Man City 2 – 2 Arsenal: Eight Observations.

TotalArsenal

Another epic battle and defensive masterclass, another referee who sticks to the rules when it comes to Arsenal but lacks consistency, another great result: this Arsenal is up for the title battle alright!

Manchester City 2 – 2 Arsenal: 8 Observations

  1. What a battle of the Giants this was. This certainly was the battle between Big Gab and Saliba on one hand and the Norwegian Berserker on the other; and then there was the battle between the rest of the two teams. Haaland scored a fine goal, benefiting from the space the defenders left between them – we conceded a similar one against Brighton – and the goalkeeper coming out of his goal where it would have been better for him to stay between the poles. But after that he was in the pockets of our Brazilian-French central defenders and looked more and more pathetic. Throwing the ball against big Gab’s head from the back at the end of the game was cowardly, but our Brazilian giant did not even notice it; that’s how cool he is. Gabriel’s goal was a thing of beauty: they all knew it was going to happen and so it did. This mini-battle within the big battle was a joy to watch.
  2. What a goal by Calafiori! And what a first start in his Arsenal career! Tomiyasu, White, Timber and Calafiori, Zinchenko, Kiwior and Tierney: have we ever had a better lot of full backs to choose from?! I know they are also cover for our centre backs, but boy oh boy what an army of defenders we have at our disposal.
  3. The sending off: the referee makes a bad call, not by the letter of the law, but by his inability to understand the disconnect between the severity of the offense and the impact on this top, top football game. There was also inconsistency, as a similar action by a City player went unpunished. Football is emotion, and I cannot see why Trossard’s kicking the ball away is worthy of a yellow card when time simply can be added on. To me it looked like the referee was trying to make good on an advantage he had been perceived to have given to Arsenal which led to our equaliser. 11 v 11 would also have been a tight game in the second half, but I think we all sensed that Arsenal were on their way to a glorious victory at the blue oil rig.
  4. I am happy with any set of rules as long as they are clear to all and consistently applied. The latter is a pipe-dream, and we have to learn to live with it. |Therefore, Mikel, I think you need to substitute anyone who receives a yellow card in the game immediately. If experienced players like Rice and Trossard can fall victim to this then anybody can. Of course I am joking, but this double-yellow-card-becomes- quickly-a-red-car change in refereeing is definitely a risk for our title-campaign.
  5. The second half was a masterclass of keeping out a team, and what a team performance this was. Everybody fought like lions and stuck to the task tremendously well. The equaliser fell very, very late and was the result of fatigue. For once the boys left too much space and our defensive walls were finally cracked open. But we all know that this defensive performance, whilst building further on similar stellar performances against Brighton, Villa and Spuds, will frighten our next opponents significantly. Let’s just make sure we keep all 11 players on the pitch in the foreseeable future.
  6. Going forward, one thing to do better is breaking out of these deep, defensive positions, especially with a man less. For this we need players who are strong and good at keeping the ball for a few seconds to allow fellow players to come out and find a bit of space. None of our attackers excelled at this, and as a result the team struggled to get breathers in the second half.
  7. This was another brilliant performance by David Raya: he reacts so quickly and his arm is so decisive and strong and he almost looks unbeatable.
  8. Saka’s delivery from corners is as important as Big Gabs timing and finishing. The two Gunners have such a great connection when it comes to time and space and long may it continue.

By TotalArsenal.

43 thoughts on “Man City 2 – 2 Arsenal: Eight Observations.”

  • Fine observations as always and not without witty remarks.
    Well stated, that we shouldn’t complain about the rules, but their objective and unbiased consistent application.

    We managed to win without Rice and Odegaard at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, we will have no difficulties to dispatch Bolton and Leicester City at the Emirates without Odegaard and Trossard. (The PSG game will be more difficult, though.)

