And, yes, we’re TOTL again. An amazing change in fortunes over the last four days. From the despair and suffering of Wednesday to the suffering and relief of today. From the dark side into the light. From the poor second half on Wednesday to the absolute control and domination of the second half today. Truly two games of two second halves.
We deserved everything today. Not that it was imaginable that we’d come away with three points each time they took the lead. At best, all we could hope for was a draw. Yet, as the game developed so did our control and domination.
As with both games, the absence of Partey dominated the pre-game news. We are a different – and inferior – team without him. With him we purr but without him we stutter and drop points. And with the run we’ve been on it was mandatory we had him. Last season we lost out on the top 4 because of his injury. And to win the league he is a basic requirement for this team. This team can’t purr without him. He is the critical cog in our wheel. He is the player we are most dependent on. He is the player I have been worrying about all season. The fear of losing him for any period of time. And now we’ve lost him for that period of time that is crucial to us. Not having him against City and now Villa put us in jeopardy.
Somehow, and unlike Wednesday, we managed to take control of this game in the second half. Not that we weren’t on top in terms of possession in the first half. It was just more incisive in the second half. We created more chances and pinned them back. We were able to find our rhythm today in a way we weren’t able to in the second half on Wednesday.
But, after the abject disappointment of Wednesday, to find a way back against Villa is a testament to the reliance and drive of this team. I’m sure listeners were skeptical when they heard Arteta say he was more proud of his team after that defeat. Today I think we saw why. Their ability to come back from the abyss was electrifying. Make no mistake, if we’d have lost this game given our current run of (lack of) form, it would have placed everyone under massive pressure. It would have brought into question all the progress of this season.
When we were 2-1 down I was already taking solace in knowing that we were essentially unplayable for the first 18 games. That we’d won the league for half the season. That we had half a cup in our cabinet. Which, let’s face it, is more than that lot down the road. I reminded myself that we had no right to expect this team to be at this level at the start of the season.
Yet somehow we found a way back. It took a little longer than it should care of Eddie. Poor Eddie. He can’t buy a goal now. After missing two critical opportunities on Wednesday he then proceeded to pass up a few more today. In fact, he was even less involved today, essentially, anonymous. He did though miss a glorious header that was eventually ruled offside from another White cross. Then in the second half he had a header that hit the crossbar. And finally at a critical time in the game, he was put through by Odegaard , and failed to get a shot on goal.
I know Eddie has scored some important goals for us this season, but we really need to speed up the recovery of Jesus. We can’t afford for him to be hanging around any longer. We need him back. But I fear that’s at least 2 more weeks away. And even then, he’ll need time to readjust. In the meantime, let’s hope that Eddie is about to explode back with some well timed goals. Because, today, he was pretty crap. Sorry, but it’s true.
Let’s start though with our first goal. It began with White. As with most things in the first half. We made two changes from Wednesday. White and Trossard. And White was key today. It looked like White of old. He helped link up Saka. Who, between numerous kicks and fouls, tormented Villa. And, in one perfect stroke, showed Eddie how to take chances. A perfectly placed volley that flew past the dive-for-cameras Emi.
Saka was, as ever, brilliant today. It also showed his commitment. After being hacked to pieces and limping for most of the second half he chose to remain on the pitch. He should have been subbed after 30 minutes in truth. Apart from the gulf in class and the difference in cost, on Wednesday you saw the two most fouled players in the league – Saka and Grealish. You had to remember, on Grealish’s old stomping ground, that neither of these two get the protection from the referees they require nor deserve. And to hear the Villa crowd boo-ing one of the key English players of his generation when they had cheered Grealish for so many years, just confirmed their stupidity. Somehow Saka found a way to remain on for the entire game. It’s amazing to watch his development and growth. He is a monster.
White was extra important today because with Odegaard being pretty quiet most of the game, he was the one who supplied and involved Saka. Whereas Trossard, starting his first game, seemed to withdraw into his shell. He seemed reluctant to be as aggressive as he had been coming off the bench. As such, our left hand side was subdued for most of the game.
Sure, Ben got roasted for their second goal. But then we’d already been exposed right through our midfield prior to that. In the second half, he continued to supply Saka and create more opportunities for Eddie. I thought it was the right call to bring in Tomi on Wednesday but that turned out to be a disastrous move. He gave them the first goal and helped deflect their second as well. Maybe it was good to rest White. Today he was a monster for us. And, even when he was substituted, Tomi came on and played with more conviction and support than on Wednesday. Maybe MA knows his players and knows what he’s doing.
And our other full-back continued to help drive us forward. It’s hard to believe that before today he’d not scored in the Premier League. What an important goal that was. At that point, with our missed opportunities, I could easily see defeat staring us in the face. We’ve played a number of interesting short corners of late. We tried a few in the first half that didn’t come off. But this one was perfect. Zinny struck is so sweetly and it was a just reward for our second half domination.
It’s fair to say I was not a happy camper when we signed Jorghino. In fact, I was adamantly against it. I despise taking Chelski rejects. And this one, an aging, slow midfield player was not one that interested me. Not that I wanted to play over the odds for a pubescent Brighton midfielder. And, seeing him in place of Partey on Wednesday in my mind, assured us that we would not function against City. Not that it was his fault entirely. And then again today, I remained unimpressed by him in the first half. He seemed too slow to jump into tackles he could not win and failed to play enough forward passes.
