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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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…
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.
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.
We do it to ourselves, and that’s what truly hurts. The unexpected loss at Bournemouth last weekend is still hurting. I have written on BK many a time that having to play an away game after an interlull – the second time this season – conjures a real risk of losing points. The players come back at different times jetlagged and possibly with injuries from those international games, and Arteta has little time to get back into the groove with the players; if and when the team then also has to travel, it becomes even harder to prepare properly.
Saliba made the sort of mistake the three years older Big Gab made at the same age as the Frenchman is now. We forget how young Saliba still is (23), and I also wonder whether fatigue played a role in his costly decision to commit a foul that led to him receiving a red card. It is all behind us now, though, and the team have a great chance to put a marker down today. Beat Pool and all the critics will be silenced, the boys will be full of confidence and we will be ready for the difficult away games to come at Newcastle and Chelsea. On that note, is it not simply ridiculous that within the first third of the season, Arsenal have to play away Spuds, Blue Mancs, Villa, Magpies and Chavs?! If we get through this period without too much damage and close to Pool and Citeh, I think we are in a great position to fight for the title during the remaining two-thirds of the season.
This is for me the bigger picture of the season so far: we need a win today and some good results away before the next horrible interlull commences, and after that Arsenal will be able to fire from all cylinders and go on a run, especially if the Ode is back in contention then.
The lineup for today is hard to predict. I have a feeling that Bukayo will be back, and boy do we need him today. With Ben White probably partnering Big Gab in central defence, whoever plays right full back will need Bukayo’s support in defence. We also need Saka in attack of course.
The big battle will be in the middle. Gravenberch has been very effective in Pool’s midfield, and Partey and the until now underperforming Rice will have their work cut out today to stop him linking midfield with attack. We need you today, Declan! I expect Havertz and the Belgian insomniac to play through the middle in attack/midfield and Martinelli and hopefully Saka on the wings. Here is hoping that we can play at least one of Calafiori and Timber on the flanks. If Partey is chosen for the right full back position, I would imagine Merino will partner Declan in midfield, or maybe Jorginho gets the nod… Well let’s wait and see what it will look like. The boys know what is needed today: a big fight for three points whilst keeping all players on the pitch.
It is Monday and we are more than half way through the second interlull of the season. I wonder how many club football fans would vote in favour of abolishing international games during the club-football season; I would imagine it to be close to 100%. I like watching the international games, but only if they are played at high intensity levels and any injuries would not have such an impact on Arsenal’s fortunes in the PL. This is clearly incompatible during the club-season, and as a result we are watching slow tempo, no risk and low intensity games, and it sucks. And yet we still have our star players returning home injured, with Saka the latest victim whilst Odegaard has missed many key games already.
In a past post I have suggested that the club-football season should not be interrupted and that all international games should be played after it. There would be plenty of time for all international games to be played during a now longer break period: all players can give their all without them and their clubs worrying too much about injuries, so there then would be the required focus and intensity during all the international games.
Anyway, we are where we are and we hope that Bukayo’s injury is not too bad. Saka has been immense with nine assists/goals in the PL already; that’s just one less than Haaland, and that without Ode and Ben in many of these games. I will never tire of watching Bukayo’s off and with the ball actions, and I don’t think I have ever watched a more efficient AND effective winger strut their stuff in the PL. I guess Mikel did bring Raheem Sterling in to deal with a possible Saka absence, and first signs have been good. Well, let’s see what will happen next.
The absence of Odegaard and, until recently, Mikel Merino, did not hurt us too much until now, and I am excited about what our team will be able to do once all are fit and available. I doff my hat to Thomas Partey who has carried our midfield over the last two months and has been quietly sensational. IF, and it is a big if, Thomas can stay fit throughout most of the season, Arsenal will have such a chance to make it all the way. And there is more to come from our midfield: Declan is not purring as yet, Merino has yet to settle into the team, and our captain’s return, whenever that may be (hopefully soon), will lift the whole team.
