Month: March 2024

Now that’s how to compete. No goals but a backbone performance unlike last year. We restricted them to a handle of opportunities. Raya was largely untroubled. We talk about how to win this league you have to grind out results. This was a game we could not afford to lose. And we didn’t.

Saliba and Gabriel, in particular, were monsters today. They provided the backbone to this performance. Though we looked a little vulnerable down the wings they intercepted every cross and blocked every shot. Initially Kiwior looked suspectable to being beaten by Silva but finally got he measure of him. He was helped by the diligent defensive work of Jesus. It’s just a shame he can’t score goals (Jesus not Kiwior).

On the other side the non-English playing White was imperious. He snuffed out Foden and then Grealish. And, at the same, time (in the first half) provided us with a real attacking threat. It was just a shame that Saka was not entirely fit. Mind you, against a team like City , you will be starved of the ball for long periods. This left Saka chasing back to cover Gvardiol.

This was a tense and dogged game. There were only brief moments when we had real possession. City pressed very high and remained relentless. Our approach was similar to that in the Community Shield. To play defense and, unlike last year, when we made too many mistakes, this year we had the personal and mental toughness to complete the task.

It’s a shame that we were unable to take advantage of the few chances we created. Not that we would have deserved to win. But we could have. And, in most cases, these chances revolved around Jesus. In the first half a couple fell his way. But as we know he’s not exactly prolific. One time, given a layoff from Kiwior, he took too many touches before shooting when he might have been better off passing to players lined up on the edge of the box. And then again his final pass to Have-that was just too strong as have-that piled into their goalie. In the second half, when we started with more energy and applying a higher-press, Jesus had one more chance when Odegaard and Saka created a cross into the box but he was late arriving.

Though I thought Anthony Taylor was quicker to call us for fouls than City, I was amazed – and happy – he did not hand out yellow cards like confetti. Kiwior could have received one very early on. As could nearly everyone else. Gabriel was very physical today. Rice stood firm and even Odeegard got stuck in. It’s ironic that the only yellows we received were for Jesus messing around with an extra ball and Raya for delaying goal-kicks.

We had to work so hard today. We barely saw Have-that but he was tireless today. Likewise Jorginho was quiet and rarely on the ball. For long periods, we were playing the Bolton defense – parking the bus and asking them to break us down. Thankfully, we are an improved team from last year. As nerve wracking as this was to watch, we just about deserved the point. And given our goal difference we just needed to ensure that we did not lose.

The international break loomed large over this game. Walker and Stones paid the price for Southgate being insensitive to the most intriguing tittle race in a decade or more. How he could play such key players for so many minutes for games that are irrelevant is beyond me. Likewise, KDB looked off the pace today and not 100% though part of that was due to Rice sticking to him like glue.

We were fortunate that Saka pulled out. But it’s clear he’s not really fit. Let’s hope he can recover for the Luton game. Martinelli also escaped minutes as did Gabriel. I hate to think of todays game without Gabriel. He out muscled and bullied their ugly Norwegian.

I know this guy is a natural goal scorer but he was largely anonymous today and that was due to Gabriel. I’m still not convinced that  he fits into City’s style of play. Maybe it was that we starved him of any supply. When Doku came on they looked more threatening. By that time we have seen the return of Tomi and Partey. Partey still makes me nervous. He’s still quite rusty. And I worry about his carelessness. In such a tight game, his mistakes could be critical. And his lack of pace was demonstrated when KDB ran pass him on one of their few transitional breakaways.

Trossard replacing Jesus helped us from a creative perspective but the boy can’t defend. It’s scary to seeing him trying to defend against Doku on the edge of our box. However, it can offer more going forward. He had one opportunity when Odegaard sliced open their defense. But rather than first time square the ball to a charging Martinelli he tried, instead,  a shot from a tough angle. In  a game such as this, when chances are so few, it’s imperative to take advantage of the few opportunities you have. And today, we didn’t.  

We have a tougher run-in than the others , so we could have done with the three points today. But, rightly, Arteta set us up to not lose and to, possibly, nick a win. But what we saw today was an Arsenal team we could only pray for last year. A team that clearly demonstrated a backbone and steel. A team that could concentrate for the entire 95 minutes. This is clear progress. It’s the kind of improvement we’ve been crying out for. Well, in fact, demanded. So, unlike last year, this is real progress.

We’re still in the hunt though the odds favour Liverpool slightly.  My worry remains Rice. He was vital today. Working so hard to shut down KDB. But with Southgate running him into the ground it’s vital he remains fit. And we’ll need Saka to get healthy. Luton won’t be a push over. Like all games now, it’s a must win game for us. It’s a shame because they are such a watchable team. Aside from us winning the league my other wish would be that Forest get relegated and Luton stay up. Oh, one more. In addition, Sp*rs to miss out on Europe and to have their entire team come down with a new strain of Covid.

