Arsenal 4 – Villa 1. They had it coming!

TotalArsenal

I have a lot of respect for Villa and Emery. Not that long ago the only thing the fans did celebrate, ironically, was the award of a Villa corner, but now they have established themselves as a top 4-6 team. Our former manager deserves credit for achieving this.

The defeat in Birmingham earlier this month was a painful one. Arteta does not often use words like ‘revenge’ but last night’s victory had all the hallmarks of a full, bloodied one. They had it coming.

The start was tough and you could tell how much Emery had studied his former team and knew where and how he could hurt us. Declan’s absence made this a lot easier. Our boys were finding their bearings in that first half, and we rode our luck at times. But after fifteen minutes or so the Gunners took the initiative. The first half remained equal but then came a second half in which all canons were blazing. Only the need to rest players and prevent injuries kept Arsenal from making this a really big embarrassing loss for the Villains. Arteta had Emery, who really had no tactical answers at all in the second half, at his mercy; and I think if there was something like a statement in this game, it was Mikel’s half time talk and tactical adjustments which showed who is King.

Eight Observations

  1. The King of defence and Set Piece is back. I don’t think we would have won this game with both Declan and Big G missing. They both are the on-field leaders that others will look up to. Having Gabriel back fully fit made a huge difference. To make Martinez flap like he did for our scrappy first goal says so much about his PRESENCE on the pitch. A monster.
  2. Villa clearly love to sit deep and pounce on the rebound and counter. Nothing wrong with that at all. To crack such a team and not succumb to the pre-studied attacks from deep, all have to play with great concentration. At the start a few players were not fully focussed, and it was clear that the (unexpected?) absence of Rice let to doubt and confusion. I really liked the way Merino, Zubimendi and Odegaard then started to work together and took control.
  3. Merino, in the Rice role, reminds me of the likes of Flamini, Gilberto, even Alex Song (much under valued during his time at Arsenal): he does a lot of the dirty work to allow others to shine, and he lacks any desire to be showy/flash. Love him.
  4. Then there was Zubimendi. What a top quality, classy player we have in our ranks. Maybe he should play more games without Declan to show us how brilliant he really is. The goal was sweet and anything but easy, but this class act made it look like a walk in the park. Martin O will also be happy with the progress he is making after his long lay-off, and the inch-perfect assist would have made Bergkamp proud. It was the most important moment of the match.
  5. Talking about class acts, Hincapie and Timber were immense on the wings. Their energy, healthy aggression and street-wisdom, supported by the hard working Leo and Bukayo, ensured that the wings were red and white all game long.
  6. Then there were two unsung heroes. Gyo and Bukayo may not be on the goal or assist sheets but they were just as important as those who did, last night. A deep block needs to be bombarded and poked everywhere and constantly, only then will gaps appear that can be exploited. I like it that we are scoring four goals without Bukayo and Victor in top form. That means even more is to come. We remain unpredictable in attack with so many players carrying a threat the opponents need to reckon with. Long may it continue.
  7. Leandro is having the season of his life so far. He has played with different full backs over the last few months but he just gets on with it. His mastery over the ball and awareness of space and time are a joy to watch. With a goal and assist he certainly was my player of the match.
  8. The last observation is for Gabriel Jesus, of course. What a sweet goal he scored, and his devotion to his most famous namesake – who brought us renewed hope 2000 years ago – at the end of the match in front of the nation(s), was so warm and just humbling. And humble we need to remain. Yes this was a statement win, but so was our scrappy one v Everton. Bournemouth will be the next mountain to climb. OGAAT.

By TotalArsenal.

114 thoughts on “Arsenal 4 – Villa 1. They had it coming!”

  • Best wishes for the New Year BKers! And to not put a jinx on it, I will refrain from any comment on hopeful outcomes in a few months time 😆

  • That was a pretty fair and balanced account Total, the return of our senior defence seemed to have a real positive psychological effect, I’m sure, on the midfield and attack because the team that took on and beat Bayern was back.

    I was reminded by the Arsecast that when we visited Villa Park at the beginning of the month that our centre backs were Timber and Hincapie (first time as a pair) which kind of explains a lot.

    We’ve just come out of a period when our defenders were all over the place fitness wise and yet we’ve won every game since Villa Park.

    Now all our forwards are back and I’m confident that now we’re ready to really extend our advantage.

    It’s going to be a memorable 2026

  • Let’s hope we can extend, Kev. A bit nervous for the Bournemouth game, if I am honest. But yes the return of our senior defence is a big bonus.

