Morning all.
I’ll get the pleasantries out of the way, two of Utd’s summer signings, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha caused us problems. Admittedly, some of those problems were of our own making as our full backs pushed too high up the pitch or got caught out of position, especially Riccardo Calafiori, but nevertheless Utd look a far better side with them in it. Benjamin Sesko came on late in the second half but didn’t really do a lot.
A new set piece routine on a Declan Rice corner ended up with Riccardo Calafiori nodding home the only goal of the game. A win at Old Trafford is a great way to kick start our season. Man of the Match David Raya made one excellent save from a Mbeumo header in the 73rd minute but otherwise, he was pretty comfortable between the sticks.
Let’s not kid ourselves though, we were average. A number of players weren’t at the races. Our midfield was lacking control and our attacking threat was pretty tame. But you know what, we still beat Utd at Old Trafford and ultimately, that counts.
Simon Hooper looked out of his depth. I know the officials in the Premier League aren’t up to much anyway, but some of his decision making was really poor. The worst was when Mbeumo I think it was, blatantly elbowed Martin Zubimendi in the face but Hooper did nothing. Many of decisions appeared random and he looked panicked throughout the game.
As much as Arsenal weren’t at their best, players didn’t allow themselves to be bullied. It was clear Amorim set his side out to get at Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard but our guys stayed strong. Disciplined at the back too, although with a few scary moments involving Myles Lewis-Skelly, but they did really well to keep a clean sheet.
Arsenal’s record at Old Trafford hasn’t always been good, in fact just twice in the last eleven occasions have we as a club come away with maximum points. So to go there on the opening day of this campaign and secure three points is huge. Massive as Mikel Arteta said after the game.
It’s a big win for the first game of the season coming to Old Trafford. You have the sense that they (Man United) want to build this momentum, this new energy with the new signings that they had, and to come here and get away with a win, it’s a massive result. I think we’ve done some very good things in the game, and some things that are not our standards , but I’m so pleased about the way we reacted to that. We reacted to mistakes on the day, and from places that are unusual to see, but that gave us the chance to win the game today.
I think we have to be humble in the way we did it, but at the end recognise that it’s really tough. I want to see how many teams come here and win the game. To win on the first day I think we have to come away happy with the result, and understand that we have to improve in many areas still.
Depending on one’s mindset, you and/or I can look at the performance and be critical or accept it for what it was, a tough opening fixture in a hostile stadium and we came away with maximum points. Fitness level aren’t at their peak yet, our new summer signings are bedding in and I’m quietly confident that we’ll get better and better as the weeks go by.
If I had one moan, or maybe two, I don’t like seeing Kai Havertz go to ground every time he’s touched. He’s not going to get a decision go his way, especially when it’s so obvious he’s trying to con the referee. Had he been paying attention from the dugout, he’d have seen we weren’t getting many decisions go our way when they should have, let alone when there was no decision to make. Myles Lewis-Skelly – well he looks like he’s suffering a confidence crisis. He’s gone from being a great left back to being a bit of a liability. Hopefully it’s just a temporary thing.
Anyway, three points aren’t to be scoffed at…
Next up for Arsenal, it’s newly promoted Leeds United at The Emirates.
Catch up in the comments…
Totally agree. Arsenal were not at their best yesterday but managed to hold on for a win. Yes bad refereeing by Hooper but are we surprised?!! For me, Martinelli should not be first choice. If Arteta wants to keep him, then Arteta should be asking himself if there is someone better out there who will help them win the league. The answer is yes, so lets stop being sentimental and get on sorting out that left side. Eze would be perfect and now that Trossard and Zinchenko are on their way lets get in there with Crystal Palace and get the deal wrapped up.
I’m all for a left sided player too. I’ve a feeling Noni will start against Leeds instead of Martinelli.
Morning Rico, good summary of the game.
I totally agree with Laura about Martinelli.
We need an upgrade but, unfortunately, I think Eze’s on his way to the Spuds.
Good morning Rico, all.
How any times in the past have begged for a win at Old Toilet? I’m as happy as Larry to get a one nil over United at on their own turf.
Despite what Arteta said pre-match about all but Jesus being fit, it was pretty obvious that a few were in no way match fit. Gyokeres, Madueke, Calafiori and Timber for starters and I think Ben White was struggling a bit too.
A weeks training, before we face Leeds, won’t cure the match fitness problems but it will help with the cohesion within the defence and promote the understanding between attackers and the midfield.
I do hope that Arteta will not become a new version of Tinker Man now that he has wider selection of players in his squad.
We where almost embarrassed by Mbueno due to both our left backs losing concentration and playing to far forward. Something Arteta needs to emphasise in no uncertain way in the coming weeks.
Thanks for another fine post Rico. 👌
Morning Anthony.
