Morning guys.
Our first game since the transfer window slammed shut and we are up against a club who together with Man City have managed to send transfer fees rocketing sky high. It’s amazing how with the outcome of the 115 charges against Man City are yet to be published, City can continue as they do whilst other clubs are penalised for financial breaches within weeks. As for Chelsea, well between them and Aston Villa, they’ve managed to sort each other’s finances out. Wake up football..
This is it for Arsenal as far as the squad goes, certainly until January anyway. We’re two down after Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli departed but we’ve strengthened both in midfield, defence and on bought one in on the left. Thankfully, Ethan Nwaneri’s loan deal includes a recall option so if the going gets tough if the injury department in attack, unlike last season, we can bring him home.
I’ve not watched Chelsea this season so I’ve no idea what Alonso is up to in west London but results would suggest their defence is a bit leaky having conceded 5 goals in their two opening fixtures.
Talking Tactics with Arsenal’s Adrian Clarke:
Chelsea’s new-look front three are dripping with match-winning talent. England duo Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer love to float around between the lines in support of striker Joao Pedro, and as a trio they are flying right now. Across just 180 minutes of Premier League football alongside one another they have delivered five goals and four assists combined.
Chelsea’s attacking wingbacks have also been bright, with Pedro Neto and Jorrel Hato catching the eye. Portugal international Neto was super-dangerous inside the final third last time out but is not a natural defender. So, will Alonso trust him in that role here at Emirates Stadium this afternoon. If Neto starts, it will certainly signify the Spaniard’s intent to attack us at every opportunity.
Central midfield looks like an area of possible weakness. Enzo Fernandez has left the club, while Moises Caicedo has also suffered with injury issues early in the campaign. This means the likes of Romeo Lavia, Malo Gusto, Reece James and Valentin Barco have had to fill the void. They are all good players in their own right, but as it stands Chelsea do not have a strong midfield pairing with vast experience of either playing together, or even occupying that position.
Right across the team there has been a lot of change, and that is almost certain to create teething issues. Conceding twice from set pieces already and looking quite nervy from balls sent into the box, there is a sense that Alonso’s men have some work to do on their defensive game.
I can’t see Chelsea rocking up at the Emirates with a number 42 bus to park in front of Martinez. Why would they when their strength is clearly in attack. Our strength is in midfield and defence and with the ghastly Caicedo a doubt, we really should be winning that battle. No Fernandez or the dirty little left back Cucurella as both have gone for good.
For Arsenal, Bruno Guimaraes, Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera are doubts, while Jurrien Timber could make it into the squad for the first time this season. I’m not holding my breath on the latter.
Chelsea are expected to be Premier League challengers this season after their big summer spend, a new manager and no European football to worry about. Hopefully Arsenal can put an end to such silly talk about the west London club later this afternoon.
Catch up in the comments.
Belated happy anniversary Stuart.
Morning all.
New Post up.
That was a game we needed but my heart is just settled down, when Gyokeres come on it seemed he tried hard so show Arteta why he should start.
If Havertz is going to start he needs to learn when to pass and when to just shoot.
The first time I really got to see Konsa and Arteta will have to watch him as I can see him picking up a few yellow cards.
Chelsea had an interesting way to defend our corners by keeping a few players stand away from the keeper forcing us to have less around their keeper.
Here wa, Kev: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/yellow?refresh=true
Chelsea didn’t have a chance. It’s my 35th wedding anni today. My Mrs asked me last night what I wanted. I looked at her with that look. “O, of course. To beat Chelsea” she replied…
I thought for certain periods that Chelsea looked very dangerous, once Alonso has been working with them awhile they’ll provide quite a challenge, particularly in the New Year, especially with no tiring European matches. Watch how Bournemouth suffer from those extra games and tiring travelling.
Bruno back for Napoli I hope and a few more of the guys on the bench…
I wouldn’t mind a yellow car, I’ve always fancied one of them.
Jm, what about Palmer, he should have been sent off.
Gabriel was going for the ball I’m sure it’s just Martinez got his head in the way. Lol
https://www.justarsenal.com/arsenal-loanee-nwaneri-makes-dream-start-to-life-at-dortmund/421561
Gabriel could be sent off.
Rice could have received at least, yellow car.
Martinelli’s absence prevented the obvouis substitution and -with his pace- the chance to add depth to the attack.
Obi, that team would be full of steel. Now that would be so enjoyable.
Hang on. The pundits would label us as Leeds Mk 2.
I never realized that Konsa is such a “bully.” He just bully Chelsea players today. I don’t know how he’s going to do it, but I would love to see Arteta play Konsa, Gabi, Saliba, Timber, Rice, Bruno, Hincapie and Havertz
together just to play “bully ball.” This team is physically and mentally tough and they know it.
Thank you Stuart. Lovely comment from you. And one which I will cherish.
Lovely mentions of your dear Dad, Dev. I’ll look forward to meeting him when its my time to take up one of those “Premium seats”. God bless you, mate.
