Morning all.
Mikel Arteta didn’t really spring any surprises with his team selection last night.
- Setford, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Sterling, Martinelli, Jesus.
- Subs: Raya, Nichols, Lewis-Skelly, Heaven, Partey, Rice, Trossard, Saka, Havertz.
I’m sure many of us would have liked to see Myles Lewis-Skelly start at left back but Oleksandr Zinchenko needed minutes. Timber had another run out which will have helped his fitness levels and in my opinion, it was the same for Bukayo Saka when he came on during the second half. I think the surprise for me was Thomas Partey coming off the bench when perhaps Josh Nichols could have, only because Partey’s body has been frail in recent years. Ayden Heaven was the last youngster to be given time on the pitch, other that Tommy Setford who made his Arsenal debut.
Mikel Arteta in his post match interview:
On the half-time subs of Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino…
That was planned. We have a lot of issues in the backline, we wanted to share the minutes because we lost Gabi, we lost Ben [White] as well on top of the other players so we have to make sure that we wanted to be competitive and we have to make sure as well that we protect players because we have a lot of games coming up now.
On Saka getting minutes…
Yes because one, he’s in the rhythm, he prefers to have that exposure, he travelled with us so he always says that once I’m here I prefer to play a few minutes as well to protect Gabi [Martinelli] as well because he had a very big impact in the first half so it worked out well.
Anyway, Arsenal made short work of Preston North End last night. 3-0 could so easily been 6-0 and Preston would have no justifiable reason to complain. I didn’t like the challenge on Gabriel Martinelli or Kai Havertz at all. Both were dangerous and on another day, either or both players could have been badly injured.
I read a line in one of the newspapers about Ethan Nwaneri and how football fans need to “remember the name” – well, if they’d have opened their eyes long ago, they’d have been writing such a thing a year or two ago at least. His goal was stunning, taken on his left foot in a similar fashion to the way Bukayo Saka does so often although the younger of the two fired his high and into the top corner. He nearly doubled his tally later in the game but whoever painted the woodwork put one too many layers of paint on the crossbar.
Our opening goal came from Gabriel Jesus and he deserved it. He needed it too. A free kick from the left, a knock down header from Jakub Kiwior and a nice volleyed finish from our number 9. Our final goal of the game came from Kai Havertz. The original cross had been delivered from Nwaneri but Jesus couldn’t get on the end of it, Kiwior then crossed again and this time Havertz got to the ball first and is head did the rest. The Preston keeper had no chance.
Other scoring opportunities came our way throughout the game but we had to settle for the 3. I think Sterling could have stayed out there until midnight and still wouldn’t have scored. That’s not a criticism of him but everything he hit was either blocked or saved.
What a special goal for them [the supporters] because we had 6,000 people here. It’s just incredible. Their commitment, their passion to come and support the team, it really made a difference so thank you so much to them. Mikel Arteta.
“Ethan Nwaneri, he’s one of our own” was all I could hear throughout the game. Brilliant! I don’t think it’ll be long before his name is one of the first on the team sheet.
The draw for the quarter-finals took place just after Man City had been knocked out by Totts.
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Newcastle v Brentford
Southampton v Liverpool
Totts v Man Utd
Fixtures to be played week commencing December 16th.
Man City had a tough old night apparently as already without Kyle Walker, Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish in their match, Manuel Akanji was withdrawn ahead of kick-off after picking up an injury and in the second half, Savinho left the pitch on a stretcher. They go to Anfield on Sunday.
We however, face Newcastle Utd at St James Park on Saturday at 12.30 with William Saliba back after serving his one match suspension and both Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka fitter than they were last weekend and a number of other players having had a night off.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning rico, all. Comfortable win, very strange for an easy watch, although I still was annoyed at constant tugging, tackle on Havertz and that push on a jumping Martinelli that was dangerous.
Appalled to hear some Stoke fans took micky out of Kevin Campbell’s son (playing for Sheffield Utd at weekend) over his dad dying. Lowest of the low, and I still dont forgive Shawcross and their fans reaction.
Morning Rico, good post.
You pretty much summed up how I felt about the game, Sterling actually had a decent game he just needs to put his foot through the shot and lift it into the roof of the net because he should have scored twice.
