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 .
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.