    Are you working tonight or having a cup of tea with a biscuit? 😃

  • ’26 has dawned bright and fair down here, boys.
    I share Kev’s hope.
    We are bouncing into Graceland.

  • I went out for a bit Total but I’m home now with a beer in hand. 🍺

    Only three hours to go before the January window opens 🙂

  • Thanks for the post, Total.
    Yes, lovely to see our Number 9 honouring The Lord. Let’s hope the killjoys don’t put the boot in.
    https://www.givemesport.com/gabriel-jesus-celebration-fa-punishment-kaka-aston-villa/

    Nine OGAAT’s in January! What a month and what an opportunity to prove the depth of our squad. Improve it? Not sure we can without upsetting the expectations of existing players. I hope the whispers of Ethan going out on loan are unfounded but, with MO8 and Eb’s in front of him, he may see it as his best option for progress.

  • Jesus should get away with it, Stu. I don’t think the undergarment rule should not include message of faith.

    Ethan could do eith PL exposure. Granits Sundeland would suit him.

  • Your Swiss mate was superb just now v City, Total. Outstanding leadership and setting a new record in the process, the most appearances in the EPL by a Swiss player. Sunderland were exceptional as against us, fierce, determined and never say die.
    Four points clear. Woohoo!!!

  • Granitland did us a great favour tonight. Fought for every ball and Xhaka was absolutely everywhere. Four points gap. Bournemouth next and Citeh play managerless Chavs.

  • Sunderland have done us a huge favour tonight; to think they were without 6 key players who are off at the AFCON, plus Daniel Ballard who is injured… I suspect it would have been a different result.
    For a promoted side, maintaining an unbeaten run at home, halfway into the season, is a great feat.

    Hopefully, City face a new manager bounce when they meet Chelsea next. I feel confident we can beat Bournemouth well. Very happy with some of the results today.

  • With the transfer window opening today, I am not sure we have any obvious areas of weaknesses that we must fill.. However, if a really good player becomes available, I won’t be questioning a deal. As for Ethan going out on loan, it may be for the best for the lad to go get PL experience and return better. Remember Saliba had to go on loan for two seasons only to return a proper Rolls Royce.

    I have not read anything about Emery’s reason for leaving Arteta hanging after the game, dashing down the tunnel after the final whistle. Anyone with a view on this detail?

  • Good points, Eris.

    Emery said it was cold and he felt Arteta should have shaken his hand before he shook those of his own management staff. Just didn’t want to wait, he said… Sore loser, me thinks.

  • I agree. That’s just not the way it’s done. I was concerned our fans may have been giving him stick, but even that’s not enough to rush off.

    Leandro Trossard played arguably his best game for us Tuesday night. He has improved significantly this season. He is one who we cannot afford to have injured now.

    There were a few Arsenal royalty in the stadium that night.. I saw Pat Rice, Patrick Vieira, George Graham, Martin Keown and (it was nice to see) Ricardo Calafiori in the stands.

  • Arsenal have been linked with quite a few younger midfielders recently, you know players in the Mosquera price-range, so if these is an opportunity to bring someone in early for say £10/£15m then Berta might make a move, but that also depends on our PSR status, so a loan with an obligation to buy next summer perhaps etc.

    as I can’t see us selling anyone – unless we get a crazy offer – we might have to therefore satisfy ourselves with being transfer spectators this month?

  • Watching Monaco vs. Lyon.
    Many unavailable players on both sides, but Monaco’s new head coach – Pocognoli – has paired up Balogun and Biereth upfront fro the first time, so …
    30 minutes gone and not much has happened so far, just a delightful cross from Mika to Flo, but a few yards were missing for Balo to connect.
    (For what it’s worth) the problem appears to be that Pocognoli has picked two wide playmakers, Akliouche on the right and Golovin on the left, which makes the attacks very predictable, the Akliouche-Biereth channel on the one hand, the Golovin-Balogun on the other …
    I can’t help but think of what Ethan alone would provide behind the other two Hale End grads.
    On the left in particular, Golovin is kept on a leash by no one else but good ol’ Ainsley, who is out-MailandNilesin’ himself with his last-gasp blocks-tackles-interceptions, before turnin’ to his mates with his trademark “No sweat, buddies“ look of his … what a lad.
    Oh and COYG, of course!!

  • LINEUPS
    Arsenal:
    Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres.

