Morning all.
Yes, it was ‘only’ Standard Liège, but this is a club which has won numerous league titles in Belgium. It’s an experienced football team which a ‘second string’ Arsenal despatched with ease. A 7-0 scoreline would not have been flattering had that been the final result. As it turned out, we had to settle for just the four. I do however think Arsenal took their foot off the gas in the second half.
Mustafi is often on the end of criticism for the way he defends but last night, with the ball at his feet, he looked up, looked left and played a wonderful cross field pass to Nelson. Nelson then played it to Tierney who whipped a lovely ball into the box and Martinelli headed home our opening goal from a very difficult angle. Writing it makes the goal scored sound simple, but it wasn’t and I’ve seen far more experienced strikers make a right hash of a header from that kind of angle.
The Brazilians second was equally as good but very different. Another move down our left, another ball into Martinelli, this time from Nelson after some good work on the left, another goal. His first touch was excellent, his little move to bring the ball onto his right foot was perfect, his strike, a beauty.
Over in the dugout, the beaming Aubameyang smile spoke volumes. He was clearly impressed, and happy for our Brazilian.
Joe Willock could have made it 3-0 but instead of getting his head to the cross, he opted to use his right boot. Over the bar it sailed. He soon made amends though with a calm and clinical shot past the Liège keeper after an initial shot from Nelson was blocked with the ball ending up at his feet.
Our fourth came from Dani Ceballos, the assist from the Brazilian Martinelli from the right. His cross simply couldn’t be missed and it wasn’t.
Four very good and quite different goals. Three different scorers which is refreshing. Nelson, Willock and AMN have all seen plenty of Premier League action this season, it can’t be long before Martinelli is awarded his first start. He could so easily have scored more as just cms we’re between his boot and the ball as Tierney whipped in yet another cross.
He’s quick, strong, his movement off the ball is excellent and he’s dangerous both in the air and with the ball at his feet. He’s proof that a players price means very little.
At the total opposite end of the transfer fee scale, Pepe is finding life in England a tad more difficult but even so, I find it hash, perhaps ridiculous really that already his price tag is being used to knock his value for money. He may not be scoring goals but I don’t think anyone can say it’s through lack of trying. Let’s give the guy a break eh because I’m convinced that once he gets his first, the rest will follow.
Much is being made about the absence of Mesut Ozil, understandably really because if Unai Emery doesn’t think he deserves to start in this competition, as he’s been quoted as saying, then my guess is he’s not working hard enough. Either that or Emery simply preferred the more industrious Ceballos.
There are so many positives to take from last nights match. The three points of course which keeps us top of the group but other, perhaps more important things too. The togetherness of this relatively young group. The return of Hector Bellerin, our captain for the night, who played the entire match and looked to be enjoying himself. Kieran Tierney too, who excelled going forward but will face far tougher tests on the defensive side to his game. Even so, I thought he was bright, busy and his crossing is superb. Nelson too was very good, as was Joe Willock who together with Torreira in midfield looked more than assured in his role. But I don’t think any player can be criticised after last night nights performance, I really don’t, not unless the purists out there want to find fault for the sake of doing so.
Yes, Martinez might have misjudged one cross but for the rest of the game, what little work he had to do, he did well and even though we played out from the back, the scary moments were few and far between. Perhaps that was down to better movement from the players receiving the ball from our number two keeper.
Whilst certain players caught the eye more than others, they often do when a goal comes at the end of something good good, Holding, Mustafi, AMN and then substitutes Pepe, Aubameyang and Guendouzi carried on putting the Belgian side under pressure but Pepe couldn’t get that first goal from open play and Aubameyang couldn’t find his fiftieth in Arsenal colours either.
Both will come I’m sure.
Goodmorning Rico and everyone, one player can be criticized anyways, and that AMN. But the game was awesome. Can’t believe Barca and Man U missed their chance to sign Martinelli after trials with both clubs. I feel we are being compensated by the brazil after loosing Eduardo to the nasty legbreak. The players are alike to me, martinelli is just some inches taller.
