Norwich City visit the Grove on Wednesday for our first home match since the Premier League’s restart from Covid-19-induced suspension. The return to ‘new-normal’ football has seen us play four successive away games. Defeat in the first two games was disappointing and ended all our fantasies about a top five finish. While the match against the Mancunian oil-money whores saw a creditable first half performance, the Brighton defeat suggested our players had forgotten their Mikel Arteta’s lessons in defensive organisation. However, we come into this game in better fettle after hard fought but deserved victories against Southampton and Sheffield United.
On the other hand, the visitors have played all their games since the restart at home, losing all three with a cumulative score of 1-6. Norwich sit rooted to the bottom of the table with 21 points, 6 points adrift of three teams on 27 points and with a markedly inferior goal difference of -31. They have won 5, drawn 6 and lost 20 of their 31 league games this season. Norwich are adrift but not dead and we can expect them to be fighting hard to preserve their PL status, encouraged by a good performance at the weekend in their unlucky cup quarter final defeat to the Mancunian also rans in extra time.
I had planned to take my good friend Adrian to this match. A Norwich lad who has made a mark in London academia and has waited several years for the opportunity to see his first love at the Grove. Sadly, not this year and in truth, probably not next year either. The visit of Norwich always brings to mind the first match of the 1992-93 season on the opening weekend of the Premiership, when they shocked everyone by winning 4-2 at Highbury. They were a good team then under Mike Walker, finishing third that season (their highest ever league position) to secure a UEFA Cup place that saw them go on to beat Bayern Munich in the Olympic Stadium. That memory of a fine footballing side was trashed by an agricultural performance, by Paul Lambert’s Norwich team who kicked us to bits in a 3-3 draw in May 2012. However, Norwich’s football has improved considerably under Daniel Farke (does anyone else think of the Rowan and Martin Laugh-In?) whose team won the Championship with style in 2018-19. They have attempted to continue that style in the Premiership, winning admirers but failing to win enough games.
Arsenal have played Norwich City 59 times beginning with a 5-0 away victory in the FA Cup in January 1952. In all competitions, we have won 28, drawn 20 and lost 11. At our place the record is 18 wins, 8 draws and 4 defeats. In the Premiership, our home record is 5 wins, 2 draws and that solitary 1992 defeat. Our last meeting at their place in December was a 2-2 draw only 2 days after Freddie had taken temporary charge of a struggling Arsenal team. Norwich’s goals had the usual hallmarks of the porous Arsenal defence of recent vintage and came from Puki (who was on a goal drought at the time) and Cantwell (reputedly a Gooner). Our two equalisers were both scored by Aubameyang, the first a penalty, retaken after encroachment to howls of abuse and the usual Krull antics; the second a well taken shot from the corner of the 6-yard box from an Özil corner. Remember him? We owe the point to a finger-tip, full-stretch save by Leno late in the game from McLean who ran through our midfield and defence unhindered after a Xhaka turnover in our own half. All too familiar!
Norwich have a competent if somewhat irritating goalkeeper in Krull, two much-admired, rampaging young fullbacks in Aarons and Lewis with another promising young English defender in Godfrey. McLean, Buendia and Tettey have been their midfield regulars with 2 goals between them. Puki and Cantwell remain Norwich’s main threat with 11 and 7 goals respectively. Hernandez a Cuban winger, has 2 goals but is not a regular starter and Swiss striker Drmić has 4 goals from 4 starts and 15 substitute appearances. Expect him to replace Puki at some point unless we conspire to revive the Finn’s career again. Centre back Klose who received a red card on Saturday won’t be hugely missed as he has only started 4 games all season and I’m not convinced that the extra half hour on Saturday will have a major effect on this match as Norwich have had an extra day’s rest over the Arsenal players.
I expect Mikel Arteta to make a few changes again. Martinez has been very impressive in goal and will certainly start. I expect a back four of Bellerin, Mustafi, Holding and Tierney. Bellerin remains a worry as he is struggling to recapture his pre-ACL form but I suspect Mikel thinks he can play his way back to top form. Mustafi seems a much more reliable player under the new coach, Holding continues to regain match-fitness and recapture his former authority while Tierney is beginning to look the top player we hoped we had signed. Midfield options are limited. I would like to see Willock start after his impressive displays against Brighton and Sheffield United. Xhaka’s stabilising influence since the restart has been evident and I expect him to start. The third midfielder would ideally be Saka though he may need a rest, and a home game against the bottom team may be the best opportunity to give Özil a chance to show he can still contribute at this level. Ceballos’ late winner on Sunday may just edge him ahead of Özil as may his more reliable defensive contributions. A critical question is whether Mikel thinks we need to have the option of having 3 at the back when out of possession as we played against Southampton when Tierney moved in-field to make the three with Saka moving to a wingback role and against Sheffield when Tierney played wingback so effectively and Kolasinac played a left-sided centre back role. I suspect Mikel will feel that we shouldn’t need to be that cautious at home against Norwich. Up front I expect Mikel to start a steadily improving Pepe on the right and a rested Aubameyang on the left. I would start Nketiah at centre forward but I suspect Lacazette may get the nod in the hope that he’ll rediscover his way to goal at home.
