Morning all.
How many times were we told that Aston Villa beat us twice last season by the Sky Sports commentary team? I’m sure I even saw a screen banner stating that very fact too before the game kicked off. What about afterwards when Leandro Trossard was talking to the pundits, how many times was he asked how he feels about not starting games?
Mikel Arteta stood in front of the cameras too and declared the club is a little short of players. How serious Gabriel Jesus’ injury is remains to be seen but he required an MRI scan.
In his post match press conference, Arteta said:
Well, very happy, first of all. A really tough place to come, great atmosphere of football. A really good team, really well coached, with great collective organisation and huge individual threat, but we found a way to win, especially because the team, I think, played with a lot of personality and understood the game better and better as the game was going, apart from those 10, 12 minutes in the second half. And when we had to rely on certain individuals, we did, like the situation of David, that is an unbelievable save. And when we made the changes, the impact that they had, it was tremendous for the team. So when a team now starts to be equipped that way, and they start to be able to navigate through different context in a match, then becomes a team that can win in any place, and today we’ve shown that.
Jurrien Timber made his first start of the season yesterday as Oleksandr Zinchenko dropped to the bench. No surprise really as out of the two, Timber is the more defence minded player but just like Zinchenko, he was free to roam. The rest of the starting eleven was the same as last weekend.
I thought the first half was a cagey affair, almost to the point of being boring but hey, if that is what it takes to nullify a strong and well drilled Unai Emery side then so be it.
Saka had the first real chance on target when, as he so often does, sent a left footed shot towards the far post. But for the tips of Martinez fingers, we’d have gone ahead. You could tell by his reaction what that save meant to him…
Having nearly gone 1-0 up, we nearly went 1-0 down. Gabriel got caught dawdling just outside the box by Bailey, he passed to Watkins who looked certain to score. He scuffed it and dragged his shot wide of the post.
Havertz, Rice and Martinelli had half chances but that was as good as it got before the break.
Ten minutes into the second half and David Raya made an outstanding save. Onana’s shot took a deflection causing the ball to loop over the Spaniards head. Thankfully the woodwork got in the way but the rebound fell perfectly for Watkins to head into an almost empty net. Raya had other ideas though as he was up off the ground in a flash before getting a strong hand to the ball. Sheer brilliance.
Then came the change which I suspect every Arsenal fan wanted to see. Leandro Trossard for Gabriel Martinelli. No sooner had the Belgian got on the pitch, he gave us the lead. Saka did really well to prevent the ball from going out for a goal kick before sending a pass into the box. A pass which ended up at the feet of Trossard and his first time hit was far too good for Martinez.
Villa didn’t give up though, well, not until Thomas Partey hit one past Martinez from outside the box. Saka again played a part in the goal. I thought he’d hung onto the ball a bit too long but no, he was waiting to roll his pass to our big midfielder who struck the ball well. Martinez got his fingertips to the shot but that wasn’t enough.
2-0 to The Arsenal and it was game over. Mind you, it could so easily have been 3-0 but Martin Odegaard fired a good chance over the bar.
Riccardo Calafiori made his league debut, coming on for Jurrien Timber and he looked good. Late in the game, Reiss Nelson got minutes too.
For the second game running, I thought the officiating was poor. Oliver was quick to show Rice a yellow card for a foul but when just minutes later, Onana did something similar, he went unpunished. As did McGinn even though he booted the ball straight at Saliba.
Beating Villa on their own turf is a great result. Mikel Arteta’s team did to Villa what Villa did to Arsenal just a few months ago. Arsenal had a bit of Lady Luck on their side, a goalkeeper and defence not prepared to concede and scored two cracking goals. Two cracking second half goals I hasten to add.
Next up for Mikel Arteta’s team is a home game against Brighton next weekend but before then, there’s six days of the transfer window to get through and on Thursday, we’ll find out what our Champions League campaign looks like.
Catch up in the comments.
Lovely report rico, it will be one of our best results of the season. Although I love Ramsdale, I think that puts to bed any doubts about Raya, great saves in first two games of the season and looking so confident now. Trossard was superb throughout his brief appearance but what a player 22 year old Morgan Rogers is, would really like to see him at Arsenal!
Good morning Rico.
