I’d seen a bit of Preston leading up to this evenings cup tie, so I knew it was a banana skin game waiting to happen, and it also seems that Arteta and his coaches were equally aware of the dangers. All the same, I was still a little surprised at how strong Mikel went with his selections, but then that actually showed the respect he had for his opponents. Of course the haters will accuse Arteta of being negative and cautious, but we all know that their minds are closed so disregard the noise, because this was a very good performance.
Zinchenko had sat out the last few matches despite the injuries we were experiencing, and he had even watched as Myles Lewis Skelly had been called upon before him in certain games from the bench, recently; but Mikel brought the Ukrainian back into the starting XI for this game, and he put in a strong performance at left-back/midfield.
Jurrien Timber, fresh from cramping up against Liverpool also began the game, I had expected Nichol to get another run out but Arteta used the Dutchman as the right-back and he also had a strong 45, both he and Zinchenko are players that need minutes in their legs to build them up in preparation for all the tough games we have coming next month, many away from home.
I wasn’t surprised to see Saliba begin the game, just to keep him ticking over, and he simply glided through the 90+ minutes like the class performer he is, alongside him Kiwior had a very impressive game making two assists. If these are the guys who we play at Newcastle this weekend I won’t be worried at all, I’ll be quite content.
In midfield Uncle Jorginho just strolled around, talking, coaching, prompting, creating and generally running the show, alongside him Merino showed how the minutes in his legs are paying dividends as he grows into the left 8 role.
Up front Martinelli, Sterling and Jesus all put in a shift and gave the Preston defence a torrid evening, floating around among them was Ethan ‘one of our own’ Nwaneri showing that he isn’t going to be subservient to anyone, if the shot is on he’s taking it and I’m immensely happy to see him do so.
The 1st 45 was pretty much played entirely in the Preston half, at times Saliba was our only defender as Zinchenko popped up on the right edge of the North End box and Kiwior was on the left edge. Preston to give them their due never faltered and defended as well as anyone we’d played against this season but they just couldn’t retain possession. The referee was very good and actually blew for fouls committed against us, which blew my mind as I’m so used to seeing our players kicked and the officials ignore it. Maybe Howard had a word with him?
Anyway Martinelli broke free on the left of the PNE box in the 23rd minute and was fouled, he took the free kick and lifted it to the far post where Kiwior headed the ball down and Jesus thumped it home. Simple as that and his 24 game goal drought was over. 10 minutes later Stirling did some good work down the right, switched it to Jesus who passed inside to Nwaneri. Jesus then darted between two defenders anticipating a return pass from Ethan but the pass never came because Ethan just took a couple of steps to his left before bending a beauty from the edge of the box into the far corner of the net. I’ve seen him do this many times in the academy but this was still a cracker and he celebrated calmly with his team mates because he’s a serious player and is destined to be an absolute superstar.
After half-time Arteta made a couple of sensible changes, no need to take too many risks, and on came Havertz for Merino and Partey for Timber.
Preston made more of a fist of it in the 2nd 45 and used their maximum number of substitutes to switch to a more attacking style, they even created a couple of half chances but the competent Setford along with his defenders smothered the danger and it was gone.
Around 57 minutes Nwaneri took a great free kick into the PNE box right onto the head of Jesus who kinda misheaded it clear, bless him, and the ball ran out to Kiwior who was lurking in the inside left. Our Polish ‘inside forward’ then bent a beautiful cross back into the box and Kai Havertz showed us how it’s done and thudded a header past Woodman to make the tie safe. Arsenal pretty much played out the rest of the game avoiding injuries and conserving energy.
Havertz did score a second but Jesus had taken the ball out of play before crossing, Nwaneri hit the bar with another whipped shot, Sterling missed two presentable chances when he tried to sidefoot home but I couldn’t help thinking that if in the same position that Trossard would have blasted them both high into the net. Jesus missed a few and as a group the team probably left three or four un-scored goals out on the pitch.
Bakayo Saka and Lewis Skelly came on for Martinelli and Zinchenko around the hour mark and Ayden Heaven made his senior debut on 80. That’s around six youngsters given their debuts by Arteta this season, who would have thought it?
Lewis Skelly was unfortunate not to earn us a penalty on 67 when he was bundled over at a corner but he hit the floor just before the corner was taken, so the referee just ordered a retake. In general the ref had a good game, yeah, really!
