TOTL. And London is Red. Three wonderful points. Completely deserved. Though it has to be said that Sp*rs really are Rubbish. Crap. Shit. Just pretty awful. But then they were playing against the best team in the league.
We have now nearly earned ½ a Premier League title. Just 20 more games to go. And no more (in the league) against this lot. Today we dominated. From the 6th minute onwards. They started decently and for 5 minutes looked like they might have a team there. But normality returned. We retained possession and thoroughly controlled the game. Partey and Xhaka controlled the midfield. Odegaard and Saka controlled the right wing. And Gabriel and Saliba shut down their ineffective #10.
The gulf in class was all to evident. Of course, it has been for decades now. Well, for the entirety of my lifetime. Today the passing, movement and, most importantly, the intelligence of our play was at another level. We were calm in possession and attacking. Whenever they had the ball they went sideways and backwards. They lack even a scintilla of creativity. They had no game. Even in the second half, when they made a better effort, they were pretty predictable. Of course, it helped that Ramsdale actually is a mighty fine goalkeeper. We’ve not needed him too much this season. But here, at rent-a-stadium, he made a number of crucial saves.
I know I should venerate our team but I can’t stop myself from laughing of the ineptitude of that lot. So disjointed with no obvious gameplan. That first half really tore the game away from them. We continued to put pressure on them in possession allowing us to win the ball higher up the pitch.
It helped that they still expect Llorris to be able to play with the ball at his feet. And save the ball with his hands. My only concern had been Partey giving the ball away needlessly a few times and putting us under pressure. Too often his passing was too short and his first touch was heavy. Yet our first goal originated through him. Though his first touch nearly let Kane get possession he was able to touch it away from him and then, once he received the ball back, played a classic Partey pass to release Saka. After dancing away from Sessegnon he then teed up the ball perfectly for Lloris for us to get our first goal.
All our key activity came down our right. And the second goal involved Partey and Saka again. But this time Odegaard dispatched the ball past a slowly moving Lloris to seal our dominance. On both NLDs our key midfielders have scored stunning goals. In fact, Partey then proceeded to nearly break the post with a crushing shot. We should have been 3-0 up.
Fortunately, today, there was a reasonable referee even if Paul Tierney was on VAR duty. It looked like they might have stolen, right at the end of the half, an undeserved penalty. But thankfully they realized that Saliba barely touched Hojbjerg. Pawson managed to retain control of the game, hand out the required yellow cards to them and not be intimidated. Though how Romero managed to stay on the pitch is beyond me.
Martinelli was, by his standards, relatively quite today. But behind him Zinny was crucial to our creativity and link-up play. Along with that Zhaka/Partey partnership we were able to create and pull them apart at will. And, the front line was ably lead by Eddie today. Maybe he could have done better with his early chance and then a couple latter in the game. But he worked so hard. His game has developed so much. In the first half he took down a powerful pass from White on the by-line, retained the ball and kept the move going. No-way would he have done that last year. His movement has improved and his effort is more like Jesus now.
The second half was more about game management. They had very little, but we wanted to absorb their minimal threat and protect the lead. As we should. Even then, we had many opportunities, still demonstrated smooth passing and one touch football. This game is always worrying because they are so annoying but in truth, it was as relaxing a NLD at their place as I could remember. We were clearly so much better than them. It felt more like we were playing Bournemouth or Everton.
Odegaard’s game continues to evolve and grow. His presence in this team is key now. All good things run through him. And his effort and workrate ensure that we can win the ball back high up the pitch. But it’s his intelligence and wonderful soft touch that stand out. There were so many examples but when he danced round their defenders on the edge of the area only for Romero to foul him again that was delicious.
White was largely untroubled and was able to support Saka. Remember when we had Cedric or Bellerin trying to be supportive of Saka? Between them they continue to torment defenders. Alongside him Saliba was solid – no mistakes today – and Gabriel was strong, consistent and stable with his distribution. Again, behind them they had the best English goal in the league. The save from Sessegnon was the game changer. If they had managed to undeservedly steal a goal then the intensity of the game would have shifted. Instead, his reflexes literally saved us.
This team is turning into the real deal. Against the supposed top teams – not that I’d include Sp*rs in that group – we are now taking points and being competitive. Well, we’re TOTL, so we’re doing many things right. We just need to stay injury free and red card free.
I was happy to see Martinelli go off once he got that yellow card. But I worry a little about Tierney. He seems to have lost his mojo. But at least Zinny stayed on to help create. Tesco boy seemed behind the pace and positionally a little lost. It was also good to see ESR on the pitch for a few seconds. That will help us as the season progresses. There are many more banana skins ahead for us but at least that lot won’t be an issue now. Maybe they could help us on Thursday when they play City. But based on todays performance they have no chance. I can’t seem them qualifying for the CL. Brentford look a better organized team – as do Fulham. Let alone Liverpool.
