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