Morning all.
Ding-a-dong, the penny has dropped, whatever expression floats your boat, Arsenal seem to have learned. This has to be Edu and Arteta’s handiwork because it’s they who are doing the post contract signing chit chat for the official Arsenal website. Securing Gabriel Martinelli’s services for the foreseeable is great news. Our talented younger players are our future either as a footballer, or cash machine. It’s how a club should run when it’s run properly.
Folarin Balogun posted a cryptic message on his instagram page yesterday. A photo of a London Colney Academy training pitch with a caption saying ‘a lot of goals scored there’ which has been taken as meaning he’s leaving. I take it as him staying but moving up into the first team squad, training and playing on the big boys pitch. Ok, optimism is one of my many strengths. Lol
Wolverhampton Wanders. What are they doing sat so far up the league table? They deserve it, that’s why. The days of them being a Championship side are over and it looks like their stay in the Premier League will be long. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo is doing a great job, backed by the clubs owners Fosun International, a Chinese conglomerate and investment company who are worth a few bob. Eight Portuguese players are in Nuno’s squad plus a few English players, perhaps the most important of which is Conor Coady who has been solid in defence. Another key player of theirs is the much in demand, Adama Traore. Actually, each one of the Wolves players has played their part in making them the team/squad they are today. Some of who battered us good and hard in this same fixture last season. Most of whom held us to a 1-1 draw at The Emirates back in November last year.
But let’s be honest, Arsenal weren’t in a good place back in November. Ozil was starting his first match after spending time in the same naughty corner he seems to be in now, Xhaka was going through his own struggles so didn’t play and Unai Emery, for whatever reason, was heading rapidly towards the sack. Aubameyang opened the scoring after a spell of early pressure from Wolves but instead of pushing on, it was Wolves who created the more chances. Twenty odd of them so it was no surprise to see Jimenez equalise. We managed to hold on for the draw.
The away fixture last season was very different. Three first half goals killed us off. Sokratis scored late in the game but it meant very little.
So, we should know what to expect this evening and that’s a tough tough game. Wolves haven’t dropped points since the restart, beating Aston Villa and West Ham 1-0 and 2-0 respectively away from home and Bournemouth 1-0 at Molineux. They don’t leak goals for fun, they are very well organised and possible a top four spot is an added incentive to keep on winning.
For Arsenal, it’s about being disciplined in the way the team defends. Clinical in attack, organised in midfield. Get at them quicker than they do us and be as one. Every cog in Mikel Arteta’s wheel needs to be well oiled and working 100%. There is no room for passengers, not on days like this. For games like this.
The news of Lucas Torreira being fully fit and available for selection for today’s game is excellent news but despite the team missing his tigerish style of play in midfield, I’m not sure Mikel will take the risk of throwing him in the pack. (Yes, deliberate) He might be tempted to play AMN in front of our back four though with a ‘cross the halfway line at your peril’ message drilled into him. We’ll know soon enough.
Arsenal go into this game after three victories. The two away ones were hard fought. Sheffield Utd are not an easy team to beat as Toots found out a couple of days ago and Southampton aren’t soft either. Beating Norwich was our best performance under Mikel Arteta I think so we need to take positives from that as well as the two dogged battles away from home. The performance in the week suggests that things might be starting to fall into place. The players are listening to Arteta and they’re responding. Not for one minute do I think all is rosy, far from it but baby steps forward matter. Even if we get beaten today, all is not lost, as long as the performance is right.
Although a scrappy affair with a point or three added to our points tally would do nicely too.
See you in the comments guys.
Hi Geoff, I doubt it re the drinks break, there should be no need for it.
New post up now
I’m with you Andrew, even at 1-0 up, I didn’t feel confident. Not entirely convinced at 2-0 up either but history has done that to us all. It’ll take time, plus the addition of a few stronger players to change that I think.
Saka is the kind of kid you want to adopt Sue, even when he scores he looks super cool. I thought he wasn’t at his best yesterday which makes his goal even more special imo. Lacazette’s strike was so so good too, his first touch just perfect.
