I have a feeling it’s going to be the Gyokeres day. Leeds are in town for today’s game and we must have practiced some more fluidity among the new signings after a disjointed Man Utd game. We won’t see Eze in the line up today unfortunately but it’s a done deal and he will soon join the pack.
Havertz picked up an injury. He was a direct competition to Gyokeres considering Mikel’s system and his preference to play a #9 who excels in dirty work rather than scoring. The primary reason he didn’t sign a striker so far and have tried to push Havertz, Merino, Trossard in that role. Not that any of them were total failure but we lacked a 20 goal a season player and someone who could make a difference on his own in games where the opposition just likes to sit back and defend. With Gyokeres, we are trying to fix that problem. Havertz’s injury is sad news, at worst – he was a back up to Gyokeres if the Swedish fails to deliver or picks up an injury. But the silver lining out of this I feel, is that, he now knows it’s all him we got and he doesn’t have that additional pressure to score in order to keep his place for the next game(s).
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Leeds were the Championship leaders, finished with 100 points and are always a threat. We can’t take them lightly. Chelsea thrashed West Ham last night, announcing themselves in the Title run, and with Liverpool eyeing an Isak move, Pep throwing money anywhere and everywhere, it would be a very tough season. We won the Man Utd game in a very dirty display and we just need to build on it. Lets go out there and win, keep ourselves 6/6 points and there are some massive games coming up from next week – Liverpool, Man City and Newcastle in next 4 games.
In the team news, we won’t have Kai available due to his knee injury. Norgaard also has some discomfort and will not be available. The RB situation is a bit messy, both White and Timber are a doubt for the game and it would be interesting to see who Mikel prefers if they don’t make it. I am guessing one of MLS and Kiwior would have to do it in the worst scenario. Jesus will be out for some more months, while everyone else is fit for the game.
I am expecting a back 4 of MLS, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori unless one of the White or Timber are available. It would be the usual midfield of Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice with a front 3 of Saka, Gyokeres and Madueke. Martinelli might not make it, because Mikel loves his new suits and Martinelli had a stinker last weekend. I am a Team Gabi but unless he gets back his old self, I won’t complain if Madueke starts ahead of him. After all, we need to know if the 52m GBP we spent was worth it.
Farke, Leed’s manager, was very clear about his approach in his pre-match conference. He promised an attacking game and that he won’t sell out their DNA by going defensive and parking the bus. Well, we love these kinds of oppositions. I am pretty sure they won’t change, Bielsa’s shadow stays with you till eternity. It would be an exciting game and one of those where Odegaard might gets his praise.
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What’s your prediction? I am hoping we get to see the mask celebration today at Home for our new no 14. Saka doesn’t like 2 bad games in a row so he will score one too.
2-0 to the boys, with a much better performance compared to last game; also preparing for the next week’s 6 pointer against Liverpool at their home.
Right, that’s all for today. Man City playing Spurs in about a minute, it’s a bit of a pickle because both of them can’t lose the game so i would take it if both of them drop points. Let the Spuds cherish 1 point after losing on Eze. It happened again.. It happened again..
Cheers
important penalty…not because of the scoreline, but due to his penalty taking history(27 of 28) and our lack of convincing takers…that’s how you take a fucking penalty!!!
intersting to see how reserved MA was at the final whistle…could be the injuries or it could be that he can see that his brand of football will no longer be deemed acceptable, so he’s feeling the pressure that comes with those raised expectations
Everything went right today. Our striker scored 2, Saka gets his goal and confidence back, Dowman, MLS and Nwaneri getting their game time.
Only concerns are the Saka and Odegaard injuries. Hopefully they would need just a couple of days off and nothing serious.
