Morning all.
Well, well, what a way to restart the season. Crystal Palace can be a tricky opponent for Arsenal but not yesterday. From start to finish, Mikel Arteta’s team was totally in control. Not even at 2-0 up was there a hint of a wobble, Not as far as controlling the game goes anyway but I think we’d all agree, we’ve lost or drawn games after playing better than we did yesterday.
Our first goal was superb. A lovely corner whipped in by Declan Rice was headed home by a dogged and determined Gabriel. There was absolutely no way anyone other than him was getting to that ball. The second came from another corner, this one whipped in by Bukayo Saka. Big Gabby was in the mix again and it was from his header we scored. Just because the ball hit Henderson, it doesn’t mean the goal should be taken away from our defender in my opinion.
The third came after a Palace attack which ended up in David Raya’s hands. Instead of dawdling, his early throw found Gabriel Jesus on the right a long way up the pitch. A couple of touches, a pass into the box for Leandro Trossard – he left Clyne stranded before firing the ball past Henderson. 3-0. Two late goals came from substitute Gabriel.Martinelli, both almost identical. Our winger ran at the defence, cut inside and slid the ball wide of Henderson.
Two things to take from that victory other than the 3 points is that out set piece routines were better. The delivery and execution. Our 3 goals from open play came from quick thinking and quick passing.. As said already, Raya’s early distribution of the ball to Jesus caught Palace out and for once, instead of going on his own, or being caught offside, Jesus saw Trossard in a great position and played his pass. Same with both Martinelli goals, early passes from Jorginho and Nketiah, meant he wasn’t crowed out. He could make his run into the box and shoot because he had space. Speed of thinking and passing is key to winning games.
In between Arsenal scoring 5 goals, Raya did well to make amends for what could otherwise have been a disaster for him. He messed up his pass out from the back before making a great save. Gabriel Jesus was pulled over in the box but his overly exaggerated fall to the ground didn’t help convince the referee or VAR that he been fouled. Trossard, Saka and Jesus had chances which they spurned and Rice hit a shot straight at Henderson. 21 shots, 6 on target but this difference in this game is that 5 chances went in.
After such a miserable festive period of results, a 5-0 drubbing of Crystal Palace was exactly what everyone who cares about Arsenal needed. A three goal cushion meant Mikel Arteta could make changes. Martinelli for Trossard and Emile Smith Rowe on for Kai Havertz. I could watch ESR all day long. His game seems to be positive and forward thinking. His movement and passing is about going forward instead of sideways or backwards and I truly hope this is his time. I’m not suggesting he should play for 90 minutes every match but certainly more than just 25 minutes from the bench if he’s now fully fit. Jakub Kiwior, Jorginho and Eddie Nketiah had time on the pitch too which meant Arteta used all five of his substitutes. Shock horror I know. The concerning thing though is that two were because of Declan Rice and Gabriel appeared to be injured.
Mikel on why Declan Rice was taken off:
He was feeling some tiredness. I don’t know exactly what muscle it was but when he says that at 3-0 obviously we don’t want to take any risks, and the same with big Gabi as well. He had some discomfort, he had a tackle in the first half and was a bit struggling so it was the right moment to take them off.
Ten days before Arsenal play again so hopefully both will recover in time for that game which is against Nottingham Forest.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico and all.
I’m not convinced Jesus deserved a penalty, the way i sore it, as soon as he felt someone touch him he went to groud, my concern is that sooner or later he will be reported for diving.
considering he has not scored a goal for some time, and he is becoming easy to read, what about dropping Saka and starting ESR .
Morning Geoff, he was pushed which in other matches has often ended with a penalty but Jesus has this awful habit of over exaggerating everything he does.
Good morning Rico, no doubt about it, a good day for Arsenal. Three points, a clean sheet and a welcome boost for our men’s goal difference, and another three points for our women who beat Everton 2 – 1.
Let’s not get carried away, overcoming a Palace side bereft of a number of it’s best players, while welcome, does not mean the end of our travails. Indeed Gabriel’s two goals from corners highlights our lack of a centre forward. Up until the point when our second goal went in the Palace low block tactics had worked very well in limiting the number of goal chances we were able to create. From then on Hodgson’s tactics changed, his players started to get a bit more ambitious in the attacking sense, beginning to leave space behind them. Once the third goal arrived they all but abandoned their good defensive structure and left themselves open to our rampaging substitute Martinelli, who gleefully took advantage of the gifts offered to him.
Other teams will take note, they will not get quite so gung ho, as Palace did, and will not be quiteso ready to commit hari kari.
Morning, very good report rico. I’m not sure how a player goes down is relevant. Players know that if they don’t go down on a push, they very rarely get a pen. It’s just noticed on our players when Jesus or others fall theatrically, because we don’t get the award. Rodri and others can fall at slightest touch, City get pen.
Morning Cicero, absolutely agree, there’s nothing to get carried away about. But for confidence, it was crucial we got off to a good start and that’s what we did. Still much which can be improved on though..
Morning Andrew, thank you. It shouldn’t make a difference as a push is a push but I find it embarrassing watching Jesus go over as if he’s been shot. Perhaps if he just went to ground naturally, it wouldn’t look like he’s diving..
There have been games where we played much better and didn’t score. The first two goals could have been disallowed. There was no longer any depth on the wings. The team is not “fresh” either.
There are 10 days left until the next game.
If we win 5-0 without playing much and without an eye-catching performance, I propose a new training camp in Dubai for a few days and then facing Forest.
I don’t think so Jm, both headers were just determined football, not a foul imo.
Interesting having been linked to him I took time to watch Solanke against Van Djik and Konate , hardly saw him ! On this performance he isn’t the answer.
Desperation brings up lots of names I guess with a proper striker seeming better than what we already have.
Winning really does shut the comments section down. 😂😂
I thought both goals from corners were fair goals,you can guarantee if they were at the other end the usual platitudes would have been trotted out – the defender has to be stronger,the attacker just wanted it more. I was worried VAR would overrule the goals though.
I had to laugh at Ivan Toneys comments about moving the ball for the free kick – we’ll you’re allowed to move it a yard in either direction. No way would he get away with bending the rules if he was an Arsenal player.
Nine days to deadline, and there’s not even a decent rumour about us buying anyone let alone a striker. 😕
Despite the cataclysmic yellow warnings for strong winds, the only thing we suffered was the loss of a lid from one of our rainwater butts.
BREAKING NEWS! BREAKING NEWS! The first snow drop has bloomed in the back garden. Spring is on it’s way. 😀
Ha ha Cicero, daffs are up too, not in bloom yet though..
I read a report that claims Oddegard is the one making the decision on how the corners are taking by adjusting his socks or by the placement of his leg, if true then we need to find another way of giving that order
New post up