The Crystal Palace game evokes a few memories of cup-ties from the early 90’s, we were the cup kings at that time. With so much two-tier officiating in the Premier League maybe the cups are the way to go?
Afternoon Rico and all.
It’s nice to have a comfatable win, but no offence to Preston the are not exactly a top team.
Morning Andrew, Kev, Geoff all.
I detest Stoke as a club and its fans. Ghastly.
It was an odd game, too easy perhaps, certainly in the first half when it was more like an Arsenal training session. I know Arteta is being questioned over playing Saka etc, but I can understand why he did it.
Loved the Olay’s at the end…
Thanks Kev. Agree re Sterling.
They still had to be beaten Geoff and in years gone by, we’ve been caught out in fixtures like this one. Don’t forget we played a very different starting eleven..
The gulf between the teams was large but as a run out for a few of the fringe players it was handy . Jesus got the goal that he needed and Sterling had he scuffed a mis-hit might have joined him. Nwaneri advanced his claim for more minutes and we got to see a little more of our younger players . All things accepted a nice trip up north .
Hopefully we get another one this weekend after last year we owe them one. Referee: John Brooks. Assistants: Simon Bennett, Dan Robathan. Fourth official: Darren Bond. VAR: Jarred Gillett. Assistant VAR: Darren Cann.
A motley crew and as said earlier Liverpool’s Gillett for the 4th time in 10 games just makes you worry , so perhaps Kev is right a cup double would ease the pressure and change the dialogue from not having won anything to not having won the league or Champions league.
On another subject I see that Amorin leaves Sporting on the 24th November so we miss him on the 26th when we play them on the 26th but then face him 8 days later when we host United on the 4th December. Why do we always seem to get the new manager bounce ?
Good morning Rico and all
Ethan Nwaneri. 2 games in the starting 11 and 3 goals scored. He should be the first name on the teamsheet for all the remaining games in the Carabeo cup. Irrespective of who is fit or not. He should be trusted and if everyone is fit he should still be allowed to stake his place whoever we play. Imo, if he is put on the subs bench even for the final (if we arrive there) it would be a massive distrust in him as a player.
I agree with you Rico regarding Partey/Nichols substitutions. It should have been Nichols imo. Yes Maybe Partey needed that but why risk him?? I agreed with the whole initial line up, however i would have preferred the subs to be youngsters. Even with Saka, although it kept him match fit for NUFC.
All in all I am happy with the game, result. performance and the kids who took part in it as much as I was happy reading Rico’s report.
G’day to you all.
Thanks for the summing up Rico, very useful as I had seen only the goals. That one from Nwaneri was a stunner. I think that he’s ready to play a big part in the squad, but should not be put under too much pressure at such an early age. I’m sure that Arteta has plans to ease him into regular first team action but only gradually.
Agree, a perfect run out for those who needed it. Makes a change to have two opening favourable fixtures in this competition.
Potter, it’ll still be the same overrated players though. lol
Morning Devil. I strongly suspect Nwaneri will remain in the cup starting 11, possibly the FA Cup too.
Morning Cicero. Hope you’re doing ok….
I’m on the same page re Nwaneri. It would be all too easy for Arteta to throw him into the first team but he’s still growing. Same with MLS.
Much better now thanks Rico. My granddaughter came out of hospital yesterday evening and was delighted to get home. She will be taking medication for while but is expected to recover fully fairly soon. A great relief to all of us.
Massive relief Cicero. Asthma is a horrid thing to have.
Great news Cicero, I took my granddaughter and grandson bowling on Monday, we had a great time and they both thrashed me but the thought of either one of them being ill in hospital is a nightmare I can easily do without.
That’s a relief Cicero. Hope that she keeps on getting better.
Rico, I think that this year Nwaneri will begin the domestic cups as you said and also be a sub in the EPL/CL. However, if he continues on this trajectory I feel that eventually Odegaard will drop deeper in midfield which will allow Nwaneri to play in his position. Saka will not be displaced from the right wing unless he begins to play also on the left in which case is occupied by Martinelli. A wild thought…..avantgarde?? call it what you will…..does anyone see Saka moving centrally as a CF like TH14 did?? Remember he has got 50 goals in quicker time than TH. and he is still young.
Devil, Arteta has already said he’s a squad player and is ready so yes, we’ll see more and more of him. What happens from now on will be what will be..