I would very much like to see us keep a clean sheet and score at least two goals but we aren’t very good at the former so I’ll take any kind of win. The Holic Pound? I think the value bet on a realistic score is 3-2 at 25-1.
Stay safe Gooners. Go WIN, Arsenal!
Great preview ATG packed full of good sense and information. I remember seeing us lose 3-0 at home to Norwich in the quarter finals of the League Cup. Graham Paddon later of West Ham got a hat-trick . I’ve a soft spot for Norwich having nearly gone to live in Norfolk ( at Bruce Rioch’s old house . They play some terrific football. Burundian and Cantwell are very creative and Puki is a danger .
We are building some momentum and I think we may win this 3-0
Autocorrect is more creative than our midfield. Burundian is Buendia. I think he may be Argentinian not African!
a fun preview, bath. i certainly hope we don’t ship two goals to these cloggers. any win will do me, though. i’d like to see saka start on the bench, and give willock time with özil. it would be nice to see our “big wage” front four work together to sublime delight, eagerly supported and protected by young joseph.
i rewatched that goal again and again today, and it is still glorious!
Hey TTG thank you but the credit goes to Bath for this piece I just posted it 😀
World class goal nothing to add here…..
Nice preview, Bath.
As with your friend Adrian, one of the least serious effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been to deny me the chance to see this game from the stadium. I hope to be far more disappointed than he is when the final whistle blows tomorrow evening.
COYG
Excellent preview Bath, all
bases covered.
Good to read in the last drinks
that we’re going to do something
to mark Theo Foley’s passing.
Also in the last drinks
@ksn
😉
And good luck to Balogun if he
does go to Brentford, they are
a club on the rise just now.
MA made 5 changes for the
FA Cup game so I’m not sure
about the team apart from
Emi in goal. He must be tempted
to rest a couple.
Auba and Laca both need a goal.
A more optimistic 5-1 is my score
of choice.
Very comprehensive preview, Bath.
Difficult to know who Arteta will pick, given the need to rotate with a trip to Wolves coming up on Saturday. I would expect Saka to be one to be rested. Spin of a coin whether Bellerin or AMN is at right back/wing-back. The AMN/Pepe connection was showing some promise against Sheffield. Ozil’s availability is apparently 50/50, so a cameo off the bench may be the most likely, if anything, with Xhaka, Willock and Ceballos starting. Perhaps even a debut for Matt Smith off the bench.
It has the feel of a workman-like 2-0, but three points anyhow and no more injuries is the order of the day.
Excellent preview and interesting Norwich-related memories, Bath, though your identity did seem to get a bit dicey there for a moment or two. 🙂
Ceballos and Lacazette will want to finish the season on a roll so could be worth a watch.
COYG
@Ned,
Though I’ve gone for 5-1 I agree
any win will do as we’ve a run of
tricky games after this one
bt8@11, he was last seen turning into the marquis on his estate…
A fine preview, Bath. Mancunian oil-money whores made me laugh.
I think Saka has to be rested as we would need a fresh Saka against the wolves on Saturday. AMN hasn’t been given enough chances under Arteta and should start in place of Bellerin. AMN and Pepe support each other better and would strengthen our right flank. Luiz may get a start in place of Holding though I feel Luiz can play in the midfield and Holding can retain his place.
Martinez
AMN, Mustafi, Holding, Tierney
Xhaka, Luiz, Ceballos/Ozil (if fit)
Pepe, Nketiah/Laca, Auba.
We need to win irrespective of the team selected. 3-2 score is fine.
Forgot all about Guendouzi. He may get a start in place of Ceballos/Ozil.
Good to have so many decent options in the midfield.
