Daily Bits and Bobs

Where did that come from? 1, 2, 3, Caramba!

Posted on by rico

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Morning guys and gals.

Ok, I don’t like swearing much but to be honest, that was the question running through my mind as the halftime whistle blew…

Superb attacking play, great defending and great football from Arsenal. Great support from The Emirates faithful who started slow but after Alexis scored, came alive….

Alexis, Theo and finally, Ozil! 3-0 and as it turned out, game over.. To be honest though, we could have won that game by a much greater margin and Chelsea would have deserved it. It’s a long time since we’ve beaten them so do so in such a fashion was nothing other than utterly fantastic.

costa

There’s no denying Chelsea were poor but for once, Costa’s little antics weren’t paying off as both the Arsenal players and Michael Olivier ignored him and just got on with their jobs. We defended well, attacked with pace and movement which left the Chelsea defence looking silly at times but what I really loved was seeing our boys close the opposition down so quickly. As soon as a defender had the ball, one of Alexis, Walcott, Iwobi etc were on them fast and many times it paid off as we robbed them of possession.

Theo Walcott stood out for all the right reasons too, tracking back, winning the ball back and he even got stuck in with a few tackles. Did I imagine it or did he really show a bit of fancy footwork whilst defending, a flick of some sort which came good? Enough praise for him but my word, if Theo carries on as he played yesterday for the rest of the season, finally he might be very good player.

The first half was Arsenal at their very best. Conte changed things during the second half but apart from Batshuayi late in the game, Chelsea didn’t have a shot on target and only Courtois prevented us from winning by an even greater margin.

Not one player deserves criticism this morning, well, perhaps Ollie who now has a rather stupid looking beard and is clearly not fit. Either that of he’s just older and slower than ever before.

The only downside to the match was Francis Coquelin picking up and injury. Fingers crossed it’s nothing too serious but knowing our luck, it will be.

One lucky lad...
One lucky lad…

At the end of the match, Mesut Ozil threw his shirt into the stands and one young man will be even happier than we all are….

But, one stunning performance doesn’t make a season great, last season’s victory over Utd at home proved that. Arsene Wenger and this squad of players have to repeat somewhere near that level of performance throughout the season. Of course not all sides will open up at the back with such ease as Chelsea did but playing as we did yesterday, even the biggest parked bus would struggle to keep us out. Pace, movement and width will always cause problems going forward.

Similar at the back. Our defensive unit was outstanding yesterday, Mustafi and Koscielny looked like they’d been playing together for years and both Monreal and Bellerin were back to their best too. Chelsea hit a brick wall more often than not when they pushed forward and it’s been a long time since we’ve looked as strong when defending but again, we’ll face a more attacking/different threat when we face the likes Man City, Utd, Everton etc etc.

That kind of performance cannot be a one off and there’s absolutely no reason why it should be.

Next up it’s Basel on Wednesday and something similar at The Emirates would be mighty fine….

rico

106 thoughts on “Where did that come from? 1, 2, 3, Caramba!”

  2. ScottfromOz says:

    Watching the replay just now, I heard this strange noise.
    Hit the mute button, it disappeared, hit it again, it reappeared.
    It took me a while to realise that sound resonating through the room was the crowd 🙂
    The boys have them reason to sing, and they did, so a great effort all round.

  3. rico says:

    When the team start like that, there’s a reason the fans get behind them.

    Trouble is, for so long now, we’ve started slow and have been quite boring to watch…

  4. ScottfromOz says:

    Rico, watching an Arsenal TV done after the game, the guy in question admitted the crowd let the boys down on occasions.
    The crowd can feed of the lads, and vice versa.

  5. rico says:

    I know Scott but it’s been awful for so long, it must be difficult. A few more performances like that though and the fans might just start to believe again. Might! 😉

  7. Adam says:

    Morning Rico, Kev and all. Oliver reached for his card after calling Ivanovich over just before the break. I saw the realisation dawn that he was going to send the ghastly brute off so he let it go.
    Yes, Kante preferred to play the man instead of the ball yesterday and was very lucky. Dragging players back when they are breaking into a promising counter attacking situation is usually a yellow card offence but apparently not for Kante. Add one or two over the top challenges and stamps and he could have gone. But the fact that they finished with a full quota of shitheads means they can’t use that excuse.
    It’s been a while since I have heard the Emirates bouncing like that. Long may it continue.
    And a last word for the Kos/Musafi pairing. Looks very promising to me.