Arteta got it right today. His tactics were defensive and protective. I have no issue with that. We will though have to recover quickly from this grueling game for Luton to then face a Brighton team that really should have left Anfield with a point. This run-in is going to be tough on our squad. As long as Saliba and Gabriel can stay fit we’ll have a shot. With Rice infront of them we have a backbone that we did not have at the same stage last year. We just need a little luck to flow our way. And we will need help from the bench. Whether it’s ESR, Nelson, or, god help us, Vieira. Or maybe Eddie. Someone will have to help our core team.

We have already proved we’re a better team than last year. I know everyone was worried about our fluidity at the start of the season. But it’s how you finish that counts not how you start. And, here we are, in the middle of a title race. And, to be honest, as happy as I am with a point today I thought City, overall, looked a better team.  We are very close though. And closer than last year. Arteta really has overseen a revolution at Arsenal. Let’s just hope he can dethrone City and put down the Kloppites. But it will be nail-biting right up until the end.

And now, without any annoying and irrelevant International breaks left, we really can focus on the next 2 months and enjoy this team and this challenge. We might not end up winning it all but, we really are contenders now. And that was the statement we made today. This team has now matured. We validated ourselves. And now we have to continue to challenge. There is no margin for error or slip ups. And unlike last year, this year I believe.

-LB7

TOTL again. Finally. If only for a day. Unlike our rampant demolition of the opposition in nearly every game this year, this one was more of a grinding out victory. This was back to what you expect in this league. Tense, nervy and nail-baiting. But, nonetheless, well deserved.

Brentford fought harder than these other teams, wasted time and disrupted as best they could our rhythm. And they thoroughly deserved to lose. This felt like some of those last minute winners from last season. But here our character really shone through.

A good starting point is Aaron. What a game for him. The whiplash of uncertainty, indecisions and mistakes to be followed by redemption. His distribution was erratic. The throw out to Trossard for the quick break was excellent. If Martinelli had been playing that would have been a different outcome. But too often he played it long right back to them. And then, of course, there was that hesitation leading to their goal. His teammates could have helped more by providing more options to him. But it’s his responsibility to recognize and read the situation. That last second twitch or stutter cost him – and us. And potentially our title chase. I felt so sorry for him. And some of this is a by-product of having mostly sat glued to the bench for the last 6 months; a certain amount of rustiness is inevitable. There is no substitute for actual gametime.

Then there was the second half redemption. Two outstanding saves. One from the long distance speculative Toney shot and then the close range header. This kept us in a game we continued to dominate. You could see his relief when Have-that scored. And in the celebrations on the final whistle. I fear though this is the last time we’ll see Aaron in Arsenal colours. You could see that in the way he was waving to the crowd. We’ll miss him. He could have been an Arsenal legend. It will be a shame to see him move on. But he should. He deserves it. He’s too young to waste away on the bench. And, unfortunately, we could see that jittery side to him today. He is a wonderful goalkeeper. As much as it hurts me to say so, and even before his mistake, I was sat there thinking, OMG, we’re missing Raya. Strike me down with a feather. But suddenly, finally, I realized what others have been claiming for months now. Sure, I’m a but dense. And just a little slow. But, Raya is better suited to the style of this team. We are a better team with Raya plays. There I’ve said it. Now take me out and shoot me (form an orderly line please).

Before going further it would be remiss not to comment on the referee today – Rob Jones. He, in addition to Brentford, did his utmost to disrupt and slow down the game. He blew up for nearly every niggly foul. He booked people for breathing on a player. The collective frustration of everyone with him meant that far more emotion and anger seeped into this game. It could have easily boiled over. And that would have been on him. Of late, the refs have been pretty reasonable but todays officiating was picky and rewarded the Brentford players for falling over and wasting time. He did not have a grip on this game. Let’s hope we don’t see him again.

One of the many beautiful things about this team is how they consistently try to play their football. We’ve seen this all season though in particular since the start of the year; well after Fulham anyway. Our captain, who was instrumental again today, is the perfect bellwether for our team. He personifies how we approach the game. He is our heartbeat; he is a microcosm of Arsenal. Consistent and calm. No panic. But a relentless commitment to controlled, intelligent and intricate football.

The vast majority of our threat today – due to the absence of Martinelli – was down our right. That triangle of Saka, Odegaard and White ran Brentford ragged all game. On the other side Trossard was largely anonymous. He only came alive when he drifted infield. Saka torched their fullback and, and in the second half, as we desperately sought the winner, was instrumental as he asserted himself. His character and determination really shone through; leading the charge, challenging their defense and pulling the string along with Odegaard. Though he did not score or provide an assist today, but his presence was pivotal.

And then there is Ben White. What a performance for a right back. Two amazing assists and forever providing options for Saka. How he is not in the England squad is mind-blowing.

