried at all. Great to hear the fans have already warmed to him.
As long as we win Kev, the silence can continue.
Silence is golden Rico
Just got home , sorry to have been in one of Norfolk’s wifi black holes all day ( that’s one comment , so I’m off the hook )
Like everyone else I searched the world wide web and came up short until one guy posted live from the stadium for15 minutes just before half time when either his battery ran out or the gestapo got him .
From what I could see live Martinelli was running them ragged , havent seen the highlights yet but I doubt that they will show much more than the goals .
Didn’t Kroenke buy his first bunch of shares from Granada TV and promise to provide a coverage of games ?
At a price of course.
The searchers Kev? 😜
Ha ha Potter, you’re usually present and correct. Lol
I wish the club did have its only channel as it used to. I think they’re missing a trick really. Even if fans had to pay a reasonably priced subscription, it’d be worth it I think.
Wrong rico, The Tremeloes…
Better fill up tomorrow Kev , The petrol stations are overly busy tonight , the scare stories are biting
Thanks Potter, fortunately I use Derv and that usually is the last to run out…
Hopefully 🤞
I suppose so but most of us here are on it too . The farm communities , boats 4 x 4 ‘s , I drove back from Norwich yesterday and my regular fill up was limiting 35 litre maximum . The owner who used to be one of my customers said it was going at just over double it’s normal rate .
He also said that he was getting complaints about the E10 petrol burning quicker , seems that the motorist is getting hit again.
I’m a petrol girl but only do around 6,000 miles a year so I think I’ll be ok. 😂
New post up now