    Subs: Arrizabalaga, White, Lewis-Skelly, Norgaard, Merino, Eze, Saka, Trossard, Jesus.

    Bournemouth:
    Petrovic, Senesi, Jimenez, Hill, Truffert, Scott, Kluivert, Semenyo, Brooks, Tavernier, Evanilson.

    Subs: Forster, Cook, Soler, Smith, Diakite, Adli, Kroupi, Unal, Rees-Dottin.

  • Bournemouth puts out the same XI who drew 2-2 at Chelsea.

    That means Antoine Semenyo, widely expected to join Manchester City, starts again.

    On the bench are new goalkeeper signing Fraser Forster and Lewis Cook, back from a neck injury.

    Arsenal make three changes from the side which beat Aston Villa 4-1.

    Declan Rice, back from a knee problem, starts instead of Mikel Merino – and Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard drop to the bench, with starts for Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.

    That was a fast recovery by Rice after hearing his knee was swollen. Trossard and Saka on the bench is a strong pair of wingers to bring on, should things go South. I would have rested Rice for Liverpool but I guess Arteta must know something I don’t.

    COYG!!

  • Good morning fella’s. My mind is replete with fond memories of my visit to the South Coast a couple of seasons back, big Wills goal, the Saliba chant, the beauty of the town and smallest ground in the premiership, the Ted MacDougall stand (what a striker he was), and the result which capped a truly lovely day.
    Six different starters in the team from back then, time waits for no man…
    COYG.

  • Wondrous wing play from Noni. Early change? I think Leandro and Jesus would open them up.

  • Bournemouth giving us a game. Arteta needs to get us tighter in midfield and our attack may need the big guns on the wings for last 30 minutes. Got to love Big G: a big mistake and a big goal in just five minutes.

  • Looks like turnin’ up for the 2nd half only is becomin’ some sort of habit …
    (For a team with our ambitions) I find our general technical level a bit worrying – I find Gyö’s extremely worrying, tbh. When we can’t outmuscle, outrun, outjump, etc. (which we can, most of the time) the other guys, I’m under the impression the extra technical sparkle (all the more so in Bukayo’s absence) which could bail us out, goes missing.
    But then again at HT against Villa I my impressions were identical, and then …
    Noni started very well, I wish he were shifted to the left, where Marti has played the Invisible Man – and Bukayo brought back on of course. I’m a bit frustrated with BigBill again; in such a game he should be the extra man in midfield, he’s one whose technical ability, vision, could help us out. I won’t say anything about Eberechi, I’m just baffled by what’s goin’ on with him, I guess.
    Now we all knew BigGab would score the equalizer and/or the winner, didn’t we? What a warrior!
    COYG

  • Rice twice baby. Big win this, really big. Had to dig deep, but l9ved the way we controlled the ball after conceding the second goal. A Rice and Zubi masterclass.

  • We got him half price…

    I miss watching Eze, too LG. But where would you start him and in place of whom? No place on the bench for Ethan, MLS now third choice left back, it’s such a competitive squad.

  • Since Eze was at fault for one of Sunderland’s goals at the stadium of light he has been on the bench. He will have a role to play this season but Martin is the upgrade and captain. On the left we have Leo. Eberechi is a big boy and he will get a another chance.

  • Pressure, pressure, pressure on the Etihad cartel, rushing Rodri back, injuries in the pipeline? Let’s see what they can do, a draw would be very welcome.

    Are we seeing a changing of the guard, the big switch, where City are feeling the pressure and Arsenal are sailing inexorably towards the gold at the end of the rainbow?

  • A manager-less Chelsea may be just what the doctor ordered for Man City, with the pressure on them.

    But if the interim manager is able to get any sort of performance out of them, I expect dropped points.

  • Btw, Portsmouth had their game postponed today so that’s a worry with us due at Fratton Park next Sunday. We don’t want a fixture backlog with so many to play as it is.

  • Chelesea lucky to be only one goal down at HT; the two-horse race is on … ’89 all over again – outcome included?
    Ekitike-less ‘Pool thursday, or so it seems …

  • Doesn’t look good for Gvardiol. At all. Probably their best player since the start of the season …(The Machine excluded).
    I’d rather it left ALL teams alone, so the contest could be fair, but … has the injury curse changed horses in midstream?

  • Woohoo!!!!! Six points clear. Clawed back the goal difference. Long and winding road to go but the butter is on the toast.

  • Never thought the day would come, but I’ve got to say “Thank you, Chelsea”!

    What a start to the year for our fans.

