Bournemouth arrived at the Emirates well rested from a 22 day siesta, having last played in a match on the 20th March. In fact their manager Andoni Iraola was actually more concerned that his players may well have lost their competitive edge during those 22 days, he needn’t have worried.
Bournemouth were also the only team in the Premier League to not have suffered, during this time, any single injuries so they turned up fully recuperated and fully fit. Not an excuse, only perspective.
Arteta had lost both Odegaard and Calafiori from the team that had won in Lisbon and still lacked his first choice right flank in Timber and Saka but the team he selected was, on paper, up to the task. On the bench was the ‘fit again’ pair of Hincapie and Eze. 7 games to go, 7 cup finals.
The opening 10 minutes saw both teams attempting to suffocate the opponent with every avenue of progression covered. Bournemouth looked in those opening minutes sharper, fitter and more robust and it was concerning. Arsenal gradually began to exercise some control but the ball worryingly was far too slow from Raya and the usual tempo setters at the back as there seemed to be a reluctance to go long which given the front three of runners Martinelli, Gyokeres and Madueke was mystifying.
Then on 17 minutes Bournemouth won possession and the ball was switched out to their left where Madueke and White were ball watching leaving the Cherries left back free and as he swung in a cross it took a wicked deflection off of William Saliba and dropped perfectly for Kroupier to tuck home. A mixture of poor defending and misfortune.
An already nervous Emirates crowd was now bordering on the neurotic and that apprehension fed into the home teams anxiety, it was a corrosive mixture and left me wondering if the home games we have left could be our undoing? A few minutes after that blow a Rice corner was driven into the box and a virtually unmarked Kai Havertz shouldered the ball over the bar which reminded me of the headed chance he’d missed against Newcastle in the League Cup last season. Again, when we were up against it and needed a goal it was a terrible miss. Arsenal began to speed up their movement and increase the intensity but the frustration was growing in the crowd. 30 minutes passed with only one Arsenal effort on target and you could feel the fear emanating from everywhere. Bournemouth obviously could also smell the fear and they fed on that as their confidence grew.
On 33 minutes Declan Rice got in a fierce drive that was deflected for a corner, Arsenal needed some help now and they duly got a hand. Madueke drove his corner into the danger area and the away team made a mess of clearing it and then Michael Oliver pointed to spot. Handball, harsh but handball. Cue the nerves as two different Arsenal players stood over the ball, leaving it eventually to Gyokeres who blasted home the equaliser. We all needed that, but Evanilson went close on 40 minutes as a little reminder that we still had some suffering to go through.
Half-time 1-1.
It was now down to both coaches to see who could motivate their team the most at the interval and Iraola had already proved that he had an edge over Arteta. No changes in the line-ups and off we went. On 52 minutes White found Rice who drove in another shot, deflected for a corner which came to nothing.
Arteta aware of the situation made a triple change on 54 to inject some fresh legs as off came the ineffective Martinelli for Trossard, off came the disappointing Madueke for Dowman and off came the pedestrian Havertz for Eze. Two minutes later Raya almost gave us collective heart failure when he miskicked straight to Evanilson who seemingly surprised just knocked the ball out of play. There was definitely something wrong with our team yesterday, they just seemed scared.
Arteta was jumping around waving his arms about on the sideline and it did cross my mind that sometimes he overdoes the touchline coaching, maybe that actually doesn’t really help? 65 minutes of nervous energy clicked by then Gyokeres broke clear and finished beautifully into the corner of the net, but he was eventually flagged offside. 68 minutes and Rice got in another great shot that the keeper tipped over the bar, the corner was wasted. These are the types of games where you need a bit of luck, a defensive cock-up or a misplaced pass, but Bournemouth weren’t giving us anything. At this stage I was beginning to think ‘let’s take the draw’…
More defensive hesitation by Raya and Gabriel saw both of them fail to clear the ball and to make things worse and man did it get worse. The away team regained possession and then opened up the Arsenal defence like a sardine can and into the chasm Scott strode and smashed the winner past a helpless Raya, who was having his worst game of the season – not great timing David. Arteta threw on Jesus for the below par Zubimendi and Mosquera for the struggling White but it was all too late, the tank was empty.
