Month: March 2023

TOTL until April. And 8 points clear. For the second game, both London derbies, we dominated and deserved to win. This is a team that’s fun to watch. Now we have two weeks of hoping that none of our key players pick up injuries on irrelevant international matches. It’s bad enough we had the season fragmented by the corrupt World Cup. Now we lose momentum for two more weeks. Hopefully that’s enough for Saliba to regain his fitness.

It’s always a little nerve racking when Holding starts in defense. But you have to say, he really does sport a lovely head of hair. He has so much now that he has to wear a Grealish-like Alice-band. To be fair, he was pretty solid today only diving into to one reckless tackle. Palace had a few early chances. Zaha, on a breakaway hit the post care of an excellent save from Ramsdale. That moment changed the game. As did the Saha miss in the second half when it was 3-1.

Ramsdale, who has been the backbone of the team this year, suffered some abuse because of the goal on Thursday. First off, let’s also note, that we are way better off out of that stupid competition. No-one cares about the NoHoppa Cup. Though, just maybe, it will be a valuable lesson for our young manager as he plans for our presence in the Champions League next season. The different systems and tactics that we’ll face. Along with the deeper squad that we’ll need. This will have been an experience that he will surely channel into next years plans.

Yes, it was annoying to lose after extra-time. But it was far more irritating to lose both Tomy and Saliba. So, even though, their goal was not Ramsdale fault, it serves to remind us that there remain a number of Arsenal fans – those ones who were toxic to Wenger and toxic to this club – that are still with us. They will turn as quick as a wheel given any disappointments. These fans are spoilt children who suffer from entitlement and have no understanding what supporting a team entails. But enough about those wankers. Today was a day to again celebrate a great team, a great manager. And a great right-back.

What do Maguire and Dier have in common? A few things actually. They are both shit. They both play for shit teams. And they both get selected by Southgate ahead of Ben White. How is that possible? Today, Ben White was impervious. His defense against the best player on Palace, Saha, was formidable. And his creation of the Saka first goal, quite Odegaard-like. How he’s not on the England team is perplexing. But at least he won’t get injured in some irrelevant, meaningless international game. All we care about is the Premier League. These random international matches really need to be isolated to pre and post season so we don’t disrupt the rhythm of the Premier League. But the corrupt FIFA knows no bounds – its sole objective is to milk the game for as much money as it can so it can line the pockets of the various FIFA delegates.

Saka, initially, seemed off his game. Mitchell is a decent full-back and Saka seemed to have no luck with his passing or moves. But, still, he was able to set up Martinelli for that all important first goal. Beautifully taken with his weaker left foot. Again, after the disappointment (though not mine) of his missed penalty on Thursday, this was the goal we needed to create some day-light against a decent team. I think it was our first real opportunity.

This team though, once they get one goal, continue to press for the next. And Palace now had to open up a little bit more. But it took until just before half-time for White to unlock their defense for Saka to get his first goal.

Throughout this game Partey and Zinny dominated midfield. Xhaka continues to stroll through game now opening up the left hand side. The only fear was that he might have picked up a knock. But he was able to put in another excellent performance. Palace, in the second half, to their credit, still tried to play some football. We continued to dominate. Our team functions so smoothly now. Everyone seems to understand their role. The ball moves seamlessly from front to back. The interplay is quick and smooth. And this is a team that still has yet to reach its peak.

Finally, care of Zinny and Trossard, Xhaka was able to get our third.

There is a case that Partey is our player of the year; if not Saka. But for me, it’s Zinny. The intelligence he’s brought to this team along with his reading of the game have helped Partey elevate his game and liberated Xhaka. I feel sorry for Tierney. When he comes on, he just can’t live up to that level of play. He looks a little lost when he plays inverted. He can defend more capably but he’s out of his depth in this new Arsenal team.