TRVL
I would bet on injuries, Mikel is a stubborn man
it will be interesting to hear any injury updates, especially involving Saka, as it appeared to be a hammy…not the best with Pool upcoming, but thankfully there’s an international break following that…thought I would never speak positively about those fucking breaks so early in the season
here’s what I appreciated from yesterday’s affair:
(1) our two blue chippers and our new RB/CB recruit getting some significant minutes
(2) VG’s penalty kick—we haven’t seen such decisiveness from the spot in a minute
(3) our attempts to show some more directness in attack—still plenty of work to do in this department
(4) we didn’t shut things down until about the 82 minute
Negatives:
(1) potential injuries
let’s face it this should have been a walk in the park, especially after Leeds performance against Everton…as such, I’m not going to read too much into it…next week should be a bit more telling, regardless of who’s available…this will really test our newfound depth, even though there will be familiarity issues with both sides
TRVL – Ambarish
Agree with you both, but and there is a significant but here, Leeds were lower league level yesterday. They are well drilled, but lack what is needed player wise to stay up.
Your “walk in the park” comment was very apt, Viera.
My views are similar in that VG takes a good penalty, and can craft almost Havertz gangly style chances to score, as he did for his first. However, this was Leedes and not Pool or City who also still have off days where they deservedly lost to Spuds.
VG vs Van Der Den will be a good match up.
We looked better with Ode off and Ethan on where Dowman plays without fear, but also with an amazing football IQ for 15.
Dowman should come with a football warning for defenders.
Ethan, Dowman, Eze are 3 players who could, if played to their combine strengths, could become our AM trio for a very long time to come, and who can all unlock our ragged new 9: Giroud with pace perhaps?
Still room for a Wirtz and an Isak+ in the next summer transfer window, so probably a job for the new incumbent manager.
Yesterday, we showed how much quality we have when you include our youth. I really believe Dowman will become and exceed Fabregas levels, and may even get to DB10’s lofty heights. That’s how good I think he is after watching in preseason, too.
Let’s hope MA nurtures rather than overplays Dowman. We need to keep this kid.
However, looking at the game with no shots on goal at home until the 32nd minute against such dross, we looked like we always did by going through the repetitive grinding gears’ motions, rather then letting loose a bit, which was exactly what happened when MA unleashed our youth, and they didn’t disappoint.
TRVL? I think that quiet pensive look on MA’s face at the end was because he wasn’t expecting Ethan and Dowman to be as effective as they were. It was like Saka never went off and Ethan was a big improvement on Ode, who is always in the thick of the action but too easily dispossessed or shut down, and let’s face it, he can’t shoot to save his life.
I think MA realized he really does have the squad to mount a very serious challenge now, if MA’s tactics meet the tactical needed brief to win at least one major honor this season – FA and League cups notwithstanding being the requisite level that matches KSE’s investment of over £1B on players and the very best training facilities.
MA looked like he had a problem that worried him, rather than a manager of a team that had just won 5:0 at home.
The last time I saw that disbelief look in an Arsenal manager’s eyes was when the camera lingered on Emery after he lost that Euro final with that incredulous look, staring into the distance with a 1000 yard stare of how did the happen?
MA has finally realized he has run out of excuses or that is my hope, and we will see his demise or be lifting a major trophy.
My heart says the later, but my belief says the former will happen.
Kind of win – win really…………
VG vs Van der Ven*
I had a very nice moment with one of my kids yesterday. We were watching cricket and she was keeping me up to date with the Arsenal score. When the fourth goal went in, I suggested she checked the table to see where we were. She pulled a face and said we were only second behind the spuds but within seconds Gyokeres scored his pen. I asked her to check the table again and she got a bit stroppy. I’d worked out we’d be top of GD. When she saw the changed table and we were indeed top, she cracked a smile.
Looking forward to watching Fulham and Manure with junior; mostly to see if Amorim is improving the Scum, in the same way Frank is bringing Spuds up a couple of levels.
I think Spuds, Manure and certainly the Chavs are going to be much tighter games than last season.
So my take on yesterday
The Good.
A much better performance than last week against a poor Leeds team but far too many players last week looked way off the pace.