Morning Mexy, all.
Amn, really?
Good day sunshine, good day sunshine, good day sunshine.
Thanks for the post Rico…
Actually it cold and grey and very miserable out, but the sun is shining on Arsenal.
Emery has been rightfully questioned and criticised recently over some of our tactics and selections in the EPL, but yesterday he got it right, so kudos to him.
The players looked energised, enthusiastic and motivated, full of youthful running, quick turnovers and rapier like attacks. A bit different from Man Utd’s dire 0-0, Wolves’ very late 1-0 and Rangers getting beat.
Whatever our season holds in store and whatever you think of the manager, he has gone with the youngsters and it’s been refreshing, because the 1st team are turgid.
Now whether that was in his plans or his hands have been forced by Raul moving on Monreal, Iwobi, Mkhitarayan et al, I don’t know, but it’s good to see and I want to see more of it?
Martinelli looks a real gem, I don’t think it’ll be long before he is regularly introduced via the bench, into the 1st team as a dangerous impact sub.
Holding is just what we need in the centre of our defence, tall, calm, intelligent and with a touch of the BFG about him, albeit a bit more mobile.
I keep on hearing us being linked to the French centre back with the unpronounceable name who plays for Leipzig, but I’d rather see us spend that £50m on a top quality defensive midfielder because that’s where our need is greatest.
I’m with you Kev re the midfielder.
Same coach, yet two very different approaches to the game from the first team and the ‘second’ string. Is it simply that who we play against are of a lesser quality, or is The it the younger players, who are ego free, play with far more passion, with less fear and certainly more enjoyment.
Ceballos looked happier playing with the players last night than he does on a PL game, or at least I thought so.
Good report rico, morning all.
Kev, don’t forget, we have already bought one French centre back who will join next year. Who from the current crop will partner him?
Wondering if Ozil, deemed not good enough for previous game, had sulks about turning out with 2nd string?
Thanks Andrew. Holding I reckon, with Chambers in the mix perhaps.
Yes AMN @ Rico, he didn’t do enough to stretch the play in the first half when we were on total cruise control, he was constantly running into the box with martinelli instead of spreading. And his passes to bellerin were inviting for defenders with the wrong ideas, too long and probing.
@allezkev I actually feel so too. We need a proper DM. I even dont mind David Luis and chambers play the DM position for now ahead of the crappy Xhaka
Hi Andrew, no mate, I’ve not forgotten about William Saliba, especially as he owes me a fiver!
St Etienne are also in the UEFA Cup, so that’s a game that’s almost meant to be…
I like Ceballos Rico, although I wonder how hard we’ll try to get him next summer, depending of course on if he wants to stay at Arsenal?
It’s notable that there’s so little mention of Ozil today…
Mexzy, I have to admit that I’m not sure what to think about either Luiz or Chambers playing defensive mid, did Chelsea use him there that often, I’m not sure? Chambers certainly made an impression at Fulham, their player of the season, I guess that Emery doesn’t see either of them in that position as it stands, he’s tied to Xhaka. I notice that Emery celebrated with Xhaka, after the 1st goal I think, so there certainly seems to be an affinity there, even if it’s only on the surface.
Fair enough Mexy.
I like Ceballos too Kev and I hope we can sign him permanently. The media are making a lot of Ozil not playing but they started that yesterday after Emery said that other players deserved to start more than him.
Why then did Emery make him one of the captains, such a bizarre decision.
The average age was 22 including Mustafi and Martinez both 27. I am getting worried for AMN he appears to becoming the popular whipping boy. He didn’t play badly last night,nobody did! It was a refreshing demonstration of youthful team play . I would rather watch that every game than the turgid offerings our first team have served up lately
As much as Mustafi gets criticised, one has to admire his attitude. Booed in the summer, cast aside by Emery in the PL and yet comes back to play in the Cups without fuss. Oh, he’s playing ok too.
I think it was the easy decision Rico, can you imagine the media if he’d not made him one of his 5 captains having had him as one of the 5 last season?