There is a calmness to this team. An inevitability. There was not too much doubt how this would turn out. Annoying as it was to concede yet another goal from a corner, and even when Saha missed his second chance, you felt we’d find another goal. And this one came via Tierney for Saka. I don’t quite get why VAR did not rule Jesus out for offside but then I’m not complaining. This enabled us to settle back down and enjoy the three points.

Trossard again played the false 9 as well as I’ve seen anyone. It’s hard to think of a better Arsenal January signing. The fact that he’s keeping Jesus out of the team is both good for Arsenal and good for Jesus. He needs time to regain match fitness. Trossard drops deep so often to collect the ball and link up play.

Odegaard came more into the game as it progressed and continues to work so hard. Right at the end of the second half when it could have got a little nervy after their second goal it was Odegaard back defending in our penalty area.

Some of Ramsdale distribution was laser like today. In the first half he picked out Martinelli and then Saka in the second. Again, Southgate somehow picked relegation bound Pickford and wooden Pope ahead of Aaron. That makes no sense. Southgate can’t possibly believe that Maguire and Pickford are superior to White and Ramsdale.

There’s little to say about this team that’s not been said before. Aside from reminding us to pinch ourselves. With ten games left, we’re still TOTL. We have at least three key fixtures ahead of us – all away – at City, Newcastle and Liverpool. So, we need a nine point cushion. And we need Saliba back.

There was a time today, when they nicked the goal at the corner, when I starting to feel uneasy. You never know with a 3-1 scoreline against a team battling relegation. They could have picked up another two goals and left us with a 3-3 draw. And, then, who knows, maybe the manager would have a meltdown. He’d blame the owners and the selfishness of the players. He berate everyone and anyone and refuse to acknowledge any blame that he might carry. And then I woke up from that nightmare daydream to remember that our team has actually won multiple trophies in the last 20 years and are on course to compete for the league title. And that the shambles down the road, having appointed their second narcist manager of their last three, are again imploding. It does make you laugh out loud though. How utterly predictable and pathetic that lot are. All talk and not action. All postering and hot air. It’s remarkable what a mess they are. And how thoroughly enjoyable it is to watch.

A moments thought for our original Vieira. How is it that Palace could fire him before this game? With no-one lined up to replace him? After, arguably, the toughest run of fixtures anyone’s had this calendar year. Not once were they trounced. They obtained creditable draws and, when losing, it would be by a solitary goal. They barely invested in their team this year. And yet, they fired him. To replace him with geriatric Roy Hodgson? Who, most recently, helped get Watford relegated? I’ve always had a soft spot for Palace. But, after unjustly dethroning the original Vieira, I’m now conflicted as to who should be relegated along with Southampton and Bournemouth. Thankfully, common sense prevails, and it’s still going to be the boring, overly-physical Everton that should go down with these other two.

In the meantime, poor Sambi will be wondering what has happened to his future. With Paddy there, he could learn from the best and develop his game. Sufficiently so that we could sell him for a tidy sum. Now he’ll likely linger on the substitutes bench instead. Where, hopefully, our own Vieira will stay. It was reassuring that he did not get any minutes today. I caught a few of his minutes on Thursday and all I saw was the same ineffectual, soft and peripheral contribution. By contrast, once he was replaced by Odegaard, the team started to function smoothly and threaten Sporting. Then again, I’m more than thrilled that we did not make it through to the next round.

We know now what we need to do for the rest of the season. We need to get down on our knees – whether it be to Jerusalem or Mecca – and pray that City survive Munich and get to Champions League final. And then overcome mighty Sheffield in the F. A Cup. We need City to have as many distractions as possible. While we can focus on our ten remaining games. And, just maybe KDB, Foden, Haaland and Rodri can all pick up some injuries during these worthless international games.

So, please enjoy the next two weeks while we wait for mighty Leeds to venture to our home. Enjoy the free-scoring Arsenal. And enjoy our perch at the TOTL.

• LB7

TOTL. Still. And for another few weeks with the impending international corruption break coming.

