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