Morning all.
The press, no, not the buffoons who stir trouble in the newspapers but the football press. Without it, Martin Ødegaard wouldn’t have scored.
Arsenal harried the Olympiakos players, caused the error and gained possession. Footballing perfection really.
I know I moan a lot about the mistakes we keep seeing but that’s because these guys are professional and they simply should be doing better. Both defensively and in attack. The simple passing should be, well, the clue is there, simple. Passing to a player who is already being marked is foolish. Playing the ball across our own area is something most of us who played the game at any level learned from a young age and probably in any team sport.
All of our players should be scoring more goals than they are. Aubameyang could so easily be chasing down Kane for the golden boot IF he’d taken just 50% more of the goal scoring opportunities which have fallen his way. Pepe would be well into double figures with the same theory applied and possibly Lacazette too. If Elneny and Ødegaard’s goals proved anything it’s should be that shooting from distance is not to be discouraged. Two spectacular long distance goals are just as pleasing, if not more, than the ‘perfect’ goal. Without them on Thursday, we’d have a much trickier fixture next week that’s for sure.
I liked Gabriel’s too. The balls to basically tell his captain to push off, this one is mine. Three goals, three different players. It’s what’s been missing for Arsenal. It’s all very well berating our front men but our midfielders and defenders should be chipping in more as well. After all, it’s a team game and front men are expected to do their bit in defence.
I’ve watched that YouTube clip several times now and not just to see the goals. Look at the reaction to the goals. The substitutes are off the bench to celebrate with those on the pitch. Watch Dani Ceballos after Mo Elneny scored. His reaction says it all.
Mourinho has already begun the mind games ahead of this afternoons kick off. Kane with an ice pack after their win on Thursday probably fooled no one and as for his ‘I’m only looking up’ comment, what a chump he is because behind that lot are a few clubs trying to overtake them. Liverpool, Villa and yes, at a push, Arsenal too. Maybe he meant he’s only looking up for a different reason.
Today against his team Arsenal can’t afford to make mistakes. Certainly not defensive ones because Son and Kane will be ready to gobble up any goal scoring opportunities presented to them, especially those we serve up on a plate. Bale too.
Mikel Arteta on our last derby, back in December:
The last game, we started really well, we were dominant and the first time they went over the halfway line they scored. That’s the quality, they are a well-organised team, a big threat in every counter-attack situation, great individuals skills and great organisation. You can see the team fights and believes absolutely in what the manager’s ideas are, so it will be a really tough game.
If I remember that game rightly, we lost because of errors in midfield, certainly initially. Partey had been brought back into the team, too early as it transpired because it wasn’t long before he was hobbling off again. Today he should be a lot fitter and ready to boss the battle in midfield. ESR, after getting a few minutes under his belt on Thursday will hopefully be back in the starting eleven and ready to get our attacking play ticking again. We’ve missed him I think. Despite his goal, Ødegaard needs to make make way in my opinion and Lacazette needs to start. I’d love to see Martinelli on the pitch too but I think that’s probably wishful thinking.
Arsenal need a win. For the points obviously but also because it’s a NLD and we simply cannot let them do the double over us. We all know the way Mourinho will set his team up as he’s been doing it for years. Mikel Arteta will know I’m sure so hopefully, this time, his players won’t be undone by it. Arsenal need to get going quickly, press hard and fast up front, force the defensive mistakes and capitalise on them. But be very aware of the counterattack.
Mikel Arteta, the fans too, need to see a big performance by every single player who steps foot on the pitch. Regardless of how this season has gone, this is a North London Derby and if any of our players can’t motivate themselves for this one, they don’t deserve to be playing for The Arsenal.
COYG’s
Good morning to you Rico…it’s matchday!!!! And not just any matchday 😄 The last time we beat that lot was the 4-2 back in 2018, so I’d say a win is long overdue!!
I have to say I wasn’t very impressed with MA moaning about us playing away and them being at home on Thursday. Don’t make excuses, just get out on the pitch and do the talking!!
I’m really nervous but what better way to get us in the mood than watching this:
https://youtu.be/A9AeynFOh7A
COYG!!! 🔴
PS.. Auba’s 2nd goal in the 4-2 is my favourite goal of his 👌 Loved Gary Neville’s reaction!!
Morning Sue. History suggests we’re not good after a European game. I agree, quit the excuses, just play football.
Can’t say I’m feeling very confident.
At least Unai Emery won a Derby eh.