If last week was heart-pumping, thrilling and stressful. The this week, against a very serious, capable Fulham, was no-drama, serene and like a marijuana induced trance.

Though Fulham pressed high up for the first ten minutes or so, thereafter, we proceeded to carve through them at will. The first half was basically the only half. The third goal deemed the second half irrelevant. By then though, Trossard had delivered three goals for his teammates.

If you consider we could have paid three times as much for another Ukrainian, you realize how fortunate we were to have him. Plug and play, ready for action. He has fit seamlessly into this team. And he wasn’t even supposed to be fit for this game.

With Saka having a (well deserved) quieter game and Martinelli showing only a few flashes of creativity, it was left to Trossard – with help from the midfield – to set up this victory. Xhaka had already played one precise and intelligent pass through to Martinelli to get our first goal before it was deemed off-side. But from that moment on, we turned up the speed of interplay and crated numerous chances.

Odegaard was given the time and space to open up their defense. Partey was at his majestical best and ZInny roamed around at leisure.

The closest Fulham came in the first half was when Ramsdale lingered to long on the ball – twice – and created opportunities for them. Beyond that though he did not have a save to make.  

In seasons past our corners struggled to get past the first man. Now though, there is a degree of inventiveness that would do Apple proud. From the Zinny goal at Villa to the routines we now witness, it’s hard to predict which corner routine will be next. But, today, it was a straight-forward in swinging Trossard corner that landed right on Gariel’s head and then into the net. I have expected VAR to claim White had breathed on Leno to nullify the goal. This though was a classic example of Leno’s blindspot. A great shot-stopper sure but he’s always been a little vulnerable from corners. Never one to dominate the box. This was a header inside the six-yard area.

Thereafter we continued to create. The interplay across the entire team was so smooth and quick. One touch passing and movement. It was a pleasure to watch. Xhaka again released Trossard to stand up a header for Martinelli. And then, right before the end of the half, the third goal; the game ending goal. This was a classic example of the poise and maturity of the team. It started deep on the right-hand channel involving intricate passing while Fulham tried to apply some pressure. Saliba then release a sumptuous cross field ball to Xhaka who again, immediately released Trossard. The transition from front to back was so smooth and rapid. And eventually he delivered the ball over the hapless Robinson to Odegaard, who, calmly as you like pulverized it past poor Leno.

Up till then it seemed we were never destined to get that third goal. We created so many chances, Trossard failed to actually score, breakaways seemed to petter out. Xhaka had a chance to score a Wilshire-like Norwich goal but took one touch too many. The level of play – and relaxation – was of the highest quality. The rhythm, speed and movement was as good as we’ve seen this season. Obviously Fulham suffered due to the lack of Willian. Their game-changer was unable to perform his magic. But we were. That first half performance was utterly dominant.

Having watch dour City this weekend, there was only one team that looked like league Champions. I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. It won’t take more than one slip up to lose this title. But the quality of play and understanding of this team is at another level now. None of the silly mistakes or momentary lapses in concentration – even if the bar did have to help us out (along with Saliba reflexes) – that we witnessed last week. Or in mid-week; not that I watched the No-Hoppa-Cup match. I think Ramsdale had one real save to make in the second half. Even though Fulham came out with more energy and thrust, we managed the game through quite easily. We could have scored more but the game had been won in the first half.

We were even able to get Jesus some minutes. Naturally he should have scored as well. But having him back – along with the addition of Trossard – now gives us options we’ve been lacking. I’m not sure what the status is of Eddie but now we have cover. And, additionally, ESR did not get any minutes today. We saw Nelson earn some deserved minutes. He also setup Odegaard to blast one over. Tierney got some minutes as well. Along with Tomy. Tierney even managed a few forward passes.