Thanks, chaps.
ksn@14, I too would choose AMN over Hector after the former’s excellent display on Sunday. I too thought he linked up better with Pepe and I liked the interplay of AMN, Pepe, Mustafi and Willock on our right flank. However I suspect Mikel will want to give Hector game time to work himself back to form.
ksn@15, I too forgot all about Guendouzi. Interesting, that. Let’s see if Mikel has as well. I think Guendouzi, who appears to be a rather emotional young man, has crossed one of Mikel’s lines (and not by his actions at the end of the Brighton game) and will have to actively win back Mikel’s trust and support.
Nice preview Bath. The games are really coming thick and fast now!
Cheers Bath, a fine preview full of information & thoughts.
With our 5th game in 2 weeks Mikel will be looking at rotation. Although Saka is one of our “first on list” to play, surely he will need to be rested and this match could be the ideal one.
Young JW10 was very overplayed by AW and and had suffered subsequently in his career – no repeat with this outstanding talent please.
I would play AMN SM RH RT in defence, DC GX JW in midfield & NP EN P-EA in attack.
Hoping for a 3-1 scoreline. Puki’s goal scoring early form has long gone and he is now on a long goal drought, we love to end opposition player’s droughts – he’s nailed on to score.
Cheers Bath!
Lots of good stuff in that preview and little if any to disagree with. Isn’t it time our new 4-year contract right back started a game? No better time than this to see if he’s worth his salt or just a make-weight in a series of deals.
Just to be different I’ll go with:
Martinez,
Mustafi, Holding, Tierney,
Cedric, Kolasinac
Willock, Xhaka
Pepe, Nketiah, Aubameyang
I’d use my favourite player, the Fatering Fullback himself, as a marauding, battering ram, one footed distraction up the left thereby providing acres of space for Pepe on the right.
Mikel’s probably reading this thinking “Not a bad idea, BtM, not a bad idea at all, lad”
You’re welcome, MA8.
Apologies Bath for not acknowledging your genius. It’s a very good preview . The games are mounting up now aren’t they? North London Derby soon .
There appears to be a real interest in Thiago Silva on a free and Willian on a free. I’m sensing a very agent-driven transfer window
Bath, I have to say that ‘caning a Canary’ leaves me with a mental image of a great deal of blood, yellow feathers flying and a poor wee body with two big blue eyes and a broken beak lying on a sandpaper covered floor and Elton singing “Cage the Songbird” as an accompaniment.
Might you try for something a bit less brutal next time for those of us with a gentler sensitivity? This pandemic thingy has mellowed me.
Btm
‘ Cane the Canary ‘ sounds to me a little bit like the sort of Australian slang one used to see in the Barry McKenzie strip in Private Eye – referring to similarly unedifying but less brutal activity than you envisage! Perhaps that underlines the sensitivity of your gentle mindset and my more basic and wanton nature !
Heh @22 & 23!
It began as ‘Can Arsenal can the Canaries’ and then when I sought a frontispiece I came upon Jack’s timeless goal and the title became caning. It’s about time Arsenal gave someone a caning though I’m not sure that this squad are capable of it. We have lacked the killer instinct for many years.
BtM, all these years in polite Virginia society have clearly softened you up. A loon fae Fife fa willae nae doot hae had a fair few straikes o’ the tawse tae lick ye intae shape, widnae linger on thae simperin’ thoughts. It’s a metaphor and just watch those canaries dish it out tomorrow too. They’ll probably play that muckle chiel (big brute – Ed) Hanley to kick our strikers up in the air.
We seem to have a bit of fixture congestion coming up, most of all on 18 July, when we are listed by the BBC to have games at Villa Park and at Wembley both kicking off at the same hour. At the risk of someone accusing me of being overly political, something must change.
No kidding. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/teams/arsenal/scores-fixtures/2020-07
ttg@23, as wanton as the marquis’ wifelets?
BtM, I think Bath must have been educated at that fine institution in your neck of the woods whose school song is:
Oor wee school’s the best wee school.
It’s made o’ bricks and plaster.
The only thing that’s wrong wi’ it
Is the baldie-headed master.
He goes to the pub on Saturday night,
Then goes to the kirk on Sunday
To pray to God to gie him strength
To beat hell out of us bairns on Monday.
A thought occurs to me.
If Manchester Rowdies and Chel$kind qualify for Big Cup and Manchester Oilers are banned, does that mean the Arse go into the Europey League on F.A. Cup performance? What if we win the semi and the other finalist has qualified for Big Cup?
Just a thought.
COYG
Why just cane them?
Why not blast them to smithereens with heavy cannon?
@29
I think no. They changed the
rule so that you have to win it.
