Morning all.
It seems wrong to be writing about 22 men kicking a bag of air around on the day of the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, but life goes on. The now King Charles knows that, as do all of his family who’ve barely stopped for breath over the last few days. Pre kick-off, the fans fell silent for a minute in remembrance. On 70 minutes, there was applause. Both sets of fans respected both, unlike in the later game at Goodison Park.
What a difference a year makes in this sport. For Brentford, they probably wished they were enjoying a kick about with their mates yesterday because what they got instead was a footballing lesson. There are two ways to look at the game, either Brentford were bang average or Arsenal were brilliant. I’m firmly in the latter camp.
When the team was announced, it was great to see Thomas Partey’s name written in ink. William Saliba too as there had been a hint of doubt over his fitness. Oleksandr Zinchenko was absent as expected but it was a surprise to see the captain’s name missing. A calf injury sustained in training apparently. The substitutes list sprung a couple of surprises too with 15 year old Ethan Nwaneri on it along with 17 year old Lino Sousa. Only one of them had a few minutes of playing time though and that was a history making moment for the younger of the two. Great moment for the youngster, great message to Brentford from Mikel Arteta.
Mikel Arteta’s team started on the front foot and pretty much never looked back. It was only Brentford though – yes, I’m sure that’ll be written or said somewhere, but they’re our nemesis. Allegedly, but not many teams come away from the Community Stadium with three points let alone three goals and a clean sheet!
It soon became obvious that Arsenal were head and shoulders above Brentford in terms of quality, understanding, ability and tactical nous. Fabio Vieira found himself on the end of the a good old fashion tackle by Ben Mee and as the Brentford player smiled, I suspect Vieira wondered what had hit him. Welcome to the Premier League Fabio.
William Saliba got the goals going with a strong leap and header off a Bukayo Saka corner. David Raya tried to make out he’d saved it but referee David Coote’s watch said different. It wasn’t long before our second came along. Granit Xhaka and Kieran Tierney exchanged passes on our left side before the Swiss Messi looked up, spotted Gabriel Jesus lurking near the back post, and played an inch perfect ball across to him. Jesus sprung into the air and nodded home a perfect header. As the Sky Sports team kept rambling on about a 2-0 lead being a difficult score and all it takes is for the opposition to score, probably hoping Brentford would, half time came.
Within five minutes of the restart, Fabio Vieira made it 3-0 with a wonderful strike of the ball from a long way out. Superb. We could have scored more, perhaps even should have but having 3-0 away from home, it’s harsh to be critical perhaps. I thought we were good and at times, excellent. Captain Xhaka had yet another good game, as did Ben White but to be fair, every player played well. Vieira just slotted in like he’d been playing for Arsenal for years and Thomas Partey showed why when he’s missing, we’re just not quite the same.
Gabriel Jesus was awarded the man of the match award but I thought William Saliba deserved it too. He was immense. I just hope he manages to remove Ivan Toney from his pocket before he heads off to France.
Now it’s the international break and I just hope that every single one of our players who go away for the next two weeks, return fit and healthy and those who are already out injured, mend before we next play which is October 1st.
See you in the comments.
Good morning Rico, there’s not a lot I can add to your excellent summation of the match. Well done the boys and how I loved the way Arteta rubbed their noses in it with the introduction of our 15 year old (potential) wunderkind.
A snippet of more good news this sunny morning, William Saliba is reported as saying he would be happy to sign a new long term contract if he’s offered one. C’mon Edu, put it on the table.
Morning all
Very good summary and what a performance yesterday. I’m still buzzing. I’m worried about the international brake though. Ghana playing useless friendlies. How about we keep Partey home like Liverpool did last year with Robertson? We cannot afford to be without him against Sp*rs in two weeks time.
Yep.You could sense sky sports team almost gagging for Brentford to score so they could pull out all the cliches.As for Mee,continuing on his Burnley days,Viera had the last laugh.Love it.
Morning Rico. Excellent write up.
I can’t remember a game in the PL where we dominated quite so comprehensively. Big congratulations to the team and a special mention for Mikel who is driving them along nicely.
We are certainly the most entertaining team in the PL right now and the players seem to be enjoying the journey.
I was wondering how, in such a generally ‘clean’ game, Coote could find an excuse for booking Jesus, putting him in jeopardy of a match ban soon. But, he managed it. No doubt he was under instruction to do so. It was, in my opinion, entirely unnecessary.
A lovely win.
Morning Adam, Cicero, guys. Thanks re the post.
Honestly, that’s the most I’ve enjoyed watching this Arsenal play.
The signings Edu, Arteta and the club has made over the last two years have made such a difference. The way Arteta has gelled them together is brilliant and it’s clear that finally, after a vast amount of seasons gone by, the group are as one.
Impressive.
Positive Pete, I did have a smile when Vieira scored. Take that Benny Boy!
Morning all.
As I said to my wife after the game, “they’re beginning to look like a team again, and about time too.”