I do feel a little sorry for Tierney. From previously being a mainstay of the team and potential captain, he’s not struggling for minutes. Not only is Zinny playing his position like he’s from another planet but Tomy seems a more solid option as the replacement. The quality, speed and intensity of play has shifted in this team so much. Bombing up the left-wing and firing in crosses is not sufficient any more. The level of interplay and movement required is at a level Tierney has yet to adjust to. Not that I’d look to off-load him. Whatever the out come this year, we’ll need a deeper squad next year. And he should remain part of it.

Aside from the pure pleasure and enjoyment on that first half performance it reminded me of the seismic changes in the style of our play. It’s worth remembering how we used to play both before Arteta – in the era of the Accountant – and in his early years. Even going back to the injury blighted performances of last year. They seem National League-like in comparison to what we’re now witnessing. This team is playing the highest quality football in the league. And not just based on league position. No-one entertains like our Arsenal.

And that’s down to Arteta. It’s remarkable how he as remade this team; how he’s remade this club. The key and brave decisions he’s taken. And the commitment to a style of play. While other teams waiver, Arteta has remained true to the spirit of Wenger. Where others aspire to playing entertaining football, he delivers. And this team is not finished yet. Our best years are still to come. This team is maybe, two years, away from reaching it’s peak.

I don’t want to get too far ahead based on the adrenaline of todays performance but the Champions League will ultimately be the challenge this team will have to rise to. Rather than Sporting midweek we’ll be playing Milan. But rather than meekly defending and whining about various players (te he), Arsenal will be entertaining. That’s for next year. Let’s hope we enter that competition as Champions.

In the meantime, we kept a clean-sheet. Ramsdale should value that because he came close to throwing it away. But the defense in front of him was barely troubled today. White was back to his solid best. Gabriel and Saliba were able to manhandle the ugly Serb and Zinny had the freedom of the park.

And we scored three goal for two league games running. We have the creativity and capability I’ve not seen in this team for a long, long time. And though Torssard will rightly get the plaudits, and Odegaard, Zinny and Partey will also bask in the attention, I wanted to focus just a little on Xhaka. Today he was truly excellent. Finding pockets of space on the left and setting up Trossard. Xhaka was the vital supply-line. His journey from immobile defensive midfielder to the creative role he occupies now is entirely down to Arteta. From Wenger, through Ljunberg and the Accountant, no-one played him in this position. It’s Arteta’s vision that unlocked this new Xhaka. And today we again saw the benefit.

We did not even need to wheel out Jorginho today. Hopefully he plays midweek. We need to preserve Partey, to wrap him in cotton-wool. Today he was again exceptional. So understated. But so important to this team. His vision and passing is unparalleled. As was some of his close control and back-heels! Keeping him both fit and away from any Casemiro red-cards will go a long way to determine whether we can win this league.

Only 11 more games left now. 11 more games to either enjoy or suffer. But this team has also far exceeded expectations. And they are a pleasure to watch. They make you proud to support Arsenal FC. Now let’s hope we survive the NoHoppa Cup so that we have a full-team for the visit of Palace. We’ll have two Vieira’s in the house. Let’s hope neither is required on the pitch.

So, here we sit, TOTL. And for the first time, I feel that this team really is capable of holding on. Which, of course, means I’ve jus jinxed them. And, after the end of season implosion last year, I know I should hold my optimism in place. But after a performance like today’s, why not revel in it? This team is something special. As is our manager. And not special in a Mustafi or David Luiz or some of my kids type of way either.

-LB7

OMFG. That was incredible. The beauty of this game. To snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Unbelievable. Maybe, just maybe, fate is on our side. At one nil down I thought we could win but at two nil down I thought we’d be hard pressed to get a draw. And, then I figured we’d need a penalty. We had about 5 shouts today of which we should have gotten one.

This was even better than Villa – if that’s possible. Both the Villa game and this one will help define our season. In both instances, karma – through the additional time added for the relentless time-wasting, came back to haunt the opposition.

It’s hard to know where to start after that. Nothing can capture the sheer joy of this victory. The unbridled happiness Reece Nelson created. The crash of the back into the net and the resulting mayhem. Me – I was jumping up and down like a demented moron (which, to be fair, is my natural state). How can you not love this team.