I’m not sure we’re the strongest in the attacking department Devil.
I am not getting ahead of myself Rico. I am saying it as it is and as it should be said…..no one is stronger than us, no one has more depth than us and no one has more options than us. We can only lose if we brainfart ourselves.
Just seen a short AI video on FB now…..showing Arsenal players putting Chelsea players in the bag. Hilarious lol
I don’t think we should get ahead of ourselves, the league is tougher this year than last imo. I’d rather stay humble and just take each day at a time..
And maybe yes, that is why Arteta prefers hardworkers to legends. Because hard workers grind and grit their teeth and dig deep in the trenches.
Legends give you butterflies and see the stars. But hard workers like Gilberto get the result.
We are second in the table to City but only by goals scored and that difference is just one goal. It’s gonna be tough and it’s gonna tight.
But we are up for the fight.
Stuart, yes we know who we are. There is a massive difference between us and the rest of the teams, even City. And as I said in the past….I am afraid of only one team in the world. And that team is us when we have a brain fart. Otherwise I am not scared of anyone, no not even a Mourinho led RM, or PSG or who the fuck it is.
If we have a brain fart we shoot ourselves in the foot. If we play to our strengths we strangle teams.
And yes, we can win against all teams. Not even draw. Not even lose. We can win. depends which part of our brain functions.
We know who we are, we know who we are… Champions of England, we know who we are…
yes even I wanted more than two goals. I wanted a third and/or fourth as well. But still, we got three points. And that has to be the aim of every game.
We will not win every game 2-1 but I do hope we do.
We passed our first real test today. As I pointed out, had it been Arsenal of 10 years ago we would have lost. but we dug in. There wasnt any panic in the game. We set out to control them and tighten the screw.
Our team’s mentality is impressive. At least to me. We were tested under pressure especially as they took the lead after 77 seconds. We could have folded. but we didnt.
We did not struggle.
But try to work this out……we won 1-0 against Villa and everyone said we struggled. City won 1-0 against Coventry and nothing is said in the media.
We are judged. constantly. But whatever they say reflects on them more than it does on us.
I don’t give a toot about Chelsea really but I think for the next few weeks, maybe even months, they are beatable by a lot of PL clubs. We really should have scored more than just two goals today.
After Rogers scored we began tighting the screw. I wasnt surprised Rogers scored. I felt it was expected, a player who we wanted but Villa asked too much. I would have liked him to come to us. However, it was not meant to be.
It was both tight and intense. But Arsenal of today are a different animal which in the past would have lost such games. Steel in abundance and enough grey material and nous between the ears to know what to do. This team has grit, resilience and they know how to work really hard and scrap for the end result. The midfield is the strongest area of the team and it shows.
Chelsea are a work in progress and they will make top 4 imo, but we still did enough to win.
yes he would have. seeing that he loved beating anyone from London. He just enjoyed derbies. I dreaded them. Especially against the Spuds who I enjoy seeing them lose as much as I enjoy us winning.
I guess Pa did enjoy today’s game. he gets premium seats without paying now. I still remember when he first went to see a game at Highbury, I was 10 back then and he came back as if he had already been a step away from heaven.
Evening Devil, thank you. I’m sure your dad would have enjoyed that game.
Good evening Rico and everyone here with a smile.
A good win. 3 points. North London forever belting. and a glass of wine to celebrate. What more could anyone want?
Lovely pre match post Rico. Yesterday’s as well. And no there are no standout superstars which put us on the edge of our seat like the legends of the past. But all players are equal. ok, some are more equal than the rest but no standout legends and Gods of football.
I wonder what would have happened if Arteta was in charge of the team in the first ten years of the AW era. In the latter years he would have definitely won the league but in the first ten years its open to be questioned. He would have most certainly beaten Leicester to the league and certainly would have won it in 2009.
Chelsea has been an emotional game for me since 2024. Pa was born on the day Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-1. He passed on the day Arsenal beat them 5-0. So I go through lots of emotions whenever we play them.
It was a great game. Nothing scintillating but very controlling. Chelsea were controlled and worn down. I did not expect a clean sheet, that would have been too much to expect. However I had the feeling we will win.
The last twenty minutes were edgy stuff. But we didnt give them a sniff.
I’m not sure Havertz holds the ball up that well either. Not consistently anyway.
2 – 1 Three points and a point made to the unbelievers. 🔔🔔
Night Geoff.
Not for our stress levels Geoff, but I’ll take another 35 games with that performance and result. And Raya save when it matters, worth 2 points that save
Although I really like Gyokeres, he never can hold ball up, why we have to have Havertz on pitch as much as we can in any tight game. Great result, Chelsea will be up there.
Let’s hope we don’t have too many like that.
Good night all it’s 3:35am in oz
Same old Chelsea always cheating
Same old Arsenal always winning
Last 20 certainly was..
nail biting stuff
Brilliant game, brilliant result…
What a save. I thought that was in..
Not his fault though..