Or maybe it was the other way
round??? damn my failing memory
@28 – The very place, Ned. Our man in Auchterchoochty was, 6 foot 6 tall and 6 inches wide. No hair. Two large ears. A long nose. Went by the name of MR Malcolm, SIR!. We called him “The Beak’. He used to prowl, always on the outlook for miscreants – and miscreants beware!
Saka has committed to the club on a long- term contract
Partey is keen to join .
Two very good bits of news
Ornstein says Saka deal is done and announcement imminent. Also says Partey is a serious possibility.
https://theathletic.com/1902349/2020/07/01/exclusive-bukayo-saka-close-to-signing-new-long-term-arsenal-contract/?source=user_shared_article
Must be true if TTG, Ornstein and I say it is!
Interesting that the club has quickly followed this morning’s Arseblog article on Saliba missing the French Cup final with an “it’s not about money, it’s about his fitness plan” response.
Whichever, it’s a pity for him he’s missing that final game, but contracts are contracts; and Arsenal wouldn’t look very clever if there happened to be ‘another young player going under the knife’ because he was allowed to play in a Cup final.
I hope when he gets here, he lives up to the promise that his reputation heralds. Someone told me as I was about to putt yesterday that Arsenal has three of the top 10 young prospects in Europe (there is a list, apparently) in Martinelli, Saka and Saliba. I made the putt, three times round the hole, 12 inches up the pole, then in.
The holey trinity has spoken, C100.
Excellent news indeed TTG.
Now to sort out the remaining players with 12 months left on their contracts – some to go now & some to re-sign. Hopefully the “executive team” have matters well in hand but their track record to date doesn’t inspire confidence. Maybe the new virus affected financial scenario however will concentrate their minds.
Are you referring to the state of my gardening trousers BtM?
Cheers Bath !
Excellent preview packed full of good current stuff and interesting old stuff, some of which I never really knew in the first place, or I might have forgotten – I can’t honestly remember !
The goal scored in the picture at the top of the piece was a true work of art. If there is an Arsenal fan alive who hasn’t seen it, there were something like six or seven first touch passes involved in the build up, including Jack’s first touch pass into the net, past a mesmerised Canary keeper. Unforgettable. Unlike the real name for a Canary keeper, which I haven’t forgotten – I just don’t know it.
Come on you Reds !
PS – just noticed “the” goal is on video @3 – cheers, scruz !
Cazorla – Wilshere – Giroud – Wilshere – Giroud – Wilshere – net
”Astonishing – world class” – Tyler
I literally cannot stop watching it 👌🏻👏🏻😍
BtM,
Today I will mostly be wishing I had never read the last 12 words of your post @36 😱🤪
Saka signing official: https://www.arsenal.com/news/bukayo-saka-signs-new-long-term-contract
And a stat to go with it: With 11 assists this term, Bukayo is the first teenager to hit double figures in a single season for us since Cesc Fabregas in 2006/07.
Unfamiliar ref today, Peter Bankes. This will be only his eighth Premiership match in charge. First time he has had the whistle in a game involving us, but he did Wolves visit to Carrow Road earlier in the season and has officiated seven Norwich games in the Championship over the years.
Great news on Saka.
This must be the equivalent of a big name signing for top young players, to encourage them into a club where they know they will get a chance.
It’s going to be a long way back to the top but we are accumulating a lot of top semi-polished diamonds. Has to be the way to go.
Saka has played it perfectly. Only having seen him since he broke into the team, all I can say is the combination of maturity and skills he has shown on the pitch make him truly deserving of whatever he got from the club, which should be ecstatic to have him signed well into the future.
This from the article cited by NBN, copied here as a reminder of how far he has come: “He has made an impressive impact this season and has now made 37 first-team appearances since his debut in the Europa League in November 2018.
Bukayo made his Premier League debut at the age of 17 in a 4–1 win against Fulham last season.”
Wonderful news!
The man himself:
The future is red and white.
Bukayo Saka: ‘One player in particular I have to say is, David Luiz. He’s a man with a big heart and he goes out of his way all the time to advise and help all the young players. He is a very important member of our squad’
A nicely timed 50 Bath to go with
some nicely timed news on
Saka.
Saka – Wonderful news indeed. He has the potential to be as potent a contributor to a team’s performance as Cesc Fabregas (and that includes national team in a World Cup final).
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a ‘spine’ began to be built on a full term career basis featuring Leno in goal, William Saliba at the back, Saka in midfield and Martinelli up front?