  • Let’s duff the Chavs up in the League Cup and smash them in the Prem before we become too grateful Eris… 😉

  • Super Eagles flying high, Eris.

    Anyone up for a short break in Madchester? There’s a job going there…

  • Evening all.

    Yes the Manchester United freefall continues, Stu. What a mess. We are so lucky with the quality and nouse of the Board.

    And the Blue Mancs drop four points in two games.

    Pool look beatable, but lets not underestimate them on Thursday. Another huge game.

  • Lol, Kev. I get that and stand corrected. They can be spoilers in the big games.

    Yeah, the Super Eagles have continued their winning run and do look relaxed as they go about it. Long may it continue, even as it starts to get harder.

  • Dias out too … oil money is very likely to bring Guéhi over to them indeed, but that’s a terrible blow to the strength of their backbone Donnarumma-Dias/Gvardiol-Rodri-Foden-Haaland anyway; just as losing Bill-Gab at this moment in the season would be for us – even though Mosquera-Hincapié is probably the best backup CD in … (fill in the blanks – if I write what I think I’m afraid you’ll tell me “we like ’em too, but just hold your horses a lil’, old man, will you?”)

  • Ha! Let those cultivated horses run wild and free, vieil homme bien-aimé. “In world football” is my estimated opined guess at those blanks.

    What’s the feeling in France about Chelsea doing the dirty on Strasbourg, LG?

  • Everyone in French football thinks very highly of Rosenior.
    He has brought back Strasbourg to a status they looked as though they’d never, ever recover – which must please Arsène a lot; I’d be curious to hear what he has to say about this (Strasbourg is the only club he might have considered playing a role in after closing his Arsenal chapter …).
    Strasbourg are said to play sexy football; they had an outstanding game in Paris last season in particular. From the little I’ve seen it looks a 3 at the back formation, but an attack-minded one, not the Amorim kind – the WBs are given absolute freedom and wreak havoc in defences more often than not (well, yeah … French defences, but make no mistake, creativity and sheer talent in attack is the main problem of Ligue 1 clubs, defences are well-drilled, tough units …).
    I listened to a few interviews of his, and he sounded like a really nice guy, sharp, articulate, with a sense of humour. I think we’re in for something very different when we come across them again, less of a physical challenge, and more of a constant, unpredictable kind of threat to our formidable back-5 (David being an essential element of it of course).
    Now, if I’m completely honest, he looked a little too nice to me – I can’t picture him surviving very long in the Boehly-run nuthouse … but it might just be that age has finally turned me into a cynic, of course!

  • I’d imagine that Arteta will be studying quite a few Strasbourg games in order to get some kind of an idea of how the tactical mind of Rosenior works.

  • Stuart, obviously, Osimhen would have scored a lot of goals and scared defences. However, I feel he won’t fit into the kind of players we go for at Arsenal, on the basis of temperament. On the one hand, he shows passion and is usually urging team mates on, will celebrate team mates’ goals just as wildly as when he scores; on the other hand, he is a touch too sensitive and would openly remonstrate with mates and the bench, something that’s anathema to professional football in Europe, nay, the globe.

  • Kev, that will be Arteta, alright. He would want to have an idea what to expect but will be ready, should Liam Rosenior decide on a different approach given the personnel at his disposal at his new club.

  • Kev-Eris … I’d say that’s one of Stuivenberg-Molina’s job requirements, more likely … but yeah, eventually Strasbourg’s gameplans, setups etc. no stone will be left unturned.
    There’s quite a lot to turn, actually. Strasbourg have done very well in the Conference League so far – including a home win over Palace -, which is good for our analysts, since the way they adapted to very different contexts under Chelsea’s new guy can be dissected, too.

  • Eris did you know that there is a planet called Eris.

    As far as I know you are only contributor on BK that has a celestial body named after him. Congratulations… 😉

  • RIP Martin Chivers. I remember well the three C’s Sir Alf’s England played up front in the early 70’s, Chivers, Clarke and Channon. Failed against Poland in ’73 and never really clicked because they were all ostensibly centre forwards, though were very fine players for their clubs. Clarke broke my 11 year old heart with his diving header in ’72, Channon I always hoped would come to Arsenal, even had a pic of him in England colours on my wall. Chivers was a bit like our Raddy, big, brave and a fine foil for his attacking team mates, Greaves and Gilzean. Those 70’s superstars are all slipping away.

  • Congrats, Eris. 559 years to orbit our Sun and with a moon named Dysnomia.