Hi Rico and all Great goal by Saka but even better to see Lacazette break his drought, I wonder if the official’s of the game will keep the drinks break in the game next season.
Fair dinkum Scott, Strine is not an Englishman’s natural argot but some of us do try. The bottle o was chockers when I went in for a slab yesterday arvo. As Mikel said when he took over at Arsenal, no worries mate she’ll be right.
If you’re having a barbie down by the billabong today, have a tinny with me, cheers
Andrew, as Arteta’s biggest fan here, I don’t want to be seen to be overstating what’s happening but yes, 4 in a row is sensational.
Sue, it’s all about practice hahaha
Little roll Scott? It’s Four games now with wins, three away! And yet……. we still feel a disaster round the corner, lol. It’s like the CV death toll. At weekends it’s under 40 because registry offices in hospital closed and nursing homes also wait for weekdays to do paperwork, so you hope for better things. Then wam, Tuesdays and we been back in the hundreds. But, optimism just like Arsenal, figures are finally under a hundred for a few weekdays. Today I thought was a big indicator, lose by a few goals and the new dawn is still a while away. But I had big hopes after the Norwich performance, and a great well worked performance, patience and two well taken goals.
😂 me too, Rico!
Yes… and he’s doing a very good job of it too!
Watching MOTD.. our goals really were superb and guess what? More trees to be planted 😉
Saka is such a sweetheart!!
Scott.. 😂😂😂 we’ll keep trying!!
Performance-A plus.
Result-AAA plus.
English efforts at the Aussie language-BLOODY WOEFUL Hahahahahaha
A little roll is developing, and while it’s nothing to get overly excited about, we are headed the right way and line may it continue.
These are games that we simply haven’t been able to win for years, so a huge leap forward.
Certainly should do Sue. I think I’m going to give up guessing or rather suggesting who should stay and go because each week, someone new surprises me. 😂
Thank goodness it’s Mikel Arteta making the decisions and not us, or rather me…. lol
Sorry my spelling useless
looked
Get that Andrew But..
We liked a bit cluwed up.
I still can’t believe Wolves only had 1 shot on target!
We’re getting good at taking our chances now!
That goal will have given him a massive boost, Rico. He hadn’t scored away in a long time. Everything seems to be coming together nicely for us right now 😊
Always Dean for the NLD.
Chris Kavanagh for the Leicester game…. which must mean Dean for the NLD???
My own thoughts on Lacazette leaving have been based on him looking disinterested for a while. Maybe that’s why Eddie has been played instead.
It might just be he’s now on board with Mikel and his plans. Either that or he’s after a big move. Lol
I know Andrew and it’s annoying as it’s not consistent but what can we do about it? Cheeses me off no end.
Not when it’s Luiz, Fred! I’m scared he’s going to have another brain lapse and do it again.
Bookings are what we need,it tells us we want
have a go…Pos not neg
Stay safe guys
Rico agree, but AMN was fouled twice and soon as he retaliates, straight booking.
Best performance for some time. One little bit of luck when they fired over. Bergkamp would have dinked it better😀. But other than that, very professional and that first touch of Lacazette! Surprised a few don’t mind if he leaves. His hold-up, as you said rico, and if he gets the service, he is our top finisher. So pleased to see Torreira back, cleans up those messy tangles in midfield. Subs spot on, great mastermind Arteta.
I particularly like seeing the cynical fouling committed by some of our players towards the end. Makes a change for us to show a bit of the naughtiness often shown against us.
Up
Well summed Kev
Agreed Kev.
Evening Fred.
Wolves haven’t conceded in 3 games for a reason, they just suck you in and mug you off, but Arteta was too cute, we just probed without going gung ho.
That was a very intelligent game of football by Arsenal and in the end Wolves didn’t have a scooby.
From a tactical perspective that was probably our most impressive and important result of the season, you can actually see this team growing and becoming more Man City’ish with every positive result. Thoroughly enjoyed that…
Made to work hard for that but work hard they did . It was a team effort under written with some good individual performances. Leicester next up just need to keep it going
Omg I can watch MOTD again tonight 😉😉
Very disciplined performance, which is unusual in itself. Great result and Mikel got it bang on. Very pragmatic and clever too.
