Morning all.
Two years ago Brighton turned up at the Emirates Stadium to outplay and outcompete what was at the time a decent Arsenal team, knocking the Gunners out of the League Cup in the process. Here we were again.
Brighton are always a good and dangerous side who have enjoyed a lot of success at the Emirates in recent times and although this Arsenal team are a lot better than many the Seagulls have faced in that time, it was still a game that could go either way because of both managers’ rotation of players.
Before the game Arteta could have gone either full strength or fully rotated or mix and match and he surprised me by going fully rotated. Now although Mikel would want to keep the winning run going and keep up the clean sheets he also knew he had a few more senior injuries to contend with and tired legs to rest with three more away games to face before the next international break, so he had to use his resources intelligently – and that’s exactly what he did by making 10 changes from Sunday. In came Hincapie for his full debut, Max Dowman for his full debut and Andre Harriman Annous for his actual debut.
The opening exchanges were not what we are use to and it was quite open, a bit too open for me with a lot of wide open space especially in the Arsenal midfield in front of our back four. Nordgaard had a big job and he was taking his time to adjust with Myles tucking in to help. Mikel Merino, sporting the captains armband, was pushed forward to help the energetic and enthusiastic Harriman Annous with Eze and Dowman on the flanks, Nwaneri was in the Odegaard role.
It was hard going at times and Brighton will look back on two early chances which with more composure, would have seen them cruising but Kepa saved the first and the other was struck wide. From then on, Kepa had a faultless game making all the right decisions, saving everything which came his way, looking secure and confident.
In front of him Mosquera had a great game alongside the solid Hincapie, Ben White worked tirelessly and Myles was in general solid. During the early exchanges Nwaneri did well to set up Merino but his shot cleared the bar, Arsenal actually didn’t have a shot on target until the 2nd half. It pretty much went end to end with Brighton having far more efforts on goal, they’ll reflect on that because they could and probably should have been leading at half time.
Harriman Annous was having an impressive debut and was sprinting around Martinelli style. I’d seen this kid in the U21’s but he looked very useful and I reckon that Arteta has probably discovered someone who can come off of the bench and cause a lot of problems later on in this long season. For the ones interested in following soccer beyond the pitch, checking out the latest FanDuel soccer odds offers exciting opportunities to engage with upcoming matches and tournaments.
Brighton had a corner in the 40th minute and a great chance was headed wide and so we went in for our oranges at 0-0.
Arteta didn’t make any personnel changes but I felt we came out more organised and more aggressive, Harriman Annous almost set up Eze and then Arsenal scored. On 57 minutes Eze made some space and put in Merino whose smart flick with his heel banjaxed the Brighton defence and Myles, the recipient of the flick, passed to his buddy Ethan whose low cross shot flew past the Brighton keeper.
Brighton seemed to lose some confidence as Arsenal got stronger. Nordgaard was now looking secure whilst both Eze and Nwaneri were getting far more involved. With a 1-0 lead and something to defend Arteta decided to batten down the hatches on 70 minutes. On came Gabriel (Hincapie), Timber (White) and Saka (Dowman) and from then on it was game over as Arsenal took full control and Brighton were squeezed out of the game.
A couple of corners and the King of Brazil was causing all kinds of chaos as Merino was very unlucky not to score with a header. Brighton were still having a go but the door to Kepa’s goal had been slammed shut. Then on 76 minutes Timber got the ball and surged past a couple of Brighton players and into their half, his weighted pass fell beautifully for AHA and I was longing for him to score but the keeper saved it only for Saka to score with the follow up – job done.
Immediately afterwards Rice came on for AHA who got a big hug from Arteta’s he left the pitch. Trossard came on for Eze shortly afterwards and during added time hit the Brighton post with the keeper well beaten and that my friends was that…
Dowman had a fine game, almost won a penalty but looked top class. A very enjoyable evening had by all Gooners and – we march on…
In other results, Liverpool were knocked out as were Tottenham but there were still some tricky opponents left in the competition. We really needed a home tie in the draw which took place last night and we got it, against Crystal Palace which will be very tough.
Arteta will have to play a much stronger team in that if he wants to progress because Palace will go full strength.
By Kev.
Morning Kev, all.
Nice post Kev and like you, I so wish Annous had tucked his chance home. I don’t think it’ll be too long before he does.
In some ways although I thought Dowman probably had a case for a penalty claim and I think with VAR he might have got it , I was pleased that he didn’t as the media would have been all over the decision and his reputation as a diver would have been highlighted.
It was good to see these players get pitch time and Annous looks like with time he could be a useful addition to the subs bench albeit when Havertz returns his chances will reduce.
So next up away to Burnley currently 16th in the table with a poor away record but are a little harder at home . It will be interesting to see who starts .
One last comment , I think that Kepa is an inspired signing , for the first time in a long while I am not worried about our number one getting injured.
I had a similar thought re Kepa, we have two very good keepers.
Knowing our luck, when Havertz comes back Viktor will get injured so Annous might be needed. Plus we have the FA Cup which could present another opportunity, depending on who we draw of course.
