Morning all.
The period over Christmas and the New Year saw opinions and results fluctuate but maybe not as wildly as many in the media expected or wanted. All the same, the end result of all the jaw jaw was some very encouraging results for us and disappointment for everyone else – and that’s always a good thing.
Arsenal negotiated an awful holiday period injury wise with our defence down to the absolute barest of bones and with our best player having to play at right back, but we emerged in a stronger position than the one we had entered the holiday period with, the media adjusting it’s own biased narrative once more like a chameleon.
We’ve been here before of course but there is a definite resilience about this current iteration of Arteta’s Arsenal and the haters are most certainly getting nervous.
Bournemouth are a better side than their recent results have shown and always seem to enjoy playing the Gunners. With that in mind Arteta rotated up front but stayed strong in midfield and defence as back came Declan Rice for Merino whilst Madueke and Martinelli rotated with Trossard and Saka.
Almost as if to introduce us to an evening of chaos and anxiety Semenyo almost got in after only 30 seconds with the Gunners snoozing. It was a salutary lesson that the good guys in red didn’t heed. After 8 minutes of Bournemouth threats Madueke got free and ran at his full-back turning him easily, but after cutting inside with a clear sight of goal Noni wastefully ballooned his shot over the bar. 2 minutes later we experienced a Gabriel calamity when under pressure, the King of Brazil abdicated his composure and passed directed to Evanilson who gleefully slotted Bournemouth ahead. Alas dear Gabby, I knew him well!
Dean Court was rocking and the Gunners needed to dig in and turn this calamity around, fortunately Noni was just the guy to do that as following a free kick on 16 which Rice drove into the box and where it was eventually cleared to the man with a headscarf. Noni then went on a mazy dribble towards the byline causing chaos in the Bournemouth defence, he squeezed a low cross past several Cherries defenders and following efforts by Hincapie and Martinelli, the ball ran to His Majesty on the far post and he drilled it into the net.
The next 10 minutes was a continuation of Bournemouth pressing like Dervishes with Arsenal desperately trying to compose themselves and exercise some control. The referee Mr Kavanagh didn’t help as he got caught up in the mayhem. Viktor Gyokeres has to stay on his feet, nobody is giving him a free kick regardless of how much pushing, pulling and holding he endures, this isn’t Portugal. The rest of the half played out without anymore serious goal threats but plenty of chaos.
Half-Time 1-1 and breathe.
Arteta didn’t make any changes to personnel but he did make a few key tactical tweaks although the chaos continued unabated even if Arsenal did slightly show signs of controlling the game.
On 53 a quick Bournemouth free kick found us sleeping and Brooks got in a really dangerous shot that fizzed across goal and just past the far post, phew. A minute later it was happy days, a pass up to Gyokeres which he didn’t exactly control but his fighting qualities saw the ball run to Odegaard who set up Declan Rice and he swept home a low drive between defenders and wide of the goalkeeper. The presence of Viktor will be overlooked I suppose but it was his fighting qualities that provided the opening.
Still Arsenal couldn’t quite tame the Bournemouth press although the game was gradually swinging the way of North London. Kavanagh yellow carded Zubimendi for sod all showing a complete lack of common sense, he really isn’t a great official, then on 67 Arteta played his ace card as on came Trossard, Jesus and Saka for Noni, Viktor and Gab, 4 minutes later we got the key breakthrough. Timber pushed a forward pass to Odegaard who switched it out wide to Bayayo and his accurate pull back was calmly dispatched by Declan Rice and that was that.
Well it should have been but with Arsenal gearing up to possibly score again Koupi blasted a shot from nothing past a helpless Raya and the chaos was on again, oh for God’s sake! With the game in the balance Arteta brought Merino on for Odegaard on 80 and Mikel never wasted a pass showing how it could be done. Even so it was still bloody nervy and with the moronic commentators clearly showing their bias I turned the volume down. It’s enough to suffer the angst without those dipsticks piling in. On 86 Merino fired in a shot that was saved, on 88 Bakayo shot over the bar and on 92 Jesus had a low shot saved. For all the huffing and puffing of Bournemouth, in the end the Gunners defence kept them at bay.
It was a hard fought but thoroughly deserved 3 points and it piles the pressure again onto the Etihad mob. I did think that Madueke was underused as I thought he had the beating of his full-back and Viktor again got very little service but all in all it was a satisfying win and we go again in 5 days time.