Plus ca change, plus c’est last meme chose. We just have to accept the fact that we so often get the sticky end of refereeing decisions, it seems irrelevant who the officials involved are, good, bad or indifferent they do Arsenal no favours.
That was possibly Partey’s best ninety minutes in an Arsenal shirt for years. No ball losing bloopers and a good goal to boot. I still think we should sell him though.
A week of rest and recovery for the players, but on of intense activity for the transfer negotiating team.
Bloody spell checker!
Morning Andrew, Cicero.
I think you might be right about our keeping situation although Ramsdale might have got to the initial shot from Onana and tipped it over the bar. lol
Rogers was superb, a real threat.
I too thought Partey had a good game. He looked a bit fitter and won a few crucial battles in midfield. If only his body was less frail. Something said many times about Diaby…
Morning Rico and all,
Another Good win under our belt,
it showed how far we have come as a few years back we would have lost that match,
maybe next week Arteta might start Trossard,
For the short time he was on the ground I liked what I sore from Calafiori
The ref, could have been worse, imagine if Gillet was in VAR for last night match.
Nice post Rico.
Actually, there were two good wins for Arsenal yesterday, one at Villa and the other at the Cottage where ESR and Iwobi got the job done for them. My Fulham mate says ESR is a class act but then we already knew that.
Which brings me to me my point that the squad seems a bit unbalanced with only five days left in the transfer window. We’ve got first class defenders coming out of our ears but with Eddie almost out the door and the possibility of Nelson moving on as well, we look pretty light up front with campaigns on four fronts coming up.
I’m with Andrew on this Rogers gave Partey and Rice a really hard time . A good spot by Emery and only £ 16 million too. I don’t agree with your comments on Partey going forward he was ok but backwards Rogers bullied him and I would have replaced him earlier , but then he scored ,so what do I know .
The Partey situation reminds me a lot of the old Kanu one and I wonder just how accurate his birth certificate is . Officially he is 31 years old but looks and runs nearer 35 . A trip to the middle east may well be best for both him and the club in the long run.
As for Raya that save was in the class of Seaman’s against Sheffield United but I tend to agree that Ramsdale may well have put the first one that was looping up over the bar.
Morning Geoff. Very true and we did, last season.
Anthony, the ESR sale will never make any sense to me. Reading what Arteta said about him afterwards makes the sale even more strange.
Partey was good compared to the Partey at the end of the last season when he looked unfit and out of depth.
Great post Rico, your really on a bit of a roll…
Sky are always looking for an angle so they wanted to reflect on how pissed off Trossard was at not starting the game rather than his impact when he came on. It’s what they do and why we hate them.
Well I want our players to be pissed off when they don’t start, as pissed of as Zinchenko looked at kick off when I’m sure I detected him shaking his head ever so slightly.
It’s how it’s going to be and Pep had it at City with Cancelo, big clubs with big squads just have to deal with it, it’s why Alverez left…
Partey is in the last year of his contract, it’s like magic, in a player’s last year they discover hidden powers hither to unobtainable, we’ve seen it so many times before, what’s the betting that he stays fit all season?
Smith Rowe will have a great time at Fulham and will probably earn himself another big move, he scores goals and that’s worth its weight etc.
Fitness was always an issue for him and that may have had an influence on Arteta’s decision, also to be able to spend millions on Raya, Califiori and Merino something had to give and Emile’s value and saleability probably drove his departure.
Fabio Vieira going on loan (before he is sold) points to a certain ruthlessness in our team building but we aren’t a ‘finishing school’ anymore we’re a serious contender.
The bookies have us 3rd favourites for the Champions League and that’s the company we mix with now…
I still feel we need a true striker, as + goals could be very important at the end of the season.
I may sound harsh but I don’t really listen too much to what Arteta says take ESR he says he didn’t want him to leave yet he never really gave him much game time.
My gut feeling is Trossard will not want to hang around if he doesn’t get more game time
Wolves vs Chelsea is a great game.
2-2 at half-time.
Jackson is a walking red card.
He’s a nutcase…
Thanks Kev.
The cameras panned to Ramsdale when Raya made his save and after Trossard scored – if his facial expression was that of a man desperate to leave Arsenal then I’d like to see him when he’s really happy…
I wonder if Partey is itching for a move in the next few days..
