Author: TotalArsenal

One more PL game to go in January and then we can make up the balance. Arsenal have done very well but so have Pool (and Forest), and so we have not been able to close the gap with the League leaders. Given the injuries and the high number of games the boys have played, I think we could not have asked for more of them. The intensity and hunger to win has been very impressive, and you only have to look at the sorry Mancs, Chavs or Spuds to know how different it all could be for us, right now.

Of course the media makes us fans perpetually unhappy with their narrative of failure to catch up with Liverpool, but the Merseysiders are simply doing very well, and if they continue this run of form we should all say ‘Chapeau!’ to them at the end of the season. For me the most important thing is that we consolidate our position among our competitors, and, ideally, improve slowly but surely. Being a strong contender to finish in the top four again should not be pooh-poohed by anybody. This is THE big first achievement by Arteta in the post-Wenger era. Arsene, the old romantic, had us play fabulous football in an era when this was still possible. Mourinho, and then Klopp and Guardiola, have changed the scenery significantly, and Mikel is our answer to both being competitive again and play football the Arsenal way.

I think it is fair to say we are not as good as last season and that’s why Pool are getting away with it. The main reason for this: untimely and area-concentrated injuries, and lacking that bit of luck at times (and rubbish refereeing of course).

Our right side, our strongest area by far in previous seasons, has had so many injury set-backs. Odegaard missed many games, White has hardly featured this season, and super-Saka is of course well-missed too.

The left side has lacked continuity too. I have no doubt that Arteta ideal three on the right are: Calafiori, Rice and Martinelli, but for various reasons they have not had many games together. Having said that Lewis-Skelly has been phenomenal as a stand in for the Italian stallion, (and so has Nwaneri on the right wing). It proves again that, as Big William of Strafford Upon Avon once put it, adversities can have their sweet uses.

Through the middle Arsenal are also still looking for the right balance. Partey has been superb in midfield; his best season donning our shirt. Rice keeps threatening to find his mojo and I think he is getting there now. I love him just for trying so hard. Exactly the same can be said about Odegaard and Kai (despite his sometimes frustrating demeanour) and Merino. I will never stop supporting players who give their all and care about the club, and these are exactly the sort of players Mikel has either attracted, developed or both.

I believe in these boys and the manager. We could really do with some fresh, experienced blood in attack, but let’s not just get a body/name. Getting this next CF signing absolutely right is paramount now (especially with Jesus’ sad and so unfortunate long injury).

Anyway, let’s just focus on the next game and forget about the rest. All the team ever can do is try and win the next game. Ooh to Be.

Thank you Mikel for working your socks every day and putting our beloved team back up there. The future is bright, the future is red and white.

By TotalArsenal.

By now most of you would have read the varied opinions of all the wind-up merchants and bad actors who come out of hiding whenever Arsenal lose, we all know them and by and large we have the common sense to ignore them – many unfortunately don’t!

Ok, where to begin, one game doesn’t make a season but alternatively some individual games can break a season and we might have just suffered one of those.

Let’s not beat around the bush, after the referee influenced dropped points at City, Bournemouth and at home to Brighton you couldn’t help but feel that this wasn’t going to be our season in the Premier League, it just happens that way.

Then the injuries to Odegaard and then Saka, both huge body blows that only somebody gaslighting could ignore. We saw how losing Saliba in 2022/23 derailed that season, we’ve seen how injuries to Van Dyke and  Rodri/De Bruyne affected Liverpool and Man City in recent and current seasons so why should anyone think it wouldn’t affect Arsenal?

And then there was the virus, ok this sounds like excuses and yes they are, viable excuses that have influenced our season.

But as it stood yesterday, despite all the issues, Arsenal were still 2nd in the EPL, comfortably situated in the CL, home to a Man Utd team that didn’t know whether it was Arthur or Martha in the FACup and in the LCSF, not bad for a club in ‘crisis’…

Newcastle came to the Emirates without Bruno in midfield, they’d never won when he was absent before but they were in hot form and Botman was fit to start so defensively they were strong. The Newcastle fans took up most of the Clock End so no Ashburton Army and not as energetic an atmosphere from the home fans as you’d expect in such an important game.

Arteta picked a really competitive team, Havertz was back and Timber returned after suspension, Sterling was on the bench along with Jesus. Trossard operated in the Saka role and worked hard but it wasn’t his night, Martinelli should have scored, but lets be blunt here, how confident do you feel when he’s running at goal, do you expect him to score because I don’t? Well he hit the post and that reminded me of the Merino miss at Brighton, sliding doors, a goal that can change the whole outcome of a tight game, Martinelli missed, Isak did not.

