Morning all.
How fitting it was that Arsenal were the first Premier League club to see the return of the fans. Nine months after Mikel Arteta tested positive for Coronavirus, bringing football in England to a halt and fans unable to be present even when the game resumed, The Emirates opened its doors on a wet night. The permitted 2,000 fans did their team proud, their team did them proud too.
Arsenal had already secured a place in the knockout stages of this competition but even so, pride and top spot were up for grabs. Perhaps even a sniff at being selected for the weekends little trip across north London.
It was also great to see the return of Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers, both after suffering nasty injuries and a long absence. Having Mo Elneny back is a boost for Arsenal too. Sead Kolasinac too even though he seems to be one of the marmite guys these days.
A mix of younger players with experienced squad players started the game as expected, with Kolasinac at left back meaning AMN would start in midfield for a change. A rare appearance for Mustafi too. Nelson, Nketiah, Cedric, Runarsson and Pepe made up the rest of the team.
Yes there were frustrating moments during the 93 minutes. Pepe dawdling on the ball too much, the goals that could have been but weren’t, the odd mistake here and of course, the goal we conceded despite Kolasinac doing all he could to keep it out but in my opinion, the positives far outweigh the negatives.
Arsenal played with an energy the first team could do with. The passing was quicker, the movement was good and there seemed to be a very different approach to this game. Maybe Mikel Arteta has sprinkled some new belief over the squad, maybe the players are starting to take a bit of responsibility for themselves, or perhaps it’s more simple than that. Those who were involved last night wanted to play and wanted to win.
Lacazette. Well where has he been hiding that kind of performance? Given the captains armband, he played like one. Busy busy busy! His goal was stunning. His all round play was really good and his desire was at the right level. Our new number 10? Weirder things have happened in football.
Mari’s goal was excellent. Ok, he was afforded acres of space but he still had to guide the ball home which he did to perfection. Nketiah’s goal came after his first attempt was saved but his reaction was quick and he thoroughly deserved his goal. A better ball across the box from Pepe earlier in the game and he’d have already had one on the scoresheet. Inches make all the difference. Our last goal was a simple tap in for Smith Rowe as Maitland-Niles laid it on a plate, but the buildup was good, just as it was for Nketiah’s.
Mikel Arteta said…
First of all, delighted to have the fans back, they make a huge difference. They were loud, they were very supportive with the team and they were really helpful so thanks to them for coming and making the effort.
The performance, right from the start, the boys wanted it, they were hurt from the defeat in the previous game and they showed the attitude and the desire that is required to play. We were really aggressive with the ball, we wanted to put the ball in the box, we arrived in numbers, we created many chances and now we have another one on Sunday.
Last night’s match had everything. Crosses into the box aerially as well as along the ground. We scored from a set piece and we scored four. 22, yes, 22 shots on goal with a number of them from distance, 11 on target. 71% possession but not just tippy tappy sideways and backwards passing. There was some really nice football played at times with crisp and accurate passes pinged around.
The icing on the cake would have been if Balogun could have just got over the ball a bit more just before the referee blew for full time.
But yes, this was the Europa League and it was a Rapid Vienna but a team can only beat the opposition on the night and that’s exactly what our players did with great ease. No sulking, no couldn’t care less attitude and apart from starting the second half too casually, no letting up. Arsenal needed that, Mikel Arteta did too but now the so called first team need to pick up where others left off last night. The energy levels need improving, as does the speed and accuracy of the passing but most of all, the attitude.
If the so called second string can turn up and want to play for the manager, the fans and the club on a Thursday night in the Europa League, the first team should be able to in the Premier League. ‘People’ wonder why Ozil was dropped but watch AMN, Nelson and ESR when he came on and there’s your answer. This might sound crazy but I’d rather see Nketiah grafting against the Toots on Sunday than Aubameyang stinking the place out.
Yes it was only Rapid Vienna, but our boys whipped their hides anyway and I enjoyed it. I suspect Mikel Arteta did too, apart from when Pepe dawdled on the ball, again.
See you in the comments guys.