A word on Richarlison – what a Cunning Unlikable Nasty Toad he is. Always looking for trouble. As soon as he was on the pitch he was arguing and pushing players around. In the face of the referee and generally a bully. And at the end of the game he had the temerity to slap Ramsdale on the head. This was then followed by some stupid little Sp*rs fan come onto the pitch to kick Ramsdale. Let’s see if the FA does something about that. Don’t hold your breath though. That kids should be banned for life. Or made to watch each and every Sp*rs game for life. Who knows which is worse punishment.
After the game comments from Conte were interesting. He was as subdued and passive as I’ve seen. This is a thoroughly unpleasant man who knows he was completely beaten today. Even he could not moan and complain at any injustice. Whereas Arteta, rightfully, just beamed.
Today though threw up a dilemma I thought I’d never have to grapple with. Something that I’ve never doubted. But, now I’ve had to question myself and question whether my foundational beliefs were flawed and whether I was too rooted in the past. Had, in all these years, I been blinded to the true despicable, contemptable, corrupting influence that was right in front of me. I had, proudly, grown up (ok, not that I actually have ever grown up) with pure anger and distain for the losers that are Sp*rs. It’s well deserved and barely requires an explanation to any sentinel, warm blooded person. I will go to my grave with that unquenched hatred. It comforts me.
But now I find myself worrying that I’ve misdirected some of my hatred and that I should be looking to west London. In so many ways they are the greater hypocritical and destructive force in our game. Any team with both John Terry and Diego Costa being managed by Darth Vader should be despised. But if we thought they were classless with no history and all Russian corrupt money, we are now seeing them elevate their stupidity and arrogance to an entirely new level. They are the COVID killers to the Flu of Sp*rs. Chelsea are as mindlessly wasteful and soul destroying as PSG. How did I not realize this any earlier I don’t know. I always knew they had ruined English Football before Man City joined in. But Chelsea’s use of money puts both City and Newcastle to shame. First off, I don’t even know if it is their money. At least with the sovereign wealth finds we know they have limitless pockets of oil (and money) that they will continue to pump into their teams. But for Chelsea we know it’s not the money of the CEO. It’s a hedge fund – that at some point will want a return on this wasted money.
I had not truly focused on the damage that Chelsea with their morally vacuous and ethically challenged owners have infected the league with. But now in the space of a week we’re seen yet again the stupidity, lazzyness and wonton waste of excess money as they have laid bare their inability to create their own vision, plan or strategy. Instead, they merely look to hijack other teams plans by overpaying for any player that any other team is interested in. It started in the summer window with Raphinha and then Cucurella. And now we see them steal both Joao Felix and Mudryck. Not only do they pay over the odds for the first guy but they offer an 8.5 year contract. What? That is not just unheard of but insane. I’m not sorry to see them by-pass us. Anyone who wants to play for a 10th placed team is not worthy of playing for Arsenal.
I just don’t know I’ve ever really felt this type of contempt for another team. We have so many examples now of their buying strategy. How pathetic and embarrassing are they? Firing Tuchel right after signing Aubameyang. And now this. If only they could bring back Lampard as their manager. If only they could fall into a relegation battle.
And all this on the day of the NLD, when my energy and hatred should be focused on them. Yet another reason to hate Chelsea. But hating them more than Sp*rs? That has been an enjoyable lifelong commitment. I’ve never challenged my belief that as long as Sp*rs lost on any given day I could handle us losing. But now l’m wondering whether I’ve missed the larger threat to humanity living nearly so close to our door steps. Fortunately, I carry enough anger and hatred that without diminishing my feelings for that lot I have ample to spare, enabling me to invest so much more into my contempt and hatred for Chelsea.
Phew, glad I got that therapy session over with. Back to us now. What a great performance. Dominant and deserving of all three points. Next up are a resurgent United. But we owe them. Last year Sp*rs had a ref to help them and at Old Trafford we were denied the opening goal. So, now, at home, without an incompetent ref (please keep P. Tierney or Madley well away from us), we have our chance at retribution. We can’t lose this one. And thankfully we have a week to recover whereas they have to play Palace first. Maybe they can do us the favour they weren’t able to do today. Either way, this will be another opportunity for us to demonstrate the growth and development of this team. We forget how young they are. But not how talented!
Eight points clear. But that’s still not enough. With City chasing (and maybe United as well) and lacking the required squad depth, we need to get the points now. As the seasons ploughs on – as it did last season – we should expect to wilt towards the end of the season. Unless we can sign players so quickly that Chelsea can’t.
A well earned weeks rest now. And don’t forget to bask in the glow of this wonderful victory. This is a team that will only improve and a manager that will only get better. BTW, how well behaved was he today! So, we get to enjoy a few more weeks as league leaders. And the acknowledged best team in England. And more importantly, in North London. It does not get better than that. NL remains Red.
-LB7