Morning all.
Mikel Arteta stuck with his back five which had won the last two games. Ceballos was preferred to Elneny, with Aubameyang and Lacazette joining forces up front for the first time in a while. Martinelli had a breather but ESR and Saka, both pretty difficult to leave out, started once more. Just two changes which in all fairness, went rather well. After Arsenal took the lead, the heavens opened and down came the white stuff. I feared the game might be postponed, anything to give Big Sam a break.
Going to the Hawthorns to face the king of ‘I don’t do relegation’ was going to be tough I thought. West Brom had just been battered by Leeds and I fully expected a reaction. Instead, Mikel Arteta and his team turned on the style and I loved watching it. Not even Willian did a lot wrong after replacing Saka, in fact he was unlucky not have opened his goal tally. The only player who was slightly disappointing was Aubameyang. But that’s being picky. The Auba of last season would have scored last night.
I’ll get this bit out of the way first. West Brom we’re pretty poor but then we’ve dropped points to poor opposition before this season. Too many times which is why just a week or so ago, we were looking like a team heading for a relegation fight. However, the fight began on Boxing Day and we’re winning it. Not every Arsenal victory is about the opposition, sometimes it’s about how well our team plays and last night I thought we were good. At times, very very good.
Arsenal now appear to finally be finding some form in the Premier league, which is leading to support a number of markets.
The first half was especially good. Tierney and Bellerin were in fine form. Funny enough, so were Saka and ESR. Goodness knows what vitamin supplements Lacazette has started taking because he’s suddenly come alive again and he’s scoring goals. Maybe he’s after a January transfer. Ok, I jest, kind of.
Tierney started the four goal romp just after the twenty minute mark. Furlong was beaten twice and as our left back turned him the second time, he went for goal with his ‘weaker’ foot. A lovely strike curled past the Baggies keeper. Next up it was ESR time to set things going. He, Saka, Lacazette and then ESR again combined before our number 10 in waiting produced a lovely cross for Saka to tap in. Superb goal. Reminiscent of the good old days.
West Brom must have had a rollicking from Big Sam at halftime as they upped their game a little but apart from a disallowed goal, they didn’t really cause us too many problems. Mari and Holding were solid together yet again.
On the hour mark, Arsenal fancied another goal and it came in panto fashion. A cross whipped in by Saka was hashed at by Ajayi, it hit the post of his own goal and landed at the feet of ESR. His shot was parried by the West Brom keeper but straight to Lacazette who drilled his shot into the roof of the net. Five minutes later it was 4-0 when Tierney and Aubameyang worked together down the left with the latter providing a fierce cross into the box. Lacazette’s knee struck it home.
Bukayo Saka on AFC.com:
Wow, it was so cold, the ice was getting under my boots! My boots were frozen, I felt like I was ice skating at times, it was good that we got through it and we managed to get the win in the end. I felt we started the game well, we created so many chances, we had so many crosses, so many shots, more than we normally do and it could even have been more than 4-0. We’re really happy with this performance, we just want to build on it.
(For my goal) Emile saw me around the corner and played it first time and then I went to Lacazette and Emile made the third-man run and luckily Emile saw me in the middle of the open goal. It was great goal from all of us, one-touch play and this is the football that we love to play.
That’s what can happen when players pass and move. That’s what will happen when young and eager players are on the pitch enjoying themselves. Plus, their enthusiasm rubs off on others but only those who want it to and accept it. Lacazette seems to be of those players, Ceballos too on last nights showing. After the obligatory sideways and backwards from Willian after he replaced Saka, even he started to play more positive and attacking passes. Mikel Arteta switching Bellerin for AMN after Charlie Austin came on was a smart move.
I must admit, I raised my eyebrows when Ceballos was on the team sheet, not the fact that Elneny was changed because as said after the last fixture, mistakes were creeping back into his game but I did wonder why AMN didn’t replace the Egyptian. However, Ceballos had a good game. Xhaka too but the guy who I’m enjoying watching play is Pablo Mari. Hopefully now, the negatively surrounding Arsenal signing him will disappear. The aerial threat West Brom have in their side was dealt with by him and Rob holding with ease. Another clean sheet for Leno too.
Keeping both feet firmly on the ground, I’m sure a few more bumpy roads will come our way but during the last three games, I think we have every reason to positive for the future. Arteta will no doubt hope to add to his squad this month, a keeper would be high on my list, but as ESR is proving, the answer to one or two of our positional problems, might already be at the club. They’re just not quite ready yet.
Anyway, we’re shooting up the table, the performances are much improved so there’s little to be grumpy about this morning. Arsenal wise that is.
