Stamford Bridge was partly empty due to the sanctions in place but there were still enough supporters in blue. In the 1/8th of stadium were ladies and gentlemen sitting in red and white to support a team which had lost three easy games earlier. When the game ended, you could only see red jerseys in a blue stadium. It was beautiful. Players celebrated with fans for a good 10 minutes, showing what it meant for them to win a London Derby.
We beat Chelsea 4-2 at their home. After leading twice and giving it away within minutes, we decided it was enough. Eddie was brilliant, who opened the scoring capitalising on a Chelsea’s mistake. They levelled back. It was a brilliant Smith Rowe’s goal to put us in the lead again, but that didn’t last long. We went into the second half having played better football and a 2-2 score line. In 57′ minute, Eddie came to rescue again. Poor pass from Azpilicueta landed to Eddie’s feat after bouncing off from like 13 players and he don’t miss that.
Out last goal was symbolic in a way. Saka was handled in Penalty area and referee didn’t think much to point to the spot in spite of Chelsea’s players reactions. Everyone was expecting Martinelli to take it (even Arteta) but Saka was not in a mood to give it away. He scored, sending Mendy the wrong way and went straight to away section to celebrate with fans. We could all see how much it meant after missing one in Euro for England. He was a proud of himself and rightly so. I was buzzing for him.
4 goals from hale enders when we needed it the most. Who would have thought Nketiah can deliver better than Laca. Elneny got his first start this season and he didn’t disappoint at all. He is limited but a no nonsense player who have got a Ferrari engine fitted in. Our back three was poor but then a win’s a win and I will keep the complaining for some other day.
That leads me to talk about out top 4 chances. We are still in the mix with 57 points, level with Spu*ds sitting in 4th on basis of goal difference. We have to play Man United and West Ham and a six pointer north london derby. 6 game and it might feel too much of an expectation but I believe we should win all of them. United are sh*t, West Ham are tired and well, you can’t lose against Spu*s. Our other three games are against Leeds, New Castle and Everton – all winnable.
On the other hand, Spurs still have to play Leicester and Liverpool. They have games against Brentford and Burnley, they will do a spursy and lose some points I’m sure. In any case, we can’t afford to lose any more matches!
There was an argument going on twitter earlier stating Champions League qualification meant nothing since we are still building team and have areas to strengthen. We have lost against Brighton, Crystal Palace and Southampton and we should rather fix everything first and then think of competing in champions league. Well it’s a sh*t argument! By that logic, playing in a league with Klopp and Pep’s team – probably two of the best teams in recent times, is waste?!
Champions League attract players. Talents all over the world wants to make it big at the grand stage. Not only we will struggle to bring world class talents who constantly look for CL games, keeping the ones we have will get difficult. Saka, Martinelli, ESR would most certainly be dreaming of playing against Barcelona and Bayern and making their legacy. And it has it’s monetary benefit. When you have some 50m extra cash, you can afford to over pay for players like Ben White and not feel the heat.
We are playing Man United tomorrow at Emirates. I won’t mind seeing the same starting XI and the intent with which we played against Chelsea. They are not going to sit back like a lower mid table club and that gives us the option of playing our game. We have been shit with low block but play comparatively well against teams who wants to compete in possession. It’s probably the worst United side in years and three points should be a guarantee from Mikel’s team. Win this, and you are one step closer.
To the Chelsea fan who somehow managed to land on an Arsenal blog, repeat after me…
LONDON IS RED
Should have clarified, playing pool.
Killroy,
The true tragedy is that if you wanted intelligent, open debate,that was the place to go. Now it seems that football, like most aspects of life,is subject to the whole woke,cancel culture,left wing becoming right wing shite that is ruining intelligent conversation everywhere. What is particularly sickening is that legrove established itself on the basis of being opposed to such crap.
Sorry to hear of your 15 – ball travails last night Almunia. Here’s a multi choice question relating to pub sports:
Are you?
A) A person who plays pool best when you’re as sober as a judge?
