Bergkampesque

Wow what a win for Arsenal late on Sunday that was! Playing our best, ferociously attacking football of the season so far, it still looked for a long time that Arsenal would have to leave St James without a single point to show for it. It would have been criminal if that had been the case, but the big boys stepped up and leaped high among the giant Barcodes to claim a sweet victory at the dead of the game. Ooh to Be!

Eight quick observations:

1. Starting just two of Rice, Zubimendi and Merino seems to give the team a better balance in midfield. Positions and tasks are clear and Rice and Zubi quietly and efficiently bossed the midfield. And this they did against one of the best midfields in the League. That’s what made the big difference. Eze was free and linked up midfield with attack very well; he was also there to shoot from around the box and was unlucky to not score his first Arsenal PL goal. We really looked like an attacking team that was still very secure at the back. The balance was spot on.
2. I loved the ferocity of our play. It was always going to be a battle of mentality and power, and to outdo the Magpies on this at St James’ Park, with the away-fans disrespectfully pushed high up in the clouds and the home crowd happy to collectively whistle when the opponents have the ball, is some challenge. It was a very physical game at a high tempo, and as such it was a cup final and that in September. Arsenal won that physical/mentality battle and this for me is of enormous importance: to win a championship it’s simply pivotal.
3. Every player did their bid to outmuscle and outperform their opponent. The only one a little below his usual calm was Mosquera, and I think he was subbed for that reason. Timber was outstanding on our right: what a battler this guy is! And then there was Gyokeres. The man never stopped to be a nuisance and battle for every ball and bit of space amongst the giant Magpie CBs. I absolutely love him for that.
4. The front three of Trossard, Gyokeres and Saka with Eze behind them in a free role was the right pick by Arteta. Madueke has done a great job for us until now and we are lucky to have Bukayo back at the right time. These four players can play as a unit – and they will get better the more they can play together – but each of them has the quality to do something out of the blue of high quality, and that is exactly what we need up-front. It did not pay off this time, but I was glad to see Saka, Eze, Gyokeres and Trossard all getting close to scoring. Arsenal had 20 shots of which 7 were on target with an xG of 2.05 (Newcastle 8,3,0.49). The attack is getting there, the only thing missing is getting it in the net. Pope did a great job for Newcastle in goal, this has to be said as well.
5. Despite all of the above, Arsenal were still behind for 84 minutes. We should have had a penalty. In fact, we got one but then VAR decided that somehow Pope had not fouled Gyokeres which was obvious to everyone everywhere. The ball also fell to Saka in a good position to score, but in the end we got nothing. And then the Magpies scored and it all looked like this was just not going to go our way, once again. Everybody is tired of the inconsistency, the gamble-element of VAR. If you cannot make it consistent and fair, get rid of it for Frank’s sake.
6. The bench held the answers of swiping the Barcodes, once again. In the past, Arteta just could not take players off as he knew the ones on the bench were unlikely to make a difference. But when he can bring on the likes of Martinelli, Odegaard and Merino (Lewis-Skelly and Saliba) in a match like this, he knows he can make a difference with his subs. Merino’s header was a thing of beauty and left Pope stranded at the altar. It reminded me of the sort of goals Dick Nanninga used the score for my boyhood team Roda JC and that fine Netherlands equaliser against Argentina in the final of the 1978 World Cup (but that is not for everyone to remember haha).
7. It was brave to take off Zubi and put on Odegaard. To play with both Eze and Odegaard in support of our attackers made all the difference in the end: the pressure just became too much. It is so good to have Martin back and a couple of his passes were just a joy to watch.
8. In the end the player who embodied the Arsenal spirit perhaps the most yesterday ensured that all three points would be travelling down the A1. He fought all game tooth and nail and was involved in many critical moments. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to play with the spirit of really, really wanting to win. I saw this all through the team, but it was no surprise to me that it was Big Gab who in the end leaped to victory with a brilliant header and devour all the Magpies in one big gulp. King of Brazil we salute you.

