Morning all.
Before switching to Kev’s match review, no sooner had I asked Alexa to play Radio 1 this morning, “Up The Gunners” boomed back at me. Greg James, an Arsenal fan himself, was talking to today’s quiz contestant, also an Arsenal fan.
Another Arsenal fan, Eberechi Eze, stole the show yesterday with his hat-trick but this was a great team performance from start to finish. A blip for their goal admittedly but not even that should dampen our mood.
The surprising defeat of Manchester City at St James’ Park allied to another capitulation by the champions at Anfield left the title race open for the Gunners to really hammer home the advantage that they hold over their rivals. The opportunity wasn’t lost on Mikel Arteta as he weighed up his options, with some of his most important players becoming available to him again.
The International break had been fairly painless to Arsenal for a change, with the notable exception being the loss of our defensive leader, the King of Brazil, who is now in exile for ‘weeks’ according to Arteta. Fortunately, Mikel had some pretty tasty alternatives in his squad who could step up to the plate and fill the void left by the man who gives his opponents ‘hell’.
With that in mind Arteta surprised me by picking Piero Hincapie rather than Mosquera as Big Gabby’s replacement, at least that’s how it appeared to me. However, the man from Ecuador didn’t put a foot wrong to such an extent that I forgot that Big Gabby wasn’t even playing. Alongside him Big Bill became the defensive leader and he was absolutely peerless.
On the bench we had the welcome return of Gabby Martinelli and Noni Madueke, but that was that. No Odegaard, no Gyokeres, not yet anyway, but the line-up was still strong with the likes of Eze, Saka, Trossard and Merino posing the main goal threat to the enemy and they didn’t disappoint.
Trossard seems to be leaning into his inner Mo Salah and having the best season arguably of his career, how can Arteta leave him out of the team even when everyone is fit? Mikel Merino intelligently drifted across the attack and into the ‘hole’ leaving Tottenham’s three centre backs nobody to mark, his link-up play was invaluable.
Tottenham came to N.5 with the best away record in the Premier League, organised and resolute and despite almost piercing that defence in the opening minutes when Declan Rice was put in on goal by Eze, the Arsenal had to be patient for most of the first period.
Incessant Arsenal pressure had Tottenham pinned in their own half but only had a Saka free kick going wide in the opening 30 minutes to show for their domination. On 33 minutes Bakayo got another one on target this time but Vicario saved, then on 36 minutes Arsenal kicked in the door.
Timber, who has this ability to suddenly stop when on the ball leaving his opponents static and wondering what he’s going to do next just did that and drew four Tottenham players to the ball. He then slipped a pass to Merino who lifted a pass over the Spurs defence where Trossard had smartly timed his run. Leo pivoted, spun and poked the ball home with the Tottenham defence in tatters.
From then on it was chaos for the Spuds as wave after wave of red shirts descended on their goal. Timber again went on a strong run on 41 minutes, fed Declan Rice who slid his pass to Eberichie Eze, Ebbs just glides and he slipped past two bemused Spurs defenders before beating two others and blasting the ball into the net. Tottenham somehow held on for H/T.
Arsenal had pretty much dominated the first half so I expected a response. Thomas Frank sent on Simons, went to a back four and Tottenham then conceded a 3rd goal. Timber again played in Eze who again showed exquisite control to thrash home his 2nd goal, could he get a hat-trick?
Martin Zubimendi, who had had an excellent game up till then, got caught in possession on 55 and with Raya off his line the angriest man in football lobbed him and what was a cakewalk suddenly became a contest. During the next 15 or so minutes Tottenham began to play and the crowd became slightly less happy and more anxious. Arsenal though, showed maturity at this point, we’d been here before. On 72 minutes, Saka found space in the Tottenham box and spun to shoot on target but Vicario saved, 2 minutes later, Timber went close from another Rice corner then on 76 minutes Merino and Trossard set up Eze and boom, he became only the third Arsenal player to score a hat-trick in a NLD after the legendary Ted Drake and Alan Sunderland. Eze almost made it four goals two minutes later!
Tottenham were now completely beaten and Arteta finally made a few changes, probably a little later than he should have done given what’s in store but this was the NLD. On came Madueke (Trossard) on 78 to loud cheers, on 88 Mosquera and Nwaneri came on (Hincapie & Merino) and finally we saw Myles in added time (Calafiori).
Arsenal played out the remaining minutes untroubled even when their was some pushing and shoving, my only regret is that Arsenal didn’t equal their 5-1 record home score against the Spuds but I can live with that. Four goals from open play, thrashing the team with the best away record in the Premier League – are you watching up there in Manchester?
We march on….
By Kev.
Morning Kev, all. Good post Kev.
95 minutes of joy. Loved it..
Good morning to you both, I’m still buzzing.
Even though Oliver succeeded in getting his mug on the screen too much he didn’t manage to do us any real harm, for which I’m grateful. 😉
Morning both, your post says it all, Kev.
Apart from a slight wobble after Richarlison’s worldie, complete stroll in the park. Probably the easiest game of our season so far. Not surprising all the Spuds had left well before the end.
Morning Gooners: Morning Rico, Alexa knew what you wanted to hear. 😁
Morning Anthony, I think we are so good that we sometimes make it look easy, but Mikel knows Thomas Frank now, reads how he sets up his team and will have made a mental note from our pre-season game against them as well.
Morning Rico and all.
Nice write up Kev, that was one of the best performances I have seen in while, the media didn’t know what to say about our performance, so they blamed Toot’s ex manager Ange for it.
so happy for Eze to score a hattrick in any match is hard but to score it in a derby is even better, and then Eze interview after the game was all about his teammates.
