Morning all.
Whilst I enjoyed watching Arsenal put three goals past Sheffield Utd, beating the bottom of the league team isn’t much to go over the top about. Three good goals they were but Arsenal need to be scoring against better teams with better defences for anyone to suggest we’re on the rise.
That aside, Partey played a wonderful pass through to Lacazette which resulted in him grabbing his 50th goal in The Arsenal colours. Our opening goal was slick and full of flicks. Well, a few. The goal had ‘Arsenal’ written all over it but Arsenal of the past rather than this present Arsenal but so what, it was good. Very good. Martinelli, who started instead of the ill Aubameyang, grabbed our third. Being in the right place after their keeper could only parry Pepe’s shot earned him that.
So yes, there’s much to be pleased about this morning. I don’t want to be a party pooper but we ‘should’ be beating Sheffield Utd but I suppose the way things have been recently, the win somehow feels a tad better than it really was. Also because this has been a season full of disappointment. Some of which is down to Mikel Arteta, a lot down to the attitude of certain players who’ve done little other than jog around the pitch like it was a Sunday afternoon jolly. Performances have been error strewn and it’s cost us dear.
However, yesterday showed glimpses of a better Arsenal, even with Xhaka at left back and Ceballos on the pitch. There seemed to be more energy, more enthusiasm and more determination. That team looked like they wanted to score goals. Lacazette led the team with a very good performance in my opinion. There was no Willian, no Aubameyang and no Bellerin. Chambers might not be the best right back the world has ever seen but there’s no faulting his effort and the same could be said for perhaps the slowest player Arsenal have had at left back since Santos but Xhaka did his best I think. Ceballos is a much better option than Willian that’s for sure and Martinelli, well, what is there to say? He simply doesn’t know when to stop. Even after picking up a knock he went again and totally deserved his goal. Well done to Pepe for setting it up.
Arsenal needed that opposition, that performance and that win because hopefully it’ll inject a bit of belief that they can go to Prague and get the right result.
The downside of the game was Saka hobbling off but hopefully it’s nothing serious.
Mikel Arteta has decisions to make before Thursday. Does he bring back Aubameyang instead of Martinelli, Willian for Ceballos and Bellerin for Chambers?
See you in the comments.
Good morning Rico, a bright and sunny day here in Norfolk as it is in the rest of the Arsenal World…but there is a chilly breeze in both places.
Yes it was only the bottom team in the league, but just for once I wasn’t dreading the late chaos that usually occurs when we have a lead. Instead we went for a got the goals that sealed the win.
It was good to see Martinelli get a start and a goal, but I wish he would make less fuss when he cops a knock, my heart was in my mouth as I watched his latest drama queen moment.
Arteta needs to instil the same energy levels and determination, shown yesterday, in the squad for Thursday.
Just a thought, has Arteta ever started the same back 4/5 in consecutive games?
Morning Cicero, all.
Don’t most footballers make a fuss when they get fouled these days? Lacazette does, Pepe too and look at Son yesterday. It’s pathetic really but the way the game has gone.
Not sure re the constant back five. I think when everyone was fit, I think Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel and Tierney played a few games on the trot.
Absolutely agree re Thursday but much depends on team selection I guess.
Yes Rico, exaggerating injuries is rife throughout the game and I hate it. It’s cheating. Just as underarming the ball forward prior to taking a free-kick, or not moving away after a after a foul thus preventing a quick free-kick. Or walking up the touchline to gain yards at throw-ins.
It used to be in the Laws of the game that a player should instantly retire ten yards from the ball when a free-kick is awarded, I don’t recall that Law being rescinded, indeed in one of the Premiership games over the weekend the ref did book a player precisely for that offence. They may sound trivial offences but they are cheating none the less.
I hate it too Cicero as is all a form of cheating as you say. Whatever happened to football being football when good strong tackles were all part of the game.
Morning all.
Cicero, I’m with you.
Cheating is cheating and there are no degrees.
“Professional” fouls irk me.
Diving really annoys me.