By TotalArsenal

Arsenal 1 – 1 Man City

Eight Observations:

1. Six games played, 10 points, two goals conceded, 10 scored, highest goal difference in the league. Yet Arsenal are 5 points behind Liverpool, and in two games from now we play the Magpies away. This is such a tough start to the season that salvaging a draw against the best team in the league over the last ten years or so still makes us experience a sense of loss. Yes we needed to win today to keep the pressure on Pool, but we need to keep things in perspective. The red Scousers will start dropping points and then Arsenal will start the chase. We have the team and spirit for it, and the latter was confirmed yesterday – that’s the most important thing to take away from the game.
2. Arsenal conceded a typical Haaland goal which is very annoying. The Norwegian is a beast in the box but he also loves storming onto goal in acers of space, just like his Berserker forefathers used to do on English beaches over a thousand years ago or so. William was caught in two minds but I think he should have gone with Haaland rather than try and stop the pass, but also Timber was a bit at fault for not confronting Reijnders in time. But ultimately it was a well taken goal and one MC will have trained for prior to the game. It is the sort of goal Arsenal will concede now again because of our desire to push up high if and when we can. Big Gab was high up when the turnover developed and had no chance of catching the pony-tailed attacker.
3. It was then game on but Arsenal/Arteta struggled initially to enter plan B. Attacking with (even) more risk would leave us vulnerable to more counter-attacks, so I respect Mikel’s cautious approach and allow the team to settle into the game during the remainder of the first half. Then he spoke to the team and made a couple of changes, and the second half showed us all how good Arsenal can be. The blue oilers defended stoutly but Arsenal kept probing the walls in front of them. It looked like a matter of time before we would get our just reward, even though MC had a couple of decent chances themselves from counter-attacks and turnovers. The boys attacked with ferocity and invention, and even more attacking talent was added during the second half. Somehow Man City kept us out until a Bergkampesque pass was met with a Bergkampesque touch and a chip of the highest DB10 standard finally broke the Mancs’ staunch resistance. Donnarumma knew he was beaten and he appeared to make a small bow of respect for such a formidable, audacious chip from Martinelli.
4. Talking about Gabriel Martinelli, I must say here that I have been critical of him many a time, but he has been brilliant this week. Two very important goals, both helping us over difficult mountains. Is he supersub material? Should we play him more through the middle, especially later on in the game when space opens up?
5. It was criminal by Man City to push up high so, so late in the game. But Eze’s intelligence to spot Martinelli’s run made all the difference. Yet there was a lot to do and Gabriel took his opportunity extremely well. And here is the thing with Eze: he works hard and may go under the radar during a game, yet he has two assists in the last PL games. Like Bukayo he has that great ability to be efficient, calm, calculated, and make a difference for a team. I love that about both of them. I will say it again and again, Eze reminds me of Pires; the Frenchman had a similar ability to be efficient and calculated.
6. The most critical question remains regarding the balance and personnel in midfield. Do we get the best out of Declan, Zubi and Merino by playing them together in midfield? I don’t think we do. If we play two of Zubi/Rice/Merino in the base of midfield then surely we could play a nr10 in front of them?! For football’s sake, I hope Arteta will get this balance right soon.
7. The great news is that both Saliba and Saka are back in the team, and they both did well during the game (Bukayo as sub). Much has been said about Liverpool’s attacking options, but Arsenal have nothing to complain about, especially if and when Havertz and Jesus return as well. I loved the way Arteta bamboozled Man City with adding attackers at half time and during the game. Arsenal are just so much more unpredictable in attack this season compared to the last few ones.
8. On the basis of what I have seen of Man City against us and against MU last weekend, I think we need to count them in for the title race. Last season, I and many others – but not JNYC I seem to remember – made the mistake of counting Liverpool out and believing it was going to be between MC and us for the title. Oh how wrong we were. I think Guardiola is desperate to compete for the title again and has adapted his philosophy significantly to do so. If he continues to be prepared to do so then I think he has the players to go a long way, despite their poor start to the season. I certainly will not count them out.

By TotalArsenal.

Manchester City come to town and whether we like it or not – and I don’t like it – this is a pivotal game for our season, even this early on. Of course it is just three points, but there is a big psychological risk attached to today’s game, and that goes for both teams. Citeh cannot afford another beating; Arsenal need to win to keep the gap with Pool, who have had an easier start than us, to a minimum of three points. Apparently a programme on a laptop, belonging to that lovely FA chap who originates from the North-East and is responsible for PL match scheduling, decided Arsenal had to play at Newcastle away before the next interlull, and that after already allocating away games to Arsenal in Manchester and Liverpool within the first seven games. And so Arsenal need to win today to keep momentum going and avoid headlines like ‘Arsenal could be out of the title race come beginning of October’, and whatever else will be thrown at the club and the manager.

If Arsenal can get through these tough first seven games within a 3-5 points-gap of Liverpool, we have a great base to win the title this year. Winning today could either be easy or really hard. It all depends on finding the right balance in midfield. Our defenders know how to defend but don’t want to be exposed to tons of space with the Norwegian Berserker and co running at them. The attackers know how to score but need to be fed decent balls and not be too isolated.