See you in the comments.
Good Morning and Happy New Year to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners.
Rico – A fair summation of a very enjoyable game. My only worries were that the players may have slipped in the icy conditions and torn muscle or ligaments in the process or that a mistimed tackle would turn nasty on a slippery field.
Keeping possession is all well and good, but our team have lost too many games where they have dominated possession. They looked much better in the last few games where they moved the ball more quickly and were more direct. Our Young Guns have injected pace an determination into our game. Things are looking up.
Good morning Rico.
I was more worried that the ball would be held up by the snowy conditions, allowing a quick witted Baggie to intercept a pass CG.
Thankfully the ball wasn’t being held up, nor were there any quick witted Baggies on the pitch.. 😉
Cicero – There certainly was a bit of that, but it went both ways. Saka commented that with snow building up on the soles of his boots that he felt he was ice skating at times.
CG, that boy is so light on his feet he didn’t leave any footprints in the snow.
Morning Cg, Happy New Year to you too, Cicero and all.
Honestly, I thought the game would be called off as the snow was heavy. Thank goodness it wasn’t in hindsight.
What’s worrying is what if Saka, ESR or Tierney pick up an injury?
Rico, the snow was heavy? Ask CG about heavy snow. 😉
Looks like we have a sky full of the white stuff ready to come down soon . As you know in this country if we get a dusting like icing sugar on a doughnut everything grinds to a halt.
Maybe with the current Covid situation that might not be a bad thing.
Big Sam against Arsenal
P35
W6
L21
D8
Well the sky has emptied and is now a wispy blue , we had ice balls followed by 20 minutes of heavy rain . No snow though.
Ha ha Cicero. Ok, a light dusting.
Good Afternoon to all
Rico, rubbing Fat Sam’s big nose in the ice covered pitch yesterday was one of the highlights of the game. It was enjoyable seeing the team running rings around his players. Yes we are in a relegation battle Arsenal he said. And yes we were staring it in face albeit for some games. And if we did not turn the season around and win 3 then yes it would have been a real one. However, maybe Arteta did like George Graham used to do…..and pin Fat Sam’s words on the wall instead of giving them a team talk.
That is the romantic side of the story. I doubt that Arteta did that…..he would have prepared the game plan like he lost. This takes time and now its coming together. Plus as Scott and many pointed out here….the attitude and infectious mentality of the youth has rubbed off on the others. We are still a long way away and will surely lose a few more. However, I feel that the old mentality is creeping back. We are stamping our identity on the match. And we did it for three games in a row.
I hope that in the next game, in the FA cup vs Newcastle, Chambers will be given a chance to play. Hopefully it will be one of Luiz or Mustafi….fingers crossed its not both. I still think Gabriel will not play since he is still quarantined. And I would love to see some other young ones given a chance…besides Willock, Nelson etc. Bercause I believe that only two or three from yesterday’s team will play.
I’m amazed he’s won 6 Limey. No doubt during the ‘Arsenal don’t like it up em’ years.
A few of us here have been crying out for youth to play Devil. Not necessarily because they were the sure on solution but because of the energy and enthusiasm they were showing in the Europa League and because of the lethargic approach of some of the seniors.
But it’s easy from an armchair when our job isn’t on the line. Right now I’m just glad we’re turning a corner and the performances are finally getting results. I doubt it’ll be enough to hush the Arteta critics in the media just yet.
I agree on that (youth to play) Rico. Infact I have been supporting that for the past 30 years or so. A young one produced by Arsenal always gives me thrill that no signing could ever match.
With regards Arteta’s critics I can assure you that even if he won the EUropean cup he will still have them in the next match he will lose. They are the negative minded people who are never satisfied even if the team wins every match 10-0. Whatever happens these type of people will always see the negative even if its only just 1%. Once I asked such a person…..’What would you say if Arsenal lost the first 4 games of the season 10-0 and won all the rest (34) 1-0.’ He pointed out that goal difference would be against us 34-40. I just could not believe what I was hearing and he could not understand that if that really happened Arsenal would be champions with 102 points (since they won 34). But such is the mentality of such people that they will fail to see the light even if the sun was shining in their face. So whatever Arteta does he will always be criticized.
On another note….The last three games (even in some of the previous ones) have showed that some players are simply the ones that Arteta should build his team around…..Tierney, Holding, Mari, Gabriel, Saka, Martinelli, ESR, Leno. Many here have been banging the drum on Tierney being made captain and I agree fully with that.