Trossard will get his time on the pitch just like everyone else I’m sure. Certainly don’t think he’ll be looking to move on anytime soon.
2-5 now Kev
Bournemouth v Newcastle 1-1
https://www.skysports.com/football/video/30998/13203071/ben-white-goes-viral-after-getting-revenge-for-william-saliba
🤣🤣
Chelsea look quite good, unfortunately, but they have a ropey defence.
Sancho is still up for grabs if we’re going for a winger…
Bournemouth 2-1 up, great goal…
VAR says handball. Shame..
Shocking decision not to send Joelinton off…
VAR chaos, welcome to the Premier League, David Coote is a bit of a clown.
Wolves need a goalkeeper… 😉
The goal being ruled out was dreadfully harsh..
Ha ha, hopefully not ours.
That Bournemouth goal was the kind of goal that would never be disallowed if Haaland or any City player scored it. Two-tied refereeing as we know so well Rico.
Yep, cheeses me off Kev.
Chelsea played today with almost a whole new team, compared to the game with Servette. In my opinion, Arsenal have a very difficult time doing the same. The way we play, and if there are no special cases, the two wingers will always be substituted in the 2nd half. Maybe that’s why Martinelli/Tossar alternate playing. Saka always plays. Nelson will be his natural replacement but not the alternative to start playing. It seems to me that we played very slowly but as long as we win I’m satisfied.
Eddie it seems, is not moving to Forest. So another year warming the bench in store…
Crystal Palace back in for him though..
I can’t see a deal being done in time Rico, not unless it’s a loan deal, hopefully with an obligation.
Last reason I read as to why Edu is having trouble moving Eddie on was his wages and apparently Eddie has refused to take a pay cut.
Maybe next match we could drop Martinelli and start Trossard
I can Kev, he’s too long left on his contract to waste his career on the bench. Plus, not every club is as slow as us with transfers.
That’s what I read Geoff, doesn’t mean it’s true though. lol
It might be he wants to stay in London where his family and mates are. Palace would be ideal.
Just watched highlights of Bournemouth vs Newcastle, how lucky was the Newcastle player for not getting a straight red card for clothes lineing the Bournemouth Keeper
Kev at 4:14, I totally agree with you about that goal, as I thought the rules said handleball was any wear below the shirt sleeve were that looked like it was still touching part of his shoulder.
Good Morning beautiful reds.
Great match report Rico.
Big Big win against Villa. They were well drilled and very solid yet we found a way past them with the perfect result. 2-0. Clean sheet and no injuries. Although McGinn tried his best to disable Saliba by smashing the ball in him. Ben White taught him not to mess about.
As I said, great win. But we could have easily conceded. Yet we didnt and went on to score 2.
Just read that Patino’s deal is 1million for Arsenal. However it seems like a long term loan deal…..Arsenal get 50% of any future sale, have first refusal on him if his club decide to sell him. So he gets playing time, develops and Arsenal keep on monitoring him. Good for all.
Typical two-tier referring Geoff, we see it all the time, certain teams are allowed more latitude than others.
Saka is still being routinely kicked with the officials either ignoring the foul altogether or not showing a yellow when they do call the foul.
Rico I hope you’re right about Eddie because if he goes then we might bring in another attacker after completing on Merino – whenever that’ll be!
Devil, I wonder what loan fee Arsenal will get from Porto for Vieira, although I did hear that the Ports were picking up the entirety of his wager.
Maybe that’s it, we save on his wages whilst Porto put him in the shop window?
That Patino deal seems positive, we recently got some add-ons cash from youngsters we sold over the last couple of years. McGuinness was one…
Picked up a rumour that Arsenal were playing Sociedad at their own game and not announcing Merino until the last minute because of the way that they tried to hike the price to us. Thus making it more difficult for them to get a replacement.
This may be a load of rubbish but the accusation apparently is coming from their president.
Who knows.
Thanks Devil.
There’s Nelson, Ramsdale and Kiwior to get done to Kev. Edu and his team need to get busy.
I still think we’ll sign an attacking player regardless of who stays/goes.
Nketiah “open” to a move to Palace, latest rumour.