There’s so much that could be said but who gives a flying fuck. Honestly. If I could only bottle that feeling when that ball went in and then sell it on the interweb at www.fuckmewegotthreepointsandwecanactuallywintheleafgue.com.com or (www.FuckTheLeague.com for short) I would be a wealthy man, or, just happy for the rest of my life. I could even consider ranking this higher than the most important things in life such as bacon, eggs and my wife (not that I’d join those three together on one plate). I’ve excluded my children from this list because (1) they don’t read this blog (2) they are not yet at the level where they can read any words longer than 4 letters and (3) well, because there are just a little bit ratarded. I digress though. This was a miracle result. Completely unexpected up until that Nelson shot. And implausible until White scored on the 70^th minute.

Where to start? Maybe team selection. Given the fixture list, it makes sense to rotate I’d guess. But it did not work. Not hard to make that claim given that they scored after 8 seconds. The second fast goal in the history of the ELP. After the demolition of Everton, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say no-one saw that coming.

Wednesday was tough for the first 40 minutes up until the Saka magic goal. But here, after the one goal start that we were generous enough to provide, we fell into the same style as Wednesday in that first 40 minutes. We possessed the ball but created very few outright chances. And yet, unlike Wednesday, Bournemouth had a couple of breakaway chances. In fact, throughout the game they had chances. Way more than Everton. But this was always about us and our ability to actually test their goalie. I think we had one outright chance in the first half.

In hindsight it’s easy to pick holes in our play. But, you could see that with both Tomy on the right and Vieira on the left, we’d lost that creativity and drive that Xhaka and White provide. Then within 20 minutes we lost Trossard. It was good to see ESR but you knew he would not be able to last the balance of the game. Let’s hope he’s not out for too long now because I fear Trossard could be gone for a few weeks or at least until the annoying international break.

We must have had 15 corners today. We tried every variation known to man kind and produced nothing. They go up the other end and from them one and only corner make it 2-0. Sure, Partey lost his man in the same way Saliba did for their first, but I won’t actually blame either. Because they are my favourites.

Then the game changed. And it was driven by Arteta’s substitutions. Two goals from two subs with Nelson involved in both. And boy did we need that today because it seemed there was no way we could even buy a goal. So, after all those tricky corners we finally scored from a direct one from Odegaard with ESR setting up Partey to make amends within 5 minutes of their second.

Nelson injected a little more directness on the left. He was able to provided crosses and push them back. And it was his cross that set up White for the equalizer. At that point you felt like we should take the point and run. But, as Bournemouth wasted more time they helped us with that additional time. Odergaard’s shots and free-kicks today seem to either hit the goalie or Row Z. Martinelli had few opportunities. And Saka was quiet today. I had assumed he’d need to produce some magic to win this game. But he barely shined today. He looked tired. And, in the first half, he was not helped by the presence of Tomy. And you could see the difference when White came on. We were sharper and quicker on the left. Though I thought Odegaard continue to flit around without producing that killer pass.

On the other side we had to watch Vieira pass sideways and backwards. It’s during games like this you realize the important of Xhaka. I know Vieira needs more time. Or so I’m told. But I’m not sure if, by the time the universe has expanded so that there are no visible objects in the sky, that Vieira will have developed his game sufficiently. He was unable to provide any vertical passes and consumed the space that Trossard and then ESR operated in. You could immediately see the difference when Xhaka came in. He passed the ball forward and found the gaps ahead of him.

So, neither of those selection changes worked for us today. But, somehow, we got away with it. It just all felt a little too slow in the first half and then only when we went two nil down did the urgency seem to come into our game. But with Odegaard and Saka not firing on all cylinders and Vieira adding no value whatsoever, it seemed like we were destined to drop three points to one of the worst teams in the league. Imagine the pressure and criticism we’d have faced. City would be barely 2 points behind. Our lead over them would essentially have evaporated.

