I was certainly not gonna miss the last post of this year. Interestingly, the game starts at 11 PM for us Indian Gooners and a win today would mean we enter into the 2023 with a win, top of the table and with a hope that we might just make it this season. Bang!
Right, it goes without saying that Brighton is a very drilled team and visiting them is a tough task not just for us but for any team. We have only won once against them at their home in our last 5 encounters, losing twice and sharing points on the other two occasions. The other fact that goes against us is that we only have managed to win twice on New Year eve in the past, in ’88 and 2011 in our last 7 games. Can we break the curse? Of course we can, we are high in confidence, we are in form and we just beat the shit of West Ham.
A good run of games lets you not lose your confidence and allows you to strive irrespective of the bad moments. Against West Ham, Will Saliba gave away a penalty and we were 1-0 down. We managed to win that game at the end and no one remembers that mistake. We have seen how bad these scenarios gets, with Mustafi and Luiz in the past. The fans are behind the team, they have been singing and ignoring the odd mistakes and this instils a confidence in the players.
There’s not much changes to the availability except that Tomiyasu is back in contention. I doubt he will get into the starting XI though, with Ben White making that RB position his own. Zinchenko might start ahead of Tierney and that gives a better attacking set up on the left side.
Mikel, when asked about Brighton reiterated about how tough it is to visit them.
It is always a really difficult and tricky game. They have a lot of individual quality, a lot of composure on the ball. They are a team that are really aggressive and they will ask some big questions. We’ll need to be at a really high level to win the game.
source: Arsenal.com
So yeah, come on Mikel and team, give us something to cheer for next few days. Lets thrash them at their home, lets keep that 5 point lead from City and keep our TOP OF THE TABLE mood.
I would be back during the game, can’t miss today even if my other half will be furious.
And, thanks a lot to my readers. What started as a personal diary has somewhat become a place for few of us Gooners to meet. When I started I didn’t imaging it will go through to its second year with 100+ articles and 2k+ comments. As they say, onwards and upwards. For both AFC and LiR.
Hope you have a happy new year!
Odegaaaaaaard!!!
Ode… Never mind the goal, it was a great jumpshot!
Some good tactics tonight. Our front line not pressing Brighton’s CBs because their distribution is so poor. Means we’re tighter without the ball. Boys are working very hard.
I want to see some intelligent time management this half.
Kp,
Yes, except for the odd 5 min when Brighton pressed us, we looked in control of the game in the first half.
Lets do it for another 45 min.
3-0
Hope you all enjoy the game ❣️
Eddeeeeee Unket!
Jesus who?
Arteta is definitely getting the luck with teams who are usually much better just not playing well.
I really was expecting a much tougher test, we have now the chance to rotate / rest / give a few players a run out with Newcastle on Tuesday.
Divyanshu
LOL. I’m pretty happy right now!
Marc Good point. Some new blood between 65 and 75 minutes.
Kroenkephobe
I said 2-1 but in this match…2+1 = 3
And we’ve 40 min more to fun…😉
Magicnelli… I was screaming at him to cut it across.
What happened with Brighton… it’s 4-1 ⚽
Brighton fans leaving. Oh dear. This is what I meant earlier.
I’m not saying I’ve got 20/20 hindsight but this is what ought to happen when we’re up against the likes of Brighton. It’s the natural order of things.
That said Divyanshu – you realise you’ve brought the team good luck tonight 🍀. It means you’re going to have to get on LiR every time we play for the rest of the season.
Poor goal to concede.
Kroenkephobe
Sure mate…3 cheers for Arsenal !!!
Unwanted stats in this match till now…6 yellow card and total 6 goal…what a coincidence…😉
WTF….last minute goal concede 😔
Thank God… it’s offside 🏁
My arse let out a minor squeak there. Some things to work on when defending a lead, but a well deserved win. Very happy new year everyone.