Wow. That was some game. We unquestionably deserved to win. But we cut it mighty fine. If only you could bottle that unbridled joy when Rice and Jesus gave us those three points.
This was a strong test as it was the first time this season we played a potentially top 6 team who would not sit in a low block the entire game. With the annual Partey groin/hamstring injury the team formation reverted back to last year. In came Gabriel and Zinny. Normal service was resumed.
We will never know what Arteta would have selected had Partey been fit. I wonder whether this will be an equivalent moment to when his selection hand was forced prior to the Chelsea game when ESR started and we turned it around by winning 3-0. Not that we quite needed to turn it around. But we flowed more naturally and controlled large periods of the game.
Of course we need to discuss our newly acquired Have-that. I feel a little sorry for him TBH. He seems to be struggling. Not that I can get inside his mind but his body language would seem to indicate that he’s suffering. He had Zinny behind him and a buzzing Martinelli ahead of him. That’s quite a nice sandwich. But he remained hesitant and unsure. Of course, the complete whiff in the first half from the six yard line will haunt him for a long time. That was the moment when he could (and should) have burst that pressure bubble. Instead, he followed that up with an uncertain, hesitant pass that lead directly to their first goal.
As much as he tried to track back and catch Erickson, he ended up heads in hands on our penalty box as they celebrated. Sure, White and Saliba might have not cloned each other and denied Rashford more space. But that boy can always score against us.
Rashford is wasted in this United team. BTW, what misnomer. They are anything but. they are Manchester DisUnited. There is no clear style or structure to their team. From defense the best player on the ball was Onana. Most of the possession was in their defensive third. They barely did anything meaningful with the ball. Fernandez only got into the game in the second half whereas Anthony still remains the most over-priced, useless, annoying Cunning Ungrateful Noxious Turd. And Martial barely touched the ball. I don’t get this team at all. For all the money they’ve spent, I see no progress. It’s been 10 years since they won the league. I know it’s been even longer for us. But, I see no evolution with United. Just more money being poured in and wasted.
Back to our Have-that. Beyond the abysmal miss and setting up their goal he really does work hard. I’d really like to see him work out. I suspect though it’s not a question of talent but just whether he has the mental strength to overcome this period. As the great Wenger would say, it’s a though he’s playing with the handbreak on. It remains to be seen whether he’ll end up being another Gervinho. Let’s hope not.
He’ll be under more pressure now that Vieira is seemingly starting to produce the goods. After Nelson won the ball back, Fabio’s first time pass to Jesus set up that final, beautiful third goal. And, did you notice, that Nelson, after winning the ball and releasing Vieira, then chases all the way up field to receive the ball before Jesus dummied everyone to score himself.
Jesus needed that. Especially because Eddie was impressive yesterday. Sure he had no real chance to score but his link up play is so important. He was pivotal to that first goal. Overall, he continues to evolve and show real development. Eddie will now go off to spend time with the England squad. Unlike White. It’s beyond logic that Southgate can still pick the tortoise Maguire but yet ignore White. That competition between Jesus and Eddie can only be good for us – as long as they both stay fit.
Martinelli buzzed around all game. He was as lively as he’d been all season. And he was instrumental in creating that all important first goal. To respond so quickly was critical. Before they could put up a low block and hit us on the counter, we were able to have our captain equalize. And notice, that rather than over celebrate, Odegaard had us running back to continue pressing.
This was one of Odergaard better games. He works so hard and leads the team on the field. And he’s a better player when White is right-back. And so is Saka. But, it has to be said, Saka was not exactly on fire. It’s an interesting (yet unfair) comparison of Saka versus Have-that. In our last game Saka set-up the Fulham first goal and against United he missed a stone cold opportunity to give us the lead towards the end of the game when White, yet again, put in a killer cross. But, rightly, no-one will criticize Saka. I won’t. He’s earned way too much credit. Has lifted this team ever since the Accountant was fired. He saved out last two seasons. So, I’m not saying they are equivalent players. It’s just interesting that Have-that will be abused for his contribution against United. Whereas, we should support him more. In six months we can judge whether he was a bust or not. Not yet.
How good was Gabriel? To have him back in the defense helped solidify that back-line. And with Zinny roaming the entire midfield – often being on the right – and always willing to receive the ball from the defense, it’s vital that he stays injury free. Saliba had his usual masterful game. Reading the game superbly. Making the odd mistake I know, but generally cruising along and marshalling the defense. He really is the crown-jewel of center-halfs – along with White!
Of course, the star of this game was Rice. He stamped his authority all over the pitch. He tackles like a freight train. He protected the back-line yet linked up well with Zinny; propelled the team forward and dominated the midfield. How we need this guy. He is as close to the original Vieira as we’ve ever had. And this was only his fourth game for us. This was truly money well spent. You can see how he and Bellingham will form the core of the England mid-field for the next 5 to 10 years.
The emotion that was released when he scored lifted the entire stadium. It was deserved both for the team and for Rice. He is truly a box-to-box player. But unlike, say, Gerrard and Lampard, Rice truly knows defending. He exudes a force of personality that is infectious. As long as he stays injury free, he will be deemed as the best signing of the entire transfer window. Against United he was masterful. A lighthouse of talent. And a springboard for the entire team. With him and Odegaard at the core of the midfield, we just need someone (like Have-that) to occupy that left-sided midfield role. It would be nice to see ESR given a chance as well. Maybe we’ll see him in the League Cup. There is genuine talent there but he has to earn some playing time. And that’s with Trossard sitting next to him on the bench.
As frustrating as the Fulham game was, yet again, we displayed a resilience and spirit that speaks to a belief in this team. Responding to their goal within a minute and then fighting through to the additional minutes to steal the win is a testament to that belief. We’ll need that this season. As long as we can keep this back-four in place we’ll be fine.
Another word on ETH. Wanker. How could you possibly argue that their disallowed off-side goal was actually onside? It makes a mockery of him. And then to complain they were due another penalty and were the better team? No wonder they are suffering. That is not leadership. It’s just plain old winging and moaning. And, lastly, is that not the nastiest, ugliest most repulsive away kit you’ll ever see? What have they done to their heritage? Playing in those colours they could be Macclesfield Town (I mean no disrespect to Macclesfield Town).
Now we head of into another worthless, disruptive International hiatus. Four games into the new season. Just as the season is starting to gain momentum. What a joke. At some point, somewhere, somehow, this will have to change. Between SPL buying all possible players, Chelsea spending all the Clearlake money and PSG failing to win anything aside from the tinpot French League, there are so many things wrong with global football. But at least we can console ourselves with the joy that Arsenal bring. That Arteta generates. And that Saliba, White, Odergaard, Zinny, Saka and Rice et al continue to build towards. This is a team that is still a little away from its full potential. But look at that list of players. It starts to smell of the Wenger years. Now we just need to be a little patient and soon enough we’ll have some trophies.
In the meantime, wallow in those last 8 minutes of bliss and let that glide you through the next few weeks until we face the wankers down the road.
-LB7