A theme is developing this season: against tough opposition, Arsenal play Rice, Zubi and Merino in midfield: an additional wall to protect the defence that is almost impenetrable. This protects a clean sheet but also makes us less fluid, and therefore less dangerous, in attack. The likes of Odegaard and Nwaneri move and pass between the lines better than either of the beforementioned midfielders, and it is also much easier on the eye too. Against less ferocious competition Arteta appears willing to start with a typical nr10 and bench one of the three deeper positioned midfielders.

It is fair to say that with the new signings needing to settle in – and they are doing a fine job at it for all I can see – Arteta is still finding the right balance to get the maximum out of his team. It would have been much better to have an easier start to the season as to settle in the players, but it is what it is and Arteta will have to find a way to win today. It may not be beautiful and the game may well be decided by a set-piece, a stroke of genius or a bit of luck; let’s hope it will go our way.

No doubt patience will be required and the home crowd need to understand this. Against Bilbao the Wall of Zubi, Rice and Merino did the job of protecting and keeping the home crowd quiet – and didn’t the supporters provide a magnificent background in the San Mames for the game (I want to play Where’s Wally!)? A couple of supersubs made the difference eventually, and the job was done. Could Arteta have played with a bit more flair and risk? Certainly, but this is not the season to be too sentimental about beauty and audacity for Arteta (and indeed for us); he knows he will be judged on what he will deliver at the end of the season, despite all the incredible progress he has made since he joined us.

So how will Arteta lineup against the light-blue Oilers?

Raya

Timber – Mosquera – Big Gab – Calafiori

Zubi – Merino – Rice

Madueke – Gyokeres – Martinelli

If Saka is fit – and Arteta may well have planned all along for this to be his first game back – he will play, and that will really frighten Man City. However, it is more likely that Madueke, who is in fine form, will start. I have gone for Martinelli after Goonereris mentioned the possibility in one of his comments on the blog; I think he is on to something here. The Brazilian will be boosted by his fabulous goal midweek, and I think he will be in the right frame of mind. I also think he and Calafiori can develop a strong partnership on the left, and as we all know this is really needed this season. Eze, and hopefully Saka and Odegaard/Ethan, can come on at some point to reinvigorate the attack. William Saliba may also start if fully fit, but Mosquera has made such a great start in what already looks like an established defence that I feel the Frenchman may have to wait a while longer.

I will say it again: this is a big, big game for Arsenal. Man City are a wounded animal and seen as the underdog; they will be up for it and need a result. We need the three points, and it will be a huge test of the boys’ maturity and desire to win the title. Bring it on!

By TotalArsenal.

Arsenal 3 – 0 Nottingham Forest: the perfect post-interlull game to gear the team up for the tougher tests to come this and next month. Yet, this game gave me also a deeper feeling, one of the dawn of a new era full of glorious, winning football.

A home game after an interlull period is always welcome. The manager has so little time to prepare for these restarts that not having to travel is a real bonus. Forest changed manager during the interlull for some reason. Nuno is clearly a very capable and fine human being, but he keeps agreeing to work for big, fat egos who just don’t value him. I am hoping that Forest will pay a very big price for this and that the Portuguese will find a club that values him much more than the sorry Spuds and the Forest owner did.

Eight observations:

1. The most obvious observations is of course the strength in depth Arsenal possess now. No Saliba? bring in Mosquera. No Rice? Merino replaces him seamlessly. No Bukayo? Bring in Madueke. Odegaard injured during the game? Well, young Ethan slots in just fine. This is just amazing, and I think Mikel has tried to put the pressure on Slot and Liverpool by stating they have the better squad. But he Spaniard has all the necessary tools in his shiny shed, and then some.
2. Control. Really successful teams are able to control matches, and the sort of control Arsenal had at home v Leeds and Forest is reminiscent of the first eight years of Arsene’s reign. Early days of course, and Arsenal will play better teams than these two, but it was great to see how much control the team had in all areas of the pitch. Control is based on balance, quality, confidence and cohesion, and I think that Zubimendi is the one who holds it all together for Arsenal. He connects defence with midfield, and midfield with attack with such composure and panache, and I am truly jealous of those who currently are able to see him play live in a stadium.
3. The wings gave us balance: Madueke has that typical ability to penetrate of Bukayo on the right wing; Eze has a Pires-like calm and calculated approach, and then also that unexpected burst or touch of genius to effect a game on the left wing. Together they helped us spread the game and make us much less predictable, and, it must be said, Merino and Ode/Nwaneri gave our midfield a better balance from an attacking point of view than we have had for a while.
4. It was great to see that Arsenal now have men in the box when a cross goes in from the left or right. Madueke put in a number of fine crosses and the likes of Eze, Merino and of course Gyokeres were there to pounce. It will take a bit of time before this will really pay diffident, but I am so glad to see us play a more direct and aggressive style of play this season. Having Gyokeres as our CF, and a bevy of quality wingers for Mikel to pick from, makes all the difference.
5. But what’s also important is that the whole team is responsible for creating and scoring goals, and I don’t think it is a coincidence that two weeks ago it was Timber who scored a brace and this weekend it is Zubimendi who does so. If goals can come from everywhere then the opposition will have a much bigger task to prepare for our game and keep our attacking threat to a minimum. We know all about Arsenal’s ability to score from a set-piece, and two of our goals came from just that, but if we can also surprise opponents with shots and unexpected headed goals then Arsenal are in a much better position than last season.
6. There were some great moments of beauty in yesterday’s game: Zubi’s fabulous rocket from outside the box; Eze’s razor sharp cross for Viktor to pounce; the glide of Ethan and his crisp passing; Mosquera’s composure and ability to find a free man, another fingertip save by our stopper, Trossard’s clever scoop into the box etc, etc. But for me the most beautiful ball of the game was by our Italian full back. Calafiori’s ball over the top was inch-perfect, and just what was needed to decide the game. These sort of balls appear to be hard to play by defenders, but the Italian produced a peach of a pass. Some may say the defender should have judged the ball better but I think he was simply beaten by the delivery. Eze then had time to pick his pass, which he did brilliantly, and Viktor said thank you very much.
7. I was also pleased that the team never sat back and allowed our opponent a sniff of a way back into the game, and that’s despite all the attacking quality Forest possess. This was often lacking last season, and let’s hope it’s behind us now. Three clean sheets in four is a very encouraging start to the season indeed.
8. My final observation is related to the first one: strength in depth means a deeper striving towards excellence. With at least two great players in each position, these duos are likely to push each other to higher levels. They learn from each other and of course there is an element of competition too. Nobody is an automatic starter if all are fit: leaving Rice, Martinelli and White on the bench is a good indicator of this. They are likely to play on Tuesday and will then be extra motivated to perform well. To have this luxury situation of two great players in all 11 positions, and some extra quality on top of this, is just bliss.

By TotalArsenal.

Our greatest foes, and whom we must chiefly combat, are within.

Miguel de Cervantes

A few days after the Pool game and the transfer window closed, we can all relax again. The big picture is that Arteta has a great squad to work with now: brilliant signings in all areas and many at good value for money. Happy days.

The unfortunate and untimely loss v the champions will hurt for a while. This game simply came too early in the season, and I think that Pool were lucky to play home first. It made a huge difference.

Arsenal controlled large parts of the game and kept the Anfield crowd pretty quiet. This is a major achievement. It wasn’t a game for the purist, and for some reason the lazy, shallow media blamed Arsenal/Arteta for it – if Arsenal had scored that free-kick instead of Liverpool they would all have focused on them rather than Arsenal…

The truth is that our attack did struggle to break the Pool defence down, and apparently it’s all Arteta’s fault for his lack of adventure/desire to control everything. The fact that Pool’s equally expensive and talented attack hardly sparkled and was ineffective, doesn’t seem to be mentioned anywhere. The victors always seem to get a let off, just because the won.

We lost to a sublime free-kick late on. It’s as simple as that. Arne Slot, who impresses more and more as a decent guy, summarised it simply and effectively: “If we play this game 10 times more in the same fashion then I think it’s eight times a draw, we win it one time and Arsenal wins it one time because it was an uneventful game, which is something sometimes positive as well because both teams were really good in rest defence and in defending.”

An attack of Merino (with a defensive remit), Madueke (just arrived), Martinelli (out of form) and Gyokeres (just arrived) is unlikely to click and be awesome in the third game of the season, at Anfield. It was always going to be an encounter in which Arsenal had to control the game and hope to score one or two goals, most likely through a set-piece and/or a moment of class. If we could have started with a more established and fully fit set of Odegaard/Merino, Saka, Madueke, Havertz/Gyokeres in a game of this importance, I believe our attack would have been much more effective. To expect the same of those four who started on Sunday is simply naive.