To me it’s a non story, the kind of bollocks the media peddle when there’s not a lot else to make a fuss about, but I have to say that Ole has a haunted look in his eye, why don’t those tossers focus on Yanited…?
I’m glad to see Mustafi playing so well Rico, it increases his value and makes his a more saleable asset. Good for him and good for us…
Newcastle vs Man Utd at St James’ Park this weekend could be a good bet, £10 on who gets the tin tack first, Ole or Brucie?
Still a daft one Kev and it still feeds the media as he hasn’t an ounce of leadership qualities in him.
Agree re Mustafi, it’s a win win really.. For him as much as the club.
Potter. Well said. Any sports player doesn’t need to be outstanding to do well, or steal the headlines. Parlour was no world class footballer but a lot of what he did went unnoticed because he was a simple no fuss footballer who was key to our midfield on many occasions.
I see AMN as being very similar, he’s not flash but I think he works hard for the team and does a lot of good things.
By the way, I too would much rather watch the team from last night than our first team. No egos, much smiling and a group of players who all seem to be enjoying playing together. No sulking when subbed either and wasn’t it refreshing to see Aubameyang, a probable £100m plus valued striker, grinning from ear to ear as Martinelli scored…
It’s Emery’s job to use the good that is coming out of the Cup competitions and deploy it with the first team. He still has a chance to turn things around as the Arsenal fan base are an understanding lot. Ahem.
But he really has to rouse the players to much, much better performances than the nonsense they’ve been serving up for far, far too long.
Equally, should the senior players themselves not take some responsibility and use the attitude and performance on nights like last, to inspire their own performance?
If they’re up to it then yes they should Rico.
Maybe the Bournemouth game, being only a few days after yesterday, will be the last time we’ll see the team that flatters to deceive and after the Interlull some of the players who performed so well against Standard will be filtered into our 1st XI..?
They’ll bring with them the enthusiasm we saw last night and hopefully it’ll rub off on the other mob, if not, then either the other mob have to go or the manager has to?
There’s the question Adam.
Sokratis, Luiz and Xhaka spring to mind. Ozil too when he plays…
I don’t want to get on his case, but Nicholas Pepe needs to up his game and quick, because it’s going to be very difficult to justify playing him ahead of Saka, Martinelli, even Nelson, if he carries on being so underwhelming, then there’s the prospect of Lacazette coming back…
There maybe trouble ahead…
I feel a song coming on… 😄
That would be the logical next step Kev, but Emery seems to have a few favourites who will play regardless.
I’m not fussed about Pepe’s form to date. How long did it take Bergkamp and Henry to find their feet. In today’s transfer market, they’d be worth more than Pepe too. His price tag is causing him problems imo..
Pires and Reyes struggled during their first months too, others as well.
Hi all, Sorry off subject just a bit but….. Tierney and then Bellerin Charging in when Martinelli got hacked down was one of my favorite moments last night ! Real team togetherness spirit that I think we have lacked lately.
Sorry Rico, but I do think ANM is out of sorts at the moment and should be dropped. I worry a bit for Pepe. I think he may have a lot of talent, but I get the horrible feeling he has the same attitude of Ozil,. He must be trying hard but it doesn`t look like it.
Still as you say, early days yet.
Just in case anybody has anything planned in Central London next week, we have the pleasure of entertaining Extinction Rebellion for a week or two, so I’m obviously looking forward to that!
What happened to being arrested for obstruction?
What’s happened to policing full stop?
Take away their benefits and let them get a proper job…
I wonder how the LFB and London Ambulance Service will cope…
Most ambulances that serve central London are based in Waterloo Road, if those idiots shut down Westminster how on earth can they do their job?
Brighton doing well, two nil up at half-time. Spuds looking shakey to say the least.
Bellerin is out of form.
Martinelli is a really soccer player.
Pepa has to surrender more.
rico, as I’ve already posted: Ceballos shines at home games; out, unbalances the team
Hardly out of form JM. He’s just returned from a year out.
Brighton make it 3 – 0.
Pepe has to surrender more…
I totally agree JM.