Rico, I forgot about Kiwior, unfortunately the club’s interested in him want him on the cheap, none of them want to pay a realistic fee, so if wouldn’t surprise me if he stayed at Arsenal, maybe we’ll send him out on loan. That way Heaven has a pathway into the squad.
Potter, best place I’ve been in southern Portugal is the town of Tavira about 30ks east of Faro. There’s good bus services all along the coast. Tavira has an offshore island beach accessible by ferry from the town centre. I stayed at the Residence Princess Do Gilao overlooking the river. Get a room at the front of the hotel as there are vehicle workshops behind it that start work about seven in the morning and can be a bit noisy.
There’s a choice of train or bus from Faro, the bus is more interesting and cheaper.
Every club wants our players on the cheap Kev…
RIP Sven-Goran Eriksson…..
For the best cakes in town try the Tavirense pasteleria on Rua Marcello Franco, opposite the cinema.
He led an “interesting life”Rico, God bless him.
He certainly led a full life too Cicero. Thankfully he’s out of pain at peace now.
Eddie needs to be carefull as reports say Forest are no longer interested as Eddie and his manger are asking for too much, and if Arterta is willing to let him go and Eddie keeps blocking it I can see Arteta frreezeing him out.
Potter, that would be amusing if it’s true…
As I haven’t been to the Algarve for about 40 years , I thought that I would ask . I drove over from Spain from San Antonio taking the ferry but was not too impressed as the whole coast line was a building site We got as far as Lagos but after a couple of days turned round and made our way back to Seville before heading to Barcelona and then the drive back through France .
I was wondering whether things had now settled down but as we have not got an eight year old with us We are now considering flying into Porto or Lisbon and maybe hiring a car to drive inland and find some quiet places to stay .
RIP Sven. Shame that he couldn’t get the best out of the players , too many egos I suspect.
RIP Eriksen. One of the gentlemen of football who as Potter pointed out had to contend with too many egos.
Crystal Palace are close to agreeing a deal to sign Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.
The north London club are expected to accept a Palace bid worth £25million plus £5m in add-ons.
No problem is anticipated on personal terms.
The Athletic reported on Sunday that Palace were considering a move for Nketiah, having spoken to Arsenal about the 25-year-old earlier this summer.
Arsenal will need a central striker. With so many departures planned, it seems to me like a short squad for so many “fronts” and with a very busy calendar (don’t forget that many players are international…).
Portugal is very beautiful!
Arteta seem more focused on defenders and goal keepers than a striker.
I reckon Eddie is over rated, and I one will not miss him.
Good morning everyone
Geoff, I dont feel that Eddie is over rated. He is just a finisher (a good percentage of conversion) but not adaptable to Arteta’s system. If he goes to a team which plays to his strengths I feel he would flourish. Eddie is a penalty box striker. So the team has to play for him and to his strengths.
I just hope he succeeds but not against Arsenal. And hopefully does not speak ill of us.
Good Morning everyone .Looks like Eddie is going to Palace ,probably suit him but like all our fringe players in the squad they are on massive wages .
Is Nelson staying ?
Ramsdale is a conundrum ,he needs to play and is on £120K a week basis .
.
Jesus can’t be relied upon even when not injured so we need another forward and that probably will be a winger .
Martinelli is one of my favourite players but he just hasn’t recovered from injury so it will be interesting to see if trossard starts on Saturday but you never know with Arteta.
I still feel we don’t have enough strength in depth to compete on 4 fronts,so let’s see.
After failing to meet Arsenal’s Nketiah valuation, Forest turned to Feyenoord’s striker Santiago Gimenez, who promptly turned down their offer. Palace look the likeliest suitor for our out of favour striker now and are offering around £25 million plus £5 million add-ons.
I would take the 25mill for Eddie and run.
If we sell Eddie and loan out Vieira and bring in Merino (hopefully he is as good as people say), I would say it’s been a very good transfer season,
just wish we could bring in a striker.
Like the story in Daily Mail, as ex sky sports reporter Bryn Law has slammed Sky Sports coverage of the match between Liverpool and Brentford and said the should change the name to the LFCTV after both ex-players on the show were from Liverpool and they only spoke about Liverpool and hardly mentioned Brentford.
Good for Law Geoff.
New post up.