Morning all.
Weird new rules. Kicking the ball away after a free kick is awarded, if a booking but a cynical foul to stop an attack, is not. Mikel Arteta waving an imaginary yellow card was also worthy of a booking and that’s the way it’s going to be this season. We can expect a lot of additional time added both at half-time and full-time too. I’m all for it if it makes the game fairer so referees, be fair!
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel (Smith Rowe 87), Timber (Tierney 76); Partey, Rice (Nketiah 81); Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli (Trossard 75); Havertz (Vieira 75). Subs: Turner, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Holding.
Man City enjoyed more of the possession in the first half but the best chances fell to Havertz and Martinelli but neither could find the net. Early in the second half, Ramsdale made a fine save from a Stones header. I thought Arsenal played well. A few players stood out admittedly but as a team, we look ready for the new campaign. There’s always room for improvement of course but hopefully that’ll come over the next few games.
Grealish and Haaland, both kept quiet by the way we played, were replaced with Foden and Palmer and de Bruyne replaced Kovacic. Palmer, a 21 year old England international scored a belter. Ramsdale had no chance. Minutes from full time, including added time, when it looked like City would beat Mikel Arteta’s team again, a shot from Trossard took a deflection and sailed into the City net. No extra time so straight to penalties. de Bruyne hit the woodwork, Ramsdale saved one and Odegaard, Trossard, Saka and Vieira all slotted theirs home to seal victory.
A trophy is a trophy right? A win over Manchester City is rare so Mikel Arteta’s group of players should be thrilled, and proud to have achieved both. Post match, Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice spoke to ITV.
Ramsdale:
For us, it’s a statement. It’s a marker to know we can go and beat Man City in a big game when it matters. I’m not sure what it’ll be like this season. But that mental block is gone. We’re ready to push on now.
Rice:
I am buzzing, this is what I envisioned when I joined. City gave us what we expected, but I am buzzing – so happy. You have to have the patience against them, you have to have mini-games within the game against them like the manager said to us before. To win today, my first for the club. I feel I’ve grown a lot in the last three weeks. There’s a lot of information to take in of what the manager wants. I’m eager to learn and keep improving. I’m sure we can achieve anything this season – we just need to remain focused.
City were the only club Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, haven’t managed to beat since the FA Cup semi-final in the 2019/20 season. Beating them yesterday, albeit on penalties should, as Ramsdale said, give the players belief that they can finally beat them in the league. Neither team was at their best in my opinion so when the two sides meet next, it should be an even better/more competitive game than yesterday.
How good was Jurrien Timber??
What does Mikel Arteta think of the new regulations about increased added time:
At the end, it’s about effective time. I think it’s really good to do that, because it was going too far I think and now teams are going to have to think twice. Now we have to be prepared to play 100 minutes because it’s going to happen every single week.
I think this new rule is long overdue. It’ll stop clubs like Newcastle behaving the way they did at The Emirates last season or at least if they do, time will be added at the end of either or both halves. With a bit of luck, players and managers will realise that theres no advantage to time wasting and by the turn of the year, we’ll soon be back to seeing 3/4 minutes on the 4th official’s added time board.
So that’s that. Pre season over and now it’s down to the real stuff. The beginnings of the 2023/24 season kicks off this Friday night with Manchester City taking on Burnley at Turf Moor. Arsenal of course, play on Saturday lunchtime, a home match against Nottingham Forest.
Lastly, will someone tell Roy Keane and anyone else who keeps banging on about the transfer fee Arsenal paid for Declan Rice to put a sock in it. It’s not the players fault, or Arsenal’s. It’s West Ham who set the fee, and Chelsea who started the inflated player prices all those years ago..
Catch up in the comments.
David Ornstein:
Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner.
The USMNT international is scheduled to undergo a medical later today (Monday).
Forest’s interest in Turner was revealed by The Athletic and talks over the 29-year-old have now led to a compromise between the clubs.
Arsenal are working to finalise the acquisition of Brentford’s David Raya to replace Turner and compete with existing No 1 Aaron Ramsdale.
An opening offer for the 27-year-old Spaniard was turned down but discussions have continued as both clubs look to strike a deal, with Raya into the final year of his contract in west London.
Turner, who joined Arsenal from MLS side New England Revolution, is one of several players targeted by Forest as they look to fill a void left between by the end of Dean Henderson and Keylor Navas’ loan spells.
Forest remain determined to bring Henderson back to the City Ground and discussions are held with Manchester United. An appearance clause in a loan-to-buy agreement has been at the crux of negotiations.
Good morning Rico, just watched the England / Nigeria game. We were out played, out muscled, out thought and technically miles behind before becoming out-numbered when James was sent off for stamping on the back of a Nigerian player. Full team 0 – 0, extra time 0 – 0 and then……we win on penalties. Unbelievable! And undeserved!.
Hi Rico
It seems that the times are a-changing, we didn’t lose to City, we had a bit of luck when we needed it, and Atwell didn’t give us a red card or City a penalty.
Artetta should have known from last season that playing Havertz up front doesn’t work, but Winter looks a good signing. I watched him play for Netherlands in the U-21 Euros, he played defensive midfield.
Keane’s face was as long as his beard when we won!
As for England women, it helps if you pass to someone in your own team, but Nigeria didn’t score and that’s what matters.
Hard to criticise a team that wins on penalties , especially today .
I don’t follow it closely so didnt watch but it was on the radio and I heard about 20 minutes and it didnt sound good .
Morning Cicero, Brian.
Agree Cicero, utterly undeserved, especially as Nigeria should have been awarded a penalty. Still, I’m not going to complain as we’re through…
That result by England was almost German in its inevitability…
Had a little giggle to myself at the reporters in the build up to the match yesterday.
They kept asking people if they could remember the last time Arsenal had won the league, I’m only guessing but the oldest one only looked about 20. As I sat there listening to all this dribble, I was really hoping that one of them would say if you go a couple of miles up the road there’s pensioner’s there that can’t remember the last time the shower of shite they support won it either.
😂 Mog
Sky Sports.
Arsenal reject Monaco bid for Balogun
Arsenal have rejected a bid from Monaco for striker Folarin Balogun.
Arsenal value the player at £50m and Monaco’s offer falls short.
Inter Milan are expected to push to sign Balogun.
Balogun has two years left on his contract and would like a permanent move away from the club.
Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal with Arsenal to sign goalkeeper Matt Turner, in a deal that could be worth up to £10m for the Gunners.
Forest will pay an initial £7m + £3m in performance related add-ons.
Turner is on his way to Nottingham for medical.
Be playing against us then ! out of his skin no doubt.
Often goes that way…
AMN has signed for Lyon..
Well it looks as though we have an agreement to sign Brentford ‘keeper David Raya, for £30 million and recoup £10 million by selling Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest.
Morning Cicero, all.
Yep, seems as final deals are being done now. Good.
Can’t believe West Ham are paying £30m for Maguire when they could have paid less for Holding…
New post up