Morning all.
Another game, another three goals and another clean sheet. A clean sheet which earned David Raya the golden glove award. Great for him personally but for the team too because the award should really go to the entire defensive unit which in Arsenal’s case, has involved every player at some stage. We aren’t a defence defends kind of team because we defend from the front. Every player defends and every player attacks – we are one big unit which today is the best in attack as far as goals scored goes and best in defence as far goals conceded goes.
If I have a gripe about yesterday’s performance it’s that we didn’t batter Bournemouth because with better finishing, we would have. So much so, Mikel Arteta would have been able to have made five changes at half-time had he wanted to.
Pundits, especially those who really don’t want us to succeed, will say that Kai Havertz dangled his leg in order to win the penalty, well let them. David Coote made his decision and VAR stood by that decision. Name me a player who doesn’t dangle his leg when going round the keeper? What mattered most was Bukayo Saka added to his goal tally by coolly slotting home the spot kick. That’s 20 for him in all competitions this season, the most from an Arsenal player since the days of Aubameyang. Leandro Trossard isn’t far behind him either.
We had to wait until 70 minutes had passed before any nerves could settle a bit. Declan Rice teed up Leandro Trossard and our Belgian did the rest. A clinical finish. Lastly, Declan Rice made it 3-0 with a super strike wide right of the penalty area and from a tight angle.
Following the win, Mikel Arteta said:
With what is at stake and the stage of the season we are in, to perform the way we have done today, especially in the first half, I thought it was one of the best that we played all season. It was really positive, a lot of energy, players making decisions to impact the game and make things happen – I loved it. We were very unlucky not to score four or five, and then when you don’t do that, you have to navigate for certain difficult moments, and we did.
Obviously we have to be more ruthless in front of goal, with a lot of chances and situations we generated. The scoreline should have been very, very different. Sometimes when you don’t finish the game, it can get a bit different and the momentum of the game can shift, and you have to be prepared for that and I think the team did really well to handle it. I think the moment is driven by energy, enthusiasm and finding joy in this journey, and being in the title race at this stage of the season. We have to continue to do the same.
I wouldn’t say 3-0 was flattering but at times, certainly in the second half, Bournemouth had their moments. At 2-0, they hit the bar before having a goal ruled out for a shove on Raya in the buildup. Again, VAR supported David Coote’s on-field decision, much to the dismay of Andoni Iraola. The best goal of the game didn’t count as Gabriel was adjudged to be offside. Great strike off his shin. Lol
I thought we were brilliant in the first half but as said, we didn’t make the most of many chances we created. Credit to Bournemouth too for putting their bodies on the line. Their keeper played really well too in the first half but, I’ve no idea how Christie got away with what he did. The challenge on Bukayo Saka could easily have been a red card but he didn’t even get booked. Numerous fouls from him followed yet it wasn’t until his fifth or sixth that he actually received a booking.
“We have to continue to do the same” said Mikel Arteta and he’s right, of course he is and I’m sure he’s not simply referring to our final two fixtures. Regardless of what happens between now and when the final whistle blows against Everton, we’re now a team to be reckoned with and with the right additions this summer, we’re only going to get better. Most of our players are yet to hit their peak which is staggering considering how good they already are and we know that any players who join the club now, aren’t going to ‘just because they’re for sale”. Arsenal don’t operate like that anymore. They identify who they want and go all out to get them. It might be that you or I think “why” when a player comes through the Arsenal doors but as Kai Havertz has proved, sometimes we just need to be a little patient.
Next up it’s a trip to Old Trafford.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico and all.
As much as I was hoping to win the league this season, deep down I all I hoped for a season of concicecy and a top 3 finish, and winning the league next season, However this season is not over yet as City have shown they are not unbeatable
Morning Rico and contributors…
Interesting isn’t it, we’ve scored the most goals and yet the pundits still prattle on about us needing a prolific striker, well we all know about the pundits looking for negatives, but maybe there is some truth in what they say even if their intentions are just to criticise because it’s us.
Man City looked imperious before the last two seasons but Guardiola still went out and signed Haarland and there’s no doubting that he’s made the difference for them in certain matches in 2023 and again in 2024 when you need to get over the line.
Havertz is getting better and better but he needs help and this season all three of Nketiah, Martinelli and Jesus have not been good enough. So as much as I’d be happy to go again next season with Kai as our No.1 centre forward I’d like to see us add another striker who can regularly come off of the bench and score and who can play centre forward effectively if Havertz is rested.
We need to upgrade on Eddie and Reiss because Arteta doesn’t really trust either of them and I agree with him. Arteta needs 2 or 3 more players who he can and more importantly ‘will’ use regularly in both PL and CL.
Saying all that, it’s been a flippin’ great season – I just don’t think we’re going to get the flowers we deserve.
Morning Kev, Geoff.
I gave up on us winning the title after the Villa game. We’ve only ourselves to blame really.
I think we do need a striker and I hope we get one. Yes, we have goal scorers but I’d love us to sign a ruthless goal scorer who puts scoring before looking for another pass.
Good morning Rico.
I’ve no compunction whatsoever in applauding Havertz for “winning” the penalty. It’s been happening to us for years. It really annoys me to read the malicious tripe about Havertz “cheating”, when Grealish, Kane and assorted other darlings of the media do precisely the same they are praised for their “professionalism” and “cleverness”. Bloody hypocrites!
