Morning all.
We needed a win and we got one. 2nd place is ours barring something crazy happening which let’s be honest, isn’t going to. Man City can mathematically overtake us but only if we lose our final game and they win their last two. Even if that scenario played out, City would need a ten goal swing in the goal difference numbers. They play Bournemouth at The Etihad before travelling to London to face Fulham on the final day of the season. We however will be on the south coast playing Southampton.
Anyway, the game wasn’t spectacular but it didn’t need to be. Newcastle had a few opportunities to take the lead and then double it but David Raya, clearly wanting that golden glove award again, was in outstanding form. His ball distribution left a lot to be desired though.
The only goal of the game came from Declan Rice and it really was a superb strike. From twenty yards out, he hit a rolling ball played to him by Martin Odegaard and it was past Nick Pope in a flash. After all the faffing about in and around the box to no avail, all it took was an actual shot to beat Pope. Perfectly executed and directed I hasten to add.
Before the game, Josh Kroenke spoke to Arsenal Media:
We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season. We’re delighted we have our sporting director, Andrea, who will play an important role in this. He is part of a unified and strong team, supported by the board, who are crystal clear on exactly what we need to do and the way in which we want to do it. The right way. The Arsenal way.
Ultimately, we all want the same thing. We’re as hungry for success as you are and that goes for everyone who works for the club. We have brilliant people right across Arsenal and I want to thank every member of staff for the dedication they have shown again this season. It’s something we have reflected on this week and it never goes unnoticed.
On behalf of the board, to thank you, our supporters, for all your backing again this season. We recognise you are with us every step of the way and we love the support you give our club here in N5 and around the world. I’d also like to give special thanks to those who are with us week in and week out on the road in full voice at away grounds around the country. We understand how you’re all feeling at the end of the season and we feel it, too. That understanding and connection drives so much of what we’re trying to achieve in the 2025/26 season and beyond.
Mikel Arteta said a lot after the game and his words word full of emotion. It was clear he truly believed this was going to be our season to be crowned league champions. Ridiculous red cards and a silly amount of injuries played their part that’s for sure.
I know what we’ve been through for nine and a half months. I know what we’ve done. I know very well the history of the Premier League and the teams that have been in 30% of the situations that we’ve been in – they have collapsed, completely collapsed, and we haven’t.
One doesn’t have to be a genius to work out who he’s referring to.
It’s not just about the quality of players we’ve had missing through injury though, it’s the knock on effect it had on the already small squad we started the season with as rotation options became smaller and smaller as the injuries struck. Merino, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, White, Jesus, Gabriel – all missed months of football. Tomiyasu has missed most of the season too. In addition to the long term injuries, Zinchenko, Tierney, Calafiori and Timber have missed games too. Yet somehow, we reached the semi-final of the Champions League and look to have secured second place in the league.
I know there are no prizes for second place or reaching a semi-final of any competition but we’ve still done better than most clubs in this league. I’m pretty sure Mikel Arteta and those around him know that we as a club simply cannot afford to go into next season with a small and under strength squad. Just as we cannot afford to continue on our journey to the top without having a striker or two.
Mikel Arteta was asked about when our plan for the summer can be executed:
The plan is done and the time will be dictated by many parties, many circumstances that unfortunately we don’t control. But we have great people in charge of that and they’re going to be leading that with the board and ownership. And as well make sure that the ones that we have, they feel valued, they feel loved and make sure that they want to continue with us in the right manner, then the whole environment that is excited. That is not just about if we make it because we cannot start a season like that, and I want to feel that from day one. I’m going to be very insistent on that.
Whatever Josh Kroenke meant when he said about doing things the Arsenal way, I just hope it’s the right way for the players already at the club and the fans. They deserve it. We deserve it…
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico.
A poor first half bit a much better second. Some incredible saves by Raya, balanced by some dodgy distribution, a stunning recovery run and tackle to prevent an almost certain goal by Jakub Kiwior was the highlight of the game for me although Declan Rice”s goal was a close second.
Earlier in the week Telegraph football hack Sam Dean was bigging up Anthony Gordon, saying how much he would improve Arsenal. His report on yesterday’s game actually doesn’t mention the players name and there is no mention of him in the report
Not surprising when you consider how well Ben White and his right sided colleagues snuffed out any threat from Gordon whose only purpose seemed to be falling over in an effort to get a free kick and demanding bookings for all and sundry.
I don’t know why Sam Dean has such a dislike for all things Arsenal but it was again obvious in his scribbles this morning.
Hey ho! Today’s paper will be tomorrow’s fish wrapper. 😉
A note on one of Arsenal’s rumoured transfer targets, Isak did not feature yesterday as he has been carrying a groin injury, he is reckoned doubtful for Newcastle’s final game and so goes into the transfer window with a worrisome injury. His fee would be in excess of £150 million with wages of at least £250, 000 per week. A lot of dosh to risk on someone who may not be fit to start the new season.
Morning Cicero, agree re the Kiwior tackle, brilliant.
I wouldn’t want Gordon anywhere near Arsenal..