Good afternoon Rico and all
Nice match report Kev. I was thrilled yesterday when I saw the names on the team sheet….although felt a bit apprehensive at the thought of seeing three teenagers in attack…Nwaneri, Dowman and AHA. Well, they didnt let us down. And like you I would have preferred AHA’s shot to have gone in instead of Saka scoring it.
AHA had a very good debut imo. While he was playing his heart out and gaining experience, Chido was down in his basement checking each and every pound of his wages.
I liked the Mosquera – Hincapie combo. Very young, talented and good with the nitty gritty side of the game. I am so glad they came to us. White, Mosquera, Hincapie, MLS have the look of a mean defence and while Noorgard was a bit off initially he was good once he settled down. Kepa was good as well behind them.
Hopefully there will be games in which Arteta decides to rest his first choice defence and rotate them. I feel that yesterday’s back 5 (gk inc) are as good as the first back 5.
Afternoon Devil, great experience for our young striker and the more playing time White, Hincapie and Mosquera get, Norgaard too, the better it is for the team.
Yep you are right. I will rest much more easier regarding our defence dept having watched them in action yesterday. That is a big plus for me.
I feel that Arteta now can rotate in certain games. Certainly not the whole department at once, although why not. However, I feel that it will be one player here, one player there…according to the games and fitness levels of player, whether they are in the red zone or near.
That’s what he’s been doing. It’s getting more difficult though as the injuries stack up.
Afternoon Gooners, thanks Rico, Dev, there was so much going on in that game yesterday I had a job keeping up, I’ve been used to Arsenal being in control, but I’m not complaining.
I thought that after a sticky start that Nordgaard settled into his job very well, last season he was playing every week, probably almost every game so it must be difficult to find your best form after so much inactivity, the same goes for Kepa, making that early save must have settled his nerves.
Ben White is struggling to find his best form, he’s a very dynamic player usually but all this stop start and niggling injuries have taken their toll on a guy whose probably played for us when he shouldn’t have, putting his body on the line for the good of the team but not for his own good, therefore I’ve got a lot of time for our Benjamin.
Afternoon Kev. I like Ben White too, a quality player who has struggled a bit after injury. Hopefully he’s fully recovered now and we’ll see more of the old White who was a superb right back.
Kev, Rico, Ben White is a footballer not a player so the skill will remain and he will come back at the same level with regards skill and mental sharpness. Whether or not he will come back fully physically remains to be seen and that we can only know as time goes by. If he plays regularly from now on, and I mean every week, he will get there within a month. But as you pointed out, this stop start is not going to help him. Ligaments, tendons and muscle suppleness will not become strong overnight. They take time to heal fully. It took Bobby Pires time to heal from two cruciates.
Its not the injury which scares me. From past experiences its the recovery, the rehabilitation and the reacquisition of speed which strikes the fear of the devil in me. Its the long road ahead which is dark. The pain goes after some time……but the recovery and rehab take eternity. And I shudder to think what professional players have to go through especially those who play in the EPL.
With regards players like Cazorla, Diaby, Eduardo (or even any player from any club, Van Basten springs to mind, who had to retire) I really empathise with them when they had to give up the EPL or football alltogether. Because when it dawns upon you that you are no longer at the level you were at, or that your body can no longer do what you want, that can be a real killer. I dont want to win against other teams because of injuries…..no I want to win against them when they all have their best players available. I never find satisfaction whenever any player, even an opponent, gets injured even if that gives slight advantage. No, I want to win against quality opposition. That way I can say I am the best of the best.
Sio fingers crossed White returns well, not only because he is an Arsenal player, but because the game needs footballers like him
All our players are footballers Devil. 😂
I agree with Rico but a good comment Dev.
I wonder if anything crossed the mind of Obi Martin if he was watching the Arsenal game yesterday, did he think ‘that could have been me?’ or did he comfort himself by looking at his latest bank statement?
Reap what he sows eh Kev, Chido must be kicking himself though..
Heaven isn’t getting as much game time either…
Yes Rico, all our playing staff are footballers thankfully. They are versatile footballers as they can play multiple positions.
Morning Rico, Dev et al.
Yeah, Arteta and his assistants not only coach our players they educate them so they are able to solve problems on the field, we probably have one of the most educated squads anywhere, if that makes sense?
Seems as if we’ve lost Martinelli until after the Interlull, although Saliba might be ok to play tomorrow?
One game at a time…
Good afternoon all from warm and sunny Malta, took
a boat trip round the Grand Harbour today and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Just need to find a bar showing the weeks end game.
Afternoon Kev, guys.
Enjoy Cicero, it’s tiddling down here..
Rest in peace Willie Young. You were one of Pa’s favourites.
That’s sad. Sleep tight Willie Young..
Another one as well………Its been announced that former player Colin Addison has passed away
Addison was 85. Willie was 74.
I remember dad used to love Willie Young. He also used to mention Colin Addison seeing they were roughly the same age. So its like Rocastle and Campbell with me, we were the same age and its easier to identify with them. Its gutting when they are the same age and they pass away younger.
Bow your head lad,
hear the cannons sound.
Time to take up the flag,
two Gunners are down.
Rest in Peace
73 is far too young these days…
New post up.