But Nelson – as a replacement for the replacement – managed to help dig us out. Even then you can’t point to too many direct chances – aside from the numerous penalty shouts. This though is what a team needs to do. If you start the game half asleep and give up a goal in 8 seconds, you have to find the spirit and fight to recover. Twice now we’ve pulled it out by the same score line. Even though it was a joy of my life to see the ego of Martinez provide our winning goals, this shot from Nelson will long live on in all our memories. And from a player who has basically been injured the entire season. This was, I think, he’s longest time he’d spent on the pitch this season.

We need Jesus to come back; he can’t be hanging around any longer. With Eddie injured and now possibly losing Trossard as well as ESR (again) our forward line it looking pretty sparse. So having Nelson contribute for this game is vital for today and for the next twelve games. I just worry that ESR is our new Wilshire. Destined to have a career blighted by injury. Or maybe, he’s turn into Rosicky who, finally, overcame his injuries to be a mainstay of our team.

Chris Kavanagh, while calling a reasonable game, with reasonable decisions, completely failed to keep the game moving along. From that first goal onwards, he allowed them to waste an appreciable amount of time. From lying on the ground faking injuries, to their goal-kicks to their throw-ins. I don’t understand why linesman can’t use the white spray to indicate where the throw-in should be taken from. Instead, we had to watch them waste 20 seconds on each thrown and also steal 10 yards each time.

And in the first half, when, again, Saka lost the ball on the edge of their box. One of their players fell down injured. It did not stop them counter-attacking and nearly scoring. And as Arsenal countered, they all expected us to kick the ball out because their player was still down. And then they surrounded the ref to complain. Let’s see if the FA fine them. I think we know how that goes.

After the joy of demolishing Everton, in the second half at least, today seemed like it would be gentle, relaxing easy three points. The way we played on Wednesday, the rhythm the team found seemed to assure us we’d breeze through this game. And maybe, just maybe, that sentiment seeped into the mentality today. No-one – apart from White and Nelson – seemed entirely at their best today. Even Gabriel and Saliba had one mistake in each of them. That is, aside from the time that Saliba allowed the ball to bounce and then cleared right to their man, he remained majestic. And Gabriel, whos’ distribution is improving – because he finds Zinny or Partey now – put in another solid performance. And we should not forget the important save from Ramsdale who remained a spectator for most of the game.

Then there is Zinny. He ignited us on Wednesday and was key again to driving us forward. As impressive as Xhaka has been. As exhilarating as Saka has been. And important as Partey is, Zinny has been the surprising gift of the year for us. His creativity, experience and drive has far exceeded any expectations. And when you put Xhaka alongside him instead of Vieira, we function and flow. Long may they both stay fit. Yes, I know, I just jinxed them.

As I said, it seems fruitless to try and dissect a game as insane as this. The crowd were immense and deafening – even through the TV. There seemed to be a belief this team would be able do something. Whereas, from my couch, it seemed we were banging our heads against an effective brick-wall. And then all hell broker loose.  

I’m still in shock as I belatedly write this up. I don’t know how we got three points. I do know though that we’re still TOTL. At least for a few more weeks. And the remaining games continue to shrink. And, back on planet earth, I have to remind myself that the objective for the season was to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since the 2015-2016 season. That seemed like a stiff ask at the start of the season. But here we stand, 15 points or 5 games clear of 5^th place. That’s beginning to feel like a pretty healthy buffer.

It’s getting pretty close to the point, now that we’re basically 2/3rds of the way through the season, where you can look at future games and model the possible points. That’s fruitless though. All we need is (1) for our key players to remain fit (2) for VAR to actually award us some penalties and (3) for Jesus to return ASAP.

So enjoy the rest of the day and just know that nothing you experience this weekend can come close to the exhilaration you experienced this morning. The absurd, unreal emotions of this morning will inevitably give way to the humdrum pattern of normal daily life. But there was nothing normal about this morning.

-LB7