After three Premier League games without a win, the spotlight was well and truly back on Arteta and his players with a savage vengeance yesterday. The Sky/Media/Online narrative was simply winding itself up into an absolute frenzy as Leeds suddenly became this major obstacle and potential banana skin to the many hopes of all Gooners. Everybody and his dog had an opinion if you could be bothered looking for it, but I didn’t because it’s what the players do on the pitch that counts not some ex-Man Utd has-been or one of the many deranged idiots that are routinely rolled out on Talk Sport or BBC 5Live.
The Kairat game in midweek was mildly irritating to me because I felt our finishing wasn’t up to scratch nor our defending. But Arteta wasn’t too concerned because his players had won the game, avoided any injuries, left something in the tank and still finished top of the league stage. Job done.
Mikel again rang in the changes but with a couple of intriguing selections. The injury to Saka in the warm-up was concerning as we’re going to need our best attacker for the games to come as the pressure increases, but into his place stepped Noni Madueke with a golden opportunity! The other change wasn’t really a change but it was the omission of Odegaard for Kai Havertz and that was eye catching. Was it just for this game or did it signal a change in playing style?
Madueke’s place on the bench went to Norgaard with both Myles and Merino missing out, no doubt with Tuesday in mind and the visit of the Pensioners. Leeds fans must have looked at our bench and recalled maybe their grandfathers talking to them about Arsenal of yore and of the Bank of England club as northerners referred to Arsenal in the dark and dingy past, because this squad is at Herbert Chapman 1930’s levels.
Leeds’ fans were as vociferous as they usually are and therefore the opening 20 minutes was all about Arsenal strangling the life out of the home team and fans. The Gunners in blue had to match the physicality of the home team whilst gradually building up control and exerting pressure through set pieces. Leeds had a record in this area of almost Arsenalist levels but when the Gunners began to turn the screw the home team began to wilt.
An early shot over Raya’s bar in those opening exchanges was as good as it got for them.
On 15 minutes we saw a glimpse of what was to come. Gyokeres, with a defender lolling all over him, knocked a pass to Havertz who quickly switched the ball to Zubimendi, Zubi cut across the face of goal but his shot lacked conviction.
On 27 minutes Noni Madueke, whose corners during the whole game were top top class, drove one into the danger area but it was cleared, although only to Rice who quick as a flash returned it to Noni as he adjusted his stance and then he clipped a delicate cross back into the box where Zubimendi stole in to head home – simplicity itself.
About 8 minutes later I thought that Dominic Calvin Lewin was lucky to escape a red card as he arrived late to a Gabriel clearance and caught His Majesty on his shin and just above the ankle. I’ve seen them given against Arsenal players many times but not even a yellow for the Leeds man!
Three minutes later, on 38, Noni again caused chaos from a corner and with Calvert Lewin jumping in front of him, the Leeds goalkeeper punched Noni’s driven cross into his own net. Owngoalinho strikes again. That goal sucked the life out of Elland Road and the electric atmosphere at kick-off sounded as if it needed a new fuse at half-time.
H/T 0-2
Leeds made two changes at the break and tactical adjustments in an effort to get back into the game, kudos to them, but it meant more space for the Arsenal forwards. The game became more open but Leeds still failed to register a shot on target.
On 51, after great work by Trossard, who was exceptional, he managed to get a flicked pass onto VG as he himself was being fouled. Gyokeres took the ball in his stride but he took that deadly second touch instead of taking the shot early and his eventual shot was blocked. From the resulting corner Timber header over the bar. On 58 some great approach play down the right ended with Zubimendi spinning and turning leaving white shirts floundering and on their way to Scarborough, but his pass went astray, so frustrating!
Andrew’s son, our pitch-side photographer. 😜
On the hour Arteta made a couple of changes, maybe with Gazprom in mind. Off came Madueke and Havertz and on came Martinelli and Odegaard and both lifted the level with impressive performances.
Leeds were still winding-up the pressure but their susceptibility on the break cost them as on 69 minutes, Martinelli broke free on the right turning his marker this way and then the other before firing in a low cross into the box where Gyokeres, plus the obligatory Leeds defender grabbing him, applied the finish and drove it past the helpless goalkeeper. That was Leeds done.
On 76 minutes Arteta brought off Hincapie and Gyokeres for Calafiori and Jesus. Almost immediately Rice drove into the Leeds box where his pass found Jesus who fired wide. On 79 great work by Timber saw our cultured Dutchman cross a tempter into the box where Jesus should have scored but he headed straight at the goalkeeper. A 4th goal was coming, you could feel it and a minute later the resulting Rice corner was headed over by Calafiori – so close!