B) A better player after a good number of bevvies?
C) some who thinks they’re B but they’re actually A?
Hope we’re all feeling like we were post-Chelsea by about 2.45 British Time this afternoon. Assuming you’ll be there Marc, would love to get your observations about the game and the atmosphere later on. I’m just about to set off for Sheffield to watch Cardiff this afternoon with 3 taciturn and moody young lads. Should be a blast. If your head’s clear enough today Almunia to get the prayer mat out, say a wee one for the Bluebirds as well.
Killroy Hiya mate.
It’s a great shame that Pedro’s nailed his ball bag to the mast of a sinking ship as it were. That site is no longer a place for opinion sharing and pluralism. It sounds more like ‘unsold anusol’ by the day. He’ll eventually ban everyone as Chief Petty Officer Arteta sinks and takes, erm, Pedro’s scrotum with him. That’s definitely enough nautical metaphors.
I’m rather happy to be banned so I don’t feel annoyed by all the lies and propaganda any more. I’m finding life much more agreeable on London is Red to be honest.
Definitely c!! As I get older especially. Going to have to reevaluate.
Safe journey to Sheffield, seems they are more desperate for the points than Cardiff, sometimes that can work against the team in need,fingers crossed.
Getting nervous about today. Utd are shite but they are still capable of beating us. We’re pretty Jekyll and Hyde ourselves, but surely we’ve too much for them?
Is Arteta more hyper than usual today?
Saw him making a strangulation gesture, think to Elmeny
Fucking hell, lads! If we can hold on to this lead, it would go a long way to make up for the 9 points dropped.
Can’t stand the Mancs.
Hoopah,
He’s on something alright! This is typical Arsenal isn’t it, won’t allow us to relax for a second. We got the benefit of the doubt for two peno decisions,hope the ref doesn’t seek to balance things up. Nerves are shredded already.
It’s not going to stay at 2-1 is it? We’re looking the likelier to get the next goal. Utd defence even with Varane in for Maguire looks terrible.
We look poor defensively so we need to score another goal to be safe. Tavares looks poor defensively.
This game is making me nervous. United have come to play today.
Yeah. ManU defence and trapping are quite atrocious, worse than anything we have faced. Appears their players were on a long suesta under Rangnick. Very poor, except Ronaldo who still keeps himself fit and in fine tune. De Gea is back to very good now
Le Grove site is down also
I think Elanga could become quite the player in the right hands and you’d imagine Sancho will put this season behind him and grow into the league but serious work to be done on their defence. My worry is that our defensive rebuild has been done and at considerable cost but I don’t see a title challenge being built on it.
Oh I though 2-0 should get the job done but then fuck.
Told you Tavares is poor defensively. We may lose this game now.
Why is Tets no seeing the danger and making changes?
Nuno is desperate to give away silly pens, David Luiz style.
Cedric been playing dangerous. Earlier 1on1 with Sancho handled the ball, Ref is sympathetic, but players should not push boundaries
Xhaka dunnit
3-1
Xhaka what a fucking strike!!!!!
Saka injured. If it’s anything more than a slight tweak, we’re in trouble.
Let’s hope Saka’s just minding himself. Penandes is some dirty prick.
Bruno ankle breaker, yellow. Elmo gets the ball and stamps on Utd player, also yellow. Fucked up.
Elmeny is a neat and tidy playi. Excellent pass conversion so no ball lost when passed to him. Something in range of Coquelin, he betters others. His back passing might be to following instructions.
Elmo has always been a pass and move player. Loads of back passes, but that’s his game. Risk averse ball recycler. Every team needs one in the squad for sure.
Fantastic 3 points! Get fucked Chelsea and Man U!
Onwards and upwards,all roads lead to the London stadium Sunday week,4.30. Brentford, over to you………..
Brilliant, win the NLD and everything is forgotten. #COYG
I’m off to a coffee house to celebrate the win. An evening game after long for me, worth celebrating 🥳
Rio fuming in the studio. Hate to see it.