Well, that was easy. So easy in fact. As easy as any match I can remember. Sheffield were shit. Truly non-existent. I don’t know what happened to that team that battled United and nearly defeated the wankers down the road.
Today they barely made it out of the changing room. I don’t think Raya – who should not have been playing – had a single save to make. Even when we took the lead they did not change their approach. I thought Luton would be the worse team in this league. Sheffield look like they will challenge them. They could even be worse than the Derby and Sunderland teams that were relegated years ago. Sheffield could be relegated before Christmas.
Today we saw rotation. In nearly every position apart from the goalkeeper. I’m Sure Aaron will play in the stupid cup game against West Ham. And, I’m sure, come the end to the season, he’ll engineer a move to a team that values him. I can’t believe he did not start today. Like a certain politician we know, I suspect if Raya shot someone on the high street, Arteta would still pick him for the next match.
Overall though the selection made sense. It was good to see Kiwior and ESR. I would have thought Saka might get a rest. And it was good to see Have-that start. As the game progressed it seemed like the attack-versus defense would become quite tiresome. But our reserve team found a way through care of Eddie. Prior to his first goal, he seemed somewhat uninvolved. There was so little space for him to move into. But as he delicately took the cross from Rice and beat Trusty to score he must have thought he was back in pre-season training with Trusty.
His second goal was that of a pure poacher. He reminded me on Franny Jeffers, the original fox in a box. By then the game was clearly settle. No anxiety and no fear of the outcome. Truly Sheffield offered nothing. But that third goal was a worldie. That was a goal that had me fall out of my chair. This was a goal of a player who suddenly had found his confidence and belief. The smile on his face when that went in was as radiant as I’d ever seen from him.
I still have my doubts about Eddie. I still believe, when fit, Jesus is the superior player. But, today he was on fire. He won us this game. And, when the penalty was finally awarded, he was gracious enough to hand it over to Vieira.
Martinelli was electric again today. He benefited from both Zinny and ESR. He was fouled so many times – more than Saka. I can’t believe it took until the 70th minute for Bogle to get booked. He clattered into Martinelli on numerous occasions. I was relieved when Trossard replaced him.
ESR took time to adjust to the game. In fact, he was a little underwhelming. That’s natural given that this was his first start in more than a year. And likewise, Have-that was fairly quiet. He provide the link-up play nicely and worked hard. But we’re still waiting for that explosion of play, that telling contribution or those goals to flow. He seems to be withdrawn, shy and still lacking in confidence. Maybe we just have to remain patient.
Kiwior’s selection was a good one today. Obviously he was not tested defensively but his distribution and calmness was a pleasant improvement over Gabriel. Obviously you want Gabriel back for Newcastle but this was the perfect game for him to be rested. Likewise Odergaard. Hopefully our captain does not play mid-week either. We should allow him to recharge his batteries.
Rice was again imperious in front of our defense. He really is the natural leader of this team. And behind him Saliba strolled around surveying everything in front of him in his usual regal manner. These two are pivotal to any success we have this year. Today we saw the benefit of rotation and the benefit of a strong squad. But these two have no equivalent on the bench. Along with Saka, they are irreplaceable.
A small digression onto VAR. We had 10 minutes of additional time today in the second half. No-one really needs this – well apart from Tommy and the 5th goal. And this came about because of the long review of that 5th goal and the time it took to decide on the penalty. How that 5th goal could be in doubt and how the review detracts from the enjoyment of the celebration really does sap the joy from the game. It’s as though VAR is desperately looking to take the oxygen out of the room to nullify the pure enjoyment of the goals. That’s the reason we support our team and watch their games. And in that moment of fun, we have the fear of VAR coming along to snatch that joy away. For VAR, to somewhere in the footnotes or fine print determine that someone has breathed on someone that no-one else has noticed in order to cancel that moment of pure joy; VAR is on course become the destroyer of the soul of this game.
And then for the clear and obvious penalty on Vieira, it took them a lifetime to conclude – what we all knew – that Fleck had indeed fouled him in the box. I just don’t understand how VAR has becaome so damaged and disruptive. The intent was to smooth out the inconsistencies in the game. Instead we have more disruption and more uncertainty.
Today though it did not really matter. It was a walk in the park. A pleasant day for the team to relax and stroll around unhassled by the opposition. Once that first goal broke the deadlock, the game was effectively over. I can’t remember watching an Arsenal game with as few nerves, worries or fears. The idea of missing Partey or Jesus melted away within minutes. To be left with just the yearning for Aaron.
So, onto the mid-week WHU fixture in the useless Milk/Coca-Cola/Carabao Cup. I genuinely have no idea what Carabao is. According to google it’s a type of water buffalo. I believe this might be some type of sports drink. Who knows. I know I don’t. But hopefully we’ll play our reserves again. This is the least important cup. I’d like to see Rice given a rest for this game. But I doubt that would happen. I’d also like to see Saka on the bench. Let Elneny and Jorginho start this game. And give Saliba the night off. And poor old Aaron will have the reserve team in front of him.
We have Newcastle next Saturday we will certainly need everyone fit and available for that. Well, aside from Partey and Jesus. Or maybe Raya will start mid-week as well. Because, evidentially, that’s how, at Arsenal, you rotate goalkeepers.
-LB7