Newcastle were resolute in defence and dangerous in attack, this wasn’t a game that Arsenal could dominate, Timber headed over and Saliba came close with a low shot that the enormous Dan Burn got his basketball frame in to block. Odegaard was not at the top of his game and Havertz looked like he’d just got over a debilitating illness although to his credit he played the entire game.

Newcastle took the lead as the 1st half drew to a close, a long ball by the Geordie goalkeeper sailed (just) over the head of Saliba, it pin-balled around as red and black boots challenged for it and then, there it was, somehow at the feet of Isak in front of goal with just Raya to beat and he rifled it into the roof of the net. He didn’t make a meal of his celebration, maybe with an eye on the summer perhaps, but the hope just seemed to ebb away from the home fans. We were struggling to score and Newcastle know how to kill a game, it’s a storyline we’ve seen before.

Saliba and Gabriel had been below par, Partey was invisible, Rice was working manfully, Martinelli was running, Timber played well but I wonder was this a game for Ben White? Lewis Skelly was the star for me 1st half, this kid is a baller.

Half-time and it was a subdued queue for the toilet and refreshments.

The 2nd 45 began brightly, Arsenal pushed deep into the Newcastle half but after only 6 minutes Newcastle countered, Partey was on his heels as Isak shot across Raya who made a good save but Gordon followed in the rebound with Timber slow to react, it was a killer. Both Newcastle goals had an element of fortune but they were also very simple in their execution, one touch, no over elaboration, just clinical.

Newcastle had been hunting down the red shirts in packs all game and that went up a notch as they switched to ‘what we have we hold’ mode or 4 5 1. But the Gunners opened them up, a deflected Trossard cross looped up and Havertz stole in to head us back into the game, or that’s what should have happened but he misjudged his header and the ball bounced wide via his shoulder, it was gut wrenching.

Arteta then took off the ineffective Partey and Trossard for Jorginho and Jesus, still no Stirling, how fit was he? Saliba headed over from a corner following some more scrambles in the Newcastle area, Willock was playing as if his life depended on the result, Dan Burn was all over Gabriel at corners desperately trying to exchange shirts before the final whistle.

The last 20 minutes was basically Newcastle showing an appreciation of how Arsenal defended at Man City earlier in the season, a lot of scrambles, some determined defending and a lot of effort by Arsenal trying to get a goal back. Jorginho came closest with a drive that just went over the bar, but that elusive Arsenal goal that would keep this tie alive, wouldn’t come.

Apparently no team has lost a League Cup semi-final 1st Leg by 2 or more goals and reached Wembley so the portents don’t look great. Can Arsenal do it at St James’s Park, well yeah of course we can, we can win 2-0 and go through on penalties or win 3-0 but Newcastle are experts at killing games and if we concede up there it’s over.
So whilst it’s not over yet it’s also not an ideal scenario.

Arsenal didn’t play badly but we lacked a bit of zip, Newcastle defended well and took their chances, we fluffed ours, it’s disappointing because this is a competition we could and should be winning, because we need some success to keep our stars contented and settled. Sunday is going to be huge…

By Allezkev

Without too much effort Arsenal have reached the semi-final of the League Cup, and now we will face the high-flying Magpies at the home of football. I never cared much about this competition to be brutally honest. It is clear that most teams don’t treat it as a priority, but it is a great opportunity to use the wider squad players and try out some new tactics etc. Arsene Wenger and also Mikel have treated the competition with a light touch over the years, but I feel it will be different this time round. Playing Newcastle United and, if we are successful, then one of Spuds or Pool are great opportunities to test ourselves against these competitors, and our boys could really do with such scalps and some silverware in their cabinets.

So I think Mikel will go all out this time and try to win the game. Is this wise? Well, we will have to see. Liverpool are starting to show cracks – their defence has conceded 11 PL goals in six games since their win v Pep’s City; whereas they only conceded eight in the preceding 13 games – and we have a great opportunity to keep putting pressure on them by winning as many PL games as possible. Therefore, saving a few key players today would also make good sense.

As Kev suggested, Arsenal may treat the Man United FA Cup game with a lighter touch and go out all Gunners blazing for this one. I hope he does.