Evening Rico and All
Sorry Micky “Back on Board”
Come on you Reds
A Wolves fan tried coming on this morning, he said 2-0 too. 😂
The thing about Lacazette Is get the ball to him in the box and he has a chance . He turns and makes the space that’s his game.
I get lucky sometimes Cicero. Lol
Thought he gave us an out ball, we were struggling a little bit with retaining it when cleared.
Thought AMN did really well.
glad I was right 2-0 great result
Excellent result. Very clever performance.
Two goals a clean sheet three points. 🔔🔔🔔
Torreira’s hair… makes him look all of 5 ft tall 😂😂
What a result…. absolutely humongous!! I did not see this coming!!
You called it Rico, Lacazette!
Brilliant. Bloody brilliant!
Nope, Willock and Bellerin
Time for Lacazette perhaps? Even if just for his hold up play.
😂😂 good one, Cicero!!
Strewth a Sheila named Scott. Almost as odd as a boy named Sue, just ask Jonny Cash. 😉
Well bang goes Wolves 405 minutes without conceding 😉
Not the greatest half, but we took our chance 👊 Saka, you ripper (I sound like Scott now 😂)
At the risk of tinkering, Arteta should take Luiz off and give Holding a run out.
Not the greatest half of football but every Arsenal player is giving 100%. Wolves have got to take a few risks now, maybe giving us a few chances on the break.
Just hope Luiz can keep his head for another 45 mins. Last thing we need is to have a player sent off.
Saka – tact. First Premier goal for Buyako.
Great finish Saka.
I wish the camera lens coverage was wider so we could see the attacking players movement when the defence is in possession.
Luiz booked again. Just a grab at the players collar. Stupid.
Hmm loads of possession but very little penetration. Low key, no risk football.
Strange old game. Very cat and mouse.
Is this some sort of record 18 minutes gone and not a freekick.
For now it seems so Sue. Pogba looks like he’s enjoying his football again..
Pleased for Reading.
At least we’ll make a few pounds if we sell guendouzi, help pay for a midfielder or two.
Settled in front of the telly, cashew nuts and a bottle of BOB ( Barshams Old Bustard ) at the ready and a chicken Jal Frezi simmering the kitchen. Great Saturday night in prospect.
Serpentine a surprise 25/1 Derby winner. And by a distance.
Maybe we’re going to sell Guendouzi??
🤣 Rico!!
Good win for Reading…. shame about Stoke…
And those bloody mancs! It pains me to say this.. but they’re back 🥺
I’m a little nervous about Mustafi and Luiz if I’m honest!!
1-13 Cicero, that’s something you’ve checked on the comments page, not me.. I’m sure.
Stupid woman 😂😂
Good, sure don’t need Ozil anywhere a game which is going to be tough. Guendouzi really is in a seriously naughty, naughty corner.
Pepe’s wife is in labour!
Neither Ozil or Guendouzi included in the match day squad.
Martinez, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Cedric, Tierney, Ceballos, Xhaka, Saka, Nketiah, Aubameyang.
Just proves Cicero, never believe what the media say/write.
Thanks for the offer of an e mail to alert me to new comments Rico, but I check in multiple times everyday so I politely decline you offer.
There will be a good socially distanced and seated set of fans in the Aylsham Ex-Servicemans club. Oops! They’ve just gone one down against Brighton.
Great To o
Good day all.
I read that Martinelli has signed a four year deal with an optional one year at an increased, but not disclosed, wage.
Another report suggests that Aubameyang wants a three year deal and £250,000 a week. Obviously his agent hasn’t been getting the kind of offers he expected before the Covid pandemic. I think 250k is over the top at his age, his remuneration package should be based on performance ie games played, goals scored etc.