Talking of him and that match, he didn’t tend to rely on the clock for his changes did he? I wish Arteta would be bolder sometimes.
Yes and in style, Rico!!
I do too.. rather frustrating waiting until 70+ minutes to bring someone on to change the game. It’s like having Arsene back 😄
Hopefully today will be 3rd time lucky for Mikel… boy, I’d love to see Maureen with a face like a smacked arse 🤣
Elneny came on the other day, most questioned the move, he scored, but what would Arteta know 🙂
Morning all.
Oh and we will be winning today.
3-1 to the good guys 😉
Just going to keep occupied until kick off , less stress and keep my mind off of it. Sun’s out but it’s still cold but got work to do as always.
Hi Rico and all As long as our backline talk to each other and Leno learns from his mistakes then we have a chance to course an upset
10-0 to us today. Auba will score 9. Willian will score 1. And Willian to get 10 assists as he will be assisting himself as well
I just simply wish that today everything will fall together, all players find their shooting boots and all players are ruthless. And we play direct football. plus we stand our ground and don’t do any silly mistakes.
So that and Mourinho will hide once more in the clothes bin.
Very much so Sue. That’s our last NLD win isn’t it?
Hi Geoff.
There’s an interview with Mikel Arteta coming up on Sky Sports News for anyone interested.
good morning!
Can u-23 be relegated ?
Devil,, do you coach Floriana, Sliema, La Valetta Fc, Hibernians …?
Hope we win today
Eric Dier claims Bukayo Saka has been underrated this season ahead of Arsenal vs Tottenham .
Well that’s target on his back .
There are two divisions in the U23’s and yes, you can be relegated.
Afternoon Rico and the House.
I hope the sun is shining on you all.
Looking forward to todays game.
I hear Matinelli is not in the squade today
Team News: Leno, Cedric, David Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney, Xhaka, Partey, Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Saka, Lacazette
Afternoon Rick. He must be injured then.
Sky mentioned Auba and disciplinary reasons….
Like the line up… COYG. Shall I pull the sofa out?
So we have oldest and probably slowest central defender up against a pacy attack. Hope that works…
Auba dropped for having a non Covid tat inked on his hand! It’s all getting a bit old school mastering, imo. There’s control and there’s control. Perhaps a little over the top in reaction. But, you Covid rules are Covid rules, aren’t they?
He won’t be scoring 10 goals today that’s for sure! Soz Devil! 😪
Lacazette would be a satisfactory replacement, for the 10 goals of course.
3-1 to the reds.
I don’t Sue, not if ESR is shunted left again.
Pleased to see ESR starting.
If Aubameyang had a tattoo done while supposedly in lock down then he deserves to be disciplined, dropping him for such an important game is the right thing to do. Breaching Covid regulations puts everyone at risk. He’s is on the bench though.
I didn’t expect to see both Odegaard and ESR in the same starting eleven.
Gabriel Martinelli is not in the squad to face Tottenham today. The player is fit & doing well in training. Arsenal rate him highly but it’s a selection decision. [
@David_Ornstein
] #afc
He will come on as a sub and score 3 in the last 10mins
Rico I donot think Martineeli is injured
According to the Telegraph this morning we have no squad members out through injuries. Maybe it’s to give Martinelli’s bench seat a much needed rest. 😉
Wavy….I never said Auba will score ten. 😛😛😛😛
and there you have it…..the story of this Arsenal team. Lots of possession. 6 shots (all off target) to show. They have just slightly less than 40% possession and they score with their first shot on goal.
Odegaard with the equaliser
Odegaard makes it 1-1 with another shot from outside the box.
And that is our first shot on target.
Same again 2nd half please
Plenty if shots, hitting the post twice and we should be up by at least 1, but to fight back and score was a great sign.
We are tearing them apart wide on occasions-Saka and ESR look dangerous every time they’re on the ball.
Come on lads!!!
Well that’s an improvement, an entire half of football and not a sign of a suicidal brain fart. Two shots hitting the woodwork and then a beauty right on target.
Yes Rick but without the Spuds scoring. 😉
We should be 4 up..
Just seen Rick.
Mourinho’s plan is as boring as heck. Tierney and ESR have been excellent. Saka too. All were missing is goals and more movement. Too many times Luiz and Xhaka have had to go backwards or sideways because we’re too static in their half.
A half-time sub. Well shiver me old timbers. 😂
yep we should at least be halfway to 10 goals. 4 or 5 won’t make a difference.