  8. allezkev says:

    Morning Adam

    I don’t remember Kante being a snide at Leicester last season, maybe it’s the influence of his new team mates, who must still be infected by the virus that is Mourinho…

  14. goonster says:

    Morning everyone still buzzing huh?? Lol so am I. We look the reap deal yesterday. Play like that against every opposition from now till the end of the season and we might just land the old elusive big ears.

  16. Adam says:

    Mustafi looks quick Rico with that nose for danger that great defenders have. Kos was superb again yesterday and gave Costa sly one before walking away. Costa got the hump and got booked.
    The win came with a cold air of ruthlessness which was impressive. Can’t see where Giroud fits into this style though.

  21. andrewh1313 says:

    Morning Rico, all, happy days. It’s been a while, but when it comes together, it’s great. But we need to close down the lesser teams and play at same intensity more often. Maybe yesterday will be the confidence boost needed for repeat performances. Certainly with our two late signings, we now have a solid squad. Jury out on whether Sanchez really can be a Suarez, that would be the icing.

  23. rico says:

    Morning Andrew, very happy days.

    But as said in the post, one great game doesn’t a season, but it does seem like we could be on our way. Burnley away next in the league and they’ll probably park a bus, let’s see how we break them down…

  25. Le Coq Monster says:

    Thanks Rico !

    Where did it come from ?………………………..Having a stronger squad with players having to fight for their places……….The Sanogo Factor !

    Wenger said……………….”But I believe more the change in Theo Walcott is his attitude to this season. He’s ready to fight, commit and straight away he gets the crowd behind him. Theo Walcott of that stature is a completely different player.”………………………….with the quality of Sanogo breathing down his neck, Theo has upped his game and workrate !……………………………………………..I`m sure Obi will agree with me !. 😆

  26. ScottfromOz says:

    Giroud has certain games to play, but he’s not our only option now-same as Merts.
    Squad depth-it’s lovely 🙂

  27. Le Coq Monster says:

    Agree !…………………. in reality we are just one pathetic game away from dooming and given our recent history that might not be too far away, it has to be maintained against Burnley !

  28. kelsey says:

    Morning again

    Of course we all loved this performance and could watch it over and over again but what was it that suddenly made us play like that,I can’t figure it out.
    ———————–

    Was it the inclusion of Mustafi ? I doubt it but his partnership with kos looked superb.

    Everyone one of them including the much maligned Walcott put in a shift.

    Now we have to be consistent and suddenly everyone is looking over their shoulder to see there is real competition.

    Rico and others are right.We have been dreadful on more than one occasion these past few years and we have a very demanding Home based crowd and yesterday one could hear their pleasure in the win and the way we played.

  29. scottfromoz says:

    That game, in my opinion, showed that we are a different squad.
    A more mature, confident and hard nosed squad.
    Even when we’ve showed glimpses of brilliance in recent years, we have been miserable v this lot.
    The monkey is well and truly off our backs, now, and all because of one hell of a decent performance.
    We monstered them, and our physicality was as good as I can remember.
    Let’s get behind the boys.
    Yes, it could be an anomaly, but I seriously doubt it, so let’s not get all negative and wonder when they will bring us back to earth, let’s hope like hell they don’t.

  30. rico says:

    I think that’s it too LC, as Kev said on the last post, competition for places has woken a few up, certainly Walcott. He looks a lot stronger physically too…

  32. Le Coq Monster says:

    With our recent history against The Chavs, not only are us fans buzzing but more importantly I bet our players are still clinging to the ceiling, it should be mentally and physically the real kick start we`ve needed for a long time !………………….time to push on with new confidence !

  37. allezkev says:

    Agree Rico, imagine if Arsene had signed Xhaka, Elneny, Perez and Mustafi 12 months ago..?

    They would have a whole lot cheaper as well…

    Strange, but not heard anymore about AW and Ivan falling out. That had oddly gone very quiet… ?

  39. rico says:

    Ruud Gullit wasn’t it LC – that comment made me chuckle…

    Scott, I bet Wenger wishes he had…..

    Kev, maybe they weren’t for sale then.. 😉

    Seriously though, I truly believe the Xhaka deal was agreed last year but he wanted one more year in Germany before making the big step into the PL..

    Did AW and Ivan really fall out?

  43. allezkev says:

    Mind you, in all this euphoria we should bare in mind that we got all excited last season and ultimately had to stomach another Arsenal mid-season implosion…

    So let’s see how we do against Utd, City, Scum, Koeman Everton, Chavs (a) and Liverpool (a) before we start celebrating too much…

    Rico, we’ve been here too many times in the recent past to get sucked into the hype again eh?

  47. kelsey says:

    Still enjoy the day Rico not only the result but who we beat.I doubt Conte will last the season.