Today it was all about the “2”s.

– The two summer signings – Rice and Have-that – both scoring our goals

– The two assists from Ben White

– Our two goals

– The two Ramsdale saves

– The two winning Have-that goals against Brentford this year.

Without those two summer signings we, literally, would be last years team. What an impact they have made. Sure, that was a ton of money to spend. And while there was no doubt about Rice the same can’t be said of Have-That. Yet again today he was the difference maker. Yes, he missed a breakaway chance in the first half where he should have scored. But, when the pressure is on, with the clock winding down, with us all fearful we’ll stumbling to a dreary underserved draw, there he is in the six yard box to head home the winner. That’s six points he’s earned us against Brentford this season.

And more credit to Arteta. He has backed Jorginho this year and he’s been rewarded. He had another fine game. And that has released Rice to operate further upfield. His goal today means that he has scored more now than all last season for WHU. And he hit the bar today. He is developing into a true goal scoring threat now. He is developing into that Lampard, Gerrard role now. A box-to-box midfielder who can score goals. And he makes Have-that a better player. It was Arteta’s decision to take off Jorghino and push Rice back to defensive cover though that enabled us to apply further pressure. Bringing on Nelson and Jesus injected further urgency and pressure. Culminating in White, yet again, setting up that glorious winner.

These are the games that you have to find ways to win. Look at Liverpool at Forest. You have to find a way to win. And we did that while staying true to how we play the game. There is a belief and confidence in this team. They stick to their principles and continue to play the same way knowing that it will yield results.

I’m still not convinced we’ll win the league this year.  We might but it’s going to be so tight and we have three tough away games coming up starting with City. This team though has elevated itself from last year. We have more maturity, more intelligence and more ability. Our game has evolved and we play the best football in this league. And we will, over time, only get better. These are two teams are cresting while we are still rising.

Before the extended break and the City game we have the small matter of Porto. I’m slightly ambivalent about this one. Sure, I’d like to win. I just don’t know if I want to waste time on this. If I had to chose between the league and the Champions league I’d take the league no doubt. Our squad is still thin and would hate to see any injuries to our key players. Also, Europe is tough for us due to our lack of experience. With the ways refs disallow physical contact and the opposition play negative, defensive counter-attacking football I’m not sure we’re well suited to this style – yet. It’s good experience for us – for next year. It’s also less enjoyable to watch these slow, tactical games with European players melodramatically falling over.

Tomorrow we can hope for one win and one draw. Villa need to put that lot to the sword. And Liverpool need to draw against City. As I’ve said, plenty of red cards and injuries are the order of the day. Let’s see Haaland and KDB stretchered off after colliding with each other only to them watch Walker and Stones both pull each others hamstrings. It would b e convenient if they were all sidelined for our visit. And of course, Klopp should also injury himself running up and down the touchline. Not that the celebration police would ever criticize him.

Even if we do somehow get knocked out by Porto, one positive by-product could be that the 5^th place finish would not qualify for the Champions League next year – and you know who’s in 5^th currently.

Let’s enjoy today though. What a wonderful, if slightly stressful, result. To be finally back TOTL. That feels so good. Back where we belong.

-LB7

And we march on. Yet another outstanding performance. Sure, Sheffield were truly shit. But you can only beat what’s in front of you. And we had them beat in record time. This was a beyond enjoyable experience. Total annihilation.

We could have been two nil up within the first few minutes. Saka hit the bar, Martinelli then had it cleared off the line. Previous incarnations of Arsenal would have me bemoaning the missed opportunities fearing that we’d rue the misses. Instead, my confidence is such with this team that I knew it was inevitable that we’d breach their defense.  And man, did we breach it. This game was done and dusted within 15 minutes. I can’t remember the last time we demolished a team so comprehensively as this.  

Have no doubt, as poor as Sheffield are, this result was down to the quality and precision of Arsenal. How many times have we seen games where we dominate that turn into one-goal dour affairs. Over many decades I can recount many such painful memories. But not with this team. There was no doubt from that first chance that we would put them to the sword.

I don’t have time to run through each and every goal. This though is the first time we’ve scored so many goals in consecutive games.  Through the entire history of this glorious club, including the Invincibles, no Arsenal team has achieved this. Sure, I know it does not equate to a trophy (unless your Sp*rs and are already cutting a DVD) but you have to enjoy this period of absolute supremacy. Within minutes it was so clear this would be a goal-fest.

Saka, who, it turns out was feeling sick, tortured their full-back and cut right through their defense.  It seems absurd that he did not get a goal and only one assist. Have-that at least got one goal. And how well taken was that one. And also an assist as well. Both were electric today. Every little flick and touch from Have-that seemed to come off today.

