Morning all.
Three goals and a clean sheet, what’s not to be happy about after our final pre-season fixture of the summer. Viktor Gyokeres scored our opening goal with a thunderous header and then Bukayo Saka, with the assist from Gabriel Martinelli, tucked home our second. Late in the second half, Kai Havertz made it 3-0 after a great run and with a lovely finish.
Both Saka and Martinelli had early chances but both were guilty of going for goal instead of passing to a better placed player. Gyokeres had a chance to open his Arsenal goal scoring account but after a fine cross from Martin Zubimendi, couldn’t get he right purchase on his shot.
Martinelli, after a run down the left, played the ball to Gyokeres who in turn set up Riccardo Calafiori, but the Italian blasted his shot too high.
Our goal came from a corner which Rice delivered long to Saka. Saka passed to Zubimendi and it was from his fine cross which Gyokeres scored. A cracking header it was too. Two minutes later, Martinelli set up Saka to make it 2-0.
After the break, Mikel Arteta made changes, the first being a double change with Noni Madueke and Ben White replaced Calafiori and Martinelli and to suggest Madueke was lively would be an understatement. He looked a fine prospect that’s for sure and as Nigel Winterburn said during commentary, it doesn’t matter what he’s done before, it’s what he does for Arsenal which matters now.
Madueke, Zubimendi and Gokyeres were behind another good Arsenal move which nearly ended with us going 3-0 up. Zubimendi won the ball in midfield, played it wide to Madueke who sent a cross into the box. Gokyeres got his head on the end of it but blasted it against the post.
We did score a third though and it came from our new bulked up and speedster Kai Havertz. Saka set him free and the big German did the rest. A really good goal.
After the game, a penalty shootout took place and we won that too.
Thats the best I’ve seen Arsenal play this summer. After passing the ball around a bit at the back to begin with, we upped the tempo. David Raya didn’t hang onto the ball for as long as he has done in the past and we looked for a forward pass more often than not. It was clear to me that Arteta has tweaked our playing style. Zubimendi is one heck of a player and he brings something exciting to this team. His passing range is amazing. He and Rice together works well, very well. As for our other new signings on show today, young centre-back Christhian Mosquera looks like the bargain deal of the summer. He’s composed, confident and very good. Madueke, well, I think we’re going to enjoy watching him…
Catch up in the comments.
The movement in the box was good to see especially for Gyoks headed goal , makes a change to see someone get across the defender .if this means that our wingers may be encouraged to cross the ball earlier it should create confusion on the double up defences that have developed to stop us in the last few years.
It may also reduce our dependence of building up through Odegaard as more accurate long balls into the box can be utilised and this would seem to be why Zubimendi was bought in as Partey’s accuracy outside the box was always hit and miss .
Good Morning Rico and housers
I enjoyed reading that post as much as watching the game Rico.
One slight correction though….Zubimendi is a very good version of XaviMendi. He is that good. The pass for VG14’s goal was done with his first touch and without breaking stride.
Sure was Potter, should only improve too as the front players become more used to each other.
It’s refreshing to not see the million passes a game style of football, even Odegaard looked forward rather than turning backwards.
I know we are all pleased to see the impact of Gokyeres but the goal of the game for me was from Havertz. No way, imo of course, would he have done that before. He looks stronger, fitter and meaner.
Morning to you, Devil and all.
Mikel Arteta has suggested Arsenal’s transfer business may not be over yet.
The Gunners have been busy so far bringing in the likes of Viktor Gyokores, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristhian Mosquera.
However, Arteta said Arsenal, who have been linked with Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, are still looking at options, while there could be players heading for the Emirates Stadium exit door.
Speaking after a 3-0 win over Atheltic Club, he said: “Let’s see what happens in terms of where the squad is at in the next few weeks.
“We are actively looking at options, there are a few players that may have to leave also.”
Rico, the fact that Havertz looked stronger and fitter does help a lot. However , the tactical plays and runs also help. As was pointed out, yesterday the football was direct and not a million passes in a game. Granted, as Cicero pointed out, one swallow does not make a summer, so we have to be cautious. However, yesterday’s football was a bit of fresh air and I really enjoyed the direct style of attacking the opponents. It does not give them time to regroup and defend with a low block.
Seeing how fast Havertz ran yesterday plus how mobile and fast VK14 is now opponents will be double marking him. That’s good since they double mark Saka also. That means that two other players will be left alone. If as you also pointed out, MAdueke plays on the left we will be very unpredictable.
An observation…..I saw reels that actually show supporters being glad that MAdueke failed his penalty. Now, I AM one of those who did not want him to come, however, no way I was glad he missed his pen. Neither was I pissed off. But those being glad he failed, imo, that is sick to the core.
Madueke scored his penalty Devil, it was Nwaneri who missed.
Many of us have been suggesting a quicker tempo of football will help us in many ways, especially against the defensive sides. I know Athletic aren’t the strongest of opponents but they scored goals against Liverpool in pre season.
So glad we never signed Nico Williams 😂
I thought it was Madueke. Honestly. Even the reel stated that. I did not see the penalty shoot out. saw only the game. So had to rely on reels and clips for pens.
Agree regarding Nico. So glad we didnt sign him.
Skip to 5 mins. 😂
G’day Rico and all.
The new rule that once the goalkeeper has possession and control of the ball he has eight seconds to get it back in play, this may explain the shorter time Raya was holding on to the ball. Zubimendi’s ability and ball control make him an ideal target for Raya to get the up field quickly.
Afternoon rico, all. First time of the five friendlies that seen whole match, streamed to lounge tv, without interruptions! And a very enjoyable game, even though one sided against the team that came 4th in La Liga last season with equal defeats to Barcelona and Real Madrid, so not too shabby a team.
Zubimendi and Rice are both very intelligent players and straight away they take turns getting forward and the other sitting back when necessary. With threats at pacesnow in the middle, left and right, Saka should have a field day without double and even triple marking at times.
Loved the way Havertz held off the defender to score, and seemed quicker than I recall! And so near with Gyok’s header that hit or was turned onto the post, can’t remember the last time we scored with a flying header. A similar performance next week when it really matters please😀
Afternoon Cicero, Andrew.
The new rule doesn’t stop him from faffing around with the ball at his feet though does it? That’s the part of his keeping which frustrated me.
It was a header into the post Andrew, very unlucky. Agree, it’s great to see a goal from a flying header, I guess Adebayor was the last player to try that. Or Alan Smith 😜
Ted Drake was pretty good at it too, Rico.
Before my time Cicero 😜
Well done Palace 😂
Palace win on penalties. But no thanks to Eze, his penalty was saved. I watched him closely throughout the game and I can see no reason to change my mind about him, he would not improve our squad in any meaningful way.
Wonder if he knows he’s on the move and didn’t want to get injured…
Only watched the last half an hour and thought neither side looked fully fit.
Before my time too Rico, his playing days were brought to a close in 1939 with the outbreak of W.W.2. He suffered a back injury and could not afterwards play football. My Dad saw him play and swore he was the best centre forward in England.
You must have some great stories about the club which were handed down Cicero..
Cicero, my dad, who played a cup final pre-war in goal at Highbury (Islington schoolboys I think) would talk a lot about Drake too, and the Compton brothers. Such a shame it’s too late now to ask him more about days long gone.
Andrew, there is much that I wish I had spoken about with my father and grandfathers, too late now sadly.
I used to go to Highbury with my Granddad ,dad and uncles . In the words of Sly it was a family affair. At Family parties stories of James and Bastin to Ronnie Rooke were the norm but to them even Joe Baker wasn’t as good .
Who knows what they would have made of Bergkamp and Henry.