It’s this imminently strengthening of our midfield that makes me believe we are yet to see what this Arteta-Arsenal team is really capable of. The defence is solid, our full backs have become all-round monsters, our attack is starting to reach full fire-power; and with an ever stronger, more versatile, and fully-fit midfield, I think we can continue, and even improve, on our excellent start to the season.
Key in all of this is developing a style of play that suits the team and is as effective at home and away. In our away games we tend to sit back more and lean on our defence qualities, whereas at home we push up much more and aim to dominate teams in their own half. The former seems our more natural style of play and the latter is not working as well as as it should do. We are simply conceding too many goals at home, and leave ourselves with too much to do to get maximum points: sooner or later it is going to cost us. And for me this is the nr1 goal for our midfield: get the balance right between making us a defensive fortress and a ferocious attacking machine, home and away. Will Rice, Partey, Odegaard and Merino be able to do just that: what do you think?
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.
As a matter of fact, and for many reasons, PSG will be a test.
First, because they will try to hurt us as in England, only City and ‘Pool were dead set on doing when traveling to London, in the latter seasons. Maybe even more so, since we have to keep in mind that they know, the journalists know, the fans know that at ” home ” they’ll win the double, again, this season. As a consequence of which, their season’s real assessment is based on CL performances only.
To tell you how true this is, their home win (I repeat: their win!) against Girona ten days ago almost triggered the start of a crisis, because their display had been so poor. For them, and all the usual observers of French football – starting with the ” L’Équipe guys ” for whom the flat EEG of French football is a nightmare, they love nothing more than a PSG crisis – even a draw will be deemed unacceptable. Which is why they won’t bother much about us, and will play on their strengths, the main of which being … their midfield.
Now that Mbappé is gone, that Ramos is injured, and since Enrique doesn’t rate Kolo-Muani, there’s a fair chance they will play with a ” false 9 “, which they’ve done for the last 3 or 4 games, with Asensio ” upfront “. But he might not be back from injury, which means their 3-man midfield will be Zaïre-Emery/Neves/Vitinha, while the fourth man is very likely to be Ruiz. Whether it be Asensio or Ruiz anyway, well … this is a technically very, very strong engine room, all the more so since they’ve been Enrique-drilled for a year now, and we all know how obsessed he is with not giving the ball away foolishly.
So much so that, as far as possession is concerned, I don’t think we will get the better of them, which we shouldn’t have too many bad dreams about, since the latest version of Mikel’s Arsenal has been so impressive defensively. But … there’s giving up possession and there’s giving up possession, isn’t there? It would be suicidal to let them enjoy 70% or more of it, which is why (back to square one) either Leandro, or Kai, has to go, imo, so we can field a third man in midfield by Declan and Thomas’s side. My pick would be – however impressive Ethan’s cameo may have been yesterday – Jorginho, so as to play Declan in a (much) more advanced position.
As for our CF I’d go with Leandro who is an incredibly smart, streetwise forward, our one and only cold-blooded assassin in the box too … but I think it’s ” Smudge ” Kai who will get the nod, and that’s fine with me as well, even though I think he’s not at his best right now … but he has that mean streak which allows him never to have a 100% ” off ” day.
Whether this is the kind of lineup Mikel has in mind or not (I’m not sure about this at all, I think he might decide to keep on with the Leandro-Kai pair), our guy upfront will get opportunities, since their ” weakness ” (if I could use a dozen inverted commas there, I would) certainly is their central defense. Marquinhos has been on the wane for a few seasons already, but will play (and skip them), while the new boy Pacho looks good, but is finding his feet at the moment. Lucas Hernandez’s absence is a terrible blow to them, imo, but I’m biased here. I think Lucas is one of the very best French defenders … ever. I keep thinking he’s the unsung hero of the 2018 WC, when he was our best player – not Pogba, not Lloris, Not Mbappé, not Kanté, not Griezmann … Lucas! (I can’t bear the recollections of Anfield ’89 leaving Kevin Richardson out of the praise either, but that’s another story of course). (1) (2) Tuesday’s game will be a war of the Titans … on the wings. I agree with all you have said, TA, in your previous post about Marti, Bukayo, Jurrien, and 2024 Maldini, but the four of them will be put to the test Tuesday night. The Saka-Mendes showdown will be a game within the game. The whole point will be which one will turn the other into a defender. If Bukayo does so, and keeps Mendes on the back foot, he’ll have won a decisive victory for the whole team, given how dangerous the Portuguese is when he can turn into a winger. Upfront, on the left, there will be Barcola, who is the brand new French wonderkid. He’s a free-spirit, Bradley, constantly inventing, improvising, you never know whether he’ll choose to go wide and look for an assist, or dart inside and try to get his name on the scoresheet; he will be Jurrien’s first very significant test.