Would I sell Aubameyang?? Yes and I would keep Lacazette. And personally I would love to see one of Weghorst (6ft 5 of Wolfsburg) or Maxi Rodriguez (valencia). They are in the mould of L:acazette, holding the ball up so that others can come into play. Auba would fetch a good tidy sum which can buy a DM and a CB in the manner of Gabriel. Tbh I would love to see Giroud back back since he would be perfect for us plus he can rotate with LAcazette. But I doubt he would be welcomed back with open arms by some supporters and the club seeing what he said after he left.
Rico the media are just like dried leaves, they go in which ever direction the wind blows them. Two weeks ago that wind was an icy blast heading into The Emirates, after the last three games it’s turned into a balmy summer breeze, for the time being anyway. Now the hacks are changing their tune, not wanting to be shown up for the know nothing mugs they are.
DG, there’s no way Giroud could live with the pace of our youngsters, we have had enough of signing Chelsea pensioners. Cech, Luiz, Willian, enough is enough.
There’s certainly nothing better than seeing one of our own make it at Arsenal Devil.
Cicero, they just dislike Arsenal, period.
It is always a point of fascination for me that whilst as supporters we criticise the club in many ways when a player leaves and voices similar opinions he is castigated.
Artetas system is evolving from the tippy tappy to a more direct style of quick passing through the middle and rapid raiding on the wings which would suit a Giroud type player .
However just as we have discovered that Smith – Rowe has grown do the stuff that we wanted from Ozil over the years perhaps in Balogun , Nketiah and Martinelli we have centre forward alternatives to supplent Lacazette for now and the future .
By all means if he can get the pay day he would want then if these guys progress then let Aubameyang go . We have an interesting crop of players coming through , some will make it others wont thats the nature of the beast .What we don’t need are Saliba ? Pepe type failures that cost a fortune and then flop.
Hopefully we can turn their fortunes around and they get to be full members contributing their latent talent .but we need to look to ourselves before going to line the pockets of agents in the future.
Potter, I can understand what you meant about us supporters saying certain things. But the fact that rankles with me when players say it is very simple…..they were part of what they criticized. You and I as supporters did not play. We did not get a chance to put it right. But as players they have the chance to look at the opponent in the eye. They could change the outcome of a match. Yet did they labour hard enough to do so? That is why it rankles….because they had the chance many of us would give an arm for and they let everyone down.
Hleb for one, still states to this day that he regrets leaving Arsenal for Barca.
Cicero, I agree with you with regards the cast offs/chavs pensioners etc. And yes I do not want them. However imo Giroud is different. He has been at AFC, he was liked by supporters etc. He knows that he does not have speed but he is the perfect foil. and always got into double figures. He can be a role model and as a fulcrum of the attack his speed would not matter as the players would use him and play to his strengths.
Then again, I would rather we went for someone new. The two I mentioned above, Weghorst and Gomez would be good. Weghorst, though 29, is a bit like Ian Wright. He was a late developer and like wine gets richer and better with age. He plays for Wolfsburg and the Netherlands national team.
Rather than go for a 29 year old, who would probably do a job for a season or so whilst blocking the path of a younger keener he grown player, I’d prefer to promote someone like Balogun who could be around for a long time.
I think so too Potter. The youth have brought energy to the team so why sign more older players who might just see Arsenal as an easy life.
I finally managed to sleep well today, after an Arsenal game ;-).
Elhemy was of course logical to me that he would not be in the line up.. He was tired and “the legs did not execute in time, which the reason told”.
Ceballos, he played well but for me, I keep the same question: in the position where he plays, he does not enter in the area. On the contrary, run away from it. (I just saw Leicester’s 2nd goal now. Telemans was where he should be; Ceballos never enters the area).
Arteta did well to put Auba in the line upt (Martinelli was 100%? , after his injury and having been injured in the last game?). He needs to gain confidence, score goals and be “feared” by opponents again. However, the idea remains that Martinelli is currently more useful instead.
Afterwards and fundamentally, it seems that I have some reason. We played very open, on both wings, with Bellerin + William. Thierney + Saka and the central area was unpopulated. Yesterday, the link between defense-attack existed, the central zone was populated, the balance was played in the both wings in a balanced way and it was not necessary to have so many players displaced to both wings. As seen after the substitution, William feels more comfortable playing on the right, playing from the edge. So, we can’y play with William, Pepa and Saka at the same time…
I agree with you all….preferably Balogun will stay. However, if he does not we have to look for alternatives. Because In Auba’s case he is only suited to play on the left. The system as it is, it needs someone in the Lacazette/Giroud type of CF. One who acts as foil for others. Auba cannot play as a foil. He is not suited to it.