Predicted Starting Lineup:

Raya

Timber – Tequila – Big Gab – Lewis-Skelly

Partey – Ode – Merino

Marquinhos – Jesus – Martinelli

Our Brazilian duo Martinelli and Jesus have found their feet and why not add Marquinhos, also Brazilian, to the mix?! Apparently, he is back and has been given shirt number 27 and with so many injuries for our right wing position, it may make sense to start him. We need a bit of extra fire-power on the bench, and Trossard is just our ideal super-sub in my opinion. Is Kai fit enough to start? It sounds like he is not, and therefore a place on the bench may be the best thing we could wish for.

The Magpies have a good team and play some good and clever footie. They will love us to come and attack them and play us on the break. They have a strong midfield, although they will miss Guimaraes today. Isak is a joy to watch and you just know that he belongs in an Arsenal side sooner or later. He has everything you would hope for in a modern attacker: fast, deadly, excellent dribbler, good with feet and head, great first touch, good overview of the game and (therefore) a quick and accurate passer, and he scores many important goals. But we know that Big Gab and Tequila Slammer love big CF challenges, and this alone is a reason to watch the game tonight.

Partey back in midfield will make a difference, and I feel that Merino, who is simply in better form than Rice, will once again start ahead of the Englishman.

Looking forward to this one.

Come On You Rip Roaring Gunners.

By TotalArsenal.

Everyone on this blog knows how much I love Bukayo. We never had a more efficient winger since the Overmars days. That combination of speed, torque, intelligence and levelheadedness of Saka is hard to find. He is hard to predict and teams put at least two players around him to stop him. They can try but Bukayo always finds a way to beat them, and his stats of assists and goals are second to none.

He will be missed, but that’s footie. So what can Arteta do to deal with this temporary loss?

1. Martinelli replaces Bukayo. The obvious choice as Arteta already put this in practice on Saturday. Odegaard will give him great service and Martinelli’s right foot can do great cut backs and crosses. We just need our attacking players to be ready. The problem is that the young Brazilian leaves a gap on the left, as Trossard isn’t really a winger.
2. Marquinhos is said to return from his latest loan spell in January. I liked him from the start and right-wing is his favourite position, I think, but his lack of experience in the PL and the time he would need to adjust, could cost us.
3. Play Trossard or Jesus in Saka’s position. The Brazilian and Belgian are flexible players and will always put in a shift, but it remains to be seen how effective they will be on the right. I see this more as a one-off solution than one for a number of games.
4. Odegaard on the right, with Jorginho or Nwaneri to play in the Norwegian’s usual position? Martin has a lot of Bukayo’s skills but would we miss his midfield mastery too much?
5. Nwaneri to replace Bukayo. This would be quite the gamble but my gut feeling is it could work. Ethan has the close ball control and speed so vital for this position; he also is a good finisher and would relish the opportunity, I think…

what do you think Arteta will/should opt for?

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 ❤️

by TotalArsenal

It started drizzling with rain when I got to the station to catch my train to Stratford and pretty much didn’t stop until we got home after the game. It made conditions slippery and perfect for cup football.

Crystal Palace turned up full of confidence in the midst of a good run of form with a sizeable and very vocal crowd of support from South London. They filled the Clock End and made a lot of noise, particularly in the 1st half.

Arteta tried to balance his books by picking as strong a starting XI as possible whilst resting as many key players that he could and who needed a rest for the battles ahead over the congested festive period. In a way playing Palace twice in a few days is beneficial as we can’t have an Everton scenario this weekend vs an opponent who’s had a weeks rest.

Palace picked their strongest XI and went for it, an early long ball over the top caught Timber and Kiwior on their heels, Kiwior looked uncomfortable as his attempted clearance squirmed off of his head into the path of the imposing, immovable figure of Mateta who easily held off Jakub and slid the ball past a surprised Raya. Only 4 minutes on the clock and the Clock End was going bananas.

Arsenal did well to recover from that early blow and Palace maybe didn’t take advantage of the understandably disjointed Gunners, 8 changes from the previous weekend. The Arsenal defence, a back-four that had never played as a unit before was not as secure as we were used to and had its struggles but Kieran Tierney, who’d enjoyed the loudest cheer of the evening during the warm up, was rolling back the years as only he can. He gave it everything until subbed in the 2nd half when the tank was dry.