At this point I really would’ve taken the draw, in fact I’d imagine so would have Mikel. Gyokeres had a couple more efforts but the rest created nothing. Neither Trossard or Dowman had an impact and Eze had a few touches but was pretty much on his own. As for Jesus, well we might as well have brought on Salmon! Arsenal had 15 attempts on goal with only 3 on target, it was a damaging blow to our title dreams. Just how damaging we’ll know by next Sunday evening but the knives are already being sharpened, not by me but there’s a lot of unhappy Gooners out there.
We march on, we have no choice.
By Kev
New post up
Chelsea fans are classless, when they finish 6th with no CL football, they will wish they’d beaten City.
Morning all.
I think we’ll beat City at The Etihad. 😜
Sticks and stones Potter, sticks and stones.
Chelsea rolled over last night and the group of Chavs in the bar were loving it singing anti Arsenal songs . They were the same group looking for trouble as we lost to Bournemouth . I know that there is always the temptation to laugh at others misfortune but some go over the top .
Good morning lovely people
I am still cheesed off. and unless we beat city (which I feel we will not) I will remain that way. Even if eventually we win the ECL I would be slightly more or less the same since I dont give a f**k about the CL. Its the leagueI want. If anyone asked me if I would choose between winning the EPL three times in a row or two CL I would go for the EPL all the time.
WPL is over 38 games home and away. CL is over just 15 games and the luck of the draw.
Thank you for the match report, Kevin, the contribution from you and Rico in providing a platform for open-minded debate is wonderful, and should never be taken for granted.
I’m sorry my opinions don’t chime with yours, but as we’re both mature Arsenal fans, I can still respect your views.
Like Potter, you have a long understanding and experience of Arsenal and it’s character.
Another day Kev and Saliba’s touch would have gone elsewhere. Gawd knows what Raya was up to yesterday.
I didn’t at the time of his appointment either Bb but once appointed, I tried to get on board. Would I shed a tear if he moved on? No..
Mixed bag today, was never confident in Chelsea and of course they didn’t disappoint, Tottenham also didn’t disappoint either fortunately so seeing them relegated twice in my lifetime is becoming a real possibility and would be so beautiful.
Delighted for Jack, I follow some Luton podcasts and they’ve been quite mixed despite this being Jack’s first job, some people just get off on the moaning, it’s what makes them tick and it’s at every club, but after a mixed start Jacky boy is getting his mojo and those that fully supported him are being proved correct in their patience and understanding so kudos to them.
You’re welcome Stu, Rico and Limey.
Dev, I’m leaning towards your interpretation of the first Bournemouth goal, it’s how I saw it initially but a lot of fans blamed White primarily so I decided to hedge my bets.
Cheers Stuart.
I know opinions will differ and mine is probably among the least popular, I never rated him as a player, and at no time have I thought he deserves the highest position of authority at Arsenal.
But that’s just me.
I did remember ‘Stroller’, BBD. Always loved his statement, “It’s fine that people hate us. It’s part of our history”.
Joe Mercer won the FA Cup with Arsenal as a player and City as a manager. But only Mikel won it twice as a player and once as a manager with the same club.
Thanks for the post, Kev.
Let’s win it first Bb and see what happens. Although we won’t if we continue as we played yesterday.
I get that. Rico, we all want the long-awaited PL title, my only issue is that it will be used to reward Arteta, and if he does win the title, for me, this is his ceiling and will not improve. Just my personal feelings.
As said Bb, I get it, you want to see change but it’s not going to come over the next two months so I personally don’t see the point in keep going over the same things. You feel free to do so but until the end of the season, my hope is that we can find a way to win the league.
I know Rico, I was being flippant. But if you beat them away, you shouldn’t have shredded nerves playing them at home.
As I said yesterday, in last summers window, Bournemouth had to replace three of their back four, so nowhere near as strong as when they did the league double over us last season.
I bet they’ve never done the league double over City.
Rico, we all get the feel good vibes, especially when the club are on a run and it looks like nothing will derail us from the promised land, and every season it blows up in our faces.
Arteta doesn’t have enough banked credit to keep dismissing or throwing domestic cups away. For Guardiola and City a League cup is as worthy of celebrating as a CL. That’s elite winning mentality.
