Morning all.
Much was said before yesterday’s game or rather written as Leicester City were declared the team Arsenal needed to beat if they were to prove this unbeaten run was the real deal. I think similar was written in the back pages before the Aston Villa game but of course, that soon changed to Villa being awful on the day. Leicester were poor too according to the BT Sport pundits, after all, had they been on good form, Arsenal would never have scored two goals in the first half. What rubbish.
Brendan Rogers suggested there was a foul on one of his players in the passage of play before the passage of play which led to Arsenal’s corner. Yes, smacks of desperation doesn’t it. Perhaps he should have admitted how fortunate his side was to continue with eleven men on the pitch after Evans, the last man, dragged Aubameyang to the ground in order to stop him spinning past the defender and going one on one with Kasper Schmeichel. Funny enough, Man City’s Laporte did the same thing in their defeat to Crystal Palace but he saw a red card waved in his direction. Where is the consistency?
Admittedly, Brendan Rodgers side caused more problems for Arsenal in the second half than they had in the first but even though it felt like the kitchen sink was heading towards Aaron Ramsdale’s goal at times, they got nothing in return.
There were peaks and troughs for both teams I think but the difference was that Arsenal made two chances count plus, Aaron Ramsdale was in great form. He was so confident in his own ability, he even joined in with the home fans when they sang about him being s**t at goal kicks. Deep down though, those same fans knew how good he was playing. There was one save he made which really was outstanding. The away fans appreciated him just as he did they as he went off at half-time. And at the end of the game as he was the last Arsenal player to leave the pitch having given his shirt to a young lad sat on his dad’s shoulders, wearing a keepers shirt. A lovely thing to do.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dimWIHYcLSM
I doubt we’ll witness a better save in the Premier League this season. Unless Aaron Ramsdale comes up with another and I wouldn’t put it past him. His previous save hadn’t been bad either as it took a dive at full stretch to get his hands to Kelechi Iheanacho’s shot and push it around the post.
I thought Arsenal were very good. In the first half, Leicester couldn’t live with the way we played. Ramsdale’s distribution was excellent, Arsenal’s hunger was clear to see and the passing was good. A corner from Saka was headed home by Gabriel for our first, the second slotted home by Emile Smith Rowe after some determined play from Lacazette in the box.
Rogers changed things at half-time, bringing on two players with a bit more pace in their legs and yes, they were better than us at times but this Arsenal defence seems more resolute these days and anything on target was stopped. One minute it was Ben White with a clearance, the next it was Tomi making a good tackle on the edge of the box. Or Nuno Tavares or Gabriel, or Thomas Partey. Or of course, Aaron Ramsdale!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RJe7xGL5Hf4
This Arsenal is barely recognisable in comparison to the team which surrendered so easily to Brentford, Chelsea and Man City. Back then it didn’t matter who played because as a team we were weak, undisciplined and totally disorganised. There seemed little to no belief in whatever this process Mikel Arteta was talking about and quite frankly, the football was awful. Arsenal deserved to be right where they were after three games which was bottom of the League table. Aubameyang was jogging around on a match day looking like he was thinking about anything but what he was supposed to be doing but here he is now, pressing hard from the front to start our defending. Lacazette might not be scoring goals but he’s working hard to ensure as a team, we create chances, ESR just never gives up and nor does Saka. Partey and Lokonga are forming a strong partnership and young Tavares has come into the team and settled like he’s been playing the game for more years than he’s been alive. Our back line is organised, together, dogged and determined.
But, it’s not just the first team adopting this approach because against Leeds Utd on Tuesday, a very different eleven turned out yet the commitment level was the same. It seems to me that every player at the club is finally on the ship which Mikel Arteta talked about a while ago.
I doubted Mikel Arteta could turn things around when Arsenal were rooted to the bottom of the table. A part of me still doubts him but I think that’s just because we’ve been here before. This time though, it’s starting to feel a little bit different. We’ve been through the worst of time, not heading towards them.
Lastly, another mention for the Arsenal fans who once more were loud and proud all through the game.