Let’s take this one on the chin, celebrate the progress Arteta has made and the huge quality of the squad, and accept that the moment of magic/and a bit of luck just went the other way. C’est la vie.

THIS TEAM IS GOING PLACES.

It’s going to be truly awesome.

Oh, and Marquinhos, welcome to the Arsenal proper. That was an amazing performance.

By TotalArsenal

A 5-0 drumming of the Peacocks, or Whites, if you prefer that nickname, was just what the shrink ordered. We all loved the 1-0 at Old Bog, a result we will always take when playing red or blue Manchester. But we also knew that our attacking football was underwhelming, and that Arteta and the boys had work to do. To then play our first home game this season v newly promoted Leeds offered a great opportunity to put in a marker, and that’s exactly what Arsenal did yesterday.

Leeds started well enough. They were well drilled to soak up pressure with a low block and then pounce on the counter (ideally targeting the space and personnel on our left). Farke wanted his team not to sit back all the time but also come out and play. But, as he also later admitted, Arsenal were simply to dominate and strong, especially in midfield.

It looks to me that with Calafiori pushing up on the left our attack is more balanced. Madueke, chosen over Martinelli and Trossard on our left, offered a presence and energy Arsenal have not had for a while. With both wings offering a threat, there appeared to be more space through the middle for the likes Odegaard, Rice and Zubimendi. Gyokeres was also dynamic and produced the sort of runs and movements that made the central defence of Leeds constantly unsettled. Yet, poor final and penultimate balls kept us from creating gild-edged chances. The boys were trying hard and the Whites held strong and something special, or in Arsenal’s case typical, had to happen.

1-0 to the Arsenal

Set-piece again Ole Ole. What a weapon and monster this is: 33 in 78 games now (since August 2023); that’s 0.42 per game! And it was a beauty of a set-piece. The fear factor for these is enormous, and that in itself is a reason for Arsenal’s success with these. What are the Gunners going to do this time? Who to mark? Why are they all standing at the back post? at the edge of the box? all in an offsite position? etc etc. It is just pure pandemonium.

2-0 to the Arsenal

The second goal was a team beauty and school example of how to beat a low block. Raise the tempo, push hard, make lots of movement in and around the box and defenders lose their whereabouts and control: organised chaos. Nwaneri was a big factor in this. He lost the ball but Rice regained it, the always quick thinking and acting Timber, on a high after his fine opening goal, played in Saka with a finely weighted ball into the box. Bukayo had plenty of time to look and plan his action. Gyokeres was ready to pounce and this created space and doubt in the defence; the young Englishmen sharpened his ‘weaker’ right foot and rifled the ball into the top far corner. Glorious.

3-0 to the Arsenal

The third goal is of course a very important one. It settled the game for us but, more importantly, it was Gyokeres’ first PL goal of his Arsenal career. And one from open play: after Calafiori launched him into space, Viktor had a lot to do but he had been waiting for such a ball all game long. It was a brilliant individual goal and scored with the sort of confidence and ease that we have been missing sorely from a central attacking in recent years. Welcome to the Arsenal, Viktor.

4-0 to the Arsenal

Set-piece again Ole Ole. Enough said.

5-0 to the Arsenal

Max Dowman on the ball, with or without space, is a joy to watch. He takes you back to playing football with jumpers for goal posts: caress the ball and move forward, take on opponents, and take them on again, until the ball is past the line. He gets fouled so often and has already gained two penalties for us in a handful of games on the pitch. Arsenal only got two PL penalties all season in 2024-25, and Max is the sort of player who will get them for us time and again. Gyokeres took the penalty the Neeskens way. No nonsense with tricking the goalkeeper, just filthy power. Boooooooooom.

I don’t think I have been happier this years, except for the drumming of the other Whites from Madrid at the home of football. Yes we lost a few players to injury but this is happening to all clubs at the moment. A five nil win is always wonderful, but it is that heavenly Eberechi Eze smile when he entered the ground that was especially sweet and will stay with me forever. Welcome home, son.

“The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” T.S. Eliot

By TotalArsenal

The announcement of the signing of Eze is imminent, and I think this is great news.

The much reported story of Eberechi’s love and attachment to Arsenal on the one hand, and all his qualities on the other hand makes me believe Arsenal have signed a top player. I don’t think Arsenal can make real progress by relying on Odegaard and the still so inexperienced Nwaneri in the middle and Trossard and Martinelli on the left. Madueke was a good signing to provide cover for Saka; Eze is next level given his age and PL experience. He is ready to rock and I reckon he is the missing link in our attack.