We beat Bournemouth at The Vitality Stadium earlier this season..
Nerves played a part I suspect Bb
The so called gimmicks are reported by the media, I’m more interested in how they get hold of the information. Also, wouldn’t you try anything if you believed it would help? I get it, you want Arteta gone.
Hi Devil
Here’s a question back for you.
When you assess the quality, the cost and depth of the current squad, how many games can you remember in the PL this season where the handbrake was released and Arsenal were just allowed to play and enjoy their football?
The two Leeds snd Tottenham games, and Villa at home. Five, maybe six games out of thirty-two.
One in six.
We might beat Bournemouth next season if Iraola returns to Spain.
During the last three seasons, including this one, I was never scared of any EPL team except one in particular. Can you guess who that team is??
Its Arsenal themselves. because, as I said in the past, this team can go another season unbeaten if it were not for our uncanny ability to shoot ourselves in the foot when we least expect it.
And another thing…..what I have noticed (not only me others as well) is that while against us many teams seem to employ all possible means to thwart us, refs included, however when they play City, Liverpool the same teams seem to lie back and think of England while spreading themselves in all four directions with a smile while seemingly enjoying it.
yesterday someone pointed out that Bournemouth have played 30 something games while we have played more than 50. And my comment back was that City have played the same games as us and they are winning.
So BBB let me ask you something similar. Why didnt you say the same when we had the best defence, the best attack, were stifling opponents, Arteta seemed to make very good substitutions etc etc etc.
I dont blame this on Arteta. I blame this on the players.
With regards substitutions, alhtough I may not agree with Arteta sometimes, we have to keep in mind that Arteta is determined by fitness and conditioning level of the playing 11 long before the tactical demands. If Havertz cannot withstand more than 60 mins, due to his conditioning, he has to be subbed before. Otherwise we would be staring at another injury.
And with regards the name of the dog ‘Win’ I see nothing wrong with that. Its all part of psychology of the team etc. Whether or not you or anyone else understands this is another matter. The majority of players have superstitions and having been part of a dressing room both as a player and as a coach I can assure you that these are realistic and even though some of them are funny even bordering on the hilarious, most players and coaches take them seriously and to another level. And yes they do determine the players’ performance much more than any thinks.
Remember Blanche kissing Barthez’ dome before every game? That was his superstition.
So while anyone might think certain things are silly I can assure you they are not.
And bdw…..I agree with various things you said.
I just say it as it is…..black is black, white is white. Good is good and stinking means stinking.
No other manager feels the need to highlight or employ these ‘gimmicks’, Rico, it hardly screams elite thinking.
You said above the players had a bad day at the office, when it matters most, the players always have a bad day at the office, and they’re becoming too frequent.
Next Sunday is season defining, moreso for Arteta.
I think you’re just picking on anything there Bb.
Good question Bb, I don’t know the answer other than it could be down to experience.
Arteta doesn’t help himself, Rico, with cringeworthy gimmicky behaviour such as ‘win’ the dog, having a sound system try and replicate Anfield, balancing ball-point pens in training, employing pickpockets – none of it has made the slightest difference.
I think Arsenal’s current brand of football along with the cost of assembling the squad is turning a lot of Arsenal fans against Arteta.
Hello Rico.
The lot of them Rico.
Contrast the confidence ŵith which City play their football, they play without pressure, not sideways or backwards, always facing up and taking the game to the opposition, with Arsenal it’s the complete opposite.
The mentality, team selection, tactics all come from the manager, Arteta worked as Guardiola’s right-hand man for two years, why is there such a gulf in their styles and approach to football when they’re from the same stable (Barca)?
Bb, who are you blaming then? Arteta, the transfer team or all of them? Or the players who had a really bad day?
The two players I was really disappointed in yesterday was Havertz and Madueke, Martinelli too to a lesser degree though as the ball kept going out to the right.
A big toe Cicero or was it his shoulder? Great finish though. ☹️
Imagine the difference in mind-set and excitement levels if you had bought Cherki and Ekitike for the same cost as Madueke and Gyokeres.
You all know what I’m saying, the level of ambition and the ability to deliver at Arsenal is still very questionable.
Afternoon Devil, guys.