The evening ended well with Man City getting knocked out and Arsenal getting a welcome home draw against Crystal Palace in the next round.
By Allezkev
Bergkampesque 
Excellent post, Kev.
I managed to watch the game in the end (Arsenal.com had indicated that the game was not on TV, but it was in the end available under the ‘red button’).
Your description of Nwaneri is spot on. Full of confidence and bravura, he bossed the centre of midfield, demanded the ball and was very effective with it. His goal was a beauty, and he got very close to scoring another one. Ethan seems to float over the pitch and yet he has a strong core, especially at such a young age. It is so good to have a player other than the ODE who can do proper nr10 stuff behind the attackers, and I hope he will get a few PL starts soon.
I know that Raheem missed a few chances, but I think the goals will come soon. I was very impressed with his work rate and dribbling ability: he makes space for others and his unpredictability really added a dimension to our attack.
So often these games go flat after we score the first goal, but this team was really up for it, and that is indeed due to Arteta and his first team selections. I loved it.
Kiwior did indeed also impress. Good to see him putting in a shift and producing not one but two assists! the cross for Havertz was a cracker, the sort of ball every forward dreams of.
Dont you love Jorginho?! The guy does not get much football these days, but every time Arteta selects him he struts his stuff beautifully and with such dedication.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&q=much+ado+about+nothing+quotes&&mid=7266569D171B5E7C202A7266569D171B5E7C202A&&FORM=VRDGAR
Arteta and his fine trickery 😀
Yes Total, maybe I was a tad harsh on Stirling because as you so rightly said he did have a very good game and also got kicked a few times for his efforts.
I guess I was a bit frustrated with him because I want him to score and be successful.
Ethan just floats across the grass, he has, fortunately, an eel like ability to escape contact from opponents because I’m sure they’d love to kick him, they just can’t catch him. Ethan is deceptively quick and can accelerate away from dangerous contact and he has that golden ability to ride challenges and avoid the worst of the thuggery on offer from opposing players.
I’m glad you got to see the game.
Another fine description of Ethan, Kev.
Yes not scoring was frustrating for Stirling, and yes Trossard would certainly have bagged one, but I thought he was just unlucky. The work rate and skillset just impressed me.
A brilliant account of the game, Kev. The detail you got around is so amazing and was like seeing the game again. Good job.
“Serious” is such an apt description of young Ethan; kid is a joy to watch as he goes about his business with little fuss. You feel Arteta just wants to manage fans’ expectations over him, or he would be starting a fair few league games too. He will come good.
I was pleased with the selection and have only praise for the manager for how he’s thought out his squad load management. A good mix of starters (Saliba, Timber, Merino, Martinelli), those in need of games (Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Jesus, Sterling), youth (Selford, Nwaneri) set the tone for how we would approach it, then a flurry of changes to bring on more academy players and keeping some of our first team players (Partey, Saka, Havertz) in shape for the weekend’s game. Smart move and only made possible by a game as this. Some fans had shown surprise that Lewis-Skelly had been getting the nod over Inch. Reason for me is because Zinchenko was yet to have a good test as this since returning from injury. Only the coaching staff know how much workload he can take now and how sharp he is. Happy to see him have a run out with some suggesting he and Jesus be sold.
Spot on about the refereeing last night. If Howard Webb did whisper to them, I am certain it will be to help us stay longer in the cup run to distract us in the EPL. Lol. Surely, it can’t be for any good to us. 😄. Guess we will find out at Newcastle.
“Inch” = Zinch. **
Happy with the draw we got too. It should give our young lads more time to strut their stuff.
Good point about the selections, Eris. Mikel used this game as a full preparation for Saturday’s game, and the lineup and subs reflected this.
Thanks Eris, enjoyed your analysis of how Arteta is utilising his squad, you make a lot of very sensible and positive comments, this place has become even more of a beacon of encouragement than ever, it’s a pleasure to interact with you all.
Thanks Kev, good summary, mate. Your answer to my question “whether you were going to the match” got me curious. What was the most interesting experience you ever had at an away match with the Arsenal? I meant to ask GN5 the same question but will have to wait until I see up yonder.