As to the title, Rico, don’t give up. It’s not over ’til the fat lady sings. 😉
I’m relieved to see that you’ve recovered from you earlier depression Kev. The darkest hour is just before dawn.😉
Morning Cicero, absolutely agree re the penalty..
I’m already thinking about next season. 😂
Cicero 😆
No mate, I’m just preparing myself so that the disappointment isn’t too great. I reckon we’ll win our last two games, but I just can’t see any of City’s last three opponents having the backbone to stop them, but I hope I’m wrong.
Rico, Arteta never forgets so next season I expect to see us smash Villa twice and put Emery back in his box.
But our old manager has really stuck the knife in this season.
I avoid the post match pundits like the plague, I rarely watch a post-match analysis on MotD, especially if the presenter is Mr Woke himself.
TNT do a decent job post match but Sky are just rubbish, full of haters.
As for the penalty, it was given but expect the usual talentless tossers to keep going on about its validity and questioning our honesty, a la Pires vs Portsmouth.
For sure Kev but I think the games I mentioned highlight the need for a prolific goal scorer. Same yesterday too. Our problem is not making our chances count. As you said earlier, despite City looking great they went and signed Haaland, we have to do the same this summer regardless of how many goals we’ve scored. Saka is our highest goalies which in itself says a lot but what happens if next season he’s not as prolific or he gets injured.
I not trying to be negative but how many of Saka’s goals came from penalties, that why I reckon we need a ruthless striker,
Saka scores goals but he is not a clinical finisher . Yesterday as he side footed his chance to the keeper I thought” oh for a Wrighty or Supermac” both lived to score goals and it’s the half chances that go begging that frustrates me.
We do play lovely football but what gets me is the cut inside and open the body and curl the ball to the far corner. Sometimes it works but sometimes they need to be direct and blast the ball , that’s where the deflections come from .
Can’t disagree with any of the above but both Martinelli in particular and Jesus are my biggest concern and have really let us down in terms of goals.
Injuries have affected Jesus I know but you can’t keep on using them as an excuse and next season, after good preparation, will be make or break for him.
The lack of goals for Martinelli is the biggest worry for me, I can’t knock his overall play as that’s still at a very high level but his finishing has really fallen off of the edge of a cliff. Hopefully it’s just a mid-career stutter and he’ll be firing on all cylinders next season but he’s going to have to go some to unseat Trossard…
Of course Rico, if we can get the right guy up front but don’t ask me who because I haven’t a clue?
I think it’s going to be a very quiet transfer summer due to PSR.
Agree Potter, or an Eduardo. All who just loved scoring goals.
For the standard of football we play from back to front, our main striker options are zilch. Our goal scorers are midfielders or wingers whose goals should be a contribution to to the teams tally rather than essential.
I haven’t a clue either Kev but then it’s not our job to know. We can name names, that’s easy but there’s more to consider than just a name. For all we know, Mika might be the clinical striker we’re lacking – although it seems we as a club prefer to buy players who have PL experience.
I think we’ll be busy this summer. We have a lot of players who are likely to leave. Lokonga, Tierney, Nketiah, Nelson, Soares, Elneny and possibly Ramsdale, ESR & Partey.
Behind them are under 21 players who have about as much chance of making the first team squad next season as any of us on here have.
Tavares and Marquinhos too, I nearly forget them.
When he is playing I don’t think that Martinelli gets anything like the service that Saka does and in consequence has lost a bit of confidence . Also as Kev has pointed out with Trossard in his hot spell when he does get on the pitch he is desperate to impress and is playing too rushed .
He benefits from quick ball whereas Saka and Odegaard play a slow, slow, quick , quick system with White overlapping whereas frequently he is left to do things on his own . How often do we see the left hand side use short quick passes with Zinchenko or Tomiyasu overlapping . Maybe if Timber gets behind him we will see a resurgence but it’s too soon to write him off.
Another player that could be sold is Patino
Brighton 1 Villa 0 full time
Chelsea 5 west ham 0 full time
Xhaka again…
Half-time Liverpool 2 -0 Spurs.
3 – 0 now. On this showing any chances of Spurs taking points of City are Zilch.
Make that 4 – 0.
Also, didn’t Martinelli suffer an injury? Before then I thought he was very good but breaking a winning format, ie, Trossard and Havertz was always going to be difficult. Especially at this stage of the season..
So much for hoping Totts might beat City. I guess it’s up to Fulham to help us then. Not that Utd will be a pushover for us next Sunday..
Oops, sorry Cicero, you’d already said that. Doh!
Marquinos is on loan at Fuminese (Brazil) where he has made only three appearances all season.
Spurs comeback 4 – 2
Full-time 4 – 2. Spurs didn’t start playing until they were four nil down, then the game got interesting.
There’s hope then.. lol
Actually, it might work in our favour as if Totts want fourth place, they’ll have no choice but to give 100% v City.
Tottenham to draw 4-4 with City then?
That would do nicely 😂
Let’s hope City get to cocky and get smashed the next 2 games,
Sadly I think Aston Villa may well have 4th place sewn up before the City-Spurs game. The only tiny Ray of light is that City have 2 away games,only 1 home game,if they are to drop points then away from home is more likely.
Of course we have to win,including at old Trafford where we have a terrible record,this must be the worst United team since the 80s,but they always raise their game against us.
I think Liverpool will beat Villa but as you say Limey, we simply have to beat Utd before then.
New post up.