Can’t believe Chelsea have surrendered two goals. Guess we’ll have to beat City then. 😜
0 – 3
Ryan Cherki cost £32m, and Arsenal paid £50+m for a player (Noni Madueke) they didn’t need.
Guess who is having the biggest impact?
Elite intelligence at Arsenal.
Not so good now. City two nil up. 😕
Chelsea/City 0 – 0 half-time. So far so good.
‘History’ Cicero?
Being totally outclassed by City at Wembley, giving up yet another FA cup, and playing against Liverpool like you’re s***-scared of losing is all incredibly recent.
Are Arsenal any different in character from the club which started life at the Emirates?
Yes MLS was good,in fact I’m reluctant to criticise any defenders.
But apart from Rice our Midfield and Attack were useless.
Should be no problem with motivation in our next two games.
Jack Wilshire’s Luton win the E F L Vertu Trophy beating Stockport 3 – 1.
A couple of years from now he could become the Arsenal head coach.
Haven’t yet managed to watch yesterday’s game, but I confess that, like everyone else until the end, I wasn’t and am not optimistic. Since the beginning of the year, Arsenal has been very predictable, lacking both physical and mental freshness. They’ve managed to overcome obstacles until the first important decision failed. And on top of that, against their main rival.
I think I posted something like this at the time: without making any acquisitions (because I emphasized that Arsenal regularly played with 15-16 players, not having a deep squad) and especially “ignoring” the remaining players in the squad, Arsenal would have many difficulties in the final stretch of the season. Add to that the loan of players who could fill or mask some weaknesses. What we see now is the physical and mental exhaustion of the key players and the depletion of ideas. And more injuries. And above all, the absence of internal solutions.
“History is bunk” is a famous phrase attributed to Henry Ford, expressing his belief that excessive focus on the past can hinder present action and innovation.
Did everyone watch the horror show that was the League cup final?
City played a level of football far beyond Arsenal’s capabilities.
They blew Arsenal away, and once they had their comfortable two-goal lead, they played the game out knowing Arsenal had absolutely nothing that could hurt them, and from an Arsenal perspective that is seriously depressing.
Decisions such as going all-in for Gyokeres instead of someone on the rise like Ekitike continue to be our bugbear.
Gyokeres is playing safe, Ekitike is sky’s-the-limit potential, and the difference in dyamics is night and day.
And before anyone points out the poor season Liverpool are having, they’re seven titles and six CL’s ahead so I’d back them to turn it around before Arteta. We played against them like we were terrified of losing and took only one out of the six points on offer.
Hey Stuart.
It’s the day after the night before, but the feeling is flat.
Let’s start with the FA cup.
Three you say, two as captain.
It was a major trophy a long time ago, not so much since United refused to defend it (early 2000’s).
The first one of the three in 2014 was a deflection from Wenger having thrown the PL title away, when having led the PL comfortably through January and having lost Giroud and Walcott to injury, he refused to buy a striker. Arsenal lined up with Yaya Sanogo against Bayern Munich in Germany in the CL.
We went on to lose 5-1 at Anfield and 6-0 at Chelsea in Wenger’s 1000th game. In the cup final itself, championship side Hull took us to extra time. But as it ended a nine year wait for a trophy, naturally is was joyfully celebrated.
As far as I recall, the 2015 FA cup was more routine, thrashing Villa 4-0 at Wembley, although little Wigan pushed us in the semi-final.
Onto Arteta’s only highlight as manager in nearly seven years, his lockdown Covid FA cup.
George Graham won the FA cup as player (1971) and manager (1993) at Arsenal.
Arteta won it with a team he inherited from Emery, then he went on to ditch them, paying huge money to get some of them out of the club.
Since that rarified moment of personal glory, Stuart, would you say Arteta has taken the FA cup seriously?
The ongoing theme with Arsenal that has been running since the stadium move 20 years ago is always ‘Jam tomorrow…’
Arteta is the perfect proponent for this philosophy.
Spuds are easily London’s strongest team. Their loss today cemented their place (for now after 32 games) in the bottom three………meaning ……. they are holding all the EPL London based teams up. It takes great strength to hold them above. May it stay that way.