Maitland-Niles was interviewed by The Telegraph and despite what he said to Sky earlier this year, he’s happy to play in whatever position Arteta wants him to. He says that the players coming from the academy are a great bunch and all have a good relationship with each other and the staff.
If we could just get Ceballos to sign up and find a way to get Ozil off the books I’d be quite happy with what we have. If we did manage to sign a midfield “beast” I’d be delighted.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 Le Coq
They’ll behave responsibly, just like all the beach goers and people up in Liverpool have…..
I won’t be heading to a pub anytime soon, that’s for sure!
What genius had the idea to open up pubs and hair salons on the same day?
I’m amazed he thinks it might happen Sue, the newspaper headlines will be full of it later. Good job it’s not a hot sunny day too, as the police won’t know which way to turn.
No Arsenal players in this, but it really made me laugh!!
https://mobile.twitter.com/FootyHumour/status/1277553731966509058
Thanks Rico.
To move on and reach our potential and rightfull place at the top we need to beat the Wolves and then feed Kroenke to the Wolves then we can Howl in delight!
Yes , these games are coming around thick and fast, I prefer to say they are coming around quicker than the making of a cobweb in Totnumbs trophy cabinet, but that is probably not true!
😄 good one, Rico!!
6am??!! That is mental!! Boris said he hopes pub goers will behave responsibly..yeah like that’s going to happen!!
Only eight to go now Sue, they are coming around quicker than a queue in Aldi goes down…
Andrew, I can’t believe pubs opened at 6am today, hairdressers opened their doors at midnight. Well soon be back in lockdown if the drunks go on a rampage…
Welcome James, morning to you Andrew, Sue and all.
James, I’m glad the fans aren’t there for this one, like you say, they play a huge part for certain clubs. Yep, it’ll be tough but the fact that they’re not scoring bucket loads of goals should give us hope. We have plenty of scorers in our own camp, they just have to be ready to take the chances we create.
Morning rico, House. Good preview, isn’t it amazing how quick games are coming round after the 3 month hiatus? Back to not knowing what to expect tonight…. well except for stories of drunkenness behaviour around some cities I guess!
Nice post, Rico!
I can’t believe it’s match day again!! So glad we’re going into this on the back of that 4-0… going to be tough tonight, for sure!
Wolves have gone 405 minutes without conceding a goal…. while Auba needs 1 goal to become only the 2nd player to score 20 goals in consecutive seasons (I think we all know who the first player was!! 😄)
Adama Traore scares the hell out of me, so I don’t envy Mustafi or Luiz…🙈
Well it promises to be a very good game! COYG
Happy 4th of July to you, RA 🤩
On the Balogan point at the start mate, I agree with you. He recently had a sit down with Arteta and perhaps the plan for his development was made clear. He can just expect to jump from u23 to first team starter. Also if he doesnt want to fight and battle the competition for his spot like Nkethia, then hes not the type of player we want at the club.
All the press seem to forget that he still has a year left on his contract. What would be sensible for us( like we should have done with Gnabry and Malen) give him a 5 year deal and loan him to a club for 2 complete seasons. Nonetheless we do seem to be learning at last.
Wolves will be tough, but I have a feeling that we will win this one. Something about wolves 12th man not being there going round in my head. Yes they have kept clean sheets but all against bottom half teams Norwich, Brighton, Bournemouth, West Ham and Villa all of which don’t have world class attackers and have all struggled to score goals this season too.
In the last 2, against Villa and Bournemouth they beat them by 1 goal only. We have played 5 games them only 3, this is like a preseason of sorts and we should be more match sharp. They may still be finding their feet due to their lack of continuity of games. Them having a fully fit squad is no difference to me tbh, we don’t really know/have a strongest 11 yet.
If you were to pick our best 11 for today from our fit players, it would probably include Martinez Mustafi Luiz Holding Xhaka Cebellos AMN Tierney Soares Aubamyang Pepe Saka, Subs: Laca Nkethia Torriera Ozil Nelson Bellerin Kolasinac Sokratis Illiev. So still quite strong, I have a sense of hope in this one, well see if it was miss guided come 18:15.