Arsenal applied some pressure in an effort to find an equaliser but it wasn’t clicking, Nwaneri was struggling to make an impact and wasn’t getting a lot of help from those in front or behind him, Partey wasn’t on his A game. Sterling went close from a free-kick and there were a few scrambles at the Palace end but Henderson looked fairly untroubled between the sticks.

Uncle Jorginho kept probing and looking for an opening but he wasn’t receiving much help from Merino and Ethan. The 1st half ended like a damp squib and Arteta reacted with two key substitutions. Off went Ethan,l – he’ll have much better days – and Partey; on came Big Bill and the Captain.

The impact of Martin and Bill was immediate, the defence reorganised with Timber going right-back and looking far happier and with Saliba cruising around the back four like the Bismark looking to pick off any Palace incursions, Kiwior looked more secure and McTesco just did his thing, it was great to see.

The midfield immediately began to move and generate danger and Palace began to drop deeper, Odegaard and Uncle J encouraged more movement from the forwards, Trossard woke up and was buzzing all over the place, Sterling looked threatening and Jesus was resurrected from his slumber. Sterling should have scored following great work from Tierney and then Jesus finally equalised, a surgical pass from Odegaard sliced open the Palace rearguard and Jesus showed great composure in lifting the ball over the onrushing Henderson, the roof flew off and Arsenal were back in business.

Smart work from Trossard, following another searching Odegaard long pass, saw Jesus swivel and almost score again, GJ was cooking!

Then Saka joined the party replacing Sterling and Lewis Skelly replaced the exhausted Tierney who gave everyone a wave as he left the field, was he saying goodbye? Great work from Odegaard and Timber put Bukayo away and he slid in Jesus who steadied himself before blasting past Henderson.I did hear some comments about it being off-side, but I couldn’t care less.

Palace pushed forward looking for an equaliser leaving Jesus lurking on the halfway line, Odegaard found him, of course he did, and our PL-misfiring Brazilian smashed another past Henderson after running half the length of the pitch – job done.

Eddie scored a consolation for Palace but it was a night for Jesus and we worshipped at his miraculous goalscoring return to form. Where it leads from here is really in the hands of the gods, but the return of our No.9 was like turning water into wine, a nice fruity red.

To be continued….

By Allezkev.

You can kinda split this and any season up into sections, manageable sections, bites if you like, so that you can plan ahead but not too far because it could possibly give you sleepless nights if that’s in your particular personality.

For me it’s just totally exciting, I’m loving this season, it’s enough to make me want to croon, or maybe play a didgeridoo. I’ve so enjoyed the previous two seasons despite the ultimate disappointment of missing out to the ersatz club in Eastlands. This one feels a bit more serious if you get my gist?

Anyway, we’ve just come through what you could describe as our opening section, one that included some of the most difficult games we’ll face this season and as we take a deep breath during the Interlull it’s satisfying to see where we are?

Nicely tucked away among the main protagonists for the title and looking far more resilient and resourceful than in our previous two campaigns, No over-celebrating, not that I ever saw that as a problem personally and dealing with the oft repeated setbacks of injuries and two tier officiating with a Churchillian stiff upper lip.

We’re nicely situated in the Champions League mega table, keeping a low profile and allowing the many cretins in the media to rabbit on about other contenders whilst we prepare to accumulate the necessary points to finish top eight.

The much maligned League Cup has proved to be an enjoyable distraction allowing Arteta the latitude to play some youngsters this season after some previously terrible draws, some of these youngsters will be major components as the season progresses. The next tie in the League Cup will be tough but get through that and you’re only three games from Wembley and the chance of an early piece of silverware which might just be the catalyst for this group to do something special…

I’m looking at the next 10 fixtures, split by the final Interlull of 2024 thankfully. There are 6 PL games, the LC tie at Preston and 3 CL fixtures, but what is noticeable is that it’ll be very much Arsenal On the Road because 7 of those games will be away, necessitating a lot of tiring travel.

Arsenal on the road doesn’t actually bother me at all because this squad is set up to dig in and grind out the results when necessary. I think we sometimes look more vulnerable at home where expectations can be a tad unrealistic.

I never thought we’d beat Southampton 5-0 last weekend, football doesn’t work that way, but we did find a way to win and that’s all that matters. This team has improved from 12 months ago, our players have grown, our coaching staff have grown and our manager has grown and if you can’t take anything from that, then I’m glad I’m not in your world.

Fortunately this blog in general is one of endless sunshine, light and enjoyment.

By Allezkev