  • (second point)
    Hadn’t the plot thickened that much from the moment Thomas caught Walker unawares, I think the talk of the town would have been Ben not being given a start, in one of the two most important games of the League season, wouldn’t it?
    I know I’m gonna break some hearts here (actually, it breaks mine) but I think what we saw was a shade of the things to come. I always wonder what our (A) and (B) teams would be, provided everyone’s fit, and my guess – based on the status of Mikel-Edu’s recruits, and yes … on the Aaron precedent – was, from the moment the summer TW was shut down:
    (A)
    Raya
    Timber-Saliba-Gabriel-Calafiori
    Rice-Merino
    Saka-Ødegaard-Martinelli
    Havertz
    (B)
    Neto
    Tomiyasu-White-Kiwior-Tierney
    Partey-Jorginho
    Sterling-Zinchenko-Trossard
    Jesus
    (in the wings would be my favourite U21 team:
    Setford
    Nichols-Kacurri-Heaven-QuesadaThorn
    Rosiak-LewisSkelly
    Kabia-Nwaneri-Gower
    ButlerOdeyeji)
    We have, indeed, two impressive defensive walls available now, but sunday’s lineup is evidence Ben has been downgraded to the backup one imo. I don’t buy into the narrative he needed a rest one second … Now, I don’t know how to conclude this, really.
    If I’m right I know I’ll feel – understatement – for Ben, but at the same time, I’m enthralled by our focus on building an impregnable stronghold of a defense, and it is clear to me both Jurrien and Riccardo are very important parts in Mikel’s and Edu’s plan aiming at achieving exactly this …

  • That’s a good question indeed.

    In my – subjective – opinion, yes. I think
    – Leandro was more effective when coming on as a sub (it could be either dumb luck, small sample size, or he is simply more efficient against tired defenders)
    – Martinelli is better than the Belgian in almost every aspect of the game (crossing, defensive contributions, dribbling, passing, tracking back with the opposing RB), apart from finishing. Which is a pretty important skill for a forward I admit; but he needs to improve only there…
    – even if they seem around the same value they add to the team, Gabi is 6 year younger, so – unless Arteta invests in a world class player in their position – the long term LW for Arsenal is the Brazilian
    – Trossard is more versatile, he can be handy in RW and FW positions (although he was painfully ineffective as AM), therefore provides more flexibility from the bench than the single-position Martinelli

  • Good observation, Legall. It is early days as to whether this is a more permanent lineup at the back, but I think you are right. I have always seen Ben as back up to Saliba as much as being our right FB. Ben is versatile and will play many a game, I am sure of that, but he may well be starting less games. I rate him highly in defence, and his attacking contributions are more than decent, but I think Timber will excel in both areas.

    I think you are spot on re the other ‘first to start’ players if and when all are fit but could imagine Sterling to start ahead of Martinelli, if and when the Englishman starts to pick up form.

  • All agreed, PB. It looks like the combo of Marti-Tross is the best recipe with the latter playing the final 30 minutes or so. It will be interesting to see what Arteta will do with Raheem Sterling. I just cannot imagine he got him to come to Arsenal for a year on the basis of the odd game and minutes here and there. He is too good and ‘young’ for that.

  • The injuries to Merino and Odegaard have been a real disappointment, but the blessing we have had – and long may it continue – is that Partey has remained fit and carried the midfield until now. He has been immense for us, and I am glad Arsenal did not sell him in the summer.

  • Oh, LeGall, these are my favorite though experiments!
    Your candidates are very similar to mine, but there are a player or 2 differences here and there.