Harking back to the Liverpool match and a comment you made. Yes, I thought young Gab should have had a penalty, and on the Kai disallowed goal, if you watch the footage again, the ref only blew for the “foul” (which wasn’t) when he realised that Kai was about to score.
This weekend I host an old High School mate who I haven’t seen in 45 years. We reconnected on line and I invited him up to my gaff for the Newcastle game (he’s a Geordie who almost punched me when we signed SuperMac back in the day.
Total, I trust the Holland excursion went well
You are a great asset to the blog, Kev, and yes so is Eris. Just a few of us left, but we are still meeting at our global bench every day, and that goes a long way. 😃
Wow Stu 45 years and your roads are coming together again. Enjoy.
The gigs in Rotterdam were great. No Windows had their car towed away and a window smashed the day after in Brussels, but other than that it went fine. It was a proud moment to see my daughter perform in the former home country.
BTW, did you get my email dated 4 October?
League Cup tie vs Crystal Palace has finally had its date fixed on Weds 18th December, which means 7 games in only 24 days that month, but all of them are in London.
In fact only 2 from our next 16 matches will be outside of London…
What happened to the next post?
We’ll continue with this one, PB.
How many of you fella’s thought Sommers double fisted punch on Merino was more of a penalty than the hand ball incident? It was surely akin to a late tackle which would 100% have resulted in a penalty.
Come on Stu, get with the programme, you should know that Arsenal don’t get penalties, penalties awarded against us yes, absolutely, but not in our favour.
But just to make you feel better Stu, we’ve got Michael ‘Etihad’ Oliver in charge at the Bridge this weekend, now doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy?
Oh, bother! Well, as if that’s not enough, Paul Tierney is on VAR duties. Those two will work closely and do all to deny us every opportunity for the win. But, we’ve got to trust that the bots will turn the corner on Sunday.
TA, why have the “Magpies” post and thread gone missing? WordPress or a glitch?
Yeh, mate. I am still quietly fuming from the Bayern game when Saka was denied a gilt edged penalty. A mate (Tottenham fan) down here is an experienced ref, he feels Sommers should have been red carded.
I fancy us at the Bridge, especially if CP is out of action. Even with him I fancy us. Caicedo v Declan will be a fascinating battle, Raheem may get a chance to poke his old employers in the eye, and what a joy it will be to see our skipper back on the pitch.
Raheem can’t play Stu and there’s rumours of Rice having a broken toe!
Paul Tierney is a total jinx
Nothing to worry, Eris. I deleted the post.
Oh yes, he’s on loan, isn’t he. A broken toe! Noooooooooooooooooo!
Step forward Jorgi.
Seems as if another mid-season junket to Dubai is on the cards.
Okay then, Total.
We do need Declan Rice for this one, methinks. Give him some pain killers let him play through the pain barrier.
Per Mertesaker might be having at this time, some thoughts himself about the DoF vacancy and if the club would deem to consider and approach him?
He isn’t going to remain as head of the Arsenal academy forever and will, I suspect, have been contacted by several clubs, particularly German clubs, about the possibility of joining them in some kind of directorship capacity?
Per is I believe an Anglophile and very comfortable living in the U.K., he’s also an Arsenal fan but he is also I imagine ambitious and would want to test his talents at a higher senior level?
Arsenal have many good people like Per even if they are, for some strange reason, often criticised for the jobs they are doing usually by those with no actual knowledge of how they are performing. Therefore those members of staff attract the attention of others and as with Edu and Wilshere we’re going to have to get used to having our people approached and sometimes poached.
The new DoF appointment may have therefore unforeseen consequences, such as Jason Ayto the current assistant to Edu, a man who speaks several languages and has made a very favourable impression since Edu gave him his current role. It’s possible that Edu could poach Ayto just as Gazides poached some people when he left Arsenal to join Milan. Appointing an outsider might hasten the departure of Ayto?
Appointing an outsider might hasten to departure of Mertesaker? It’s something that the club has to consider and carefully negotiate because we don’t want to haemorrhage too many excellent staff at the same time…
Per is, and should continue to be a great asset to the club. I guess it’s a watch this space.