Morning Cicero, considering the occasion I think that Oliver kept as low key as he possibly can, I thought the yellow card to Rice was harsh but in general I didn’t notice him and that’s how we all want officials to officiate.
I don’t know if it’s my imagination but I sense that Arteta, the coaching staff and the players are making an effort to be chummy with the officials and it seems to be having a positive effect.
Thanks Geoff, I’m not sure how accurate this is but I’m sure I heard someone say that Arsenal have won the last four NLD’s and that’s some kind of a record?
When you consider some of the great players who have played in this fixture it’s surprising Geoff that Eze is only the 4th player to score a hat-trick in it.
Good morning winners who take it all
At work having a field day seeing I am the only Gunner here and there are two spuddies. Having the time of my life in the staffroom.
Well done Kev. great match report.
Chummy with the refs?? While it works I dont want to…..because I feel we have enough to batter all the teams in the EPL. We dont need the refs help, they should make sure to ref the game fairly and equally according to the rules. And use the rules for everyone equally not one for us and a rule for all the others.
Thanks Dev, but maybe we kinda antagonised them in the past meaning 50/50 decisions and even 40/60 ones didn’t go our way. You need to use every tool at your disposal mate.
Morning Cicero, Geoff, Anthony.
I’m still buzzing too. One of the few mornings it’s a please to watch sky sports who clearly dislike Totts more than us.
Good old Greg Kev. Lol
Nice one Kev/Rico
Yeah,a real team performance,there seems to be a great team spirit amongst even those who didn’t get on the pitch.
Spurs had no answer,if it had been boxing,it would have been stopped to avoid punishment.
Given the nature of these games when Spurs scored out of nowhere,nerves crept in. Not Eze though,his hat trick goal was perfectly timed. He could/should have had a fourth. 3 – 1 would have flattered Spurs,4 – 1 was more like it. It’s amazing there has been so few hat tricks in this fixture.
Things are looking good now,although we’ve been in this position before,I hear the last 3 times we were top at this stage we didn’t win the league. I’m sure Arteta won’t allow any complacency.
We have such competition for places,if we ever get to a situation where Gyokeres,Trossard,Madueke,Havertz,Martinelli are available at the same time we will have a very strong bench at least.
I suppose the only drawback is the likes of Nwaneri,Dowman aren’t getting any minutes. The season is long though and with the way we pick up injuries we might need them.
The team against Bayern Munich will be interesting.
I saw Oliver with his had on Eze’s (I think) shoulder and both were laughing. Think you are spot on about our relationship with the officials Kev.
I got nervous for a while too Limey but as you say, Eze soon settled my nerves.
Loved the interview with Eze after the game and his reply to being asked about how he could have ended up at Totts in the summer. lol
Who was to blame for their goal ? It’s Arteta ! It’s his tactic to use Raya as a supplementary sweeper and it was only a matter of time before that goal would happen.
Kind of reminded me of Ronaldinho and Seaman although this time it didn’t matter.
As the goals went in the crowd got more and more into it and by the end it was full on party time .
We were looking at our injury list and the subs bench as we drove home . You have to ask who drops off the pitch and then the bench when they all come back.
What a squad we have got.
Good point Potter, it’s kind of a chicken v egg thing imo.
Hopefully, this squad will be available post Christmas so the fade doesn’t repeat itself.
Yeah, the goal we conceded was definitely a lapse, but it’s risk vs reward and Raya playing the sweeper allows us to press the opposition in their own half. Ultimately if Zubimendi doesn’t dwell on the ball Tottenham don’t score.
Did anyone else find listening to Henry annoying? Talk about loving the sound of his own voice. Great player and all that but….
Cheers Limey, we’ve got a few cup ties coming up soon, MLS, Ethan and Co will get some minutes in those, maybe Jesus and hopefully Nordgaard who must have splinters in his derere.
Rico, I wonder how Greg is these days?
Yes Rico, I saw Eze laughing with Oliver and I thought ‘that’s it mate, chat up the ref’ 😉
I often think of him Kev, strange how he suddenly disappeared. Like a few really…
If it’s good enough for other club players, it’s good enough for ours Kev. Shouldn’t have to I know but it’s the only way we are ever likely to see a bit more fairness…
Yeah Rico, so many old bloggers have moved on, maybe to X or Facebook or Tik Tok.
Exactly Rico, we have to show the officials more love. 😁
On being chum chum with refs. Years ago I used to ref intramural basketball games. One game there was an all white team playing an all black team. Needless to say that the black team had superior athletes who were just waiting for the NCAA to authenticate their eligibility. At half time the white team were down by about 40 points. I go to the vending machine to get something to drink. One of the players on the White team goes, ” ref good game,” you want something? I go apple juice. He gets two and gives me one. I’m like humm, does dude know thay are down by 40? So a week later, I ref one of their games. One black player on the other team, who’s their best players, goes to one of the opposing players, “white boy, you can’t guard me.”. I threw him.l out of the game right off the bat, instead of givinghim a tech. What’s the point? Human relations always win. Arteta “chumping up” to the refs was golden. Ref discretion is huge in sports.
Not Gillet though Kev 😜
So is favouritism…
Well he did give us a penalty at Newcastle Rico, he just allowed the VAR to change his mind, but next time I think we’ll be alright. 😉
Rico at 4:59. No it’s not favoritism. It’s 50/50 discretion. Lol.
Fingers crossed Kev.. lol
Ha ha Obi..