Morning all.
Renee Slegers squad made the short trip across London last night to face West Ham. They off to a rotten start with a Daphne van Domselaar own goal but it wasn’t long before the scores were level thanks to a Frida Maanum goal. At half-time, Maanum was replaced by Stina Blackstenius who soon made it 2-1. By the end, Arsenal had had five goals on the board thanks to Caitlin Foord and Alessia Russo. An excellent result for Slegers and her team.
Premier League football returns today but don’t get too used to it as before we know it, internationals will be back again. Not one player has returned from international duty with a niggle, small or large. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus remain out but everyone is in contention to make the squad. Yes, even William Saliba who has been involved in training this week. Whether he’ll start or not, Mikel Arteta wouldn’t confirm but the fact that’s he fit is great news.
So, we face Nottingham Forest in a couple of hours. In this fixture last season, Bukayo Saka gave us an early lead before Thomas Partey doubled our lead just after half-time and then Ethan Nwaneri made it 3-0 having come off the bench late in the game.
Forest made 14 signings in the summer which is incredible as far as numbers go. I thought our 8 was a lot. Mind you, maybe our needs weren’t as great as Forest moved 22 on including those on loan. Ex Arsenal player Omari Hutchinson is one of their new players. Forest paid a reported £38m for him as well as £30m for James McAteer. But they sold Anthony Elanga to Newcastle Utd.
Forest also have a new manager in Ange Postecoglou, a many born in Greece but moved to Australia when he was 5 years old. The first manager to win silverware at Totts in years but then got the boot for being successful. Crazy eh…
Mikel Arteta on Ange:
With Ange, his biggest strength, in my opinion, is the way he’s been. He has put his fingerprints on that team, and he has a very clear way of playing, very clear DNA and are extremely good to watch. I’ve learned a lot from him, and it will be a very difficult game. The moment the game starts, after five minutes, we will see very clear behaviours, what they want to do, and that’s what we have prepared.
Postecoglou on his game plan:
I do like my teams to play exciting football and score goals and get fans excited. I’ve got to convince every person in the building about what we’re trying to do on the back of them doing something a certain way and having success that way. It is fair to say it’s not going to happen overnight; it’s a process that will take a little bit of time, but never at the expense of competitiveness. None of my beliefs are going to get in the way of us making sure the team is prepared to win on a Saturday.
Many of us talk about wanting a bit more pace and flair to our football, well that’s the way Big Ange set his team up at Totts but defensively, they were shocking. Forest have been disciplined under Nuno and now that’s likely to change. If Forest go at us, it could spell disaster for them. Whether the big fella has had enough time with his players to change their approach I’ve no idea but to go from being a compact, counterattacking team to something very different overnight is a big ask. Hopefully one which leaves Forest confused and disjointed.
How Mikel Arteta’s team plays today is more important than Forest because if our players are on form and click, we should win. But, a new manager bounce can catch any team out, Mikel Arteta and his players need to make sure it doesn’t happen today.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico,
I don’t think Saliba will play, with Mosquero in the squad, why risk him?
I don’t suppose Ange would recognise half his team if he bumped into the in the street, he certainly won’t know their names and won’t have much of a clue about their abilities. A good time to play them!
We should just stick to our game plan, play the game at our chosen pace and score a few goals. Simplest! 😉
Morning Cicero.
I don’t think Saliba will play either but I’m sure glad he’s back training. Saka not far from returning too.
I think we may see Merino start today, he scored a hat trick for Spain this week.
Team to play Nottingham Forest:
Raya; Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze
Subs: Kepa, White, Hincapie, Martinelli, Trossard, Nwaneri, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman
You are right…
Not a word I often hear from my wife. But don’t let her know I said so. 😉
Good day fellas. This lineup shows how deep the team is now, and plus a strong bench. Theirs no excuse for Gyokeres not to have at least a brace. He should have an unbelievable level of service today.
Afternoon Rico and all.
Just started watching us play live for the first time this season, looks nice weather
Afternoon Geoff. I had my first Tim Tam yesterday, very nice. I thought of you..
Odegaard’s shoulder again…
Zubimendimagnificent! 1 – 0
The problem with TimTams is you can’t only eat one and before you know it the whole packet is gone. What a brilliant goal
Ha ha, I stuck to one.
Stunning strike
Obi, he’s not getting much though.
Nice first half, we held them to only one good chance, I think we are going to score more goals in the second half
Was Odegaard fit? That shoulder injury seems to be still a problem.
If Odegaard going to have a shoulder injury concern for the season then maybe he needs to strap it up like we do in oz to our football players for support
Dominant , nice volley but still slow on build up . Gyokeres only getting scraps . Maybe Martinelli for Eze after 60 ninutes , competition for places .
However, when he gets service.. 🤣
2-0
Viktor G taps in a lovely Eze cross 2 – 0.
Speed and Space and Gyokeres scores
This might sound bonkers but Zubimendi reminds me a bit of Fabregas
Exactly
that’s the second half start we needed, but nearly let them back in nice save by Raya
Rico @ 1:21, the build up has been slow. I with that lineup, the should play faster. And as I say that he scores.