Arteta then sent on Eze for Trossard who had been an absolute hero on the left flank, some of his work was astonishingly good. Eze looked like he had the flavour and strutted around, had me thinking that he’s got a goal in him today but on 86 good work by Calafiori and Odegaard found Jesus around the penalty spot and following two drag backs which sent his markers to Whitby, he smashed it home to cap the perfect afternoon. There were a few more half chances but the boys just managed the game and importantly kept that lovely clean sheet. Arsenal are back baby…
As of now, we’ve not had any official news regarding Saka but the early reports seemed to suggest that he’s out for a few weeks.
We march on…
By Kev.
Morning Kev, all.
Good post Kev, I liked the Whitby comment. 😂
Only seen highlights but we looked to be moving the ball a bit quicker which is a good sign.
It seems that competition for places is bringing the best out of players , 10 days or so away to Inter Jesus gets 2 and Gyokeres comes on after an hour and then he scores . Yesterday the other way round , they seem to be pushing each other . Could the same be said for Havertz and Odegaard ?
It was a nice factual report Kev which summed up the main features , Thank you.
However what I found interesting that following Martinelli’s long ball last week , yesterday he came on as a right winger and crossed for big Vik’s goal . Perhaps he is beginning to look for him and provide the service he requires because for that goal I don’t think any other player in the squad would have held his man off and reacted to score it.
Furthermore the way Madueke played , will that affect Saka ? and will seeing Martinelli’s cross encourage him to do it as well.?
I reckon you are right re competition, it’s healthy and not something we’ve had in the past or even this season much because of injuries.
Agree re Viktor’s goal too, I can think of many players who would have gone to ground but he didn’t.
Good morning all.
Nice summing up Kev, thank you.
Four goals for different scores, that sort of makes it harder for the opposition as they don’t know where the threat is coming from.
I saw only the brief highlights on Sky, but one thing stood out, Odegaard’s tendency to over elaborate when in possession. A few one touch passes would speed things up enormously.
Kudos to Madueke, coming into the starting line-up at such short notice, I thought he had his best game so far in an Arsenal shirt, it was a little alarming to see him go off with a bit of a limp.
A very welcome clean sheet and no gifts on offer, at least from Arsenal. 😉
You’d think Odegaard would have realised that by now.
I know Madueke’s goal will be considered an og but what a great corner it was.
In fact all four goals were very good..
Morning all, thanks for detailed and comical report Kev! Listening on R5, how refreshing to have a game where we are not worried throughout to the final minutes. Really should have been Madueke’s goal? Ball going in (wicked curve Saka would have been proud of) goalie helps it further, when has that been an og? Seemed whole team were on it, and we kept going rather than sitting back with half time lead. Maybe mindset changing, this team is good enough to do that if they have the belief, which their European performances surely show.
Morning Gooners, morning Rico, great photo by Andrews son. Thanks all for the positive comments, I thought that Arsenal were superb yesterday and the psychological message that sends to City in particular and to Villa will certainly knock their morale.
Beating Chelsea and getting to Wembley this week is huge, the first step to something amazing this season.
Great photo Andrew, do thank your son. I bet he enjoyed that..
I watched them yesterday Kev, or at least parts of their game and first half, they were shocking. West Ham got at them and they couldn’t cope. West Ham really should have put the result to bed first half.
Thanks Kev,
Made me laugh. Yes that was stress free,great goals,the Jesus one was a beauty,I was so pleased for Gyokeres too.
An early ish goal forced them to be more open than they probably planned which suited us.
I’ve only seen highlights but we were utterly ruthless.
I too saw some of the Chelsea game,so poor in the first half,left four of Tuesdays starters on the bench,they were forced to bring them on and were much better. Still lucky to win though.
Probably too much to hope Spurs get anything later. What a joke of a club they are,99% of their fans want them to lose.
City have a dodgy record against Totts Limey, hopefully that continues later. With Frank’s job under scrutiny, perhaps they will try a bit harder..
I sure hope so Rico,they have an amazing record against Man City,the best of any team in the league.
Tammy Abraham starts for Villa.
Well done Kev, very professional solid performances all round.
Madueke had his best game, fantastic corner, Havertz is back and looking sharp, Odegaard looked better coming off the bench, and Gyokeres among the goals in successive games.
It seems wrong wanting Tottenham to win, but maybe we can be forgiven for an hour and a half today.
Gives me hope Limey..
Brentford down to ten men, handy for Villa..