Morning all.
What a great Sunday it was for Arsenal football club.
It started at lunchtime when thanks to goals from Mariona Caldenty, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius, Arsenal’s women beat Man City 4-3 at The Etihad. Two of City’s three goals came from the penalty spot, one of which was awarded for a challenge which occurred outside the box. I think a league title is out of reach this season as they sit ten points behind Chelsea but securing Champions League football is in their hands.
At 4-30pm, it was Arsenal v Man City again only this one was the men up against the current League Champions at The Emirates.
There are good games and there are great games. Good results, and great results. Yesterday’s match against Manchester City was great on both accounts. Yes, there were frustrating moments when we lacked a bit of attacking dynamic after going 1-0 up but no sooner had Haaland equalised, boy did Arsenal come alive.
Mikel Arteta opted for Myles Lewis-Skelly ahead of the more experienced Riccardo Calafiori but Ethan Nwaneri had a bit of a rest as Gabriel Martinelli started on the right, Leandro Trossard on the left. David Raya returned to the team which was a blessing. He obviously stayed in London during the week to get his hair cut.
Martin Odegaard gave us the perfect start. Akanji dallied on the ball just outside City’s penalty area, Rice pounced, played the ball to Havertz but instead of shooting, he squared his pass to Odegaard and he made no mistake. Only an offside flag denied Martinelli from doubling our lead.
After the fast and furious start, things settled a bit and City grew into the game. Gvardiol looked like he’d level the score when he got his head to a Marmoush corner but a big and strong hand of Raya deflected the ball onto the bar and away from danger. Brilliant save.
Then came a moment which Havertz probably wants to forget. Rice was again involved as City struggled to deal with our strong press. He robbed Kovacic of ball, the ball fell into the path of our big German but he dragged his shot wide of the post. At this level of the game, it was a sitter. He was mortified, you could see it in his reaction.
Just before the break, Raya made another big save. Savinho rifled a shot which looked destined for the back of the net but once again, the Spaniard preserved our slender lead.
Ten minutes into the second half and City equalised through Haaland. Looking back, it was the turning point in the game. Haaland was walking around looking like a cat who got the cream, City probably thought the second half would be theirs. How wrong they were if that was what they were thinking.
We pretty much went straight up the other end and regained our lead. Partey read a Foden pass, intercepted it and then took a couple steps before letting a shot go from just outside the box. A deflection off Stones left the City keeper stranded.
What followed was three more quality goals. Myles Lewis-Skelly showed vast maturity in the way he raced into the box from the left, turned his defender inside out before powering his right footed shot past Otega. Arsenal weren’t done yet though. Partey started a move forward from our own half, he found Martinelli who in turn, passed to Havertz on the right. He might have missed a sitter in the first half but he tucked this one home in style. The final goal was yet another thing of beauty, this one came from the left foot of Nwaneri following a wonderful cross-field ball from Rice.
There were special moments during the game other than the five Arsenal goals. The ongoing spat between Haaland and Gabriel, the home fans not only belting out North London Forever but “Lewis-Skelly, he’s one of our own” too. Gabriel telling Haaland to fetch him his boot after the City man had knocked it off. The way Lewis-Skelly brushed through City’s midfield with ease, leaving Haaland behind as he did and his goal scoring celebration too which must have cheesed off the big Norwegian. The same Norwegian who just a few months ago sneered “Who the f**k are you”? Well, I guess Haaland knows who Myles Lewis-Skelly is now.
It always feels wrong to highlight players when the team/squad has played so well but it’s hard not mention our two teenagers. One for his stunning goal having come on from the bench, the other for having a great game, and scoring his first senior goal. I thought Thomas Partey was outstanding. He was everywhere and doing everything really well. David Raya, who in the big moments, delivered big saves. I could go on, and on….
Mikel Arteta:
It was a great day; the result: massive. The performance, the manner that we’ve done it; really happy, really proud of the players. Really proud, again, of the atmosphere that we created in the stadium – it was mind-blowing. So, a good day to remember. To live moments like this with the stadium, that energy, with that cohesion between the team and our supporters, that’s something to build on.
Well, Mikel Arteta should be patting himself on the back too because a lot of today’s Arsenal is because of him.
Hammering City the way we did is something to savour but we have to go again, again and again for the next four months. We have another fixture on Wednesday night and we’re 2-0 down at the halfway stage. Whether or not we can overturn the deficit I don’t know. We’re capable, of course we are but it’s a big ask after the energy our players used up yesterday. I think Mikel Arteta will rotate his players as much as he can.