    (A-)
    Raya
    Timber-Saliba-Gabriel-Calafiori
    Rice-Partey
    Saka-Ødegaard-Martinelli
    Havertz

    (A+)
    Raya
    Timber-Saliba-Gabriel-Calafiori
    Rice
    Saka-Ødegaard-Havertz-Martinelli
    Jesus

    (B)
    Neto
    White-Tomiyasu-Kiwior-Tierney
    Merino-Jorginho-Zinchenko
    Sterling-Jesus-Trossard

    (BY)
    Neto
    White-Tomiyasu-Kiwior-Tierney
    LewisSkelly-Jorginho
    Sterling-Nwaneri-Trossard
    Jesus

    (U21 central)
    Setford
    Nichols-Kacurri-Heaven-QuesadaThorn
    Rosiak-LewisSkelly
    SalahEddine-Nwaneri
    Edwards-ButlerOyedeji

    (U21 4-2-3-1)
    Setford
    Nichols-Kacurri-Heaven-QuesadaThorn
    Rosiak-LewisSkelly
    Ferdinand-Nwaneri-Kamara
    Edwards

  • Sterling-Martinelli? conundrum indeed; the one who’ll score goals is very likely to hit the first-choice jackpot imo.
    I like your XIs,, P., but if I had to bet big on a sure starter in the gaffer’s mind, that’d be Merino …
    Back to my “favourite U21s”: I know next to nothing about Setford, tbh, but he’s just been signed, and Rojas hasn’t been given a single second of playing time since the start of the season, which is why I left Alexei out, reluctantly so. Last season against Lens’s U19 he was one of the very few (with Nichols and, to a lesser extent, Cozier-Duberry), to have earned the right to hold his head high when the ref blew the final whistle

  • Thanks Total. Like PB, I agree with your points and appreciate the balance and humour in your piece. Only the headline was a little (well, two goals) out of kilter,
    Another fine Guardian article, too. Avoiding the appearance of evil is a wise course of action straight out of the Good Book, perhaps PGMOL HQ could do with a copy, The Rodri photo caught my eye for the word, “commodities” above his head, apposite in light of his recent comments on players being treated as such.

  • Apparently Arsenal take on average the longest in the Premier League at re-starting, approximately 31 seconds….!

    Next are two clubs one of which one is Man City who take on average 28 seconds…

    Does that 3 seconds constitute ‘the dark arts’ – (dramatic music, thunder and lightning)

    I’m just loving the MSM, ex- players now pundits, assorted football grifters, all losing their minds over this…

    It means we’re very good and they hate it…

  • Tonight’s anthem?

    By the look of our sick bay, it should be …
    Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly are sure starters, that’s a given, or so I think. Big night for them it’ll be. Ethan’s performance in particular, will be scrutinized – with Leicester, Southampton, Bournemouth and Shakhtar in sight, and in the prolonged absence of our skipper, a standout display might turn him into a serious contender for one or several of these games.
    The kid has all it takes to grab the opportunity. As far as he’s concerned, rhythm is the only question mark left, since he has had next to no playing time since the start of the season. As for the GK problem, it doesn’t make us look like the sharpest knives in the drawer, does it? All the less so since (Arthur) Okonkwo has done so well with Wrexham since the start of the season. The ” pure profit ” made from selling academy graduates proves to be the curse it was not that difficult to understand it would become …
    Anyway, my prediction is 4 or 5 of our own personal department of youth in the starting lineup:
    Rojas (Okonkwo)
    Nichols-Saliba-Gabriel-Kiwior
    Jorginho-LewisSkelly
    Sterling (Kabia)-Nwaneri-Martinelli (Sterling)
    Jesus
    (Okonkwo/Rojas-Rice-Saka-Havertz-Partey-Kabia/Sterling/Martinelli-Kacurri-Heaven)
    COYG!!

  • I’ll be making my way to the railway station soon around 4pm, a stress free journey (no driving this evening for me), one change, then onto the North London line to Highbury and Islington Station to join the red and white throng on Holloway Road.

    Meet up with my son and his mates in the pub to have have a couple of pints, maybe a bag of crisps and enjoy the footie chat and enthusiasm that I rarely see online.

