Happy happyiness with a dose of happiness to everyone. The last time I felt this good was when we trashed those wankers last week. This was both an impressive result and a ridiculous game.
But, first, I feel like I owe an apology for this late posting. Especially after such an exciting game. Normally I would have been truly eager to put my random, disorganized and random (sorry, did I say random already) thoughts in writing. But, like Mustafi, it was not my fault. For this I blame one of my defective offspring (for I have many). I was forced to journey off-site away from my TV and thus had to watch the game, as best I could, on my phone. I was though able to re-watch the entire game on a nice, big screen late last night by which time I had to retire to my hole in the ground in order to replenish my athletic physique. So I blame #2 son. I often do. And it works for me. Because I’m such a wonderful father, I was forced to put family before Arsenal. That won’t happen again.
24 hour later though, the glow has not disappeared. That was a brilliant performance. I had a nagging suspicion we would win. Liverpool have not quite found their mojo this season and we certainly have. But the manner of this victory was just so impressive. The energy, the skill, the interplay culminating in such attractive and entertaining football is not something we’ve seen at the Emirates before. Sure, round the corner at the former home of football (aka Highbury) but not here.
And it literally started from the first minute. What a way to start a game. We have seemed to start every game this season with this approach. Credit to Arteta for that. But more on our little-Pep later (if I don’t forget). From Saliba, via White to a borderline offside Saka and then Odegaard onto Martinelli’s right foot. Breathtaking. The speed and incision. We out Liverpooled Liverpool. This is what they’ve done to us for so many years at Anfield. This was as good a game as Martinelli has produced for us. He was a constant thorn in their side. His energy levels were like that of the Energizer Bunny. This boy is relentless. He gave AA a torrid time on the right. Inconjunction with Jesus and Saka, the three of them terrorized their defense. We consistently pressed and forced them backwards and sideways.
Behind these three nearly every player performed at the highest level. Unfortunately Gabriel was the exception. This boy has a nasty habit of making crucial mistakes. He was very fortunate to get away with a handball for a penalty. But then casually stuck out a boot for a long-pass from AA that result in Saliba being pulled out of position. And Gabriel was too slow to realize he needed to cover his man. And then they were level. Poor play from him and frustrating. This though was the only black mark on the team. We continued to work our way back and put them under pressure. Then the industrious Gabriel released Martinelli who eventually feed Saka to regain the lead. It was noticeable that Gabriel was up there to dummy the ball for Saka. But this goal reminded me of “that” goal against the wankers in white at their place when it was Henry, Bergkamp and Viera hitting them on the break. That’s a pretty high bar I know. But, for this game, we felt like a complete team. And, unlike last week when we had to play Bolton in the NLD, against a real team. And, though not firing on all cylinders, a very good team at that. Watching Thiago made you appreciate the contribution of Partey. They both play a similar position. As smooth and silky as Thiago is, he has the lump Henderson alongside him whereas Partey has to cover all the defensive work himself. Partey, aside from the odd missed tackle, is pivotal to our team. He plays these vertical passes that open up the opposition and yet strolls around, reading the game to be in the right position to break up their play. And this allows us to release Xhaka from any defensive duties and the resultant yellow & red cards.
Back to that second goal though, that all started with Jesus. No goals yesterday but he was all over the pitch. There were times when Liverpool broke fast and that he, Jesus, was in the right back position defending. You would not have seen that from Cigarette or OhHe’sAtChelskiNow. Jesus put himself in all the right positions and buzzed around their defense. Sure no goals, but he electrifies the team and the crowd.
Saka continues to evolve and rediscover last years form. Two goals and, again, requiring them to have two people mark him. Alongside him the impressive White not only provided excellent defensive cover but managed to overlap and provide yet more attacking options. It’s noticeable how his relationship with Saka is blossoming. I know that some people, early in the season, were highly critical but those idiots clearly don’t know the game. White has excelled. And, as mentioned, even the conservative Southgate must pick him. This game highlighted the contrast with AA. I felt a little sorry for AA. He had to deal with Martinelli and was not helped out by his other defenders. All the focus is on AA. Yet Van Dyke was way off his game yesterday. It feels like he’s on such a pedestal that no-one can question him. But it was Van Dyke who played Saka onside for our second goal. As Saka ran into the box VD followed and kept Saka onside. And, for that first goal he did not close Saka down either. But AA will carry the brunt of the criticism. But then, that’s their problem.
