TOTL again. Farewell April and welcome May. Finally, we find our way to win. If only we could play Chelsea every week (or Sp*rs). This was more like it. Back to winning ways. Back to our style and back to rhythm.
This was all down to the changes Arteta made. Something had to change. So, he (finally) jettisoned Partey but also, more interesting, brought in Kiwior for Holding. Wow, what a difference that made. Though, to be fair even a one legged donkey could have marked Aubameyang in the first half. And, justifiably, Trossard got to start.
And, as the game started, we started to find our way against an unstructured, dispirited Chelsea team. Here’s a game I’d like to watch, Chelsea v Sp*rs. Surely, in the history of football, this would be the only game where both sides would each find a way to lose.
I know I should wallow in the glory of our victory but it’s just so hard not to laugh at the abject fiasco that is Chelsea (or Sp*rs). How fitting that they have F. Lampard as their manager. He surely is the antidote to Pep. He is the anti-Pep. Devoid of ideas, tactics or management skills. How inspired it was for him to pick our ex-Captain.
Back to us though. Kiwior excelled tonight even against a completely limp Chelsea attack. Actually, I don’t know that’s the correct term. It was more like a Chelsea sideways, slightly forward excursion. In the first half there was just one chance for them when Chilwell outmuscled Saka only for Ramsdale to make his usual save. For his first start, when the pressure was on, Kiwior looked assured, in control and can actually pass the ball. It makes you wonder what might have happened if we’d have picked him again West Ham or Southapmton not to mention City. Maybe we’ve found someone reasonable way to substitute for our Big Willy.
Jorginho, against his old crew, controlled the midfield in a way we’ve not seen Partey do for a while now. Alongside him Xhaka rediscovered his energy and frequently drove into the box. He was instrumental in our goals. We also witnessed the awakening of Odegaard. Two exceptionally well taken goals and an overall performance worthy of a captain.
Saka, again, seemed subdued. Maybe that’s what happens when 15 players mark him. Most of our creativity happened down our left. Though there were occasions where he and White carved Chelsea open.
Jesus floated around the entire pitch only rarely turning up in a center-forward position. Trossard and he interchanged frequently. And Jesus finally picked up a poachers goal as well. I should also mention Zinny, who, given the space, time and freedom of the park by a generous Chelsea, was able to dictate and control the tempo of the game along with Jorghino.
So going at half-time at 3-0 was still a little nerve wracking given our recent history. And of course, the most wonderful Sunday game where Liverpool went in 3-0 up. As good we were, you just knew that even Chelsea just could not be that appalling and pretty vacant in the second half. Sure enough with Havitz on, they started to nearly resemble a football team. However, we still created numerous chances that we failed to capitalize on. But our smoothness, pace, interchanging and speed were all there – unlike on Sunday.
And then we let them back in the game. Zinny switched off and they sneaked one in. At which point the substitutes started to come on. Zinny was replaced by a more defensive Tierney and Saka was given a rest for Nelson. It’s interesting that Eddie is now behind him in the pecking order. And thankfully Vieira is behind everyone.
Gabriel struggled to stay on the pitch. Whether it was a dodgy hamstring or endless kicks he received he managed to last through 85 minutes. Alongside Kiwior, he was back to being his solid best. That’s what happens when you have another footballer alongside you. By the time Holding came on the game had gotten quite scrappy. They had a few chances but we somehow managed to block them out. It was not an entirely inspiring second half performance but maybe we should just put that down to game management.
Don’t underestimate the importance of Kiwior. In the previous painful 4 games it’s been our defense that lost us the game. We have proven we can score. But without Saliba we can’t defend. But today we managed to limit them to a solitary goal. Our previous 4 game shave leaked 2 goal or more. Not today. Of course, this was also due to Aubameyang and the ineptitude of Chelsea.
A word or two on Rob Jones to referee. Though not as poor as Paul Tierney – who thankfully allowed Jota to stay on the pitch after trying to decapitate Skipp – which seems quite reasonable actually. I mean, with the bulging eyes and receding hairline, Skipp should really be working as a gnome in the fair ground. Anyway, Jones refused to give our any yellow cards as Chelsea clattered into us. And generally refused to protect our players. Today though we did not need VAR to Rob us. We, via Xhaka, Trossard and Odegaard calmed our nerves and restored us, if only temporarily, to our perch at the TOTL.
It was noticeable that even when Partey came on for Jorghino, he was behind the pace of the game, still gave the ball away and committed careless fouls outside of our box – as he did against City. I can’t see how he can start against Newcastle. I know they are a real team as opposed to the jigsaw pieces that are Chelsea, and that. Jorghino is blessed with Xhaka-like pace, but it just seems like Partey is spent. He needs to be hooked up to a Tesla supercharger for a couple of weeks.
What a relief then to finally win a match after the disaster of the last three games. I don’t think we’re entirely out of our funk yet. But there are signs. With Kiwior instead of Holding and Jorginho instead of Partey, maybe we can put in a more spirited performance against Newcastle than we did last year.
Of course, you can’t compare the tactical genius of Lampard to Eddie Howe. So, this will be a far more challenging match. Not one I expect is to win but certainly one I don’t want us to lose. I worry that we can be overrun and, with their northern, working-class, heathen crowd baying for blood (ours not theirs) the atmosphere will be electric. It will require a calmness we’re rarely demonstrated. I fear we will get out-pressed and make unnecessary mistakes.
For example, it was just a little alarming to see Ramsdale trying to make the same flawed pass in the first half that caused us to give up that goal at Southampton. This time Chelsea, inevitably, were unable to figure out with the ball at their feet they could attack our goal. But against Newcastle we won’t be able to repeat that mistake. And it makes you wonder – just a little – about Ramsdale and his ability to learn from his experiences.
So, we head up north, invigorated by the flaccid Chelsea. They really are a wonderful sight to behold. At this rate Bournemouth will finish ahead of them in the league. How amazing is that. It’s interesting that the Chelsea fan (because there surely is just one at this point) are not yet screaming and demonstrating against their new demented and delusional owner. How can they keep so quiet when he is to clearly retarded. He is the archetypal, sterotype of an American owner. Boehley is to ownership that Ted Lasso is to football management – minus the charm.
I’d pay to see a football debate between Boehly and Levy. Two idiots running their respective teams into the ground. How wonderful to watch. As I’ve said before, I’m looking forward to Levy appointing Lampard as their new manager.
Today was the day I regained my enthusiasm and enjoyment. Now let’s hope we can retain our poise and style for Sunday. Like any sensible Arsenal fan (not that I’m sensible) I have no expectations for the league. City will continue to grind out wins. That’s what happens when you can buy up every player and there is no consequence for abusing the financial fair play rules (not that I’m bitter). I just want to see us compete and I want to see us return to our style of play and, most importantly, maintain it for 90 minutes and not just for the first half. Maybe we can lobby FIFA or EUFA to only play a single 45 minute halves from now on. Until then, we have to find some consistency throughout the 90 minutes.
In the meantime, I will continue to wallow in the beauty of our goals today and the Jota goal on Sunday. Now that, truly, was a thing of beauty. You can’t make this stuff up.
Last word – remember – we’re still TOTL
– LB7