Can’t see us spending that kind of fee on one player, not when we need so many..
Afternoon Rico and Members of The House. A nice concise account of yesterday’s game Rico, you’ve certainly upped your game this season, bravo… 👍🏻
Yes, I completely agree on the Kiwior interception, Rice had pulled away to try and stop the cross, risky I thought at the time and as the cross came in I thought ‘oh no’ but Jakub accelerated and snuffed out the danger, he’s really developing into a top centre back for us and a great rotational option over and above what we thought of him.
I’m not sure that we can afford to let him go this summer, not unless we’re made an offer we cannot refuse?
It also lessens the leverage that Saliba and Gabriel have over new contract negotiations knowing how competent he’s been performing in their absence.
Seems that Timber will need an operation this summer, to tidy up an ankle issue he’s been managing, I read two months recovery so that’s mid-July before he returns.
Saliba it seems had a hamstring problem vs Newcastle, so no need to risk him at St Mary’s yeah?
It is why you have a squad, no?
Would be great to see one or even two of our youngsters earn his 1st team debut at Southampton…
Mind you Raya wants to win the Golden Glove again so maybe he’ll be in Arteta’s ear about finishing the season strongly?
Being on the North Bank lower obviously we could not see in any great detail what had gone on at the other end . However to a man ( sorry girls ) we were convinced that they were trying to manufacture a penalty .
However in a game where it would seem that Howe has Arteta’s number using the pressing game and pushing players up on Partey and nullifying Odegaard we struggled at times . However we got away with a great goal and some great saves albeit some of those were of Raya’s making.
Possibly Howe took advantage of the fact that we had no real presence up front and by compressing our play from the back system , frequently we were reduced to long balls to Trossard trying to out jump Burn and seeing the ball coming straight back.
Still we got the win and the 3 points we needed so it now rests on what happens off of the pitch when Berta has to show his mettle and up grade where we need to.
Good afternoon Rico and all
I looked forward to such a match report against Newcastle for a looooonggg time seeing that the last three seasons they were our bane. finally it arrived and nothing could be more sweater.
Wonderful goal by Rice and a great clean sheet. 1-0 to the Arsenal.
I think its important that Kiwior is kept. I have read that the club will keep him unless he asks for a move whatever money is offered (unless its insane money of course). He can play and rotate with minimal fuss with both Gabriel and Saliba. Calafiori as well since he can play at LB and CB and also DM. With White rediscovering his form and with Timber available we have the defence well covered. Maybe Arteta will look to promote rather than buy for the defence?? Kacurri and Nicols spring to mind.
Yesterday our midfield did not have a top day. NUFC were slicing through us at times. If MLS is to play at midfield then him and Zubimendi (if he comes) give us a solid base, however I feel that Arteta will continue to play him at LB for next season at least.
Afternoon Kev. 😂
I was hoping this was our season and then I could retire to the coast. However, only one part is coming true…
I wouldn’t sell too many because we’re losing a few naturally. Zinchenko and Trossard perhaps although I read the latter is in talks for a new contract.
Thought Kiwior and Calafiori had really good games after Saliba went off.
The lack of presence up front was never more glaringly obvious than when Kiwior whipped in an excellent cross which a good old fashioned poacher striker would have got on the end of. Has to be the first signing surely along with Zubimendi if the stories are true.
Afternoon Devil, bearing in mind it secured CL football, it was a good result.
Agreed Potter, they were trying to con Hooper but thankfully, he was having none of it.
Retire Rico, you?
I can’t see myself, the world would be a much duller place without your daily posts, even if they’re every other day and sometimes once a week. 😁
And please don’t tell me Rico that you’ve got loads of other things to do, because we all know that you’d be totally bored stiff without JM’s incomprehensible musings and Geoffs antipodean view from upside down.
Ha ha Kev, flattery will get you nowhere 😂
It’s irrelevant now Kev as we haven’t won the league. The wait goes on 😜
I just hope Arteta is not thinking of buying any more players from his old club City. There are a number likely to be clearing their lockers at the training ground. Bernardo Silva for one and Phil Foden for another, neither would be an upgrade on on what we already have.
You’d like to think he’d steer clear, Chelsea players too..
Cunha to Man Utd then..
Liverpool lose away to Brighton 3 – 2 after being two up.
Why Saliba was replaced?
Hamstring injury I think..
…..and we don’t want Grealish either!
Afternoon Rico and all,
Maybe it’s time to rest our top players and see how good the younger players are for the last match. looking forward to getting my soccer pay tv back for next season
‘morning all.
Getting Timber’s operation done early means he could be fit to play some part in pre-season. If that is the case, he could be eased back into the team I’m the early games. His competition for a starting place with Ben White will be beneficial all round.
I’ll be interested to see who plays in the back line alongside White, Kiwior and M L S. Raya will want to reinforce his claim on the Golden Gloves so I think Arteta will pick him.
Morning Cicero, Geoff, all.
A big fat Grealish no from me too…
Calafiori I suspect re the defence, he did well on Sunday.
I’m pretty sure Maldini Kacurri is back training with the squad too so he might be on the bench.
New post up.