We march on.
By Kev.
Morning Kev, all.
Good post Kev. Kavanagh was shocking but my guess is that’s how it’s going to be now. It’ll be interesting to know how many other players get booked for kicking the ball away this weekend, or indeed holding onto a players legs is deemed a foul.
At least we seem to be more streetwise now and not reacting.
That was a tough old game.
Morning rico, House. Amusing report as always Kev, Jaw Jaw indeed. Just read a Sun online report, got me boiling! Rice’s two goals turned into a negative as he should do it much more often for club and country. Just as well as Gyokeres ‘continues to look absolutely hopeless’. Continue digs but the one that got me most was:
“Semenyo also picked up a caution for tripping Hincapie but that was harsh as Gabriel had just delivered a more cynical block on Evanilson and avoided a caution. When Arteta next moans about refereeing consistencies, which he will, he should remember incidents like this, which he obviously won’t.”
Reporter must have been having a snooze when their 2 armed pulling back, and later pull on Jesus’s foot were not seen! Not to mention the farce in the area at end.
Kev, replace this cheap snide reporter please!
Morning Andrew, I find the more the media/commentators are bitter, the better because it means we are doing well. They are so obviously biased even their mates must be laughing at them. The only person I find level headed on Sky is Jay Bothroyd.
Must admit, I was surprised to see Kavanagh end the game when he did as I thought there would be at least an extra minute at the end. Glad he did though. Lol
Saw this on TV yesterday, footballs funniest moments.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TE3FRbDah6w
Morning Gooners, it’s a bit chilly this morning, morning Rico, thanks for the editing.
Cheers Andrew, yeah there’s a good reason why so many and probably the majority of football fans no longer rely on the MSM for their content, I blew the MSM out yonks ago. There’s so many good and able outlets where you’ll get balanced content, minus the snide narrative.
Yes Rico I’ve come across big Jay before and he is very good at deflecting all the anti-Arsenal bias in his own inimitable way. We need far more pro-Arsenal people in the media because it’s still mostly full of ex-Liverpool and United types with a sprinkling of ex-Spuds.
GMB news have a better sporting section Kev, must be an Arsenal fan somewhere on there.
Sky etc just like the sound of their own voice..
I tend to go on YouTube and see who’s on there Rico, tbh I’m not too interested in what non-Arsenal fans think, there’s so much good, coherent, available content out there.
As for Sky they’re like a comic, a cartoon cut-out, Dharma Seth seems fairly sensible but the rest are like extras from your local comedy club.
Arsecast, Vision, Cannon podcast, Charles Watts, Adrian Clarke pod, plenty for me to listen to when I’m driving especially with two games a week. Mike McDonald on Gunnerstown does interesting, deep tactical stuff if you fancy a read, but GMB? Maybe a bit too early for me, I like my warm bed. 😃
Good morning folks.
Another good un Kev thanks.
The anti Arsenal bias does annoy me but I would not wish to see the sort of arse licking, fawning twaddle written about certain other “top sides” applied to Arsenal.
Even handed , objective reporting would be more than welcome, sadly though, that sort of thing doesn’t lend itself to eye catching headlines or clicks.
Three more days of recovery before Thursday night’s home clash with Liverpool. I just can’t wait.
I see that the game at Fratton Park has been called off due to the weather, we really don’t want our match postponed there next Sunday…
I guess it must be quite cold down there Rico?
Cheers Cicero, yeah the lads get an extra days rest before we face Liverpool and then we have a score to settle with the darlings of the sports media.
Sensible Kev, keep the bitter noise out.
Lovely here, bright, sunny but a tad chilly.
Same with the officiating Cicero, we don’t want or need favouritism, just honesty and consistency.
What a vital 3 points,my heart rate and blood pressure monitor was going haywire.
To be fair Bournemouth played well,their style seems to give us problems. Mind you they were helped by some baffling reffing.
If only a few others could show the same calmness and poise in front of goal as Declan Rice – what a player he is
I thought Madueke looked electric,at times unplayable.
Apart from the Everton game,we don’t seem to keep clean sheets away from home.
Bring on the scousers.
Me too re Noni, refreshing to see both him and Saka go behind their man instead of the usual cutting inside.
Good afternoon Rico and all
A good match report Kev. Kavanagh was so bad even the opposition were complaining. Certain decision were beyond belief. And some against us left me open mouthed.