I came out 15 to 20 minutes after I spoke with the players and they were still here singing. They were phenomenal. I’m so glad for them that they travelled here and we offered them the victory. It makes us closer to them. Mikel Arteta.
They’re clearly on the ship too, mind you, in this weather, they might need to be.
See you in the comments.
What a performance.
What a save.
We still have a long way to go, but we can at least surely now all see things evolving.
It’s taken a while, we will still have bad moments, but not even Artetas greatest fan (me) thought we’d be knocking on the door of the top 4 lol
Not that it really matters, as it’s the position at the end of the season that counts, but hopefully, more and more fans buy into what Mikel is trying to build, because the players most certainly have.
Some of the football last night was just beautiful to watch.
I think we still need to learn how to handle some situations a little better but that will come with time and experience.
When under pressure with a 2-0 lead, I’d still rather us clear the ball long and play the territory game but then, under we are clearly getting better at playing this style so who am I to criticise 🙂
Shaddup about the cricket as this is an Arsenal blog 😉
The cricket from England was terrific and for me personally, yesterday was a fantastic day of sport.
Hope Aguero recovers well.
Morning all.
Morning
3 points off third, who’d of thought that a few weeks ago.
And the draw with palace doesn’t seem so bad now.
Still a long way to go but things are looking a lot better than they were.
Rico, I can’t really get into the T20 game.
When we select Warner in a side, I’m never too disappointed when we lose.
I’m not used to us having a solid defence. How did we manage to avoid relegation with Luiz and Mustafi?
Excellent report, Rico
Brian
I love T20 Scott, the hundred and ODI’s too. But I understand your thoughts on Warner, horrid bloke.
Thanks Brian.
As you say Mog, never thought we’d climb the table as quick as we have. Just pray we don’t suffer injuries during the international break.
Good morning all a great post Rico, thankyou.
The new Arsenal is a considerable improvement on the old. A fast start, two early goals and the ability to manage the game in the face of the ever more desperate opposition.
Of course the intensity dropped as the game wore on, the players are not super-human machines able to sustain that high level of pressing for the whole ninety minutes, one simple way to alleviate some of the pressure is to replace Aubameyang, earlier than the sixty minute mark, with the pacier Martinelli in order to give our defence a better option for an out ball target.
A whole week’s rest now before Sunday’s home game against Watford, followed by yet another bloody international break.
Morning Rico et Al,
I too am a fan of Arteta and said we should stick with him support him and stop undermining them. Then we go on this run and we’re all their loving it. Stop being so fickle people it’s football. Looking back at our draws with CP and Brighton on yesterdays results I think we can safely say 2 points from those games were excellent. Liverpool and Man City must be licking their wounds today.
As for us playing Leicester yesterday it was a sublime 30 mins we took them apart, it seems to me that this is part of the plan we’ve done this a few times now Spurs result early goals in other games. I thought again to a man they played a very solid game have nothing away and when they did break the lines our growing talisman Ramsdale was there to save us. Two world class saves and let’s not forget Partey clearance he was there and right where we needed him. I also thought the subs made an excellent impact the last 20 mins we controlled the game and the clock. Standout performance from the back five and the attacking play put us in control and we could be patient and not capitulate like we have too many times last season.
I agree these games this run feels different to last season, it does seem like the summer signings were excellent they integrated perfectly. Onwards and upwards!!
It’s often been said that there are no easy games in the premier league and this is probably truer now than it has been before .
Since our opening 3 games we have not lost to or beaten teams whose current positions are ranging between 7th and 20th . Which puts us firmly in the group in the top half of the table and in the hat for 4th 5th and 6th European places.
Next up Watford another 3 points and who knows where we might be.as the other fixtures have a Manchester derby , Everton v Spurs and West Ham v Liverpool.
Interesting times indeed.
Thanks Cicero. Agree re the changes, seeing Odegaard come on was odd imo, especially as we were a bit under pressure. As well as Martinelli being an option, I think AMN would have given us a bit more in midfield.
The international breaks are a joke, albeit not funny.
Morning Mig, it’s not about being fickle, it about commenting on what’s being played out in front of our eyes. I know those who support Mikel Arteta don’t like it but as I’ve said before, if we all agree everything is rosy when it isn’t, what’s the point in bothering.