And at least no brain farts the first half.
Just to point it out for the knowledge with everyone….a shot which hits the post is considered a shot off target.
We have had 9 shots off target.
Saka has been subbed. Pepe in his place.
Odegaard had the balls to shoot. And in Lampardesque style it cannoned off Arsenal fan MAtt Doherty.
Who cares. That still counts as 1
LACAAAAAAAAAAA 2-1 up
Excellent pen from Lacazette
Nailed on penalty. Lacazette sends Loris the wrong way. 2 – 1.
Get In Yes
still 8 more to go.
Mourinho has gone from 4-3-3 to 4-5-1 in a bid to contain Arsenal’s midfield.
No more than that dirty little s***t deserved.
Dirty b*****d Lamella sent off.
now we will get Mourinho defending Lamela and blaming the tea lady bar his player
Don’t think he will Devil, his face said it all at the time.
WINNNNERRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
We deserved that.
Job done.
Gee we gave away a few naive fouls towards the end, just to make things interesting 🙂
He should stop looking up and watch us coming up
We deserved more than that Rico. For all of our possession, superior amount of shots and overall positivity against the Toots’ negativity.
Rico, Mourinho knows that his players deserved the red…..but he will not admit it.
Kane did not even have a sniff today. Bale was subbed.
All the talk will be about Kane having a goal, rightly, ruled out for offside and hitting the post with his free kick but one will mention him putting another free kick way over the bar and that sums up Kane’s contribution to the game.
A great result, bring on Olympiakos.
2-1, although welcome and I am happy about it, is not a fair reflection on our game today. we were more positive than the Spuds, and although Xhaka got the customary yellow, we still got less than the spuds who got 3 yellows and a red.
We concentrated and saw out the game in a fully professional manner.
Now off for the bragging rights….starting with mum in law.
We’re our own worst enemy Devil. Before they scored, we could have been 4-0 up.
Then we commit silly fouls towards the end. Nerves I reckon.
We hit the woodwork twice too..
Lamela was sent off, there must have been 11 v. 10, but the entry of William unbalanced the team and was 10 v. 10 …
Saka injured at halftime?
Finally, we exceeded 40 points.
Yesterday, C. Palace beat the WBA with a penalty that I couldn’t find any difference between two unmarked balls at Burnley-Arsenal. Is there a rule or does it depend on the discretion of the referee and the VAR? Is it a matter of being happy with the referee and the VAR? Or a question of humor and good or bad disposition?
North London is red baby!!
I know what I’ll be wearing tomorrow 😉
Nice one boys!!
Next up Wham , we are edging closer, need United to stuff them and a few injuries and a red card . Then get 3 points and in the words of the prophet “ it’s up for grabs”.
Happy then Sue? 😂
Considering I’d been a nervous wreck all morning, Rico, yes! Very happy!! We turned up, no messing around, took our chances and sent them packing!! And find ourselves slowly creeping up the table…
Well, Rico, our week from hell has turned out pretty darn good so far, hey?! 🥳
Testing
When will Refs start giving cards to Kane.
That foul on Gabby he commits every game and gets away with it.
He is going to cause a bad injury if they don’t
I bet MOD do not show it tonight
Ditto Sue although had we taken our first half chances, our nerves would have been settled long before 95 minutes. 😆
The shove into the hoarding Rick?
😄 We wouldn’t have it any other way, Rico!!
Kane is a dirty sod… but he’s also the golden boy with an mbe!!!
I would Sue. Lol
Hasn’t been the same for English international strikers though, Shearer, Owen, Vardy Rooney, Rashford etc, none ever did or do wrong.
Yea Rick, Kane is a scumbag and a protected species, all at once.
I missed the match but watched the 20 minute mini match and by the looks of things we could have won that by more goals, but from what I sore we seem to look better with out Auba. mean while Odegaard seem to be settling in well. The best part was watching Kane have his goal called off side.
Good morning everyone
Sun is shining on the colour red. Bright.
Yesterday’s game and the previous one have shown one thing…….we are finally getting players to shoot from distance. ESR and Soares both hit the post from such shots. Elneny and Odegaard scored from distance as well. So maybe the shooting culture is creeping in as well. Long may it last.
Morning all.
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/03/15/an-nld-with-drama-but-arsenal-bossed-it/
Thanks for the link Rico, I’m needing it today.
It’s ok now Rico…