Agree Obi, as Potter said, speed things up and he gets a chance which he buries.
smart time to change players why risk a second yellow
Whoever let the drums in, excellent decision 🤣
Rico, Potrer was spot on.
Madueke has been electric. Different player from Saka. He can go right, left or straight head.
Without Havertz, Saka, Odegaard and Saliba; and Rice, Trossard, Martinelli are on the bench. Quality squad, we definitely have to win a major trophy.
Brilliant Zubimendi
Zubimendi with a header. 3 – 0
Best squad in a long time Obi.
Madueke is going to make it hard for Arteta to drop him for Saka.
Three goals clean sheet three points. Top of the league. 🔔🔔🔔
Ha ha Cicero.. re the earlier about being right. I missed it..
Nwaneri is going to make it difficult for Odegaard too.
great win, we controlled the game, we looked much better when we attack, i would give Madueke man of match
Good afternoon winners
Rico….the drums should have been allowed a looooooongggg time ago. I went to the Match Roma vs Lazio in 1983. And the atmosphere was electric with drums etc. They create quite an atmosphere and quite different than to what you have been used to in the Uk
Great win. And as many pointed out, Arteta is going to have difficult decisions to make. Madueke, whom I was against joining, will be a contender for player of the season if he continues like this. Nwaneri will firmly cement his place.
3-0. Clean sheet. 3 points. The only thing I find a bit letting me down is that we scored only 3. I wanted 5 or 6. Which we should have had imo. Forest offered nothing imo.
The new boys were terrific Zubimendi, Madueke and Mosquera.
Gabriel made it seamless for Mosquera. This squad has leaders all over the pitch.
Who was captain today after Odegaard went off??
I like the drums too Devil. Adds more to the atmosphere.
Obi, I reckon Saliba will make life easier for Hincapie too when he makes his debut.
At the end it was quite a run out to try different things , the Basque midfield pairing was immense while Zubimendi is getting the plaudits Merino just knitted things together and helped Nawneri when he came on . There was something about today that was different ,””Entertainment is back “” maybe but earning the right to be on the pitch certainly is.
Everyone on the pitch has to impress, there is no place for hiding or just drifting through , it is a very strong squad. If you don’t perform you are off until to earn the right to get back on.
Amen to that…
Said similar to a friend of mine earlier about Zubimendi and Merino. They were both great today..
Ok, I was a little frustrated at half time, Merino missed a great chance and with composure and a better final ball we could have been home and hosed at the break – is that too harsh?
The problem for me is how we dominated so many games last season and ended up squandering points.
Anyway quick ball to Eze and a composed accurate cross from the same saw Viktor score. You know all I hear from commentators is how few touches Vik has, well I don’t care as long as his touches are touching it over the line…
We still had a few issues at the back making things far more complicated than they needed to be.
But Zubi got the crucial 3rd, the first double of his career, is he being given specialist coaching to improve his scoring.
Odegaard is a worry even though we didn’t miss him.
That volley by Zubimendi, Goal of the Season?
3 points. Excellent!
Tuesday, Champions League.
We must fulfill the tradition of laying a bouquet of flowers at the “Pichichi” statue.
Did not know about that tradition , but I think the golden boot winner in Spain is called the Pichichi .
Don’t “they” say that Kane barely touches the ball but he scores goals….
Which one do you prefer for Zubimendi…..Xavimendi or Zidanmendi 😅😅😅
Rico, I see where some may compare Zubimendi to Fabregas, but Zubimendi is more technical. Fabregas was more ability and skills. Zubimendi is more of Paul Scholes or Alonso. His technical skills is on the next level. I have always said that there are trained footballers and gifted ones, Cesc was gifted.
Scholes Obi? What are you smoking? 😜😜
Zubimendi’s style is like Fabregas imo, I think we’ll soon see he has a similar passing range too. As for ability, I’ve forgotten how good Cesc was. Lol
Goodness knows how Totts haven’t been given a penalty on their last corner.. Fernandes the guilty party.
West Ham’s defending at corners is reminiscent of the old tag-team wrestling and Spuds are just as bad at attacking them.
There must be a penalty soon and a few bookings. Other than goal-mouth shenanigans there’s not much going on and little quality on show from either side.
2 – 0 to the Spuds, Hammers a truly a bad team.
3 – 0 the bubbles have burst and the Hammer”s fans are already walking out.
Great result,we really are outstanding defensively. I was pleased to see Gyokeres goal,set up by a first time cross from Eze,that shows a player whose confidence is sky high.
Gyokeres is doing so well too,considering he didn’t get a proper pre season.
We just need Burnley to stop Liverpool tomorrow,fingers crossed.
I think Zubimendi’ style is more similar to Xavi especially tactical positioning. Something which Fabregas was not much disciplined in. Otherwise his technical level is very similar as you all pointed out.
Potter for the sack soon I think..
With a capital P I hope.