Thanks. My feeling is Noni is Martinelli’s challenger this season. I’d like to think we’re in for a left sided player too, especially if Trossard goes.
Well I will defend the player that is fast becoming the Jon Sammels of the modern time.
He played for 69 minutes and like many of our players was not effective , it would be interested to know how much time in that 69 how much time he spent on the ball . His service was poor he spent more time covering Calafiori than going forward . Mbeuno had the Italian trapped in the corner who got back and won the ball ? Again the same forward was one on one with Gabriel and just as he went to do his trick the ball was whipped off of his foot . Guess who did it ?
The guy doesn’t stop running and often overtakes our midfield when the other team is on the fast break because Mr tip tap has lost possession which he did a lot yesterday.
Shaw had Saka in his pocket , why don’t you all look at that this morning ? Was Rice playing ?
Havertz goes down easy ? You say that he should have seen the pattern of play , maybe so , but Fernandes and many others were down on the slightest touch and Hooper who had clearly been put there for a reason failed to get the required result because United were too poor to take the advantage that they had been given.
If we are to get the best of Gyokeres we have to play the wingers quickly , slow build ups for Saka to come inside is not the way , once the defence is back he is just as impotent as anyone else.
The world and his dog apparently want Eze but who are you dropping ?
He isn;t a winger and if you want to play him instead of Martinelli why buy Madueke ? Eze will come inside rather like a forward Zinchenko and we know how isolated our left defence was when he was playing.
Incidently in our final 25 minutes when the Gervinho lookalike came on did you notice how they concentrated on their right wing because they know that Lewis Skelly is not defensively aware and Madueke was not back covering .
Good points, lame going forward, sure Arteta is aware and will fix…VG was starved of any service poor Saka performance, typical poor Martinelli and an average, being polite, Odegard….Martinelli needs replacing and Odegard should not be an auto starter, personally would like to see Nwaneri or Havertz be used rotationally as they both offer something Odegard doesn’t or is poor at….generally, a poor team performance but 1st game and its the points that matter…
Great result,
Old Trafford was never going to be an easy first game,and they played well enough,Mbuemo especially. Raya made some outstanding saves.
We didn’t really create much but we had the toughest game out of the contenders (Newcastle had a difficult start but they could only draw) So to win with a clean sheet too is brilliant.
A little disappointing is how easily United seemed to cut through us,time and time again. A better team might have been able to punish us. Arteta will want to sort that out,controlling the game and minimising chances against us has been his big thing.
How good are Declan Rice’s corners ?
So hard to defend.
Morning Cicero.
I’d like a left sided midfielder to cover for Odegaard because I simply cannot see Arteta throwing Nwaneri into the mix should our captain be missing for whatever reason. I think Nwaneri will stay as a right sided option for another season with Madueke and Martinelli sharing the workload on the left.
Somewhere along the line, Jesus will come into the mix I guess.
I agree re Martinelli though, he never forgets his duties in defence but Madueke got back too, not as much as Martinelli though. I seem to recall a miscued clearance ending up somewhere not far from where he was.
Agree too re Utd players going to ground with the slightest of touches but I just don’t like seeing our own do it. We’re better than that I think.
Thanks Cicero by the way..
Good afternoon Rico and all
After the glee of yesterday’s win its time for match analysis fellas, which Rico here has done a good job of reporting.
I gave most of my comments yesterday during the game. However some other notes need to be addressed
Gyokeres, our CF did not get quite in the flow of things. And its expected. However, was he fed?? not much. How many times he was in the right place, Saka had the ball and the latter instead of squaring it to him was selfish, cut inside to shoot??? Was VG14 released centrally quite often?? nope.
How many times was Martinelli covering for Calafiori who went up the pitch and left open spaces??? Next time Arteta should have put Calafiori on the LW and MLS or Mosquera at LB. Or Timber. Calafiori used to play as a LW or CF in his youth days. So its natural for him to attack. But he needs to remember that first and foremost he is a defender.
So many are upset that we won. and am sooooooo glad knowing that they have a whole week at least upset that we turned the script on its head.
Just a 1-0 win against Leeds will suffice. And if this time Saliba scores I will have no complaints either.
Top top notch Limey, that’s what I think of Rice’s corners. Shame his free kick took a deflection.
Afternoon Devil, as others have suggested through pre-season, is going to take a few games to adjust. This is the first time this group of players have had a proper striker to work with..
Martinelli has for awhile come under fire from some Arsenal fans for being “selfish” by taking a shot instead of crossing the ball. I can only say that putting in cross when there is nobody likely to get on the end of it is a waste of effort.
Now that we have a genuine number nine, Martinelli will have a target for his crosses and we will see what a valuable player he is.