    Yeah, there’s nothing like spending time with the supporters, soaking up the positivity and seeing the game in the flesh, it’s a real treat…

  • LeGall, you don’t have to bet; but if you want, I’m easy to find. 🙂
    While I have no info on Merino’s role in Arteta’s plans, I think Partey is a hugely underrated player in our squad. Alright, he is 31 and not immune to injuries (I wouldn’t call him prone, but he has his shares of missed games every season), but despite his unforced errors hi gives so much stability to the team, allowing Rice to move forward.
    Did you know that the last time Arsenal lost a game when Partey started was in May 2023? I’m not kidding. Last season we lost 10 games altogether – Lens, Porto, Munich (CL) – Newcastle, Aston Villa (2x), West Ham, Fulham (PL) – Liverpool (FAC) – West Ham (LC) – and Partey hasn’t played a single minute on any of them. It is either a strange coincidence or he is a great cabala for the team. So I think he will stay ahead of Merino in the pecking order this year.

    I like your starting line-up for today, but I’m less optimistic about youth involvement. My prediction is:
    Raya
    White-Saliba-Kiwior-Calafiori
    Jorginho-Rice
    Sterling-Havertz-Martinelli
    Jesus

    I do expect MLS and Nwarei to play, but only as substitutes. Myles for Calafiori and Nwaneri for Havertz. I would be very much surprised if any young defender would come on the pitch (Nichols, Heaven, Kacurri), Nor would I expect Kabia, Gower or Salah-Eddine. I hope I will be proven wrong, though.

  • Yes Kev, a lousy three seconds. If a team plays with 10 players it is quite normal that they will need a break a bit more than other teams, hence the discrepancy.

  • Haha Legall Alice Cooper is such a blast from the past. I am looking forward to seeing our youth players..

    I expect our back four to be: ? – White – Kiwior – Calafiori

  • I always try and get to see the odd maligned League Cup tie Total, obviously depends on the draw of course.

    I could do you a post if it would help TA.

    Of course it would be positive and even optimistic which may offend and unashamedly pro-Arteta which would outrage.

  • Kev,
    enjoy the game. We know how much you love to watch our young home-growns.

    PB,
    If we start that lineup I’ll be angry with Arteta, so I hope you’re wrong.

    TA,
    I had the same thought at halftime that Oliver was trying to make up for the quick free kick he allowed that led to our goal.

    We just have to focus on staying ahead of Liverpool, because Man City will be receiving a juicy sanction and will not be relevant in the end.

  • Haha Kev, 😄

    We would love a positive and optimistic post! I have no doubt the atmosphere will be great and I hope you will see a few youngsters start.

  • Cheers Johnno, I shall give them a cheer for you…

    I’ll get to it when I get home Total. 👍🏻

  • I was wrong. And not just little.
    Well done to those who predicted a similar line-up.

    J, regardless of any deductions from Man City, I think they will not “survive” losing Rodri for the entire season. Kovacic simply not good enough, and Nunes is not a DM either.

    I think the PL will be decided between Arsenal and Liverpool. Liverpool did very well in the transfer window (they didn’t sign anybody until the final day), and they have a very competent attack and midfield. If they can keep Konate and van Dijk fit they have about 50%. A little similar like us with the Saliba-Gabriel partnership, but we have better substitutes in case of emergency.

  • Okay, this is such a cool lineup, a mixture between youth and experience.

    J Porter, J Nichols, M Lewis Skelly, Kiwior, Calafiori, Jorginho, E Nwaneri, Rice, Jesus, Saka, Sterling

  • 1-0 to The Arsenal … and built in Hale End it was
    Every one of Nwaneri’s touches is impressive, isn’t it?

  • Historic moment
    And “scored with the teeth” too, which makes it all the more beautiful
    Attaboy

  • Credit to Arteta for trusting the kids, Preston (a) next round, more exposure for the yoot…

  • Looking forward to that post Kev, you lucky fella, you.

    I saw Alice Cooper in Auckland in the ’70’s. Very Schlocking, gallons of fake blood and decapitated dolls. Before he saw The Light.

    Mum came home last night, Total. I caught some fish this morning and am presently preparing her favourite Snapper in beer batter.

    Nwaneri was a sensation. Oo to, oo to be….

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