Good morning Rico, that must have been an easier post to write than some over the past few weeks. 😉
I’m not sure what we should attribute the new found enthusiasm among the team to. The return of some fans? The commentators certainly did….ad-nauseum. More likely it was a combination of energy, a will to win and , just maybe, a bit of tactical relaxation on the part of Arteta allowing the players to express themselves.
The first goal came as a complete surprise to me, I can’t remember when Lacazette last scored from outside the penalty area, a tactic strictly verboten for the last decade or so.
The second, by Pablo Mari, was an example of the right person being in the right place at the time, a right royal welcome back after a long injury for someone who will become a fixture in our defence I’m sure.
Nketiah’s was a genuine example of a poacher’s goal. The speed of thought and agility displayed was sight to behold.
(It’s just started to snow here)
Emil Smith Rowe’s simple tap in was an excellent team goal, a lovely pass by AMN.
Hopefully some of that enthusiasm can be carried over into Sunday’s encounter at the New Swamp.
(It’s now snowing quite heavily)
Strange, yesterday and today my first comment didn’t show my gravatar, but subsequent ones do.
Very wet sleety stuff here .
The thing I enjoyed most was Smith Rowe’s cameo . 1/2 hour of positive forward running and an obvious understanding with AMN . All good for the future and quite possibly the present.
Good to see Chambers and Mari too , slowly things are taking shape.
Morning Cicero, Potter and all.
Sure was Cicero… 😂
Morning Rico and All
Was good to watch other than the beginning of the second half.
I thought Hacneygazette showed how classy he can be,.
Found Keowns views on Ainsley the most interesting,those that know or are lucky enough to see first hand a midfield performance live will have seen what’s going on off the ball,Keown was bigging up Ainsley every time it was his turn speak.
Micky made 11 changes I think from the other day,which makes you think this lot won’t be starting against the spuds.
I hope he finds room for Hackneygazette and Ainsley in the middle and maybe Auba down the throat again, I also hope he goes 3 at the back and just sits in.
We need to get back in these games to be satisfied with a point,Micky knows how to do it going by his fine margins comments recently.
Afternoon Rico/everyone
well that was great to watch, as above I particularly enjoyed the cameo from Smith – Rowe, and his partnership with Maitland-Niles.
Lacazette was probably the best player, most were good, to be fair I thought Pepe was very good – as he was last week as well.
My team for Sunday:
Leno, Bellerin, Saka, Tierney, Gabriel, Holding, Xhaka, Elneny, Willock, Lacazette, Aubameyang.
We need to play with energy, also control. It will be interesting because Mourinho always let’s the opposition dominate possession, and hits them on the counter attack, oops transition.
Morning Fred, I noticed that too re Keown and AMN. Good to hear him finally get some praise.
Afternoon Limey. Just goes to show that these guys can turn up and play when they feel like. Lacazette and Pepe I mean and even Willian who looked desperate to get himself a goal.
The ‘kids’ were really really good.
Limey :- I think I would have AMN for Xhaka , quicker forward and better covering , moves the ball quicker and Nelson for Willock but that’s a tight call in a 4-4-2 formation.
Christmas tree is down from the loft, is up in the living room, the lights are on, decorating later this afternoon will be accompanied by a glass of single malt. An old family ritual which I invented two years ago. Tradition is all important. 😉
Fair point Potter,AMN would be great.Also it sounds like Party is a possible (long shot) That would be great news.
I mean Partey.
Let’s hope it’s not a case of no Thomas,no party.
I reckon Partey might make a speedy recovery. Kane too.
I guess that the Sarri rumours are back on hold, until Sunday evening/Monday morning I suppose.
Ha ha Kev, true. Sad though isn’t it..
Hi Rico and all I am going out on a limb here and suggest that we start against toots with Auba on the bench and try the same team from 2 days ago
Who plays for Pepe ? I agree that AMN should start and if that means Xhaka or Ceballos might dip out , so be it .
Nelson for Pepe imo. Although I suspect it’ll be Willian.
New post up now.
Hi Geoff.