One change, game changed. Busy day expected for Arsenal

Morning all.

Football, a game of two halves. Six words which have been used to describe an Arsenal teams performance for a few years now. Yesterday was little different. The first half was horrid to watch, at least it was for me.  Luiz could have been sent off, Berge definitely should have been sent for an early bath after his challenge on Aubameyang which really was nasty. The elbow to Elneny’s face was deliberate, of that I’m sure. Just watch the Utd player before he delivers his blow. If that’s the dirty tactics Chris Wilder is happy to deploy then I hope his and his teams bad run continues for the next eight months.

To say Arsenal struggled to get going would be an understatement. The first half was just awful. The group of players looked liked strangers as nothing they tried worked. Sheffield Utd weren’t any better by the way. Aubameyang’s shot from distance was the closest Arsenal came to opening the scoring, A good strike which the Utd keeper tipped over the bar.

Early into the second half and Mikel Arteta made the change which changed the match. Off went Eddie Nketiah, on came Pepe. He, Aubameyang, Willian, Elneny and Bellerin – all involved in the build up to our opening goal. Saka with the header at the back post. A lovely move from start to finish. Our second goal was all about Pepe. Superb. More of that and his critics might hush a bit.

It was a bit of a bum to concede late on which made the final minutes a nervy affair but we held on for all three points. Gabriel was a solid as a rock again.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X0LRQA3F0b4

The funny thing is, as much as in parts the game wasn’t brilliant, I usually believe we have something special up our sleeves. Don’t ask me why as I don’t know but often, that moment arrives. Perhaps it just stems from the enthusiasm Mikel Arteta has for the game, the belief he has in himself and his squad. We know things are far from perfect both on and off the pitch as new players are needed and others need moving on but those little moments of magic like we saw yesterday keep me believing that things will be fine. Just not yet and perhaps not always after two tough away fixtures to Liverpool.

By the time the Aston Villa v Liverpool match finished, our performance and result seemed better than it perhaps was. Old Trafford saw a potentially good game, ruined by the referee who decided one player deserved to be sent off after Martial retaliated to Lamela’s initial elbow to his face/neck. The whole incident added weight to the question about why wasn’t Mane sent off against Arsenal. Seeing Utd get thumped 6-1 would ordinarily be wonderful to watch, however, it was that lot down the road who dished it out. Later in the day though, well that was hilarious. Villa must have thought Christmas had come early. We wore them out for you Emi.

After the game Mikel Arteta was quite optimistic about getting a few deals done today.

“I am confident we know exactly what we want to do. We are trying our best to finalise the deals. Let’s see what happens. I cannot comment [on players]. At the moment there is nothing definite.

 

“I cannot discuss the players we want. We recognise certain positions we are short in numbers and quality. I’m really happy with the players that I have, that is my job. Whatever we can add, of course we will try to do it but we have to be realistic. It’s a give and take. Whoever jumps on the boat will be welcomed. We all share the same ambitions, we have a clear direction.”

 

“Believe me that the ownership, the board, myself, are doing everything we can to maximise the resources we have to improve the team and to sustain and keep the players that are in this club to make this club successful. I have 100% backing from them. It’s not just words, it’s reality. Whoever knows me, if it wasn’t like that I wouldn’t say it but I say it because I feel it and it’s true.”

This guy is being linked to us.

Bobakary Soumare. A 6’ 2” box to box midfielder who plays for Lille. Apparently he was left out of the squad which played over the weekend so he’s either injured, rested or on the move. His contract expires next summer so I suspect Lille would rather cash in whilst they can. Hopefully Arsenal are in France handing over some money.

Kicker report that Omar Rekik could be on the way to Arsenal. If he arrives today, he’ll join Per Mertesacker’s academy along with the other younger arrivals this summer.

French Football News report that Arsenal have accepted a loan without option to buy offer from Hertha Berlin for Mattéo Guendouzi.

Sead Kolasinac is also expected to leave the club today after being left out of yesterday’s squad. Personally, I think we’ll see a few loans go through before 11pm. How I wish Mesut Ozil will be one of them.

See you in the comments guys.