This was as good a performance as I can remember – it’s up there with last years away win at Chekski. But Liverpool are a different proposition even if when they are slightly off the boil. Look how they controlled stretches of the game. So many parts of our team purred along. The quick, simple interplay – usually with Partey involved allowed us to create so many chances. Whether it was the always impressive Saliba starting the movement or Xhaka opening up their right hand side. And then there was Odegaard slicing them open. It was a joy to watch.
And then there is the resilience. In previous years there is no way we would have found a way to come back to regain the lead so many times. We’ve seen this in other games this season. There is a belief and determination. Each time they equalized we found ways to step up our intensity and find a way to score. And, at the end, we even seemed to understand how game management should work helping to see the game out. It was a little nerve wracking sure but this team has evolved. It does not mean – even with all this gushing – that we’ll win the league. We still might not even make the top 4. We’ve seen too many collapses to know better. But it does feel like this team is different. Even if we are susceptible to an injury to Partey.
But look at depth we now have. For instance, how inspired was the decision by MA to put Tommi at right back. He completed controlled Salah. The end result was he barely had a shot on target and, even when they were behind, being withdrawn. Tommi won every header and provided important stability on the left. Sure, with Zinny, we would have had more attacking intent but given his injury that was not an option. And, as much as I love our own Ukrainian, that was blessing in disguise. It still allowed Xhaka to roam on the left without having to worry about Salah. Tommi is a certified star. Just keep him fit please.
Behind them all we had the limping Ramsdale who is so desperate for attention that he had to fake out a little injury early on just to make us even more nervous. His distribution was excellent and he made a few important saves. Ramsdale and the back four really do function like a unit now. In fact, this whole team excelled. Again, unlike last week when we played against a parked bus, this time it was against a genuinely impressive, talented team.
And this falls at the feet of Arteta. He make all the right selection decisions and adjusted our formation as the game went on. He has built something that we’ve not seen in a decade. And, though I still don’t expect too much more this year, it’s the platform for great things. One or two more signings along with further experience and maturation and this team will excel. The quality of play, the attitude and the fight come directly from MA. I’m sure we’ll have hick-ups along the way – we’re too young to be this good consistently. But even in the NoHoppaCup with 8 replacements, the style and approach was the same. Just like the Man City backup eleven.
A word or two on VAR. We rode our luck. Gabriel could have been called for a penalty. Even our first goal could have been pulled back for Saka being offside. And then our penalty. All three decisions went in our favor. Let’s remember that. Because it won’t happen again. The weird one was the first one. Because of the way the technology works with various cameras, it turns out Saka was out of frame and they were not able to draw a line to see his position. So they had to go with the on-field decision. How amateur is that. This is a billion pound business. But they lack the requisite number of cameras. The sooner they auto-mate offside the better – even if it might have worked against us yesterday.
Have no doubt though, we were the superior team and we completely deserved to win. And, to his credit their Nazi was very gracious in defeat. He could have lamented VAR but did not harp on it too long. This guys is a class act. And an entertaining one. The sooner he can leave Liverpool the better.
So, yet again, here we sit, Top of The Table. Ahead of everyone’s favorite to win the league. Of course, while we have to venture up to the White Walkers of the frozen north this Sunday, they have to play Liverpool at Anfield. Hopefully Liverpool can extract vengeance on them. Maybe they can tie down their Norse god, cut his hair and sap his strength. Who would have guessed we’d have been top at this stage though? It would be nice to last just a little longer. Fortunately, we don’t have to play them until sometime in 2023. By then, if we’re lucky, they will have all their players injured in the world cup – except their big, beasty center forward won’t be attending. As brilliant as he’s been, it has to be said, he really is quite an ugly basterd. I know, pretty childish. But that’s what you can be sure to get here
So another wonderful weekend. It’s so refreshing to be so proud of the players, the manager and the overall club. Entertaining and exciting football. It’s stunning when you consider the transformation of this team over the last six months. And, as I keep saying, this journey is by no means over. Another transfer window or two, a little bit more experience for the cresh at London Colney and this team can genuinely compete. But first it’s off to Norway. BTW, this lot aren’t so bad for Norwegians. Their current manager is sure to end up in the Premier League at some point. So that game won’t be so easy. And then back to the league. My only wish is that we can remain top going into the world cup. The longer we can stay there the more likely it is that we’ll qualify for the Champions League. That still has to be our realistic objective. That, and keeping Partey fit and Xhaka from being sent off.
-LB7