And so it begins. Another season commences but this time with expectations. The first time in over ten years. And with three points that’s a fine start to the season. Aside from the blip a few years back at Brentford we’re a pretty good bet for the first game of the season.
With a (nearly) full squad Arteta made a few interesting selections. Leaving Gabriel on the bench and going to a back three was more than justified. Forest elected to play attack versus defense. Barely crossing the half-way line. The preverbal park-the-bus strategy. It certainly does not make for interesting football or great entertainment. But that that’s what we can expect this season. Especially after we crushed them last year (at home). And, given the scoreline, they might well argue it was justified.
In fact, they could have taken a shock early lead if Johnson could shoot straight. A great chance through some careless defending. You can put that down to the unfamiliar defensive shape. Now that the wankers down the road have sold off their once in a generation asset, maybe they can – in the spirit of how they used the Bale money – acquire Johnson for $50m to play alongside that Conniving Ugly Nasty Tosser Richarlison.
Thereafter, our wingers changed the game. Though most of our controlled play originated on the left through the brilliant Saka, that first goal came from Martinelli. As much as I love Trossard, it’s hard not to start our little Brazilian. Sure, there was a little luck involved but, as ever, his first move is forward, to take on and challenge the defenders(s). Then it rolled to Eddie who with the help of the defection from the man-mountain that had been tracking him evaded Turner. Thoroughly deserved and that helped us to relax a little.
And then the masterclass from Saka landed our second. It started with the Rolls Royce that is Saliba winning the ball back from the corner, a few interchanges with Odegaard and White before Saka unleashes a glorious shot. Unstoppable. This boy is priceless for this team.
Thereafter we went into cruise control. Given how deep Forest sat and how little room there was to work in it made our passing seem just too slow. But by then we were comfortably in charge. So it was a canter for the first 82 minutes at which point it became slightly edgy. Aside from their goal I’m not sure Ramsdale actually had a shot to save.
This goal reminded me of the kind of breakaway goal Wengers team would concede. I have painful memories of a goal just like this away at Swansea over a decade ago. As it did not cost us any points let’s just help it’s a learning moment for a young team. But it was noticeable that it was Rice, Trossard and White tracking back here. Why we would leave our defense so overexposed like this is naive.
At that point it made sense to bring on Gabriel to revert to a back four and see our the game even if it was more tense than needed. But, again, this was a good experience for this team. Even if you completely dominate the game, and you don’t press home your advantage, there is always the chance to concede a goal and change the momentum.
Most of the game felt like a stroll though. In hindsight, Forest should have pressed more in the second half as we seemed to be playing in second gear. I’m sure part of this is based on the new players, formations and tactics that Arteta is trying out. I liked the back three but we certainly lost something when Timber was felled (sorry). Let’s hope this is a minor injury because he has been a valuable addition to our team. It was good to see Tomi slot in but, again, Tierney must be wondering about opportunities in northern Spain. For me, this just amplifies again why you need such a deep and well stocked squad. One game and one injury. So please keep Tierney hanging around. For a game like this, against a defensive Forest, we did not need the defensive capability of Tierney.
Rice seems to have slotted in seamlessly. Often drifting out to the left and then dropping back to pick up the ball from the defense, Rice looks so commanding. Have-that was interesting. He seems to float around, mainly passing backwards. It feels like he is still finding his way. A little cautious and hesitant. He is such a different player to Xhaka. In the second half he drifted into the middle and, sometimes, out to the right where Saka and Odegaard hang out. And then Arteta moved him into Eddies spot. Arteta clearly has great faith in him and is giving him ample time to adjust to our style. Today he glided around with some nice touches but did not, in any sense, dominate. But overall he was pretty good. Of course, I remain a little skeptical but I’ll give him time.
Odergaard is so pivotal to our creativity. When he is on the ball he seems to instinctively know how to open up the defense. It took him a while to get into the game but he is the one part of this team for which we don’t seem to have a replacement. And I say that knowing that Saka would also seem to be irreplaceable. Odegaard needs to be wrapped in cotton wool. Surrounding him though we had Partey who quietly controlled the midfield without any of his customary sloppiness.
As much as Arteta got the formation right it just felt that, especially from the point we were 2-0 up, that there lacked some urgency and pace to our game. We seemed to operating in pre-season mode at times. Again, I’m sure some of this is down to figuring out how to accommodate Rice and Have-that and the brickwall of Forest. But aside from the two goals we did not force Turner to make too many saves. Of course, at the other end I can’t remember Ramsdale having to make any saves.
With the vast array of coaches, sports scientists, and statisticians at Arteta’s disposal, the one coach that we’re screaming out for is a throw-in coach. We seem to take forever and an age to get the ball back in play. We saw last season the number of times our throw-ins would often lead directly to attempts on our own goal (and actual goals). Today it would often take 30 seconds and then we’d lose possession. I’m not an expert at throw-ins – my expertise is particularly limited to food consumption – but there seems to be a lack of player movement and speed of thought.
As much as it was expected, it’s important to collect the first 3 points of the season. Most teams won’t be as dull as Forest and that will enable us to play more freely. Also, our team needs time to continue to develop and evolve. Arteta is clearly moving to a different model for this year. Last year we had the most consistent and stable team selection; you could predict – aside from injuries – who would be our starting eleven. This year, Arteta looks like he has fully embraced the Pepe City model. Constant rotation. Last year we suffered when Saliba was injured. We have more depth now. And Arteta, I suspect, will make everyone work for their place. Only core players – Odegaard, Rice, Saka and Saliba – will be close to ever present. Not even Ramsdale will make that list now. Though I pray he does.
Success this year will be the top 4 again. That is the goal that, previously, our own fans used to deride Wenger for achieving. But in Wengers era, we were short of money and barely invested in the squad. Now though we have made hefty investments. But to expect to dislodge City is overly optimistic. As long as KDB is playing along with their ugly Norwegian, it’s going to take some mighty slip up from them. They have the experience, age and squad depth that we’re only just attaining. We are closing that gap but it still exists.
Around us though there is more competition than has ever existed in the EPL. It’s way beyond the top 6 now. We have, maybe, 9 teams potentially competing for the top 4 slots – or top 3 if you assume where City will land. Liverpool can’t be as poor as last year even if they have lost their midfield to the desert of Saudi and can’t seem to convince players to join them. Then there is LA Chelsea, still willing to pay vast sums to sign anyone with the advantage of no European football. Of course Newcastle will improve but will be stretched by Champions League. Brighton, will tons of cash, and a seemingly unique recruiting system, will also continue to improve. And there’s that other Manchester team with their dreary coach. Which naturally leads to our old accountant who has resurrected Villa and brought in some good signings. And there, of course, is the wankers down the road.
So, this season, there will be no margin for error. Let’s hope it’s not VAR that is the deciding factor. We were, thankfully, spared any intervention today. So, even though we did not shine so brightly today, we came away with the required three points and Arteta would have learned more about his team today. We will only get better, continue to develop even if we’ll wander off in the wrong direction sometimes. This is a team to watch. The investment is in and this is the year to glue everything together. We are, maybe, one transfer window, away from winning this league. In the meantime, we should enjoy this team, cherish Saka, Odegaard and Rice (and Saliba and White….) and know that we are the club and the team that everyone would like to be.
-LB7