Remembrance Sunday tomorrow. My maternal grandfather, Dominko Lovic was Croatian born, emigrated to New Zealand to escape the chaos after WW1, worked the gum fields up here in the Far North and then the market gardens in Auckland where he met and married my Nanna. Mum was conceived, born and only two years old when Dominko signed up with the New Zealand infantry, shipped off to North Africa and then across the Med to fight in the Italian campaign. He was killed at Monte Cassino along with 339 other Kiwi’s. I have his passport, a photo of him in uniform and a scarf which belonged to him. I remember him and those other brave young men.
As much as the first whistle, I look forward to hearing that trumpet tomorrow morning.
Great memories Stu, we owe a lot to that generation, a generation who actually did fight against totalitarianism, I wonder what he and his comrades would think of how we’re doing today?
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Martinelli, Saka, Havertz
Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Merino, Jesus, Trossard
Michael Oliver has to keep an eye on Cucurella and his penchant for niggly fouls.
Not sure we aren’t rushing Odegaard back too soon. But I understand the need to have him in this game. Hopefully, it allows Trossard time to get back the fire in his belly.
For balance, the Chelsea line-up:
Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson
Subs: Jorgensen, Badiashile, Tosin, Veiga, James, Enzo, Mudryk, João Felix, Nkunku.
A decent half. It is niggly, Eris. Let’s hope we can keep 11 on the pitch.
It sure has been a test of tactical nous and pace, all round. With White getting a card for a no-foul, I also hope we keep 11 men for the duration. But it’s gone well so far, except that we have not even unleashed our offensive best.
Martinelli has repeatedly avoided taking on Gusto but as the defender starts to tire, I expect he will get his chance.
Tense second half to come.
1-1 is a fair result, all considered. We could have won it in the end. Other than Pedro Neto (a player we should have made a bid for, in my view) we kept their dangerous players relatively quiet ; they’d probably say the same about ours.
I do hope we have not gone too far off the pace. 9 points behind the leaders isn’t insurmountable but you’ve got to keep getting wins and hope the teams ahead drop points.
I was happy to see we went for the win, albeit too late.
With Saka hobbling off before the end; plus Declan Rice coming off and appearing to be receiving treatment on his toe, fair to assume they won’t be going with England this break.
I won’t be too concerned if Odegaard is called up and honours the call. He probably needs a few games to get back up to speed.
Hey Le Gall. I trust you are doing well in your recovery. I’m sure I’m not the only one on this blog who is thinking of you and hoping for good news regarding your health.
With Arsenal off the menu for this weekend, we can focus 100% on the clash between Les Bleus and the All Blacks. Both sides have some absences due to injuries, but it remains a mouth watering prospect, one, which I sense will be the toughest test of this tour. I successfully picked the AB’s to win by 10 points against the Irish. I’m going for a winning margin of 3 points against your boys.
Profite du match, mon ami.
Something to enjoy during the interlull.
Thanks for sharing that video, Stu.
Legall, if you are still reading, I heard this recently from your fellow countryman and it made me think of you. Such a calming piece, full of grace. A bit different from the steamy Bolero!
Nice, Total.
That result against the All Blacks must have cheered our Gallic mate in his recovery. Worth the loss, to see you on the improve, ami.
For those who watched the Germany v Bosnia Herzegovina match, did Sane’s wonderful touch before his goal not remind you of our sites eponymous hero DB10? Available on a free next summer, would Leroy not be a perfect cover for our Starboy?
Going for Leroy Sane should be a no brainer for Mikel, having worked with him previously at Man City. He will be good cover for both flanks, tbh and will pose a threat late on in games.
I saw the game; Havertz was immense too. Hopefully, he returns fit and brings that form to the Arsenal.
Anyone who signs Leroy Sane is paying him serious coin and I reckon if Arsenal were to actually sign him for wages maybe in excess of Kai Havertz then I doubt that it would be as cover for anyone but as a starter, so my guess would be in place of Martinelli or as a striker?
Good player, questionable fitness record…
It is curious though how Arteta has not seemed too enamoured with his ex-Man City signings; Jesus, Zinchenko…….even Sterling on loan. It can be argued Jesus and Zinch are on a recovery drive from injury. Sterling is a different kettle of fish and Arteta just doesn’t seem to trust him.
Would he think differently about Sane?
Thanks Stu for this wonderful video!
When we are not particularly spoiled when it comes to football – which is the undisputed case recently – we should especially cherish such jewels.