In every aspect of the game the Arsenal were better, far better than a hard working, reasonably skilful Brentford eleven. In order to play football and at least attempt to win, a team must have possession of the ball. Brentford we’re disallowed that privilege! It’s not that they played badly they just weren’t allowed to play at all. The Arsenal were totally dominant.
Bring on the scum and the dippers. If the gunners produce two similar displays to yesterday’s I’m fairly certain they will still be top of the league, carrying one defeat only from the first series of games.
What a turn around in only two years!
Especially when the first year saw a few weird signings Wavy. It’s hard to believe the same people who’ve signed the likes of Jesus, Zinchenko, Vieira etc etc etc, also brought in Willian, Mari, Cedric etc etc.
Credit to the Kroenke family for rubber stamping the so obvious change in Arsenal’s direction.
Afternoon Rico and all well put Rico, it does seem the Kroenke’s have turned the corner, and are realizing that Arsenal is more than just a club to a lot of people and not just a money-making machine.
Had he lived my dad would have been delighted with all the pageantry of the Queen’s funeral on this his 115 th birthday.
Afternoon Geoff.
It’s what this country does so well Cicero. My own dad would have been glued to the TV all day too.
The funeral was an amazing sight I thought. A significant day of history. Full respects and thanks to the Queen from me.
RIP.
Well said Adam. A remarkable woman, the likes of whom we’ll never see again imo.
I agree Rico. I can’t think of another living person who could have attracted such respect and admiration. Nor another country who could have said goodbye quite like this.
I’ve watched the funeral for most of the day and was amazed at the faultless way in which the ceremonies were carried out, precise to the minute, respectful and magnificent.
One slight quibble, bagpipes! If a single piper is playing it’s almost possible to tell what the tune is, if two or more are playing it always seems to me that they are playing different tunes although at the same tempo.
I believe that some of Her Majesty’s personal household have been given redundancy notices, I do hope the Queens Piper hasn’t been missed off the list. 😉
There certainly won’t be someone like her in my lifetime Adam. You’re right about other countries, none do it like us. An incredible day really, an incredible ten days…
I rather enjoyed the bagpipes, the Queen loved them.
Evening rico, all. Surprised to hear the Queens Bagpiper played every day to wake her up wherever she was!
With a boring interlude, that was the perfect sendoff. Imagine how we would all be feeling if we hadn’t turned up and suffered a defeat. They exceeded by far my expectations, not often that happens. Still worried we ruin things by that lack of two signings when the injuries and suspensions dig in. But a break now, let’s hope the main players stay fit till January. Without Jesus, Partey, Ramsdale, and I think I’m going to say it… Xhaka, we won’t be at this level.
Evening Andrew. Well said re Xhaka, he’s been superb further up the pitch. Saliba too, what a difference he’s making.
A boring two weeks ahead. I see Totts players are pulling out of international duty. I wish ours would.
I can’t help thinking that the Brazilian trio’s omission had EDU’s influence written all over it.
My worry is for Partey , he needs wrapping in cotton wool .
Today’s ceremony was totally absorbing , the marching , the drumbeat , the symmetry , and the sheer number of worldwide leaders but most of all the faultless abilities of the armed forces .All of these things show why this country should never become a republic .
I heard a diplomat from Nigeria describe her as the Queen of the World.
The BBC is reporting that 5.1 billion people watched the funeral, that’s roughly 63.2% of the worlds population and the largest single event watched or streamed in history…
But not in Russia!
Or Iran
Or Myanmar
Or unbelievably, North Korea
We’ll I am shocked.
She was the Queen of the world I just hope that having a good age himself CharlesIII carrries the mantle as effectively as his mother did. I believe he will. Despite all his critics down the years, he has performed all his duties profoundly well. Politically and environmentally he was way before his time. Let’s hope he carries on in the same vein and his is a successful and fulfilling reign for the good of our country and perhaps the world.
Sorry about that. I’m not really a committed royalist but I do think they are a very important part of all the decent things that our country stands for and supports.
Think he should follow the same trajectory of our Royal Arsenal team. On the up!
Very nice funeral, I preferred the 2 one but felt sorry for the military people and all that slow marching, may her majesty now rest in peace. King Charles now has big shoes to fill
Wonderful performance on Sunday. Completely nullified the threat of Brentford by dominating possession and suffocating their runners on the counter attacks.
I was very impressed with Vieira. He hardly gave the ball away and clearly has a finish on him. The commentators made some churlish remakes when Ben Mee took him out, but had their words stuffed down their throats when he scored. Don Goodman is up there with the worst.
Now an international break, before another big international break, after another break that wasn’t needed. Roll on the Spurs game when a rail strike has been declared just to add some more fun to the afternoon…
No other country does it better…
Morning all
New post up now
@Potter ‘All of these things show why this country should never become a republic .’
Here’s a few reasons that a republic may be a good idea:
They have £35 billion of the nation’s money in their coffers. It could be used to the benefit the population that are struggling with bills.
They wouldn’t be allowed to use the nation’s money to settle a court case brought against one of their top table members for sexual assault against a minor.
Bagpipes could be banned in public places.
Here all day…