    I understand there is a fictional yellow-atmosphered ocean planet named Frank.

  • Now that you tell me, Kev. ….😝.
    Wow! All of 560years to orbit the Sun, Stuart? Like about 7 full lifetimes.

  • The results all going our way. Trust Arteta to ensure the lads know what’s at stake. We cannot drop the ball now and must take advantage. 8 points ahead of closest rivals isn’t a guarantee but it just starts to pile on the pressure on them, especially as City will have about as many games/fixtures to navigate, in Europe and domestically, as we will do.

    Haaland shockingly, missed a couple of sitters too.
    Like the planets, maybe the stars are aligning, perhaps…..

  • Hehehehe! The spirit of 1989! We would need a Michael Thomas tonight. Who will stand the post?

    While we are capable of tearing them a new one, I would just as well take a simple 1-0 and 3 points in this game.

  • What a game, eh?
    Feels like the 2nd leg of a CL semi, after a goalless away draw in the first – any sort of win and hello cloud 9 here we come.
    Slot is a very pragmatic guy, his side is as weakened as ours was in the second half of last season, which is why a Pulis’s Stoke away (home too, actually, for Pulis) game plan would be my guess.
    That’s where having turned into Set Piece FC matters … no better way to break deadlock, is there? Then, once we’re ahead, the great improvement this season lies in how lethal, ruthless we’ve become on the break.
    (We’re a better side but …) what we’ve turned out to be makes me think a lot of the great Lyon teams, when – at the start of the 21st century – they waited for a Juninho FK to put them ahead, in a position to deliver deadly blows on counterattacks – and to pile up titles!
    Which is why (for what it’s worth, of course – not much, actually) 1-0 … I’m not sure, to me feels like either 0-0 or … well, something that’ll definitely stick in our memories.
    COYG, let’s take to Cloud 9

  • I can see it now Eris, Declan Rice running through the midfield, you know the dialogue, for Micky Thomas see Dec.

    Anyway, we’ve not got those 8 points yet so yeah, enjoy the moment but in the words of Big Erland ‘stay humble’ and I’m sure this squad of players on the back of what they’ve experienced in recent years will do exactly that…

  • Good morning, gentlemen. Match day 21 has dawned blue skied and sunny down here in The Land of the long white cloud.
    Here’s the line up:
    Referee: Anthony Taylor
    Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn
    Fourth official: Simon Hooper
    VAR: John Brooks
    Assistant VAR: Dan Robathan

    And I’m guessing: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Zubi, Rice, MO8, Saka, Gyo & Leandro to start.

  • My immediate environs are a cold, rainy night in North London, Total. My body may be ensconced in sub tropical Kerikeri but my spirit is in row 7 of block 32 of the Arsenal Stadium.

  • Plenty of pressure on and in their box. A bit of luck and composure should see us score in second half. Not great as yet but that was to be expected. CoyrrGs

  • It’s coming, LG. Our set pieces have yet to meet the standard, but it’s coming…

  • He did, indeed. Clever tactics from the Dutchman. Forsaking a nine to gain an extra man in midfield did stifle our flow.
    LG’s guess was accurate. Tho’ a little more sunshine in that cloudy day would have gone down well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPnwgqeTtSY

    I look forward to seeing Kai back.

  • It all begun with the rotten weather for a football game. I imagine it must have been freezing cold for both the players and fans.
    It would seem after being on top in the first half, we simply ensured we did not lose the game because this was a piss poor Liverpool side that was there for the taking, had we retained the same tempo in the second half.
    Well, we are back to 6 points ahead and still top of the league!

  • Having said that, I was a bit surprised by Liverpool’s tactics of defending very deep in the first half. They have respect for us and expected a torrent of attacks; in the end, they looked the more satisfied team. Says it all.

  • 180 minutes and not one really good chance on target from open play, hitting the bar isn’t on target. A couple of great low crosses into the Liverpool area from Saka and then Madueke but the Invisible Man couldn’t take them, I did think that Gabriel was going to nick it at the end and he probably should have done but it was a bit of a bore played out by a striker-less Liverpool and a tired looking Arsenal.

    Portsmouth away next and that should be a pleasant change with some fresh legs and minds.

  • All sensible comments, lads. A combination of fatigue and fear of their counter tactics made us static. After 5 wins a draw is absolutely fine. Key was not to lose last night.

    Recharge the batteries now for some of the key players.