The same could be said of the other wing, and I don’t see how Riccardo could do anything but focus on defending. I don’t know how much you know of Dembelé, guys, but believe me he’s a true wizard, a dribbling magician. Of course once he has dribbled past his defender, he often looks like a barking dog having finally caught the car he was chasing … and who doesn’t know what to with it, but he has improved his scoring output lately, so our legionary will have to stand his ground, put Ousmane under constant pressure. Lastly, there’s the Hakimi-Martinelli duel: Gab has picked the perfect moment to get his form back, hasn’t he? I think he can prevail, disturb Hakimi with his futsal style of dribbles, as well as thwart him when the Moroccan wanders upfront.
So … a classic you never know, of course, but I’d be very disappointed if we were no treated to a true CL night, round-of-8 level at least …
Serious plot twist(s) about tomorrow’s game – what’ll take place on our left flank in particular.
What’s sure is that Dembelé won’t play. He’s rumoured to have had a “heated” (understatement) argument with Enrique after the Rennes game. Looks like the Spaniard didn’t like it one bit, so much so that Ousmane won’t even make the trip to London. His usual backup is the Korean Lee Kang-in, a muscular, fast, hard-working left-footed RW, who’s the perfect, relentless team player, but is not at Ousmane’s level … More worrying are the news about Calafiori, who’s said to have been seriously (??) injured in stoppage time against Leicester. Let’s hope this is clickbait nonsense, otherwise Myles Lewis-Skelly, in the absences of Ben-Kieran-Oleksander-Tomi … is very likely to be given the first start in CL of his so-promising young career. The lad would have to rein in his attacking instincts, though, otherwise Lee might wreak havoc in the open space in our back line … I do hope the Riccardo rumours will turn out to be nothing at all – the importance he has taken in our setup, in so little time, is nothing short of mind-blowing.
Having first listened to the whole game and then watched it for the first time this morning, I have thoroughly enjoyed Arsenal’s contest with the Foxes, and I am glad that the boys were re-taught a lesson without having to pay for it. The excellent Arsenal.com radio commentary pictured for me a first half in which we totally dominated, and there was even a suggestion that, the way things were going, Arteta could give the youngsters some time in the second half. Getting that second goal in extra time created a real feeling that the game was in the bag.
But football is a great game because it has it’s own laws of logic and is always able to to throw a surprise at us. The Foxes scored very soon after the re-start from a free-kick, helped by a big deflection, and their tails were well and truly up. All of a sudden we had much less control in midfield and Leicester was particularly strong on their left side – our ride side – and soon we had another surprise: a superb technical effort by the all-round impressive Justin found the back of the net, and all of a sudden Arsenal’s two-goal lead had evaporated.
Now we had a real game on our hands, and Hermansen seemed determined to do a Raya on us with a number of superb stops from all sorts of efforts by the boys. It took till the 95th minute before we finally, and fortuitously, scored the winner. It was definitely deserved but it was still a bit harsh on the Foxes who I thought fought hard throughout the match and never allowed us to just play our game, including in the first half. As a result the boys had to work really, really hard to get the three points. It goes to show that there are no easy games and that we need to remain focussed for the entire game. Next time round we are likely to be less lucky and vital points will be dropped.
