Morning all.
Kev has kindly reviewed yesterday’s friendly fixture.
Max Allegri, the experienced Italian coach, sent out a strong, disciplined and defensively organised AC Milan team to face the Gunners in Singapore yesterday. Despite a sizeable advantage in goalscoring opportunities for the Arsenal, just the one goal divided the two teams at the end. Neither of the two Arsenal goalkeepers were really troubled over the 90 minutes.
A starting XI of Raya, White, Saliba Calafiori, Zinchenko, Nordgaard, Rice, Nwaneri, Saka, Martinelli and Havertz – Arsenal pretty much dominated possession throughout the opening exchanges but Milan were set up to play with a mid to low block, dealing with most of what Arsenal created during the first half comfortably. Perhaps something we may have to learn to deal with more often and better in Europe this season.
It was clear to me that Nwaneri had been given licence to wander across the attacking third. Looking stronger on the ball, it’s clear young Ethan is growing into a man. He’s obviously worked on his strength and looks likely to be more of an influential member of the squad.
Nordgaard started slowly but gradually worked his way into the rhythm of the team as he and his new team mates got used to each other. He’s going to be a valuable addition to the squad and will allow Zubimendi time to adapt to the most robust English league.
There were a few good moments and you could see the team trying some new moves, longer passes from deep and crosses into the box. Zinchenko found Nordgaard on the inside left, Martin’s pass to Nwaneri was hit like an Exocet but the excellent Milan keeper pushed it around the post. A header by Havertz was then saved and during the melee that followed White had a powerful shot blocked.
Loftus Cheek, playing for Milan then broke away and for a brief few moments the danger signs flashed – that was until Saliba broke out of his customary stroll and took the ball away from the ex-Chelsea man.
At half-time Arteta made a raft of changes, off went Raya, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Nordgaard, Nwaneri and Martinelli and on came Kepa, MLS, Kiwior, Zubimendi, Mr Angry Leo and Odegaard. The injection of fresh energy on what was a hot humid day had the right effect and on 53minutes Saka (who else) scored after a low clipped cross from left to right on the edge of the box by Kiwior.
Milan rarely threatened and Arteta made four more changes on 65 minutes as off went White, Saliba, Rice and Saka and on came Merino, Nichols, Dowman and Salmon. Almost immediately Dowman went on a mazy run after an Odegaard pass and had a shot blocked, from then on he was routinely fouled as footballers can only be fouled by Italians. Nobody does it better than the Azzuri. For Max it will be an invaluable experience as he develops into the player we hope he becomes.
Milan had made several substitutions and one was an 18 year old 6’ 8” goalkeeper and he was very very good. An Odegaard corner was met by Merino with a thumping header. It was a goal all the way until the Milan giant got down and pushed it around the post on 75 minutes. It was notable that with the basketball player between the Milan sticks, Arsenal played a succession of short corners after he came on, which made perfect sense to me.
Salmon hit one excellent long 60 year pass to Reiss Nelson (on for Havertz) which the man on Fulham’s wish list, kept in and won a corner. Reiss actually played really well with two excellent goalbound shots saves by Senor Beanpole. In between them, the impressive and very angry Trossard had a thunderous shot from some 20yards pushed over the bar by you know who.
After that the game petered out but all the youngsters had encouraging moments and the seniors all enhanced their reputations. Zubimendi looked class, Merino was impressive, Kiwior was steady and composed, Calafiori did well as did Zinchenko.
In what was just second friendly of pre-season, they looked fit, fresh and whilst a bit rusty were generally as dominant as we’re used to seeing in the Premier League. Stick Gyokeres in the mix and it might be a bit special.
There was a penalty shoot-out after the game which Milan won 6-5 after 18 penalties, Salmon blasted his over the bar and was the only player to miss the target. Kepa made three saves, Odegaard, Kiwior and Nelson had theirs saved, Zubimendi, Merino, Dowman, Trossard and Nichols all scored.
Now for Newcastle and a few heavy challenges….
Morning Kev, all.
Thanks for the write up on the game Kev. Sounds like the performance was similar to what we’ve seen in the last few seasons. Lots of possession, but no goals. The second Milan keeper sounds like a man mountain. A bit like the PSG keeper who might not be as tall, but he saves nearly everything.
Good morning/afternoon Rico and all
That’s a good match report Kev. Very enjoyable to read and having seen the game the report is very close.
Donnarumma (PSG) keeper came from the AC Milan Academy. Yesterday’s keeper Torriani (ACM) showed the same promise as the former keeper showed at the age of 18/17. Donnarumma is 6 ft 6ins while Torriani is the same height 6ft 5 ins………………both of them have the same height as Mertesaker.
Still, I agree with you about his high level. he saved them from about another 2 goals.
If anyone thinks that Kepa has come to play second fiddle to Raya is going to be mistaken. He is here for first place. And even though both keepers had nothing to do during the match however his three penalty saves say a lot. And they were excellent saves. Two good tidy keepers.