Have a great Monday guys, in case you hadn’t realised, it’s transfer deadline day…
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico.
I remember reading a little story about an Arsenal Totty game where they had blitzed us first half and at half time the MC was already advertising booking seats for the next round, must’ve been a cup game, apparently this irked our players so much that the then manager (I think it was Graham but not sure said post match “Their MC did my half time team talk for me”, we went out and won the match.
All the nonsense of “disrespect on Haaland” by Gabby Neville and Haaland’s old man Alf was simple karma and boy did we give it to him.
Is it just me, or does Halland look like Benny Hill’s love child to anyone else😂?
Good morning Rico and Berg.
So M L S upset Garry Neville by imitating Haarlend’s goal celebration, well that makes it an even better day for me, anything that gets up corporal Neville’s nose is a good thing in my view.
The headline in the Telegraph, over a picture of the M L S pose, reads “Inner peace for Arsenal wretched turmoil for City”. That says it all!
Morning Berg, Cicero.
I like it when the media are cheesed off with Arsenal because it means we’re getting up their nose for positive reasons. Neville has a very short memory when it comes to behaviour!
I liked that Berg…
Morning Cicero
Inner satisfaction too. Arteta came out way on top with that one and Banke’s reffing was woeful at times (as expected) but to be fair, he didn’t show us a customary red card.
I thought Bankes wanted the game to flow and really didn’t want to find his name in the headlines this morning. He was a bit too lenient imo, the challenge on Odegaard was worthy of a booking.
Arsenal to push for Deadline Day signing
Latest from Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth:
Arsenal will work until the final seconds to try and improve the squad on Deadline Day.
A forward remains a priority – but Mikel Arteta is insistent it has to be the right player.
He said “anything is possible” following yesterday’s 5-1 win over Manchester City.
Interest in Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel remains. And lines of communication between the clubs is open.
Tel one of a number of players they are looking at.
Bayern will allow him to leave but prefer a permanent deal – or at least a loan with an obligation.
It’s possible Arsenal won’t sign anyone on Deadline Day – and revert to their plans for the summer.
Brilliant piece from Amy Lawrence:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6107516/2025/02/03/arsenal-man-city-revenge/
The Athletic:
Arsenal defender Maldini Kacurri is close to Bromley loan.
Kacurri is one of a number of academy players who could leave the club today. The likes of Ismeal Kabia and Jack Henry-Francis could be granted loan moves, while they are open to letting others such as Nathan Butler-Oyedeji leave permanently.
Rico, exactly (Bankes leniency)
I just felt the amount of times after being penalised the Mancs held on to the ball or stood in front of Timber preventing a quick free kick and based on the precedent set for us previously, he could have given them a few cards, it wouldn’t have slowed the flow imo as the game had already been stopped.
Agreed Berg, yet he didn’t hesitate to book Timber and Odegaard.. For a while I thought “here we go again”…
Yes and I imagine Mikel has told them to use the bias as motivation, it certainly looked like that yesterday.
That was brilliant. I enjoyed reading that. and all the comments too
But I dont like getting up GN’s nose. It looks hideous from outside so imagine the inside full of brain worms, envy green grass and snot. nah. not for me.
as I said earlier this morning…..Nwaneri and MLS made my day. I would have been happy with just a 1-0 or 2-1 but seeing both of them play, MLS with a masterclass despite his age and both getting on the scoresheet gave me great happiness.
Yep, the ref was careful not to be this morning’s headlines. but I felt he had good control of the game.
The place was absolutely buzzing in the second half and the abuse that was quite telling and with fifty thousand belting out stay humble you C**t, Erling Haarland , stay humble you C**t. he was rattled and stood in front of the North Bank pointing to his league winning badge and the volume increased , . I think he got the message. Although I haven’t seen the Sky coverage it seems his dad did too.
Lewis Skelly rubbed it in and banged shoulders with him after we scored and he now has a new song with the 49 undefeated being changed to 49 , 49 Lewis Skelly , 49 , 49 I say, 49 49 , Lewis Skelly playing football the Arsenal way.
If we play like this again on Wednesday we could perhaps win a trip to Wembley . We have to dig up all the injustices that we have suffered at their hands and blow them away , just like yesterday.
Morning Rico and Gooners.