Cicero, I went on various sites and Martinelli was slated a lot. However, Saka, though he didnt have the best of games wasnt even grumbled at. No one mentioned his selfishness. But when Martinelli does the same he gets criticized. Go and figure.
Even Arteta yesterday, saw that Saka was off, but instead opted to leave him on and sub Martinelli instead.
As I said Devil the modern day Sammels.
Mikel Arteta revealed after yesterday’s game that Christian Norgaard has also picked up a problem.
“He had a little issue the medical staff will address,” Arteta said. “He wasn’t able to play today.”
No wonder he didn’t come on 😂
Porto exploring deal for Kiwior
Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth and Lyall Thomas:
Porto are one of a number of European clubs to have shown interest in Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior.
The Gunners are willing to listen to suitable offers for the defender, who has three years left on his deal.
It is understood there is a gap in valuation between the two clubs as things stand.
Hi All. Good read Rico. In the words of Jose Mourinho, “1-0, three points; 10-0, three points.” I agree with Potter and Devil, Martinelli ‘s defensive work is so overlooked by some fans it’s mind boggling. As though they don’t understand that the are two facets to the game: defense and offense.
Saka and Rice were both poor but escape criticism.
Martinelli tracks back and defends like a demon.He clearly misses that through ball from Xhaka but that will come with Zubimendi. ( We now have two technically astute midfielders)
Odegaard, another target worked his socks off.
We can’t afford another first half of the season where Rice isn’t up to speed.
Ethan wouldn’t have been able to handle the physical nature of MU.
Hooper was absolutely appalling! Not one mention in the co commentary of MUs 12th man’s decision making.🤬
Thanks Obi, what do you make of Madueke so far, you rate him highly don’t you?
I think Neville highlighted the elbow into Zubimendi Susan but you’re right, Sky today are all about ‘should Utd have had a penalty” Utd got what they deserved in the end, nothing.
Hi Rico, I do. I think he will do well for us. Just like with everyone else, about five games in that’s when we I’ll see their qualities. I believe Arteta will get the best out of him, he’s a very good player. Some fans wanted Kudus last season, I rate Madueke ahead of Kudus. We just need to grind out victories for the next 5 to 6 games.
Hi Obi, I liked the look of him against Athletic, full of energy and has a good cross in his locker. I think for Zubimendi and Gokyeres it was a “welcome to the PL’ game, once they all settle, I’m optimistic we’ll be so much better.
It’s amazing really, certain players can work like trojans, but all their efforts are overlooked if they don’t score, which after all has to be the primary role of Martinelli, but I’ve seen other players who don’t cover themselves in glory and then hit the net and everything else is forgiven.
It’s not the economy stoopid it’s the goals.
And yes, I’m stoopid
I just looked on Sofascore at the stats from yesterday’s game . As a direct comparison in The full match Saka had 40 touches whereas Martinelli in 69 minutes just 14 and some of those were defensive . Is it anywonder that he seems to panic when he does get it .
If our left side was focussed on as much as our right, Martinelli might be more productive. Reminds me of the days of Walcott, albeit on the other side of the pitch. I still think he’d be more effective playing central with through balls for him to run onto.
Either way, as others have said before, give it to him early and he might score more.
When I recall Wilshere and Ramsey who was the more effective midfielder, which one was more of a fans’ favourite, it was Aaron wasn’t it, and why?
Both had long periods out with injury but Ramsey scored goals and that gave him the edge.
For me Wilshere was the better player but he never got enough goals…
Didn’t Lacazette work harder than Aubameyang? Didn’t he link up play with the midfield and battle like a champion, meanwhile Aubameyang strolled around. But Aubameyang scored the goals and everyone loved him until the end, the goals slanted peoples views, but goals are the game!
My favourites were Wilshere and Lacazette…
Playing like this, with this performance and with this team, we’re not title contenders.
There’s no point in resorting to subterfuge. It’s reality.
Jm, it’s week one.
Good Morning everyone
I never really liked Aubameyang. Neither before he signed for us nor when he was with us. I didn’t want AW to sign him because I knew that he would disrupt the team. I was thrilled when we got Lacazette but equally rejected Aubameyang.
🟨🟥 Jarred Gillett has been appointed to take charge of Arsenal’s home Premier League tie against Leeds United on Saturday.
Morning Devil, all.
Gillett? ☹️
Gillett? Not the sharpest blade in the box. 😉
Good morning Rico and all.
Gillett, the Liverpool fan given the Arsenal game with Liverpool coming up next?
Didn’t he referee Arsenal the last game before Liverpool last season and Saliba missed the Liverpool game because Gillett sent him off?
The fix is on…
Think about the above if you believe that the PGMOL is unbiased and not verging on corrupt….