    You know I agree with you,consistency is the key, enjoying the football and three points is a bonus.

  49. Obi says:

    Morning All:
    On Theo, it’s not the competition for spot. Theo has sat on the bench before for a long time and it didn’t motivate him. I said it when he was left out of the Euros that that was the turning point for him…watched the interview he gave after that he was heartbroken about to cry.
    All those waiting for the shoe to drop, not with this team, character, mentality, experience and PHYSICALITY is different now When they were winning ugly that was why I was impress and kept saying they are getting results. It’s only 8 games so far, but in all those games they have shown us 3 different styles of playing when you watch the tapes – sure most of us loved yesterday. Imho, the first 11 potentially has 7 WC players. And we still have Sonogo to come back LC

  51. Obi says:

    Am the record: Chelsea will struggle to make top 4, MU is crap until they address that midfield Mata and Herrera are not the answer because defensively they expose Pogba who don’t track back and at the back they struggle, Liverpool will be an up and down team again because of their defense, very suspected midfield and they are short. Forget the Totts because they are the Totts, It will be Arsenal v Man City. Imho we have a more complete squad, it just a matter of selection and tactics.

  54. rico says:

    We’ll see I guess Obi, I really hope he carries on the way he played yesterday.

    Not quite convinced Conte won’t sort things out, or Mourinho, but I sure hope neither do….

  55. Dick says:

    We tear team’s apart when they play very open football – Chelsea on Saturday and Manure last year, but playing through packed defences and defending breakaway attacks has been incredibly difficult for us; against retreating defence we have played too narrow, can’t seem to shoot from outside the box and have often been caught with our full backs far up the field and unable to defend counter attacks. Therefore my celebration after the Chelsea game has been muted and I’m waiting for results against more pragmatic opposition.

  56. Obi says:

    They will Rico in January TW. Which is good for us. I think Conte quicker than Jose. Jose has lost it. I wonder why MU bought Schneiderlin?

  57. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Buon Pomeriggio Lovelies and Hunkies.

    Feet on the ground mates. We still have to play Mourpunch United. And the spuddies as well. These two consecutive games in the EPL will tell really tell us where we stand. Hopefully 6 points will be obtained……I just don’t care how we obtain them.

  60. Tsgh says:

    Conte will come good.imho from Atlanta not have he has played with a back 4 less than 10 times…
    In that time if we can keep close to city thrn it’s all good.
    And obviously the EPl seeing how will played yesterday will schedule our next top 4 game at noon…

  61. Tsgh says:

    For those who don’t mind stats it’s interesting to observe that in the top 6 leagues in Europe only 5 teams have come from behind to win in a champion match since start of season.
    As Aw said after the last 0:6 thrashing in the big games you have to score first otherwise it’s over.

  63. rico says:

    Can’t believe either club would give them any more money in Jan Obi, they both have good squads just are struggling. Agree re Mourinho, he’s lost his mojo big time…

    I bet Schneiderlin wishes he’d never left Southampton…

  65. Silky says:

    Howdy y’all great read Rico! Buzzing since yday! I hope the Sanchez experiment works, I reckon he’s beginning to enjoy it, but it also allows for football like we saw yday! On a side note Chambers looked a shambles against d Spuds mite look for some breed of swap for him n Gibson ?

  69. Obi says:

    Rico, I reckon both club will sell big time: Cesc, Pedro, Oscar, Cosra etc will be gone and United Shaw, Fellani, Rojo, Herrera, Schneiderlin so they will have money.
    Ts I have no doubt about Conti he’s too good not to become good he just don’t have his type of players yet.

  73. kelsey says:

    Could someone point me to the financial video please.

    I don’t think either Chambers nor Jenkinson will be good enough.This kid who played at Forest is getting rave revues.Maitland Niles

    Are Spurs playing all their home games at Wembley next season, if so why are thet playiny their CL games at Wembley this year. (more money perhaps)

  80. Micko says:

    The sound of the Bow Bells must be a distant dream now rico !

    Short working week for me, I’m off to watch the 19 times Swiss Champions on Wednesday.