Sheffield started with a back four and then reverted to a back five. Truth be told they could have played with a backline of 11 and the outcome would not have changed. They were so outclassed and overmanned. It was a little pathetic on their part. How they could expose Trusty to Saka seemed a little unkind. It would be like me introducing kryptonite to Superman.  

Odegaard had the freedom of Sheffield. They literally gave him the key to the town. Of course, if you’ve ever been to Sheffield, you’d know that was not such an attractive proposition. To be fair I’ve never visited Sheffield. It’s way too far up north for my liking and they all speak with funny accents. Not as bad as the Scots but incomprehensible, nonetheless. Much like their football team.

After 25 minutes I had to confirm we only had eleven on the pitch. I was reassured to see that Saliba and Gabriel was there. I found Gabriel playing in an attacking left midfield position. And Jorginho was able to walk through the entire game at his leisure. I can’t really remember any shots that Raya had to save either. Of course, it was vital to keep a clean sheet. But then if you can’t get a shot on target it does make it a little challenging.

At some point I thought the referee might have called time on this game. Maybe we could have run up the score a little more. Clearly goal difference is going to be important this year. It’s so tight at the top and, after the upcoming matches, none of us will play each other. So goal difference will count. After our Christmas nightmare, our goal difference was inferior to both City and Liverpool. Now, after our run since Fulham, we’re 10 goals better off than City; even with them now having their ugly Norwegian back.

Arteta kept the same team today. I had half expected that Jorginho would start on the bench so we could be more attacking. Thankfully Arteta knows what he’s doing. This enabled Rice to play in a more advanced position. Which meant we could close them down even quicker in the final third. These rapid turnovers just further applied pressure on the wilting Sheffield. They had no way out of their defensive third.

The only shame today was that we ended up with both Cedric and Vieira on the pitch at the same time. That would present challenges to anyone trying to score. At least though we got Partey a few minutes. He clearly needs time to pick up the rhythm and pace of this team. And it’s a testament to Jorghino that we looked much smoother with him in that role. If you watch his movement and position, he’s always available to receive the ball. Partey should watch him closely and learn. Anyway, it’s good to have both of them available.

And we also got Jesus some minutes. He also needs time to readjust. Since he’s been injured this team has evolved. Jesus should have tried to score rather than play with flicks. He needed a few statement goals today. Because, with Have-that playing the false-9, this team is much improved. Jesus can now be the impact substitute.

It’s a shame ESR did not get any playing time. Especially when Vieira gets minutes. Even more so when we put on Cedric. We must have an alternative right back to Cedric. Sure, Tomi is out injured but somewhere within the Academy we must have a three-legged, one-armed right footed defender who could be an upgrade of our Portuguese midget?

But today is not a day to linger on my Cedric-phobia. Rather, we should continue to celebrate the pleasure that this team consistently delivers. Because, you know, it can’t continue forever. In one of these upcoming matches we will be sorely tested. And we can’t expect to win all our remaining games (well, except the one at what was called White H. Lane). I never witnessed a run of performances and scores like this. Sure, it’s not the toughest schedule (aside from Liverpool and Newcastle 🙂 ). But we don’t have to go back too many seasons to see us drop points against Brighton, Palace, Wolves etc. We are beyond that now. This team is operating at another level. And there aren’t many that can match this.

The other two continue to eke out painful wins. Maybe they consider themselves destined to win the league because against uncompetitive teams they find a way to grab last minute winners. The City game was not quite like that. But a moments thought for United. Abject and pathetic would be an understatement. I just pray they retain ETH as their manager. He really is a blessing for us. How he can believe they were even in the same timezone and City is mindblowing. They do look like that could give Sheffield a good, tight match.

Next week we actually get to play before the other two. Let’s hope we can keep this run going. 1-0 against Brentford would be fine with me. And we will see the last appearance of Aaron in Arsenal colours. Let’s hope he gets a good sendoff – with no mistakes.

Then, on Sunday we have to hope for a nice 0-0 draw with multiple red cards. Ideally KDB will get into a boxing match with VVD. And then both Klopp and Pepe will enter the field of play to be accosted by Foden and Diaz. And finally, Salah will come on as a substitute to only discover his hamstring is still attached to the bench.

We are still the underdogs, so we will need some luck here to have any chance. Maybe they could also stay involved in all their other competitions further sapping their resources. Let’s hope they can both meet in the F A Cup final to further distract them. As for us, I’m not too fussed about Porto. I’m more than happy to beat them and proceed further but, currently, I’m enjoying our league form too much. I don’t know how much of the dreary European football where you are not allowed to tackle anyone I can tolerate.

For today though, yet another brilliant performance. Enough to make me smile for the rest of the week. This team is something. They talk about football being in the entertainment business. While that’s not true of Man United or Sp*rs. It perfectly describes how we play the game. The right way. The Arsenal way.

-LB7