Eight quick observations:
We have our left side back. I wrote about this a short while ago: the arrival of Calafiori is great news for Martinelli. He pushed forward constantly and his style of play is reminiscent of Granit. Calafiori has a similar strong and versatile left foot and his strength and intelligence on the pitch also reminded me of our former Swiss maestro. Yes the Italian is our left full back and Xhaka was a midfielder for us, but their contributions to the team are very similar. Martinelli got plenty of service from the Italian and Declan, and with a goal and an assist I would imagine he slept very well last night.
Saka was once again quietly magnificent. Bukayo is the King of Assists with 5 in 6 games; and he has already created 20 chances, more than any other PL player except McNeil at Everton. He did not get another assists today, but despite Leicester double marking him and giving him as little space as possible, Saka was a constant threat. His first touch is fabulous, his passing is sharp, his decision-making is so mature and his unpredictability keeps astounding me.
We had two very good functioning wings but the middle is still a work in progress. With the Ode gone we lack a player that can open up defences right through the middle. I think we all feel that Nwaneri is the man to do it and sooner or later Arteta will have to start him in the nr10 position. He certainly made an instant difference when he came on, late in the game. Playing both Havertz and Trossard through the middle is certainly a work in progress: it feels like duplication at times.
I am a bit disappointed in Declan’s start of the season. He works as hard as ever, but his creative/attacking contributions are below par imho. He just does not seem his former self somehow, and I wonder what’s causing this.
Although, as per my third point, I am not sure whether playing both Havertz and Trossard centrally in attack is an entirely good thing, it cannot be argued that they both work hard and are excellent at positioning themselves dangerously in the box. Especially the Belgian is a master at this. At times I had forgotten he was on the pitch, and I guess the same goes for the opposition’s defenders. He worked himself into great positions and on another day he would have scored a hattrick. Both Havertz and Trossard ended up on the score-sheet, so maybe this combination is to be continued for a while.
Timber had a very good game in terms of supporting the attack, and especially Saka – who really is missing the Ode – is benefiting from this. Yet, there is work to be done in terms of defending our right flank. Timber is a fine defender but White and Saliba have a great mutual understanding of what needs doing when and where, and there were too many gaps in that area of which Leicester took full advantage. I thought Partey did well in supporting the attack, but he was also guilty of leaving too much space for the Foxes’ attacks in that area.
Still, the additions to the first team of the full backs Timber and Calafiori have made us a stronger team all round. We have two new beasts on the flanks and they really are adding another dimension to our play.
Finally, the press are trying to produce a new managerial heavy-weight rivalry between Giardiola and Arteta. These rivalries are of course fun to write about, and creating a rift between the two is therefore worthwhile. I think Pep’s lesser command of the English language is not helping here, as it can easily be misinterpreted. But I am sure that both Spaniards will not fall for it. On the other hand, both sets of players may well enter a period of bitter rivalry, and I am all for it. It looks more and more that Arteta is putting together a team that has the best of Graham and Wenger: steel, cheek, athleticism, style, quality, hunger and tenacity. A mighty red and white storm is coming towards Arsenal’s PL rivals, and they all know it.
A home draw against League One opposition made for a pleasant change and an opportunity for Mikel Arteta to give some of his current generation of youngsters some minutes in a senior match. It was my second visit of the season to the Emirates and I thoroughly looked forward to and was confident of seeing the Arsenal manager pick an interesting squad. He didn’t disappoint.
Bolton Wanderers are not the Bolton Wanderers of the Sam Allardyce era but they’re not a Sunday league team from the Hackney Marshes either, so Arteta needed to be sensible in selecting a balanced team that would allow our youngsters to perform safe in the knowledge that there would be some experience around to lend a guiding hand whilst allowing them the opportunity and freedom to express themselves. Bolton’s goal came from this freedom to express but the old heads steadied the ship and no damage was done. It’s all part of the learning process and why it’s irresponsible to expect the manager of a big serious club to play a team of kids in a senior game.