Try to check on Weghorst. on youtube or whatever. His stats are good. And he can play with his back to goal. Something which Auba cant. Balogun can. but if he does not stay the search begins again. Nketiah needs more time. He might make it. but again he might not. Balogun will make it. Whether it is Arsenal or not remains to be seen
Jm, I think that means you’re happy. 😆
We have one already perhaps Devil. Nikolaj Moller.
Watch this about Weghorst.
Afternoon. If we sign any players, I feel they should be established players like Partey who on known ability are what we need. But not many like that are available and certainly not cheap. In the past, we signed too many average players, not necessarily better than what we have. With a promising amount of young players, we can now be much more selective.
Rico I have never seen Nicolaj Muller play. But from what I heard is that he is very similar to Weghorst.
Maybe Nicolay Muller is the reason why the the club is not making the impossible to sign Balogun. Still I think that is wrong because Balogun is good
Much of the criticism aimed at the club by former players is not whether we were successful but more as to how the club is or was run. Even Brady said he wanted to leave to test himself at a higher level and many since have taken a pop at management Cole and van Persie rather than the team
For many years we were known as the Bank of England club not as many think because we were rich but because of our being in the hands of many Old Etonian merchant bankers ( and I am not being euphemistic ).
It was always a tightly run ship and if success came along so much the better but it never really pushed to expand on it’s success and largely rested on it’s laurels.
I think that the previously named players tried but felt that they were hitting on an unwielding wall and so left.
Might have to wait until the summer Andrew, unless the club really do have a clear out this month.
I’ve inly read/heard positive things about him Devil.
Agree, Arsenal should have pushed on after the 03/04 season but instead, regressed. The stadium move didn’t help our financial situation but I still think we could have done our transfer business better than we did with quality over quantity. One top player is always better than three average or finished players.
Is Balogun register to play in the League? Or is just registered to play in the Europa League?
Under 21 home grown don’t have to be listed I think Jm.
That’s right Rico, I don’t think there is any limit on how many U21’s you can register.
I doubt that Arteta will make the number of changes for the FACup that many of us imagine or would like, personally I’d like to see Balogun start against Newcastle, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Aubameyang leading the line.
Willian and Luiz will probably be crowbarred into the starting line up, unfortunately, where as I’d rather see Nelson and Chambers or even Saliba…
I hope that Arteta reminds the players what the Benfica manager said after the Europa draw, that is he said that drawing Arsenal won’t keep him awake at nights…
Morning all.
Loving this enthusiasm and admittedly, we are feeding off the performances of late that have shown a large improvement in that very same area!!
One point I want to make is we fans can not criticise Arteta when he rotates these kids, because we sure as hell would criticise him if they play too often, too soon and end up injured.
Martinelli is prime example.
Though he’s in much better from than Auba, he’s also young and coming off a major injury, so to leave him out for this game was the right choice, imo.
Imagine he played and re-injured himself?
It’s a long season ahead, and these youngsters have long careers in front of them so a little less now means a hell of a lot more down the track.
On Saliba,
The little I’ve read tells me he’s no spoilt brat or problem child, he’s just had a very, very tough time settling in London and losing his mum just after arriving obviously is hard any son, but he wasn’t even able to head back for the funeral.
This kid had an abundance of talent but he a kid.
No way in the world we should be selling him imo
Keep him.
Give him time and let him develop.
Gee, even if he doesn’t reach the heights we thought he would, he’s still young enough to attract decent money in 2-3 years time.
I see no reason why Arteta should change the winning team for the Newcastle game. We are the FA Cup holders. We need to defend that position, winning the cup again would put us back in Europe and provide a huge boost for the club and fans.
There is a full week between the Baggies and the Magpies, ample time to rest and recover, it is a home game so no travel weariness. The next game is home to Palace five days later. Again plenty of recovery time.
The only change I would make is to replace Aubameyang with Martinelli. Our defence of Leno, Bellerin Holding, Mari and Tierney is developing into a fine cohesive unit, it doesn’t need to be tinkered with to give Luiz, Mustafi and Cedric game time. Heaven forbid putting Runnarson in goal.
Stick with the wining team. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!.
Saliba on loan to France makes total sense to me.
Ditto re Balogun Kev, the more he doesn’t play, the less likely it seems he’s staying.
Agree re the younger players Scott, certainly Martinelli but Saka and AMN can cope I’m sure..
New post up now
Oh no it’s not. 😉
https://highbury-house.com/2021/01/04/saliba-to-italy-for-once-its-good-that-we-have-the-kroenke-family-at-arsenal/