We finally got to play a game of football at the Emirates yesterday evening after four consecutive away games since the restart & it was well worth the wait. Going into this fixture it would be fair to say that most of us probably expected a victory, after all we were facing bottom side Norwich City who are unfortunately for them, a poor side. I was one of those who fully expected a win, not only did I expect the win but I wanted us to win well. I’m not overly sure where this expectation came from, but I can only point to Arteta & think that it is him that is instilling this thought within me. With that thought in mind however, pre game I was taken back to the Emery era (fucking haunts me). I remember welcoming a poor Southampton side earlier this season, genuinely I have no idea when it actually was off the top of my head, because lets be honest here, I feel like I have been stuck between that feeling you get in-between Christmas & New Year for the past three months. Not a notion of what day/month/year it is anymore. I distinctly remember that we really were down in the dumps after our atrocious start to the campaign, Southampton were down in the dumps with us & it seemed like the perfect fixture for either side to “kick start” their season. Anyway, what I am saying here is that this season, it hasn’t necessarily mattered who the opposition is, we have under performed even when the expectation is for us to perform. This thought effectively forced me to reign in my expectations before kick off & all I wanted in the end was for us to win the match as that did not happen against Southampton back in November. Luckily for all of us, this one went our way & then some.
Before kick off we were given the superb news that Saka has signed his new contract at The Arsenal, something we have all been willing to happen for the vast majority of the season. It’s clear for everyone of us to see this lads potential, he’s had a fantastic break through season for us & I am for one absolutely delighted we have tied him down. Fingers would definitely have been pointed if we couldn’t get it done & I have to say that I am glad we got it done not just because of Saka’s footballing ability, but to avoid the drama that may have ensued if we didn’t get it over the line. It would’ve been rather deflating for us supporters if we couldn’t get an academy player, who is heavily involved in the starting eleven to extend his stay with us. It would have sent alarm bells ringing for all of us, because if a nineteen year old lad, who has been at the club since he was eight didn’t want to stay, you would have no option but to fear the worst for the clubs trajectory etc. Thankfully, he signed. Happy days.
To the match then & also the starting line up. In the current climate I don’t think we can read too much into the starting line ups. One thing we can definitely read into however is the match day squad. With five subs & more players in a match day squad, to be left out must be a right kick in the nuts. Hell, as a player it’s horrible to be left on the bench, let alone not be involved at all. The Ozil situation needs no further comment, for me it’s a great shame it has ended up like this. The memories of that decline day when he signed for us are distant, though at the time we were all incredibly excited by it. The time has most certainly arrived where both parties need to go their separate ways for the greater good. Matteo Guendouzi’s situation however is far more interesting. He is at the opposite end to his career in comparison to Ozil & he has even performed well at times this season. When he arrived we all admired his confidence, his character seemed strong & he wasn’t afraid to befriend the “superstars” within the club straight away. I personally cannot help but think this could also be his downfall, we all love confidence in player, but over confidence? Not so much. I like the player, but I have always had my concerns about his perceived arrogance. The way in which he acts is that of a player who has already done it all, seemingly he has bought into his own hype. Now none of us know what has happened behind the scenes, but something has. It’s a tricky one to negotiate as well. He is young, looks to have a high potential, but also could have quite a high resale value. I think it could well be worth the risk to sell him, reinvest & move on. If only you could see into the future on this one.
We went with a back three again for this game, with Bellerin & Tierney giving us the width as wingbacks. I wasn’t overly surprised by the lineup, rotation is very much expected with how this season is having to be played out. I guess the only real surprise was that we saw the reintroduction of Reis Nelson to the side. I tweeted before the game that this was a big game for him personally & I felt that he really needed to put in a solid performance against weaker opposition. Personally I was disappointed with what I saw, the game seemed to pass him by & he was subsequently substituted just before the hour mark. Lacazette’s performance was much to be desired as well. I think we can all appreciate his link up play from time to time, but he looks so slow, to the point I’m starting o think his boots are made out of solid concrete. He again had a couple of very good chances to get a goal, he snapped at those chances & on another day could maybe have grabbed a brace at the very least. It’s really difficult to think this was our player of the season last year, it’s been some decline from him this season & if there is any possibility to involve him in some sort of swap deal for Thomas Partey, I’d take it in a heartbeat at this stage.
Of course it wasn’t an overly negative evening, I mean come on, we won 4-0! There really was much to enjoy about the game, which isn’t something we have often had this season. We were gifted our first goal goal by their goalkeeper, that’s always fun. The second on the night was a lovely team move that was wonderfully swept home by Granit Xhaka, who popped in another solid enough performance in centre midfield. We received another gift for our third, which Auba finished in typical fashion. Our fourth goal was the icing on the cake really, as well finally saw Cedric make an appearance for the club & pithing a matter of minutes he’s riffling one into the booth corner from outside the box… we should never have questioned the signing at all should we!? I also thought Ceballos was decent yesterday, I thought he started very well, playing some lovely balls between the full backs/centre backs that should’ve had a better outcome. There’s talks going on between us & Real apparently, if we can get another season loan for him that would be great but I would still have reservations about splashing cash on him right now as he has had a very indifferent season for us to date. Another mention for Emi Martinez after the game, he has shown. some superb handling since he’s slotted in & I think it’s pertinent to say that we haven’t missed Leno at all & that is all credit to Martinez. One save in particular was top notch yesterday & that came just after half time, if he didn’t make it then it’s 2-1 & the second half could’ve turned out very differently. They way in which he gets the ball to stick to him is incredibly impressive & it isn’t a quality that many modern day goalkeepers have.
Overall yesterday seemed like a good day to be a Gooner again, we tied down our up & coming talent, won 4-0 & played some good football along the way. Arteta is definitely putting his stamp on the team, we got a decent win against a poor side, but we look improved going forward. There is more fluidity in our attacking approach & more solidity in our defensive approach. We Arte certainly pressing better as a unit & there’s clearly more zip in our passing which is ultimately increased the temp of our game which was a massive issue under Emery (along with basically everything else).
Up next we face Wolves away on Saturday evening, in what is actually a massive must win game. We really do have some very tough fixtures coming up & we will have a better idea of where the squad is at come the end of it. I’ll be back on Sunday following the game.
Catch you then.
The Arse 