Ultimately, we all want to see Arsenal improve regardless of who’s sitting in the dugout.
If we can stay within shouting distance of the top four at the turn of the year, we’ll be good for a Europa spot at least I think. I still worry about the impact the ACON is going on have on the squad.
I think Liverpool will miss Salah and Mane, and Chelsea will miss Mendy (among others) more than we will miss Parte and Auba,. Having no European football is going to be a huge advantage.
Brian
https://talksport.com/football/937756/afcon-premier-league-players-liverpool-arsenal-salah-mane-aubameyang-mahrez/
Brian
But it’s the teams around us who are our challenge Brian. I think Liverpool, City and Chelsea will take the top three spots whereas the others, hopefully including Arsenal will be challenging for the fourth spot.
Europa and CL will hopefully knacker their squads.
Morning Rico and all
I’m enjoying the win’s why we can but I’m not getting too carried away yet, we have some tough matches coming up including Liverpool
Morning Geoff. Liverpool will be a sterner test but if we’re at it like we have been against Villa and Leicester, then we could get something from the trip to Anfield.
Just watching MOTD, poor old Nuno. 😆
I also wanted to go with the fans, but I can’t!
It is easy to see that Laca, Saka, ESR hardly complete a game. Laca is very committed to the game, takes more than he gives, is very combative and is of vital importance in the team, in my opinion; Saka has to be managed with care; ESR, starts to lose lucidity as the game progresses.
I liked that Kola was also an option. AMN, it’s almost always a player to join.
Agree Rico Liverpool will be a good test and there is all ways a chance of an upset just look at palace v man city but I’m just not ready to jump on the Arteta train yet, But will be happy to be proven wrong at the end of the season
Didn’t we all Jm.
Exactly Geoff, I’m loving what appears to be a new Arsenal but let’s see how we faired over a whole season rather than just a couple of matches.
It’s not about being right or wrong mate, it’s about supporting the club.
Just back him and hope he does well.
Arsenal Women Vs Brighton Women FA Cup semi-final today, 4.45 BBC2.
Chelsea two nil up at half-time against Manchester City. Live now BBC 1.
Arsenal must fancy their chances of winning the WFA Cup. They’ve certainly looked better than this Chelsea team.
Counting your chickens Rico? Brighton aren’t a bad team.
But Arsenal are better Cicero 😂
They’re pretty good at parking the bus Rico. HT, 0 – 0
Can’t score so far. I’d forgotten Hope Powell was the Brighton manager.
Aren’t they just Cicero….
Have now Rico one nil.
2 – 0
Goal fest now Cicero?
3 – 0. Looks that way Rico. 🔔🔔🔔
Excellent result.
Three goals a clean sheet and through to the Cup Final. Just another day at the office.😉
More strange reffing in the Villa West Ham game .
Anyone(else) think Mike, I wanted to be a copper but failed the tolerance exams, Oliver, got a right shoing from the bosses after the game. “Haven’t you read the fucking rules Micheal.? “ . Hence these reactive Reds?
Controversy over the red card that was and the one which should have been I read.
Feel, to be fair VAR had the chance to correct it and didn’t.
Aston Villa and Emi Martinez have conceded 19 goals in the league so far, the most of any team outside of the bottom three. Did we dodge a bullet when we let Martinez leave?
Scott.
Don’t be over fair on them tho. They were weak.
VAR and Ref should be a team. Dynamics must be pretty difficult to build.
Telling an on field ref he’s made the wrong call can be a big ego assault.
But that’s the point of VAR.
To right the wrongs and that was a wrong.
Cicero, the silence will be deafening on that one but then Ramsdale was relegated twice in a row so merely looking at goals against doesn’t show a true reflection of a keepers performance.
I don’t believe penalty shots at goal should count against a keepers tally the same as the golden boot winner should not be able to count penalty goals.
If they want to count them then have a different trophy
one for player why scores most penalty goals
one for the keeper who save the most penalty.
Agreed Geoff.
Nuno has been sacked. Shame 😂
New post up now
Morning all