  84. Herb's Army says:

    Hi Rico and everyone in house.
    Wow!!!
    After we hammered United 3-0 last season, I was uber-positive about how psychological hurdles had been cleared and with our new-found solidity, I believed Arsenal would go on to win the title.
    I’m not going to make that statement now, though beating Chelsea so consumately could be deeply significant if we build on it.
    Had Wenger prepared us properly, the disaster against Liverpool could have been avoided.
    But is is another psychological hurdle cleared, and a performance that really should signal the end of Olivier Giroud’s time at Arsenal. In the 3-0 mauling of United, Walcott started up top – (who I have to concede was really at it yesterday) – yesterday it was Sanchez.
    Olivier Giroud is an exceptionally lucky man to have found an incredibly generous benefactor, who coincidently managed Arsenal. Had we not bought him it is very doubtful that he would have represented France at international level. Being at Arsenal has vastly over-exaggerated his ability.
    There will be plenty more tests of our character throughout the season, not least from both Manchester’s, and maybe even Tottenham, who we haven’t beaten in the PL for a while.
    Yesterday was most enjoyable – not enjoyable enough to accept the cannon being the wrong way round – but a good day to be an Arsenal supporter.
    Now let’s take it on to bigger, better and significant silver-ware, or at least an honest blood and guts challenge, that we are capable of taking to the wire.

  85. Micko says:

    Herb, there’s a lot to be said for getting your business done early, one day the penny will drop.

    First game in and the wheels fell off but thankfully it looks like we’re back on track again, they say it’s the hope that kills you in the end.

    rico, I’m not off till Tuesday, you trying to give me a subtle hint lol.

  86. Micko says:

    Le Coq, driving Miss Daisy was a classic but so was ‘Pedro was no slouch but he’s also no Hector Bellerin, one Spaniard completely burning up the other’ defense into attack in the blink of an eye, counter attacking football at it’s best…….nite Gooners.

  88. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico

    Morning All

    Coquelin will have his scan today, then we’ll know how long he’s gonna be out for…
    A midfield of Elneny and Xhaka for Basel this Wednesday I reckon, give Santi a rest…

    I wonder if Giroud will get a start?
    With possibly Perez and Oxlade Chamberlain either side of him…

    Ospina in goal…?

  90. rico says:

    Morning Kev.

    Wonder where Elneny was at the weekend having not even been named in the squad.

    Hope it’s good news for Coquelin, however…

  91. allezkev says:

    Elneny will have a lot of football to play this season Rico, keeping players fresh at this stage of the season is key, because football is such a grinding treadmill, one game after another, three competitions, International breaks (yawn), saving as much in the tank for later in the season is vital. It might explain why Arsenal so often run out of steam in November?

  92. rico says:

    Perhaps he had a break in the sunshine like Ozil had last season quite often Kev. I’m all for giving them a break, just seemed odd when playing Chelsea. Still, I got that one wrong… 😉

  94. Le Coq Monster says:

    Morning all.

    Kev`………………..I think Arsene has already said that Ospinaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa will be the CL goalie with Cech the EPL goalie, Martinez the EFL goalie and Jim Furnell the FA Cup goalie ! ……………………………….you aint seen nothing like the mighty Jim ………..Furnell 🙂

  98. Marshall says:

    Morning all. Still buzzing!! Rubbing it to the chavs at job.

    I think Theo turned around when he was publicly told to know his best/preferred position. Guess that’s when he chose the wing and stuck with it…no more mumbling for central position.

    I’d like Perez to play on Wednesday and Elneny to give one to his former team for old times sake.
    Would Arsene put Sanchez on the flanks to accommodate LP09?

  99. scottfromoz says:

    Morning all.
    Question…..why SHOULDN’T we get excited?
    Plenty have said that, and I agree to an extents, as we haven’t really proven anything yet, but why not show some excitement?
    Tell me this wouldn’t rub off on the playing group.
    Surely that’s better than sitting back with the attitude that we will show our soft underbelly sooner or later.
    Enthusiasm is a wonderful thing….case in point, Theo….and it’s infectious.

  100. Marshall says:

    Rico we’d definitely prefer Cech in goal, but I think UClL was the bargain chip Arsene used to keep Ospina. I personally don’t mind him there…he was outstanding in Paris

  101. Marshall says:

    Scott I think us fans are a worrying lot 🙂

    As for me f***k it, I’ll celebrate the wins as they come, and hope there will be many more.

    Do you see teams at the half bottom of the table how they celebrate every win they get? They know staying on top is the best they can get yet they are behind their team every weekend, and cheer every win. Keeps the spirits up, as said before the team could feed off the crowd…

  103. Marshall says:

    Our defense is giving me confidence. None of our plyers turned their backs on the few shots. Even how the Coq unfortunately came to have his injury is cause he was blocking a shot. Mustafi put his body into afew of those too. Was the type of defending we have all been asking for.

  104. Marshall says:

    Jenkinson back in training, Ramsey not far off, remember them? Our squad depth is such a blessing.

    Last Sep had Coq picked up an injury there’d be a meltdown :). Why did Wenger had to take so long?

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