But, for one 45-minute period I might be wrong. In the second half he controlled the game and pulled the strings that Odegaard failed to do. He linked up play and intercepted their moves (well, most of them). And then he sealed his place in this new team with the perfect strike to earn three points.
And how absolutely wonderful was it that the shot came back off the crossbar to then ricochet off of Martinez into the goal. It was stunning to see karma in action so clearly. It could not have happened to a more annoying and arrogant ex-Arsenal player. We’ve had to suffer playing against Adebayore and his infamous slide when he scored for City. And, of course RVP. But Martinez after 10 years at Arsenal he has shown his true colours – that of an ignorant, arrogant, egotistical narcissist. Someone to genuinely be embarrassed about and someone who’s easy too despise. So, thank you Emi for your heading us back to the top of the league. We appreciate your dedication to Arsenal. And Jorginho, welcome to Arsenal. I knew you’d fit in.
And contrast, up the other end we had Ramsdale to thank for pushing a shot onto our crossbar from Bailey. He was not at fault for the goals on Wednesday or today. But he made a couple of pivotal saves today that kept us as float as the game opened up. It’s pretty clear who you’d prefer to have as your goalie. And who fits into our team chemistry.
In front of him Saliba and Gabriel are stil having to deal with their joint dip in form. On Wednesday Gabriel was lucky to stay on the pitch. In addition to sloppily initiating their important second goal, he also nearly gave away a penalty and picked up a booking. Today he was more solid and dependable. Saliba got exposed for their first goal and looks a little down on confidence and assurance. Some of his original initial composure seems to have evaporated. Of course, for a kid in his first season in this league he’s more than entitled to a dip in form. This is what he – and Gabriel – will learn from. They were bossed by Toney of Brentford and then had a difficult time with the monster from the Great White North on Wednesday. But today, it was a different proposition. After those two goals they seemed to find their groove again.
Our substitutions were interesting today. Martinelli was energized when came on and reminded us of his form earlier in the season. It made sense for him to be on the bench. Let’s hope it restarts his season. And, by some miracle, even bringing Vieira contributed. Unlike his recent performances and his feeble free-kicks, today he played through a Odegaard like pass for Martinelli to put the icing on the cake and relive and residual pressure on us. Maybe with 15 minutes here and there Vieira find his role in this team. But we need ESR back; just not as much as Jesus.
Odegaard was very quiet in the first half but was more involved in the second. Not that that can excuse his, essentially, open goal that Eddie created for him. It was his pass that set up Eddie for another one of Eddies’ misses. Alongside him Xhaka, who was our best player on Wednesday, was somewhat subdued but was able to play further up the pitch today. I think he suffered from not having Martinelli alongside him. But maybe that’s a little unfair on Trossard. I suspect though he’ll be back on the bench for the next game.
What a contrast to Wednesday. This game could turn out to be pivotal for our season. Not just because we climbed back to TOTL. But we stopped the rot. And we scored four goals. This seemed like we found our way back. Of course, Arteta says he saw this on Wednesday – and even against Brentford. Today we saw a backbone that we didn’t display last year. Last year, without Partey, when the going got tough we vaporized. Today, we showed that we’ve evolved. Twice we fought our way back. And then proceeded – in the dying minute – to demolish them. This was reminiscent of our last minute Man United victory. This is what Champions do. Not that we are there yet. We need Partey and we need Jesus. In no particular order. But I’ll take Partey first.
A great day to be an Arsesnal supporter for sure. And when you look around the league you have to laugh. Out loud. After Wednesday, it’s funny how City can drop points at Forest. Even funnier to watch Chelsea just drop. Potter will be released back to the wild soon.
For our game, thankfully, VAR was not involved. And it’s good to see Lee Mason “retired”. There has to be some accountability. Even with the Super League being discussed again it is the inconsistent standard of referring that needs addressing. There are too many important mistakes. Not just us. And it’s not technology fault. It’s always people. And in this case unaccountable, underperforming and unqualified hidden figures someone in the deep in the bunkers of middle England. Even today, in various games, offside decisions that are clear to the naked eye take too long and disrupt the celebrations. Automate it or get rid of it. And lets choose automation please. I know I’ve always said that we need to give VAR tie to bed in and evolve. It will get better. Just look at rugby, cricket and tennis. But it’s the people who are the problem. Let’s mic up the VAR referees so we can hear their deliberations. That would provide transparency and accountability. They would no longer be able to hide their incompetence. Also, why do we need ex (crappy) refs to be the VAR refs? Why can’t ex-players or anyone with judgment and understanding of the rules make these decisions. The ones that are not automate-able? I have some faith in Howard Webb. He is trying to be more transparent. It’s only been a short-time for him. So let’s see how far he takes this.
What a great game today. What a great performance. And an even better result. It was a vital win. It broke the run we’ve been labouring under. And it showed the spirit and strength of this team. This was a challenge we rose to. And, around us, others faltered. How everything can change in just a matter of a few days. The wonders of the Premier League.
So, after the trauma of Wednesday, here we are. Back where we belong. Still TOTL.
-LB7