A brutal run of Premier League, Champions League and Internationals had eaten into the Arsenal squad so much so that 16 year old Jack Porter made his senior debut in goal, 18 months to two years before he was I feel properly ready, but needs must and young Jack performed well all things considered. He had a nervy start but did well when punching clear from a corner from amongst a gaggle of players. The defence didn’t pass back to him as often as usual but had the common sense to protect him and not put him under undue pressure. He could do little about the Bolton goal, probably going to ground a little early but given the experience of playing in front of several thousand Bolton fans who no doubt gave him plenty of helpful tips on his goalkeeping, he actually came out the game with plenty of positives.
Josh Nichols made a good impression in the US tour and he didn’t tarnish that impression with a solid and dependable display at right-back, Arteta was obviously happy with what he saw from Josh as he played the full 90+ minutes. He had to contend with a few robust Bolton challenges early in the game but as his confidence grew so did his performance and he can feel very satisfied with his nights work. Good things happen to you if you work hard and you have talent and Josh is proof of that.
Myles Lewis Skelly is a wonderfully gifted and versatile young man who fitted into the floating role from left back, joining the midfield and creating some excellent openings for his team mates. He linked up with Raheem Stirling faultlessly and as if he’d been playing 1st team for months, he is another from this impressive group who graduated together from Hale End, you won’t get quality like this every year despite your wishes to believe it’s so, but anyone whose watched youngsters come through the youth team as long as I have can tell when there’s a special class of youngsters and we are currently seeing a special group develop. Myles left the field with a leg injury which I hope isn’t too serious because he’s going to get plenty of minutes this season and Arteta will need him.
Ethan Nwaneri is the poster boy from this class of youngsters, every big club wanted him before he signed professional but he trusted Arteta and Arteta has trusted him. Ethan like Josh played the full 90+ minutes and he scored two goals. I’m sure that there’s plenty more goals to come from him and I’m certain he’ll get plenty more minutes this season. He has a beautiful low centre of gravity as he switches direction and sprints away from opponents, his first goal was a testament to his speed and anticipation as Stirling’s low cross evaded the onrushing Jesus but didn’t evade Ethan who tucked it away. His second goal came via the intelligent anticipation of Declan Rice who dispossessed a Bolton player and passed to Ethan, Declan ran for the return but Ethan had only eyes for the goal and put it away with aplomb.
Declan had earlier scored the Arsenal opener via a deflection from a Nichols low cross and overall enjoyed a satisfying evenings work before being substituted. Kai Havertz came on and scored the 5th after smart work from Stirling, I always enjoy seeing our tall German hit the net.
Stirling himself ended his goal drought after fine work from Jesus and the imperious Saka who showed us some of his many trick to bamboozle the Bolton left-back and put it on a plate for Raheem.
Kiwior got the chance to play centre back as did Califiori and both sailed effortlessly through the match eventually being replaced by Gabriel and another debutee in Maldini Kacurri. I didn’t see much after the Havertz goal as I had to leave early, therefore I missed the debut of Kabia who replaced Stirling on 81 minutes.
So 4 debutees and 2 earning their full debuts in a very compelling and competitive cup tie against experienced, seasoned professionals looking to cause an upset. In another era Arsene Wenger would be lionised as a purveyor of youth by playing 6 youngsters, but, alas some still carry a pathological dislike of our present manager so 6 youngsters playing in the 1st team will be dismissed and ignored. It says much about them I suppose!
Honourable mentions in dispatches for Jesus, who worked tirelessly but cannot buy a goal for love nor money, Jorginho who was like everyone’s favourite Dad going around spreading a calming influence and no doubt a calming word and Martinelli who despite doing enough running in recent matches to win a marathon still came on and fizzed about.
Credit to the players, credit to the fans, many able to visit the Emirates for the first time in ages, credit to the Arsenal coaching staff and credit to Mikel Arteta who proved irrevocably that he will use youngsters, but only if they’re good enough…
Bergkampesque 