Fingers crossed both get lots of games during the season…..for me 19 games each int the EPL and they end up with 15 clean sheets each….we will be first club in history to have two keepers winning the golden glove.
Morning Rico and all,
Kev, you should get a job with the news paper, that report made me feel like I watched the match, jKev just one question, if we had a few good chances at scoring would a dedicated scorer could we have put the match to bed earlier or was their keeper that good on the night
Geoff, we had 23 shots with 9 of them on target. A clinical finisher would have gobbled up a couple and this would also help others.
If you know me enough I always say I want the goals shared around the team. Yes a 30+ season striker is good however I would prefer to have three strikers scoring 15-18 goals each at least. That’s 45-55 goals between three players.
A positive thing with a clinical finisher is that you are guaranteed 25+ goals. It might also be that he gets enough attention from defenders which in turn leaves others unmarked and they score. However that in itself is a drawback as well……some of the housers here are old enough to remember that once we were built around Ian Wright and he was heavily marked. If he didn’t score no one else would…..even though they had chances.
So yes imo I think that if we had a clinical striker yesterday he might have had a couple. Fingers crossed the others keep on scoring as well.
G’day all, a funeral this morning, someone I have no known for over fifty years a very sad occasion but some good memories.
Condolences Cicero.
Arsenal forward Noni Madueke has been reclassified as a ‘homegrown’ player by the Premier League. Madueke had previously been listed in Chelsea’s squad list as recently as February as ‘non-homegrown. That’s a big big plus
Mosquera to wear number 3.
Make of this what you will…………BREAKING from Graeme Bailey… Eberechi Eze has informed his friends that he is going to join Arsenal this summer.
Nwaneri on new signings, “Yes, I think all the signings we’ve made have been brilliant and sharpening the team and making us even stronger. We’ve got some more back at home coming, so we’re ready for them to all come & build together.
Devil Thanks for the clips, it looked like an entertaining match with a bit of luck it could have gone either way, with both our and their keppers doing well in the goal shootout Raya will have on his toe’s this season.
Cicero my condolence to for your sad loss
We often had a go at the Kroenke’s for not spending on players in the past but credit were credit due this transfer season we we can only say thank you
Noni Madueke has been reclassified as a ‘homegrown’ player by the Premier League which is really significant, meaning the door is still open to recruit without stepping over the limit allowed and not having to sell one of the players in contract not deemed as required and surplus..
Excellent news re Noni, always thought it was odd for him to not be classed as homegrown.
Afternoon all.
Gyokeres in London tomorrow according to Sky.
Isak seems to want out of Newcastle.. Go on Berta, make it happen. 😜
Isak has sailed now that we’ve got Gyokeres
Perhaps, perhaps not.
Pairing up Swedens two finest might be a good move. 😜
Mosquera signing official..
Sesko to Newcastle?
Morning Campers… It’s been a bit of a day for me yesterday but alls well that ends well.
Your welcome Rico, I won’t be watching Sunday as I’ve got an air show to go to but I can do a write up on the Spuds game if you like?
Cheers Geoff, I’m glad you enjoyed my efforts, I just wish I had 10% of Adams writing ability in that regard.
Dev, I thought it was a fascinating game, some of the ‘same old’ mixed with the ‘brand new’. Like you I can’t see Isak coming our way, the bulk of our finance has been focused on increasing the depth and quality of that depth in our squad and £150m on one exciting but injury prone striker isn’t the best use of our finance. I reckon that Liverpool enquired and then pivoted to the more affordable Ekitike. It’s why we also pivoted from the overpriced Sesko to Gyokeres I reckon?
The Saudi League beckons for Mr Isak I suspect?
Great news on Madueke but also very surprising given how shabbily the authorities have treated Arsenal over the previous 12 months, maybe even-handedness has suddenly gained traction among those decision makers in their ivory towers?
Is does make you wonder why the Isak rumours have suddenly surfaced with most clubs concluding their striker business?
It seems likely that Newcastle wouldn’t have done business with Arsenal – too much bad blood so maybe Isak set his heart on Liverpool?
That ship has now sailed with Liverpool’s spending exceeding £250m plus, Man City have Haaland, Chelsea are stacked, United aren’t a realistic option unless Isak is desperate and the rest are a step down from Newcastle. Seems as if he missed his chance by not pushing for a move to Arsenal?
There is a twist to the Homegrown rule.
The Premier League and UEFA have different criteria by which they determine a player’s homegrown status.
PL criteria requires a player to spend at least 3 years at a club under the Football Association. He fulfilled that by spending 4 years at tottenham’s academy, between ages 12 – 16.
However UEFA criteria requires 3 years to be spent at a club under the Football Association, between the ages of 15-21. Madueke moved to PSV at 16 and stayed till almost 21, thus not meeting UEFA’s 3 year homegrown criteria window.
Thus he is homegrown for the PL squad, but not the CL squad.
Morning Kev, Kelsey and all.
That would be great, thanks Kev. Unless something else goes wrong, I’ll be watching Sundays game. Lol
You and me both re Adam’s writing Kev….
New post up.