It’s an art form now and widely accepted which to me is a disgrace.
Gotta go, shopping time. But we intend stopping off at our local, on the way home, for a pint in the pub garden. A warm coat and gloves will be necessary. 😉
We needed that,a routine win and clean sheet.Even though it was only Sheff United – could be relegated next weekend,I was nervous before the game.
Martinelli was a star for me,he deserved the goal for sheer effort.Weak opposition but everyone was good,to be fair Ceballos and Xhaka were exceptional.
Prague in the springtime will be a tougher test,fingers crossed.
Afternoon Rico and the House
The chilly wind has dropped the sun is shining and its warming up in Kent.
Like everyone I hate cheating but I think the comment by Solskjaer to be OTT.
Pleased to see that Xhakar is getting some praise for his performance.
I would like to see how Mari would do as a left back ,both of them are just like the full backs we had when I first saw us play.
Hope you enjoyed your pint Cicero.
A haircut is top of my list having one in about an hour.
Its a tough week for the club Rico 4 away games in 7days and all are very important.
After yesterday ,tonight the U23.s are away to Derby a must win game.
Then on Friday after the game on thurs the U18’s are away to West Ham in the youth cup.
I think the outcome of the U23.s and the U18.s depend which game Azeez Cirjan Monlousi and Taylor Hart are allowed to play. Will they play for the u23’s tonight ??
Rick great disappointment, the pub is not opening until Friday evening. 😒
Azeez Taylor Hart and Monlousi play tonight
Its live on Rams tv and free
Another var howler in the Baggies game 🙄
Hi Rico.. what a crazy day – weather wise! Was so nice going to the shops again.. the size of the queues outside the hairdressers!!
Nice to come away from Sheffield with plenty of positives. I know it was ‘only them’ but we needed that!
Still nervous over Thursday though 🤣🤣
Hard Luck mate .Barber said do you want a estimate or a perm
II wont say what I told him
Not great barbecue weather nor is great for barber queuing.. 😉
😆 Brilliant, Cicero!
Sue its apointment only at my barbers
Any one watching the game
How did we win that game 3-2
Our u23’s win and AMN is voted MOM for WBA.
Theres food for thought in both for Arteta.
Rick, let’s hope this is exactly what AMN needed-regular game time to show his worth.
As my hairline receded I decided that paying a tenner for not much more than a light trim was a waste of money, so I bought a £6.99 electric hair trimmer from Argos and coaxed my wife into becoming my personal barber. She has become quite skilled at a number two all over. She refused point blank my offer to return the favour. Women eh? 😉
Good night all. 😴
a) We have to score at least 1 goal in Prague
2) There is no possible comparison between the S, United and Slavia
3) Slavia is a powerful team, where their strength lies in the team, which does not take a loss, strong on the counterattack and very cohesive to defend. The record says that they don’t get along, on the contrary, with teams from the United Kingdom.
4) I think it turns out to be a stronger and more dangerous team to play away than at home
5) It doesn’t seem like a good option for Xhaka to play the left back but to play where he usually plays; the midfield has to be strong because, in my opinion, that’s when we lost control of the game, the individual duels and the team’s cohesion; in my opinion, Martinelli plays too “clinging” to the line, with no space to impose his speed and with a tendency to stop the movement to play with the right foot; we need 11 + x players 100% fit
Fekken Utd are looking at buying my local A League club, and then relocating them.
Ffs, an English club (any overseas club, for that matter) has a damn hide in tearing a club apart for their own benefit.
I’ve always hoped a large club would buy them out and give us a bright future, little did I think this would/could happen.
We need plenty of lung
Hi Rico and all I hope we stick to the same team we looked much better and quicker, but I recon Arteta will pick Auba ,and Bellerin and possible drop Laca
Geoff, I hope you’re wrong and I’m sure you do too 🙂
Auba is a waste right now and I’m not sure he will ever get back to his best.
Bellerin-he will do a job, no issue there.
Morning Geoff, all.
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/04/13/five-big-decisions-for-arsenal-this-summer/