The new signings all seemed to have decent or better matches – worth noting that Madueke looked more lively when moved over to the right, Zubimendi looks a tidy player and really good to see VG get off the mark with a self made goal.
Dowman getting a run out once we were comfortably in front – part of me thinks it would have been nice to let him take the pen but I also like having a striker that demands the ball when a pen is awarded.
The Bad
The injuries – Ode looks like he jolted his shoulder so hopefully won’t be anything too serious, I didn’t see why Saka went down but if its a hamstring was it the same side as the bad injury last season?
We did huff and puff a bit in the first half Saka’s goal was well timed just before half time.
Fucking Arteta is going to continue with this fucking inverted full back formation – at times in the first half Calafiore looked more like a box to box midfielder meaning Madueke spent a lot of time on the left with very little support. I’m pleased we’ve signed Eze but if he doesn’t get support down the left he will not fulfill his potential.
Martinelli – I’m pleased Dowman got a run out but it looks like Martinelli is now seriously in Arteta’s bad books and we know where that ends for players.
The Interesting
Matches in August are always a bit strange with attendances – lots of people on holiday so there can be some regulars missing and you never know whether they haven’t renewed or are just away. So what was interesting is 2 of the regulars who sit behind me were having a conversation and one of them piped up with “its the PL or CL this season or Arteta’s got to go” he then made a comment about borrowing someones Wenger out banner and updating it. Now I’ve seen fans get frustrated at times and some moans and groans but its the first time (other than me telling any and everyone) that Arteta’s got to perform or be fired.
He’s really not going to like being held to account.
Marc
Perhaps Martinelli will be looking at his options.
Nice one Marc. Really grateful for your perspective from the game.
Norg
You couldn’t blame him – a few seasons ago he had Klopp praising him as a top player.
Kroenke
No worries mate always happy to chat about football / the club etc.
woke up this morning to a little trip down memory lane…the host was none other than the original bambi on skates, Mr. Danny Welbeck…not only did he miss an absolute sitter, in a manner befitting his aforementioned moniker, he then proceeded to miss a penalty when he tried to be tricky, which clearly he is not…why on god’s green earth he would be put in charge of any such task is beyond me, but if it was a manager’s decision, even though the successful PK.taker from last week was on the pitch, he might not want to make any substantial purchases for a bit…you can’t take 1 point from two matches against the likes of Fulham and Everton and believe that job security is in your future…mind you, BHA did hit the iron 3 times and were gifted a grade A chance by the always generous Tarkowski, that was ultimately saved, so maybe it’s just a run of bad luck…personally it looks as if it’s a transition year for Bloom and company, which is why I’m surprised they didn’t sell Mitoma and/or Baleba…but who am I to argue with their business model, as they’re one of the preeminent selling clubs in world football
Arsenal diaspora, particularly Smith Rowe created problems for Man U who were winning initially. Fulham had only Iwobi who can read his quick pass game
How do you fancy your chances tomorrow KP?
Norg
Martinelli will stay, no one would be covering his 180k/week wages on top of at least 50m in transfer fees.
Unless he goes to Saudi, which i don’t think he would.
Athletic reporting that neither of Odegaard or Saka injuries are serious. That’s some good news, hopefully they will be back in couple of weeks.
County have not had the best of starts this season NORG. Out of Europe after being ahead in both legs. Defeat to Penybont after they had a man sent off at 0-0, and last Friday 2-0 up to Cardiff Met at half time only to be level after 48 minutes. Really disappointing – it feels like that close season when Arsenal signed Cech and no one else. We’ve lost our centre backs and GK to bigger clubs in England and the squad is paper thin. Owner less interested than before and looking to buy a bigger club in England apparently.
Tomorrow we’re playing a team inferior on paper but who have started the league unbeaten. It doesn’t augur well. Plus I’m driving the minibus taking our massive 16 strong away support along the M4 to Briton Ferry. 🚐We’ve looked OK in patches but questions about toughness and durability are starting to take hold. Win tomorrow though and it might be a turning point