Yesterday VG14 worked his socks off for the team. And today I kept reading some negative remarks from certain fans. In the first Declan Rice’s goal, it was easy to miss a particular detail before the finish. The moment he received the pass, Viktor Gyökeres dragged almost the entire Bournemouth defence towards him, I saw 4 players around him, creating a huge pocket of space behind. That space allowed Rice to arrive and score freely.
No matter how you look at it, one has to admit that Gyökeres keeps contributing in his own way. The moment he goes off the opposition play differntly.
I really enjoyed the fact that Madueke and Martinelli started the match before Saka and Trossard. That is in effect good rotation. Fingers crossed that when Havertz gets full match fitness he will rotate with VG14.
However that rotation needs to be seen in midfield and defence as well. Norgaard, Eze, Merino and also MLS (he is a midfielder) need games as well. It gives them match sharpness plus rest the others as well.
Regardless of Gabriel’s mistake, I would appreciate an explanation of the logic behind giving the ball to Gabriel, who is near the corner flag, with Evanilsson in the box and another opposing player falling on top of him, Raya out of position and also marked, leaving him with two options: either kick it forward, and if the ball is recovered, the danger is imminent, or kick it across the area, with an even greater risk of the ball being intercepted. Isn’t that playing on a tightrope?
Afternoon Devil, agree wholeheartedly re Gyokeres.
Add Nwaneri too, he’s another midfielder.
Dippers, Totts and Man U all draw, good results again.
I saw 4 players around him, creating a huge pocket of space behind. That space allowed Rice to arrive and score freely.
I saw a photo of that this morning but try as I may I have not been able to post it..
My son and I both commented that Bournemouth got back in it when Big Vik went off , even if we want to protect things we need a presence up front and Jesus for all his merits doesn’t hold the b
all and doesn’t occupy defences and neither does Havertz for that matter
Yesterday was a clash of wills and Iraola seems to know Arteta well and always makes it difficult these games are never a foregone conclusion.
I can’t believe the level of criticism he gets..
Chelsea snatch a point at the death. Excellent
Just garaged car after visiting mum. And saw that Chelsea equalized at the death. Grrrraaat. 6 points now.
Last minute turn up , 6 points clear now , it makes Thursday night all important , with Villa away to Palace and City having Brighton at home the points are all important.
Wow not very often Chelsea do Arsenal a favour. Get in.
They sold us Luiz though. 😂
Agreed Potter. Thursday night is very important as a win against the dippers will see many psychological points achieved. Its not just a win against any club. Its not just 3 points. Its many reasons all at once.
Just a small stat…..after 20 games we have 2 more points than the Invincibles when they had played 20 games. We are on a good path.
The Etihad Mob are losing control, their arrogance is working against them and they’re picking up injuries.
If Haaland doesn’t score it seems then City don’t win…
Maybe the City players know something we don’t…
Yep Kev. I just read that during the 2nd half they were sluggish and careless against Chelsea. They were happy to defend their 1-0 lead. And as you said….if Haaland doesnt score City dont win.
That’s why its good that we dont have a central striker who is the only one to score but goals are spread around. I been saying that for years now. I would rather have 5 or 6 players with 12-15 goals each in the league than one with 30 goals.
Yes Rico. That thought has crossed my mind. Maybe City players know something we dont….
Pep leaving at the end of the season?? who knows
They will be deducted points?? we can only cling to hope.
Internal squabbles between players and management?? Who knows.
Whatever it is like you I am sure that there is something at the bottom of it all.
If there is something Devil, I hope it stays for a long time..
In answer to your headline question Rico, you have only to look at the result of this evening’s match City 1 – 1 Chelsea.
Thank you Chavs. 😉 j
Ha ha Cicero, a few more blinks from them yet I hope..
I didn’t see the game Dev, just followed it online, but there seems to be something in the Eastlands air, I mean is the pressure really getting to them, will Arteta finally slay the monster?
Yes Rico, maybe there are internal rumours that haven’t broke yet?
Smash the Scousers and the Etihad Mob will need eyedrops
Kev….Smash the Scousers and the Etihad Mob will need eyedrops…that cracked me up. Maybe they will blink them dry.
We need to win, but as we don’t lose and keep a clean sheet I am happy. Just 1-0 will do. That is always enough for me. 2-0 would be the dream but 1-0 will do
Good Morning everyone.
Morning Devil, all.
Shame City play before us, Villa too.
New post up.