I can see Arsenal start with the following attack (Zubi/Norgaard – Rice/Merino behind them in midfield):

1. GOES: Eze – Ode – Gyo – Sak (3-1): two aggressive flanks with power, speed and dribbling skills, Ode has options left and right and through the middle; Viktor gets great service.
2. GEMS1: Madu – Eze – Gyo – Sak (3-1): two aggressive flanks with natural wingers, Eze offers drive and power through the middle and a great shot from outside the box, Viktor will be spoiled.
3. SEGH: Eze – Gyo+ Hav – Saka (2-2): As above but now Havertz and Gyokeres will alternate through the middle and offer combined strengths in the box/ defences will not know what is hitting them.
4. GEMS2: Eze – Saka – Gyo – Madu (3-1): Saka in the nr10 position to feed Eze, Gyo and Madu: players interchange and bamboozle the opposition, goals from all over the pitch and box.

The above combo’s can be further strengthen by starting one or two of Martinelli, Merino, Trossard, Nelson, Nwaneri or Dowman instead of one or two of the above. Our options are many.

It would be good to hear what my fellow BKers think of the Eze signing and what it will do to our attack (and all readers please comment). I anticipate that a few will worry about the potential lack of opportunity to play football in our first team for the likes of Nwaneri, Dowman and Nelson. These new arrivals will certainly make it harder for them, but, as MLS and Ethan showed last season, if young players get a chance and they grab it, Mikel will play them. It is a long season with plenty of games, and I for one am very, very happy to have such a strong squad now. Bring it on.

By TotalArsenal.

It was not pretty, it was not good, but a clean-sheet 1-0 to the Arsenal at Old Toilet certainly feels great.

This was an existential battle between two teams with a lot of pressure on them that definitely would have preferred this modern classic of an encounter not to be played as the season’s opener. You could tell from the start that the stakes were high: a game neither could afford to lose and would love to win.

Eight quick conclusions:

1. Our midfield effectiveness remains a work in progress (see previous posts). What can Arteta do to make Zubimendi and Rice much more effective? And why is Odegaard coming so deep to get the ball and carry it forward so often? I will have to watch the game again just to see these three midfielders in action again and then try to understand how they are interacting with each other. At the moment I am at a loss why I noticed them so little during the game.
2. The left wing is not working, and I am being kind. The big question is can Arsenal afford to not buy a left winger before the window shuts?
3. Bukayo was shackled and isolated, and so was Gyokeres. They both tried hard to have an impact but the midfield service and general team cohesion and tactics were well below par.
4. I know I am repeating myself, but the above-mentioned three points will be key to get right this season imho. I am happy that the team decided to keep Odegaard as our captain; he cares for the club and gives his all. The question that Arteta will have to answer is whether Martin needs a period on the bench as to regain his form and confidence. His final balls/passes/shots just lack confidence and precision, and it will hurt us if it doesn’t improve soon. We currently have two underperforming ‘Martins’ and there is a player, still in red and blue stripes South of the Thames, who would be ideal to push them both all the way. Please don’t let him go to the cheesy Spuds. In the meantime, let’s give Ethan a game or two in the nr10 position.
5. The really big positive to take from this game is the quality of our defending. The back five, all giant warriors, were outstanding. Raya was back to his very best after a couple of less convincing friendly games. He had presence and a couple of his saves were phenomenal, and I also thought that his contribution was good yesterday. Big Wil and Big Gab were awesome and all four full backs performed well. Calafiori just has the X-factor. He is still young but this may well be his big, breakout season. There is no fear or nervousness in this guy and it does not come as a surprise that he became our match winner. Love this guy.
6. We won again through a set-piece. This has the added effect that teams will worry even more about our ability to score from them, and that in itself is a factor contributing to the successfulness of them in future games. Set-piece again, set-piece again, set-piece again, Ole Ole! 🙂
7. Our bench was incredibly strong yesterday, and this had a big impact on our ability to see the game out and take all the three points back to North London. There were a couple of hairy moments but in general the team were in control and played with a maturity that bodes well for the season.
8. So, plenty to improve on and plenty to admire. Key is that we won, kept a clean sheet and now do not have to come back to leaky dump of red-Manchester for an entire PL season. As we played away for our first game, we will play at home for our last game, which may well be crucial. Starting the season away is seldom easy, and playing MU straightaway could have given us an awful start to the season. Luckily, the boys made sure that they were victorious, and that is just bliss. Bring on the newly promoted Peacocks!

By TotalArsenal