Come On You Spurs 😅
Great, Brighton fans chanting, “we want 7”, at the 70 minute mark.
Last time Brighton beat Spurs was 1983…
Last time Brighton won at the Amex was last March…
Spuds concede ten goals in five days.
The best things in life are three !
I find it interesting how much Ozil is maligned on here because he doesn’t track back – enough. The majority of the problem lies with Arsenal’s setup, from Wenger to Emery.
David Silva, Salah, Kross, Eriksen, De Bruyne, Moderic and many others playing virtually in the same position don’t track back. When was the last time Sallah or Firmino tracked back or made a tackle? Good managers knowing the value and the abilities of these guys simply setup their system to protect them. Fernandinho and Delph for example always protected Silva. If Arsenal fields proper fullbacks and midfielders we will reap the benefits of Ozil. But the problem at Arsenal is that systems are implemented without taking into account personnel, i.e., Xhaka’s role now. I have defended Chambers, Mustafi, Coquelin, Song, Diaby, Fabisnski, etc, so many times here. These are/ were all good players in a wrong system or positions.
Who actually plays Skoratis, over Chambers, AMN as a right back over Mustafi – when you can play AMN in the midfielder next Torreirra, Xhaka over Torreira, substitutes the best defensive striker in Lacazette then asks Ozil to track back? Mind buggling. Ozil next to Lacazette is the best talent on the team, he just have to be used properly.
Well seeing the Tottenham result has made me smile..
Hi all..
He might be a talent Obi, but he’s got a lousy attitude imo.
Rico because he wants to play in league matches and not cup matches…..
Catch 22 Obi, his performances are what got him dropped in the first place. Reap what you sow I say.
Morning all’s
I’m with Obi.
When we start crucifying Holding for not setting goals up, we can criticise Ozil for not saving them.
Ozil may well be a one trick pony, but it’s a hell of a trick.
What’s happening at Spuds???
They’re an utter shambles and it’s just lovely to see.
Waking up to that result was superb!!!!!
While acting as a pundit at the Brighton / Spuds game today, Glen Hoddle (Tottenham Legend) was utterly scathing about his old team. No fight, no desire, no movement no plan. Is it the players or the manager at fault? Could be that all the talk of Pottychino wanted by M U, Real Madrid etc. is unsettling the poor dears? Either way it’s great to see both Spuds and United in meltdown.
At least while the hacks are tearing them apart, they’re easing up on Arsenal.
Scott @ 8:05 PM exactly. And what gets me is those who watch just the highlights and just regurgitate the things the media guys says.
Obi/Scott – I think you’re missing the point, plus, the suggestion that fans on here simply repeat what the pundits/media say about Ozil Obi is absurd.
I don’t think the majority of fans expect Ozil to be back in the box defending etc, what I’m personally saying is about not committing himself to the game when he does play. You don’t see other players in his role shirk tackles, fall over, give up or walk about with his head down as Ozil often does. He’s lazy.
Auba, Lacazette, Ceballos and Martinelli work a lot harder than Ozil, that’s why I can’t wait to see the back of him, not because someone in the media says so.
Could be that all the talk of Pottychino wanted by M U, Real Madrid etc. is unsettling the poor dears?
Could be , could also be that the rumours of a certain player’s wife having a dalience with another player holds some water.
Whatever the reason, I hope it doesn’t go away..
Morning Rico and all. I’m a fan of Ozil but surely he can see the way that Emery wants him to play and modify his game. Perhaps age is catching up with him or he might even feel that he knows better. He might. But he has been given lots of chances to express himself on the pitch for the good of the team. He does this, but only occasionally. If he wants to play then he needs to apply himself. If not then he needs to move on which is apparently what the management want.
It’s a situation that needs resolving quickly for the good of everyone.
Morning Adam.
I was a fan of his too, when he and Alexis linked up together, he was up for it but ever since he was given his big money contract, he’s gone into his shell. As you say, he’s had his chances but he’s blown it. I find him and the whole saga rather tiresome.
New post up now.