Morning all.
December 2022, the last time we played Brighton at The Amex Stadium. New Year’s Eve to be precise and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were top of the table, four points ahead of Man City in second place.
Brighton would have been full of confidence having knocked us out of the League Cup just a few weeks prior, but no sooner had referee Anthony Taylor blown his whistle to start the game, Arsenal were 1-0 up through Bukayo Saka. Martin Odegaard and Eddie Nketiah were next to score giving us a 3-0 lead. Kaoru Mitoma pulled one back for the home team, but by the time they scored a second, Gabriel Martinelli had already scored our fourth. A superb result which took us 7 points clear of Man City who’d drawn 1-1 with Everton earlier in the day.
After the game, Mikel Arteta said that the gap at the top of the table “means nothing” if Arsenal slip up, and “our only focus is again to improve”. He was right of course as his team did slip up and around this time of the season.
Draws at Anfield and The London Stadium, both after being 2-0 up, was followed by a 3-3 draw against relegation threatened Southampton at The Emirates Stadium. The latter was after being 2-0 down but that meant we’d dropped six points so when City thumped us a week later, our League title hopes had been smashed to pieces in April.
April is full of tough fixtures, tonight against Brighton being no exception. In fact between now and the end of season is tough let alone April with many fixtures in a relatively short period of time between all of them. Still, only one fixture matters today and that’s tonight’s.
I’ve not seen much of Brighton this season but De Zerbi is a good coach who’ll have his players organised and ready to fight for all three points. They’re still chasing down a top 6/7 finish to secure European football again next season which is remarkable really considering the players they sold in the summer but they’re smart. Brighton sell for big money and then replace those who’ve departed for less. I bet they’re having a right old laugh about Moises Caicedo….
Enough kind words about Brighton, we need three points off them.
The only doubt for tonight’s game is Bukayo Saka. When Mikel Arteta was asked about his fitness and if there is any concern about Bukayo burning out towards the end of the season, he replied:
We will know with our training session in a few hours. We will know whether he is fit or not.
I’m super positive, I think he’s going to fly and be so decisive. Because he’s so strong, how much he wants it when you talk to him and how excited he is about what is coming, he wants to be there. He’s getting better and better and it’s normal to have little niggles. You have kicks and he’s gone through a lot of that in the last two or three years and look at the way he’s performing.
If Saka doesn’t play, we have other options. Reiss Nelson, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard – all can play on the right as can Gabriel Martinelli. Fabio Vieira deputised for Saka too not that long ago but I don’t think that worked very well.
Personally, I don’t think we can afford to take risks today as on their day, Brighton can beat most teams in the league if not all. Yes we play Bayern Munich in a few days time but that’s then, Brighton are now and in my opinion, it’s the now which matters. Let’s not forget, Brighton have lost just once at home this season and that was back in August.
Catch up later.
I am abroad but I Wii follow the game.
I’m with you Rico, strongest possible side, which means no Jesus and no Zinchenko. We need everyone to stick to the script not go wandering all over the pitch
Yep Cicero, I think Kiwior will start and Jesus for his defensive work perhaps.
Too many silly fouls from Jesus when he’s, supposedly, defending. Rico.
Palace 1 – 1 City.
Canaries one up against Ipswich.
Afternoon Rico and all.
City being helped by the ref and var, palace 1- city 2 a must win tonight for us
I know Cicero but Arteta likes him.
Hi Geoff. I bet it’s Gillet. Lol
City 4-1 up now, more pressure on us to win.
See you a ko, walk time…
Canaries win the Old Farm Derby 1- 0
I agree strongest possible team,the players will be up for Tuesdays game anyway.
The only question is the fitness of Saka and Martinelli. Saka doesn’t miss many games so hopefully he will be alright.
Hopefully we go back to the top,then tomorrow we are all Man United fans !
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard, Jorginho, Rice, Saka, Havertz, Jesus.
Cicero right about Jesus and fouls defending … he also draws too many stopping our momentum. That’s not even counting his running into multiple defenders in the box when we all know that he is never, ever going to get a penalty.
Quite disappointed to see both Jesus and Zinchenko start…
Could so easily be 2 up by now.
Make that 3-0. 😂
How are we not leading!
Beggars belief really..
Hope it’s not going to be one of those days
I’m surprised that was given..
Well done Jesus! I’m glad he’s in when no Martinelli, because of his quick feet giving a threat. Saka becoming a very good penalty taker, but I always worry and pray!
Brighton are targeting our left side in the knowledge that our left back probably won’t be there. When he loses possession higher up the pitch he doesn’t have the pace to recover.
Rico, I’m always surprised when we get any VAR decision. Felt we should have had one earlier. Smith says, not enough in it, just two arms.
Well done Jesus for drawing the foul and winning the penalty. Well taken by Saka.
Agree Cicero.
Andrew, I thought var would overturn it so yes, a nice surprise.
Better finishing and this game would be over by now.
Great save from Raya.
This is too close for comfort imo.
Brighton have only lost one match all season at home, so a win would be a massive result. Saka back on form.
Never, ever gets a penalty !
Aside from that brilliance… Jesus has looked better battling on the left side of their box. His shot was on target as well…. Combining better than the last couple appearances. Maybe I should have credited him more for being rusty recently?
The half-time pundits have also picked up on Havertz’ ongoing difficulties.
That’s the third wasted chance by Jesus.
Jesus is certainly better today but I look forward to seeing Martinelli coming on. 😂
Slight exaggeration Benjamin!
We needed that.
He’s good that Havertz bloke… 😜
Jorginho 👏
Havertz!!! Our Fuchs in der Kiste.
Using squad well, Tomi to keep that left side tight now hopefully
Lovely finish! Perfect weighted ball from Havertz. Great result 3-0
Now’s the time for Viera and protect Havertz from a late booking. He’s suddenly very important.
Excellent performance in the end..
Three goals, clean sheet, three points and top of the league. Who could ask for anything more? 🔔🔔🔔
Havertz has found his home I think. Took time for him to find his feet after being at Chelsea but boy, he’s proving to be worth every penny we paid for him.
Watching Gabriel celebrate his block with those around him says so much about this group of players. Love it.
Well done!
I have to admit that I was somewhat underwhelmed when we signed Havertz, he seemed to be an expensive fish out of water and carrying the twin burdens of a high transfer fee and a not high reputation as a goal scorer.
However, he has worked hard and gradually cemented his place in our starting eleven. Now his confidence is sky high and he is proving to be a valuable addition to the squad. He is not a player who will allow himself to be bullied and is entirely capable of dishing it out a bit when the need arises.
As Rico says, worth every penny!
Nice win especialy knowing city won earlier, and now the pressure is back on Liverpool, Raya picking up a few clean sheets this season.
Morning all.
New post up.
Cicero, you and me both. I truly believed the club had been conned by Chelsea but my goodness, I was so wrong. Really hope he can avoid another booking until the last game of the season…