White did ok imo. As I said before the first goal was Noni’s fault not White’s. However we miss the mental strength of Timber at the back.
In the last three games we have been exposed on the right. White did not have his mate Saka with him. If Odegaard was on the pitch together with Saka and White then the right would have been solid.
Timber works ok with both Saka and Madueke. However he was not available. Fingers crossed he will be against City. I believe that in midweek we will see more or less the same team as yesterday. And if Zubimendi has a knock I hope Arteta plays Norgaard or MLS in his place.
I’ve now speed watched the match and can honestly say we were a bit unlucky to not get at least a draw. Marginal, very, offside ruled out Gyokeres strike and an unlucky deflection off Saliba’s heel which presented an unmissable chance to Bournemouth were the difference overall. Yes we played within ourselves, understandably so, considering the the number of games in such a short but intense period. Bournemouth had not played a game for almost three weeks and we go again on Wednesday against Sporting followed by the biggest game of our season so far away to City on Sunday.
Give ’em a break folks, they don’t deserve the over-the-top reactions.
I was almighty pissed off. Not with the result but with the attitude of the players. Against City, Southampton and yesterday their attitude left a very big lot to be desired. Its not the defeat which hurt. Its the attitude.
Does anyone here remember the game against Bolton in the latter stages of the 2002/2003 season when we were pipped by Manure for the title? We lost points that day but our attitude was spot on. It was simply the result of Fat Sam’s dirty team and tactics which beat us. The defeat hurt but we could not fault the player’s attitude. Can we say the same about the present team’s attitude in the last three defeats?? No we cant simply because the attitude stank.
Afternoon Rico and all
A down to earth match report Kev. Couldn’t have worded it better. Straight to the point. Only one thing I didn’t agree….for the forst goal only Madueke failed to track the player and was ball watching. White couldnt have done anything else as he was caught in no man’s land due to Noni’s lack of focus. Infact White looked back to see if he was amply covered but saw ‘Mad’ueke strolling back. That split second gave them the chance which they took.
The team was playing at walking pace. Raya was faffing around with the ball. Instead of launching an immediate attack he took too many touches.
Tiredness?? No I dont think so. Injuries?? No neither. We had a very good team out there. Maybe the fact that we play next wednesday and then on Sunday. Maybe the players’ mind was on the next two games? Only that might seem the excuse however it doesn’t cut for me. The players weren’t focused and I presume even Arteta was lost. If not how on earth does he sub Havertz on the 54th minute?? Maybe Martinelli yes but not for Trossard who barely broke sweat. Dowman’s entry on the 54th minute was too early. Dowman is an 80+ minute sub but not earlier. 54th minute the opposition are not yet tired. but 20+ mins later they would have been. Dowman is still watery bones and ankles and it was too much for him to shoulder such an early pressure. Bar his loss of focus in their opening goal Noni was not having a stinker. It would have made more sense to leave him there till a bit later.
White and MLS were ok and it made sense to leave Hincapie on the bench.
And I feel that Zubi was carryng a knock from last game or two. In the 2nd goal he let the player get around him. Why is Norgaard at the club? Why pay 10mill for him and leave him there throughout the season?
I thought Myles did well too, but our big money signings were poor barring Reliable Rice.
Thanks Kev,
Our best player,as usual was Declan Rice.
It would be nice if others stepped up,what has happened to Zubamendi,he looks to be running on empty. I’ve rarely seen Gyokeres have as much of the ball,to be fair he did OK. Havertz was anonymous,I really like him as a player,that’s not his position. Madueke did his usual headless chicken impression.
But really we were shockingly bad,no urgency,moving the ball slowly, second best to Bournemouth all the way through.
If we could have hung on for a point,it could have been so important,totally undeserved but important.
Funny enough I thought Jesus did OK,although you’re really in trouble if you’re expecting him to save you.
Man City now have 3 league games before we play Newcastle,we only have one and it’s at the Etihad.
We can’t afford to lose that one.
I’m living in hope.
Afternoon Kev, all. Thanks for the post, a good yet sad read.
I recall back in January suggesting Arsenal bring in some kind of motivational coach, someone to help with the players mindset. I still do because yesterday I’m sure it was nervous display and as the nerves grew, so did mistakes.