I have been banging the drum for corruption in the EPL esp where refs are concerned for years now. The problem is that unless someone spills the beans or intercepts emails full of document proof, its literally impossible to prove.
We need to be smart against Leeds then..
Gillet was VAR that day I think and recommended a red instead of yellow.
That’s right Rico, still was a suspicious influence.
But you’re right, we need to be smarter in these games, I mean we picked up a couple of stupid yellow cards at OT on Sunday, let’s hope they don’t prove costly.
Nothing more frustrating than getting yellows for time wasting but we do take our time over throw ins because our players seem to move into a position and stand still . Maybe our set piece expert could spend some time on a routine or two.
how about putting in long throws from anywhere around the pitch instead of waiting for an opening or someone to release himself??? yes even when we are in the defensive third. A good long throw can send the ball high up the pitch by about 30 yards. yes we might lose possession (might???) however a good long throw is very similar to a long lofted pass. You can send it but you are never sure if you will keep ball or lose it. And long throws in our half should always be parallel to the length of the pitch or slightly diagonal but never square.
We were always coached that if nothing else was on , throw down the touchline as most times the defender puts it out and you gain yards.
Something else that winds me up is when a player picks the ball up and there is a pass on he waits for the full back to arrive by which time the chance has gone. It should not be beyond anyone to take a quick throw.
Our time taking throw ins will bite us on the backside at some stage, either a player already on a yellow will be “chosen” or the numbers will add up to a suspension eventually. I bet Gillet keeps a close eye on the time against Leeds…
That’s my point Kev, the on field ref produced a yellow, just as the ref did the following day for Chelsea..
Exactly Potter that’s my point. I was always thought to throw it down the touchline or a bit diagonal. Now if we put in a long throw the defence would stretch because they know that from a throw in one can never be offside. That is why I would go for long throws each time.
From Daily Cannon
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano reported that Lookman’s proposed deal to join Inter Milan is at an end, with no agreement between the Serie A club and Atalanta.
As a result, Lookman could move elsewhere, with Romano suggesting the Premier League is the destination to keep an eye on. There’s nothing advanced at the moment, but Arsenal are a possibility.
“For example, let’s see what happens at Arsenal,” Romano said. “Arsenal are very happy with the squad they have right now up front. In terms of age, Lookman is probably not exactly the profile of player that Arsenal usually sign.
“But maybe if Trossard decides to leave in the final weeks, that could be an opportunity.”
The report by The Athletic states that a ‘significant’ pay rise has been awarded to the former Brighton winger, having reached an agreement on a contract adjustment – increasing his salary, but not extending the time of his deal in the capital, with a contract until 2027 still intact for the attacker.
So Tross stays then. No more signings I guess.
I don’t understand why he needed to be given a pay rise though…
Don’t want Lookman, I’ve never really rated him and can’t understand the fuss around him.
Alexander Isak says his relationship with Newcastle “can’t continue” and “change is in the best interests of everyone” as he accused the club of broken promises over his future.
The Magpies striker, who is wanted by Liverpool and is currently training away from Newcastle’s first team, broke his silence on Tuesday night, releasing a statement on Instagram in which he said he has “lost trust” in the club.
Isak said: “I’ve kept quiet for a long time while others have spoken. That silence has allowed people to push their own version of events, even though they know it doesn’t reflect what was really said and agreed behind closed doors.
“The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. To now act as if these issues are only emerging is misleading.
“When promises are broken and trust is lost, the relationship can’t continue. That’s where things are for me right now – and why change is in the best interests of everyone, not just myself.”
I don’t think we will sign anyone else now Trossard seems to be staying.
Glad to see Trossard staying, the pay rise should give him a kick up the proverbial and no settling in by another newcomer, sensible business to me. Maybe the guy we want isn’t available and Leo staying buys us time?
Wasn’t convinced by Rodrygo, had my reservations about Eze, I don’t rate Lookman and Semenyo is too pricey.
Now let’s see if Berta can sell a couple, but hopefully now Kiwior will stay as well?
Have we sold anyone yet? 😉
re Trossard,it’s been a total turn around by the club as I believe we are having great difficulty selling the players not wanted,at this moment none , so Trossard becomes a stop gap for a season or two a sub but with higher wages.Makes a mockery of the way some deals are done at the club. Anyway good luck to him if he remains focused on the job not the money.
It’s been a turnaround by Trossard surely, the club offered him a new deal initially before we went on tour so the club hasn’t changed it policy over who it wants to stay, but maybe Trossards new agent has looked around and told Leo that Arsenal is the best gig in town and he’s taken the pay-rise after all and everyone, or most everyone, is happy.
Makes perfect sense to me..,
Tavares and Marquinhos I think Cicero… 🤣
Morning guys.
There’s a new post up now.