Gyokeres is not match fit
well lawks a mussy me
we are dropping back in midfield time for Guimareas or someone to combat the middle
What a challenge. Konsa 💪
Tzolis at his best. Unlike when he’s constantly kicked to pieces…
Great ball Tzollis, great dummy Havertz, class Ode.
Brilliant! Good leave Havertz.. 🤣
60 mins I reckon Andrew if he’s 100% fit.
Bruno to come on and make defence spitting pass?
Only after half a dozen players jumped up and down, did ref reluctantly book for kicking ball away as he would look negligent if he hadn’t. Palmer kick out was clear yellow.
Not impressed with the ref but saying that our defence needs to tighten up
We need to control the game and keep wearing them down , They are dangerous if we get too many players forward .
And that would have been Palmer off…
Dragging Chavs out to the right and then switching to Tzolis in space.
Palmer should have been booked for that..
Noticeable most of our attacks still down the right,White and Saka combine brilliantly. A few nice touches by Tzolis on the other side.
He needs to be more selfish sometimes.
Evening gooners, what a game! Son and grandson there, wish I was. Thought Havertz should have shot earlier attack, but at least this time he did. Before season started, would have been happy with 7 points from first three games, thought a draw at Villa, but now really want nine.
and then he cements his place
He could have had a hattrick..
That’s what happens when he does shoot.. Great goal.
It was Kev. Konsa.
thats 3 misses now will Arteta ever learn he aint a gialscorer
Just shoot Kai!
Was that offside because I’m not sure?
Oops not the start we wanted
You just knew it..
Me too.. Unless Chelsea play like Coventry…
Well done Ainsley.. 😂
A lovely goal by Ainsley Maitland Nile’s in the dying minutes Everton 2 Man U 2
Arsenal: Raya, White, Gabriel, Konsa, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Tzolis, Havertz.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Merino, Guimaraes, Eze, Madueke, Dowman, Gyokeres.
Well he’s gone with Havertz . Hope I am wrong but can see us struggling up front.
Konsa replace Mosquera
The ref seems to be for united no yellow cards to united for holding his appointment yet a couple of minutes later similar situation but the Everton player received a yellow card
Russo missed a sitter..
Admittedly I don’t see every game but Man United just don’t look very good to me.
Well done the Arsenal Women, one goal, clean sheet, three points. 🔔
I doubt it Geoff, he said he wanted to end his career at Arsenal.
Martinez has played 12 games against arsenal for Villa and we have scored 19 times. That’s fractionally just over 1 1/2 goals per game
Kev, let’s hope that some of our older players can remember where Martinez weakness is,
Rico, I am with you would love to see Gyokeres start,
Thinking outside the box, I wonder if Arteta decided to sell Martinelli because he would not sign a new contract and knowing he only had 1 year and was not willing to lose him for free,
I’d love to see Gyokeres start, he must be chomping at the bit. However, I suspect Havertz will start in anticipation of him getting one over his old club. I reckon we’ll see Madueke come off the bench too.
I am tempted to try something totally different , as suggested keeper and back four are standard but if we played with MLS and Rice as a two with Havertz and Odegaard playing as inside forwards with Gyokeres and Saka up front. When Calafiori goes forward Skelly can cover the left .
Chelsea have leaked goals so far and taking the game to them might be the way to secure the points early.
I feel today’s game is more important for Chelsea,put it like this whatever the result I’d expect Arsenal to finish above Chelsea come May. If Chelsea win their fans will be even more cuddly and lovable than ever – if that’s possible.
Whereas if somehow Arsenal lose,we have shown the mental strength to come back stronger.
I saw a story yesterday that Gabriel was an injury doubt,I haven’t seen that anywhere else so just fake news hopefully.
I think Tzolis will start but Eze loves a London derby so expect to see him at some stage.
COYG
Martinez will be up for it today, let’s hope his emotions get the better of him?
Yes Rico a 10 day Interlull after we visit Brighton on the 19th.
There’s an international break too I think Kev.
Morning Cicero, Kev.
Im of a similar opinion about Martinez. It’s a bit like when we signed Cech.. lol
Good morning Rico.
Our advantage today is a settled, confident side over a bunch of near strangers.
I may be chancing my arm a bit, but I think Martinez is not quite the ‘keeper he was.
The back five picks itself with the exception of who partners Gabriel, Mosquera or Konsa. If he’s recovered from his niggle I prefer the former as continuity matters.
Raya, White, (too early for Timber) Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori.
Midfield, perm any three from half a dozen, up front Saka, Havertz and Gyokeres.
Arsenal Women vs Brighton kick off at twelve on Sky.
C’mon the Champs.
Four away games in 13 days following today’s North/West London derby.
Time to rotate and substitute as the campaign switches from sedate to insane.
Interesting critique on Arsenal’s summer business and Berta.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cz7z09v9pp1o
I forgot to mention the women’s team, they kick off their WSL season today v Brighton. Good luck to them..