Daily Bits and Bobs

Pepe gets going with the kids. Excellent night for Arsenal.

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Well I don’t know about anyone else but watching Arsenal last night was like a breath of fresh air. Molde were no walkover so let’s not forget that as we reflect on a big night in Norway when Arsenal secured their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League. Ok, the Norwegian club might not be at the level of the best around Europe but they still had to be beaten, and with a second string team.

The first half was all about our passing. Six inches to the left or right and our forwards would have been in on goal. Instead, there was often a Molde defender ready to intercept the ball. Frustrating, yes but at least the plan was in place. I thought AMN and Nelson worked well together. Pepe wasn’t doing badly either, just what he was trying to do wasn’t paying off. Like his curled efforts on goal but he was certainly working hard. Lacazette was all over the place, and not in a good way. Nketiah needs to learn the offside rule.

Halftime came and went with neither side managing to break the deadlock.

 

The second half was really entertaining as Arsenal stepped up the pace. Having rattled the crossbar with a wonderful strike just minutes before, Pepe gave us the lead with a cracker from the right which their keeper got a hand to but couldn’t stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. 1-0 soon became 2-0 thanks to Reiss Nelson. A ball from the right along the ground by Willock left our young winger with a simple finish. The kind Nketiah could really do with to give him a boost, but then he’d had some easy opportunities which he buried, only to be deemed offside. Finally, our third. From Folarin Balogun. ESR fed him the ball, one touch, turn and shoot. He made it look simple. His touch made him look like the guy with experience, made Lacazette look like the guy who is just beginning his senior career. Too many touches and the reluctance to shoot was his downfall again. One shot he did have was saved well.

I don’t know if Pepe was responding well after his sending off, or does playing with different players suit him better? It’d be hard not to admit that most of the guys on the pitch last night had far more energy than we’ve seen from much of the first team this season. Certainly during the second half.

Willock, ESR, AMN, Nelson, Nketiah and Balogun, still kids as far as experience goes, plus Saka, and there’s half a team. Tierney, Pepe, Bellerin, Gabriel, Holding, Martinelli, Mari, Chambers, Runarsson and Saliba – 15 players who are young and could be a part of Arsenal’s future for years to come. Then of course we have a glut of players either out on loan or coming through the academy. The future does look bright.

These are players who are young enough to be coached. Young enough to know they have much to learn if they want to be the best they can be. Not too arrogant to think Mikel Arteta isn’t a big enough name to manage Arsenal. As said before, not all of them will make it Arsenal but I’m sure they’ll make it somewhere.

A point against Rapid Vienna next Thursday and top spot in our group will be secured. I’m looking forward to that match already. More than our next match against Wolves that’s for sure.

See you in the comments guys.

 

 

 

rico

25 thoughts on “Pepe gets going with the kids. Excellent night for Arsenal.”

  3. allezkev says:

    Nice post Rico, we should really take maximum points from our last two games, the shackles can come off a bit more and with the hunger and energy our young players show we should be too strong for Vienna and Dundalk. Who knows, maybe Mari and Chambers can make their comebacks in those games, Balogun can get a start with a few other youngsters being bloodied?

    We now need to transfer those kinds of performances to the Premier League and it’s with the youngsters that that could be more possible, youngster don’t play in fear they play with an elan and a spirit that I don’t see with our more experienced and cynical players. The youngsters want to play, the older guys just want their next big contract…

  4. rico says:

    Thanks Kev.

    I hope we can wrap it up next Thursday so one or two more younger players can go to Dundalk. A bit disappointed Azeez didn’t get on last night but boy, what an impact Balogun made. Super goal I thought. Loved the Nelson goal too as it showed what can be once a player gets passed his defender and others arrive in the box at the right time.

  5. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the house.

    I have had a rottn week Rico but last nights game your post
    and some good comments by Kev Potter and oyhers have
    made things a little bit better.

    I am delighted for Reiss Joe and AMN for their performence
    in the game. There is still more to come from them and I think Mikel
    must give them more playing time.
    It was also good to see Balogun get on and score. I said last week he had got his
    mojo back and it has been a while since he scored a goal like that.
    Tonight it is the turn of the u23’s as they are at home to Derby.
    They are top of the table and are a very good team. It should be a very hard game
    but another win will see us climbing the table
    Hope its as good as last night.

  8. allezkev says:

    Jeorge Bird
    @jeorgebird
    ·
    40m
    Arsenal U23 v Derby: Okonkwo, Chambers, Mari, Saliba, Alebiosu, Akinola, Cottrell, Azeez, Cirjan, Moller, Taylor-Hart.

  21. Rick says:

    Finished 3-1.

    Mari played 45mins and looked pretty Good
    Very impressed with Cottrell and Taylor Hart.
    Derby played last 20mins with 10 men R/Back Red card
    Liked the look of our fullbacks Kev.
    Norton Cuffey sub for Mari is only 16 and was not out of place.

    Did you hear that Swanson is having a bad time on loan.
    I have read we are recalling him.
    I think things are on the up for us.
    Since we lost to Villa we have played the following games
    Gillingham1-1(won onPens)
    U23 Everton1-0
    U18 Fulham 0-0
    Leeds 0-0
    Mold 3-0
    Derby 3-1
    P6 w3 D3 For 8 A 2.
    Somebody doing things right me thinks

  23. allezkev says:

    Yes Rick, I saw that about Swanson, it’s good to see that the club act when our loanees aren’t being given minutes on the pitch, we’re far more proactive.

    I reckon that he’ll come back to the UK and go on loan to an English club, I think it’s a waste of time sending our youngsters to Holland.

    Yeah, I’ve read some good things about Norton Cuffey, the group he’s playing in is rated to be one of the best groups we’ve ever had in the academy, a lot of them have already signed pro deals on turning 17.

    Three wins on the spin for Bould now…

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