  • Wrexam 2 Forest 0, a few minutes before HT
    One of the “festive fixtures” picked by “Bein” who have the Championship rights down here was the thriller Wrexham 5 Shefield U 3.
    It so happens I watched it, because Wrexham’s GK has been AOkonkwo since their N°1 got injured – and the boy did save the day, when he won a 1v1 which would have put Utd 2 goals ahead at HT … from then on Wrexham not only scored 3, but got on a successful run – and today they’re the FAC game picked by “Bein”, again.
    A clean sheet so far for our boy – but Forest are a caricature of passivity, complacency; watching Zinch looking like he’s wondering how he could have gone down so low is painful. I’m very aware of his shortcomings as a defender but I’ve always admired his skills.
    Anyway, Arthur will have a role to play in the 2nd half … c’mon, kiddo!!

  • A great vote of confidence in the the manager and club by Bakayo.

    5 years is some statement…

  • Your upfront trident has stricken … again.
    They’ve been consistently impressive since the start of the Cup; there’s a fair chance they might take you all the way to the title – but that’s two finals they’ll have to win, really … starting with the one against Brahim’s Morocco wednesday: not only the Rabat stadium, but the whole country, will spit fire like an erupting volcano …

  • That trident of Osimhen, Iwobi and Lookman are the business. Such a joy to see Alex’s form for club and country, always loved him as a player.
    Rambo’s three penalty saves and the spuds getting peeled at home… off to church to sing praises, “All things bright and beautiful”.

  • Great to see you guys are taking in the AFCON too; it’s been good value for it, in my view and gets better as it enters the business end.

    LG, I don’t know too many Nigerians who thought the Eagles will be as impressive (even assured) as they have been. Fans lost faith when we failed to beat DR Congo in the play-offs, missing out on the world cup but it would seem the lads are going the extra mile to make it up to us with a good outing in Morocco, so far.

    One can only wish the all the luck as they are going to need it for the game against the host nation. Their fans know how to create an atmosphere so we have to be on it from the start.

  • The trio od Ademola Lookman, Adam Akor and Victor Osimhen have been a handful for defences; they thrive in the chaos created by some masterful play and incisive passing by Alex Iwobi. Stuart, I won’t lie, Iwobi has taken his game up a notch and gives Andre Pirlo vibes at times.

    To think he was a scapegoat for a cross section of the Nigerian fan base for so long, I used to wonder why they can’t see he was the glue that keeps it all together for us.. This tournament has earned him a great many believers now.

  • Portsmouth have determined that a raucous atmosphere and getting in our faces will help them make it a contest, and so it’s turning out.

  • Noni must’ve lost the ball something like 10 times (including the one on their goal) already … what’s wrong with him? Wake up, kid!

  • Too bad for that kid, Blair … he’d been excellent so far.
    Noni wtf?? It would’ve been elegant, classy to leave it to Ethan, btw …

  • Noni did everything that’s not the Arsenal way there, if you ask me. Was he not in the middle of that Penalty fiasco between Palmer, Jackson and someone else, last season? We follow a pecking order here, or take our cue from the bench or the captain. The man seized hold of the ball, face down avoiding any eye contact and stumbled over the kick.

    We should be 4-1 up by now and eased the nerves on MLS and White (the latter is getting into it gradually).

  • Hopefully, we start the second half better than we did the first then put some gloss to this scoreline.

    From all seen, this team will not be able to stop us scoring every 7 minutes, if we so choose.

  • A Martinelli hat-trick in the FA Cup (two from headers). Who would have thunk it?

  • Marti, you Cup Man!
    Bring on the Chavs now. I hope many of today’s lads will be trusted again – the Carabao, at least, should be theirs.
    COYG

  • Yes goood session for all. But Marthree stole the show with excellent ‘CF play’.

    Agreed with le duc that most of todays players should play again on Wednesday. Nice to have Kai back. Ben was great too.

  • Nice anthem, LG. Very fitting.

    I thought Noni improved in the second half and those two pin point corners gave him two assists. Lovely to see Kai back.

    The El Classico is living up to its reputation.

  • Bit of a stinky Saudi sell out, tho’. The Spanish FA must be in dire straits to sanction that.

  • A home draw to a League One or Two team would be nice…

    Glad we didn’t wear those jinxed white shirts this year.

  • Three goals from corners in one game. A record? And we have now benefitted from 5 own goals this season. Add Raya’s laser accurate long balls and throw in a new Throw in Coach and we are seeing an interesting tactical evolution within our club.

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