League Cup Semi final 2nd leg replay 1987 Berg, George Graham’s first season in charge, we beat Liverpool in the final with two Charlie Nicholas goals.
Oh by the way ,
Who put the ball in City’s net ?? Half the f*****g team did.
Was heard all the way from the stadium to Finsbury Park.
Picked up a bit of the Haaland song on TV and he did look a bit shaken by the vitriol going his way, this fixture has just gone up another notch because City will be back, not quite to Wenger/Ferguson levels as the managers respect each other but the players don’t get on.
Bernardo is a nasty shit.
Kev, thanks for the confirmation.
Poetry.
Excellent Potter 😂
Morning Kev.
Stick a photo of Oliver and Webb on the white board. That should do it..
Great report rico, enjoyed living it again, so impressive 2nd half.
Still going to get very frustrated with, ‘we tried everything’ but wait till summer.
Oh, btw Rico, don’t go blaming me for this season’s mixed results, I’ve seen 4 games so far and we won 3 so there, with knobs on! 😁
But now you put the thought in my head Rico…. 🙄😉
I mean superstition, what a pain, I don’t usually watch penalties but I thought, yeah it don’t matter against Girona, so I watched the Stirling penalty ffs….
I think that MLS should stick with the number 49 till his career at Arsenal is over. So many reasons for it….49 being the invincibles record, yesterday’s song.
What you folks think??
I think your reasoning is valid devil but I’ll bet when KT goes he’ll wear No.3
There were two glaring errors by Bankes, first when he did not book the city player who stood in front of Timber so he could not take the free kick. The second was when he took no action against Bernado Silva when he kicked Trossard on the ground.
The first should have been a caution, the second was worthy of a straight red card.
I fully agree Cicero, i was fuming on both of those. Surely they will look at dangerous play ? I know certain convenient laws prevent retrospective action but I’m sure they have looked at this sort of cowardly action from the likes of that little f-f-f-f-foreign player.
Bernado silva isn’t an Arsenal player???
Thanks Andrew.
Ha ha Kev, always best to be safe… lol
No one suggested he is Gavin.. He’s a ghastly City player who took a dive in the box on New Year’s Day a couple of seasons ago at The Emirates.
What a result/performance.
I was in Lincolnshire visiting my daughter and grandchildren so I didn’t see the game until this morning. My back is knackered after playing football with the kids,wow that was the perfect tonic though.
A real team effort but Raya and Havertz were brilliant,of course Havertz missed lots of chances,he always does but you can see why managers/coaches love him. He works so hard including off the ball,creating space for others.
The look on Haalands face was just priceless.
I still would like if we can bring in someone,an attacking player,even if just as an option from the bench. The bench is awfully thin. Raheem Sterling is just awful. Seriously if we can bring someone in they can’t be any worse.
Toon next,they have started losing at home but we are seriously up against it.
Tel has changed his mind it seems and is going to Totts..
It sure was Limey. Havertz certainly does seem to divide fans.
Ah soon to be Totteringham Tel!
We probably dodged a bullet there as he can’t be ambitious enough to choose them.😊
Maybe Gavin was being ironic?
Just saying.
You know what Rico, maybe it’s just me (it usually is) but I wasn’t too excited about the prospect of Tel joining us, though I’d take Ollie Watkins in a heartbeat.
I missed that Kev, apologies Gavin, I was a bit slow..
Suggested the same the other day Kev, Watkins would be for now and the next two seasons. A difference maker I think.
Tel looks a great prospect but one has to wonder why no other clubs are going big for him.
Rico, I feel that money is tight that is why no other clubs were going for him. Totts went for him simply because they have to be seen backing Ange. Otherwise they will face the wrath of their supporters
Personally I would have loved to see him with us, but am with Kev….between Ollie and him I would have preferred Ollie.
Then again……..Arteta’s dream is Sesko.
It’s only a loan deal though Devil, he could have gone anywhere for four months..
Get ready to hear that we have contacted Villa with an offer of 60,000,001 for Ollie. haha
I think it’s safe to say that the Arsenal transfer team are at home with their feet up and phones on silent…
I read this morning that Tel is by no means a prolific goal scorer and has suffered several injuries. No doubt he was influenced by some old ex Spud who who hangs out at Bayern Munich. Apparently his first choice was Manchester United but they backed out so he has gone to one of the other second tier clubs. 😉
Ha ha.
Three hours twenty minutes and counting!
I’d given up hours ago…