Well, that was more tense and nerve wracking then I’d imagined. Especially after the first half. It looked like we’d squandered the three points. Instead we had another Bournemouth moment.
This team really does have that mental fortitude and resilience we’ve lacked in the past. Of course, we fully deserved to win. We dominated Leicester throughout. They really offered very little. I know they scored two goal but those were their only two attacks. The first one was very fortunate and the latter a singular moment of brilliance that they’ll never repeat again.
This was the type of game where I feared we’d miss Overgaard’s ability to unpick the lock on their defense. But the truth is we barely missed him. And part of that is that Leicester were so shit but part of it was because Rice was so dominant on the left (and everyone else) such that we actually created down our lefthand side. And on the right, with Timber still at right back, the overlapping and cohesion on our right was much smoother than I’d expected.
Without wishing to digress to far, after the utter shit we’d been hearing from supposed pundits – by the way, what does this word actually mean? – from the “dark arts” to Arsenal not being creative enough, too dour and unattractive to watch, today was just an onslaught. Sure, they moaned about our first goal but there was nothing there apart from Vardy being an old moaning prat. Along with his ugly manager. Of course it originated down our right with Timber setting up Martinelli. If ever anyone needed a goal it was Martinelli. Let’s hope that unleashes him. Though I have my doubts. His conversion rate is not where it was a year or so ago. But he was much better today. And he set up that second goal just before half time for Trossard.
I’d figured the second half would be an enjoyable breeze. It turns out so did our team. From the onset of the second half I felt like we thought the game was won. Our intensity dropped and we were careless with our opportunities. So many chances were wasted or thwarted by their goalie. And then, somehow, before you knew it, they we were tied up 2-2. I still don’t understand quite how this happened. But then we reengaged and just dominated but continue to find ways to not score. Whether it was from corners or numerous shots from Trossard, Saka and others. BTW, this was again a stellar performance from Saka. He had the beating of anyone on that side of the pitch. And when he wandered infield he would dance past everyone – except for when Skipp chopped him down (and somehow avoided both a freekick and his second yellow card).
It seemed only fair that the winning goal would come from a corner. We had so many today and none were as threatening as last week. But for a prior one Trossard had signaled to Saka to wait for him to get in position beyond the back post. And then he took up the same position in the 93rd minute to deservedly score the winning goal. I’m hopeful on Monday that they will award that goal to him. While it was deflected it was on target. Trossard has to be one of our most valuable signings. From being a 12th man acquired at the last minute of a winter transfer window he’s now an essential natural goalscorer for us. Unlike Jesus. Of course, Trossard remains just a little scary when he has the ball outside our own box or is holding the ball in midfield. In both spots he is liable to lose or give the ball away. But then so is our friend Partey. It was another depressingly average performance from Partey today. Too often he’d give the ball away in important positions or just be too slow to track back. That second goal came because he could neither track Ndidi nor close him down to prevent the cross.
As soon as he was removed and replaced with Nwaneri, our dynamic changed. This kid is exceptional. From barely seeing any playing time last year he is now one of the first off the bench. His arrival also allowed Rice to drop deeper and provide us with reliable protection. This was one of Rices’ better performances this season; he dominated midfield and roamed all over the pitch. But back to Nwaneri, he immediately provided a spark, running past players, shooting and linking up with Saka. His additional energy stimulated both the team and the crowd. We looked so much more threatening with him on the pitch. And we looked a more balanced team. I get that he’s too young to currently have him be in the starting line-up but before the season is finished, he will be starting matches for us; hopefully in place of Partey.
It was nice to see Have-that sneak in that final fourth goal. It might have flattered the score line but he deserved it. He works so hard for the team and so intelligent in his play. He and Trossard would interchange positions. No-one talks about the false-9 with Arsenal but that’s how we’ve been since Odegaard was injured. It was just annoying that as Jesus was breaking through he refused to pass to ether Have-that or Sterling and shot instead. But that’s why Jesus does not start now.
I feel sorry for Ben White; he was not on the bench today. Hopefully that was to allow him more recovery time. We’ll need him this season for sure. Timber can’t play the number of intense games that we have coming up this season. But, my, how impressive was he again today. This boy is so talented. Reliable in defense, supportive to Saka in attack and creative in midfield. And on the other side Calafiori was dominant again. And he helped strengthen and support Martinelli. With him there we look more threatening and brings more balance to the team. These two seemed to have invigorated this team. And of course, between then we have the rocks of Arsenal – Saliba and Gabriel. Neither could be blamed for either goal today.
I don’t understand how Saliba picked up a yellow card today. Just for breathing on Vardy; who’s was utterly anonymous today. Honestly, I despair at the quality of referees. This one – Samuel Barrott – was handing them out like confetti. It seems like they directly equate any foul with a yellow card now. Why is it that we have the best league in the world with the worst referees (that’s for you BFR as I stole that observation from you while you were eating your way through the game). We have players from all over the world in the premier league but insist that our refs should be largely English. Sure we have one Aussie. But why aren’t we bringing in refs from everywhere? And why don’t we pay them like professionals? That, of course, we have to lay at the feet of the PGMO; that incompetent entity that overseas (no pun intended) this mess of refs. The entity that decided that the most important aspect of the game to change is to issue automatic yellow cards if you even breath on a ball after a free-kick and thus warrant a yellow card. Talking about a solution in search of a problem. If you asked any fan what they’d like to see change, delaying restarts would never make the list. Fix VAR, introduce automated off-sides, stop giving penalties for unintentional handballs etc. But delaying free-kicks? Spare me.
It’s strange to think that, this early in the season, todays result was that important. But after the valiant draw at City and them seeing them drop two more points today, it was vital we recovered those three points today. Especially after we switched off at the start of the second half. Maybe Arteta administered valium at half-time. More than anything though, this result allowed us to retain our momentum. With Liverpool being the beneficiary of dubious penalty decisions and Cheski finding ways to win, the top 4 is going to be mighty tight. That’s not to say we can’t compete for the top spot. With Rodri sidelined, our chances have improved. But we have to be consistent. And so, far, aside from referee interruptions, we have been.
We now revert back to the Champions League. They should be some rotation. I’d like to see Ethan start but I’m sure he won’t. This match will be a little more cagey. I mean, PSG can’t be as inept as Leicester. And then it’s Southampton before another stupid international break. Maybe we can get Odeegard fit enough just in time for him to play for Norway again.
-LB7