Tierney, Willock, Nketiah, Nelson are showing sufficient early promise to be considered as supporting ‘body parts’ and other young talents are coursing through the veins toward first team prominence. (Have I been hanging out with Bath for too long?)
We have, of course, seen a version of this movie before. This time around, let’s hope Oscar comes to North London.
Nice
god, thank you. this signing makes me so happy. not least because it means we’re not just another small north london club, but a huge club that can build from within to hopefully attract the parts we need from without.
so glad you signed da ting, Bukayo!
🎈🎈S🎈🎈🎊🎊A🎊🎊🎈🎈K🎈🎈A
This cracked me up….the line from the older lady on the sofa 😀
Congratulations to Vivianne
Miedema, FWA player of the
year. Well deserved and I hope
she can get another trophy in
the CL.
Tim Lewis, the Clifford Chance lawyer who advised on the Kroenke share acquisitions, is joining the board. He is a specialist in M&A and reorganisations.
https://www.cliffordchance.com/people_and_places/people/partners/gb/tim_lewis.html
Arsenal: Martinez, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Xhaka, Ceballos, Tierney, Nelson, Aubameyang, Lacazette
Subs: Macey, Sokratis, Holding, Cedric, Maitland-Niles, Willock, Saka, Pepe, Nketiah
Looks like the team is going to be:
Martinez
Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac
Bellerin, Xhaka, Ceballos, Tierney
Nelson, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Starting XI confirmed.
Bench: Macey, Sokratis, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Cédric Soares, Pépe, Willock, Nketiah, Saka
You’re too quick for me, Esso.
Looks like 3-4-3 is becoming a thing.
Not TTG? We’z been robbed.
Decent looking team though. Just when they think they’ve got us figured out, BAM, that’s when we bring on Pepe and Saka.
Bath@53: Nice pic of Arteta and Saka. I bet Arteta’s hand didn’t leave Saka’s shoulder from the moment he sat down until the ink was dry on the signature.
63 refers to Ned’s at 58
Martinez, Mustafi, David Luiz, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Xhaka, Ceballos, Tierney, Nelson, Lacazette, Aubameyang
Strange to use Kola in the centre when we have Holding and Sokratis on the bench .
Re Saliba we agreed to let Saliba play but it would have triggered a payment of £2.5 m which St. Etienne would not waive . So stuff them
No sign of Özil or Guendouzi. I think both of those guys have thoroughly pissed Mikel off and they will need to work very hard at building new bridges if they are going to be involved in his plans for his team.
Mikel on being asked about Özil and Gwen, with a smile:
“The situation hasn’t changed.”
Then asked “What is the situation?”
Smiles again,
“The same as last week!”
Masterful. He was very Arsene Wenger-is there. I love him. I’m very optimistic that he will build a successful Arsenal team if he gets the support he deserves.
@67
I suppose Kola on the left offers
more flexibility as he can go
forward and Kieran cover –
differing players offering a
differing threat to Norwich.
Of course it might that MA just
doesn’t rate Rob or Papa.
Thanks for the info on Saliba by
the way. Very greedy of St. Etienne.
COYG. I’ll be watching and cheering. But they say there’s no option not to have fake fan noise. Can’t wait for the fake Norwich away fans to start a round of Is this a library
TTG@67: So the party line about St Etienne not agreeing to our fitness plan for Sabila in return for him playing in the final is baseless propaganda?
COYG!
shoot it, hecate!
Hesgoal has served up a NBC stream tonight. No Macnanaman thank goodness.
i don’t know what you lot are all seeing, but the camera crew today are championship level. yikes.
i do like how we are playing today. we’re definitely getting in amongst the canaries.
not to jinx anything.
Ceballos playing very well and putting some lovely balls into the box.
everyone seems to be playing well. that mus throughball to hecate was beautiful, as was hecate’s run. he shoulda shot, though.
Lava cannae buy a goal
just watch, hell get in his flow and erupt, btm…
Auba!!!!
That’s is gift number two second game running from keepers against us…
Get in Auba
bwa ha haaa, we have beaten the krull.
Needed that goal. 50 up Auba. Danger of lots of pressure but nowt to show for it.
Opposing teams have figured out that we can’t score without their help and their goalies are doing their best to help. Southampton last league match and Norwich now.
xhaka!
Wow I’m impressed get Xhaka
perfectly timed, ksn!
Xhaka!!!!
Tierney shows why he is rated so highly. Auba with an assist.
Some great crosses. Giroud would have had a hat trick by now
if lava were 3 inches taller he’d have 2.
Look away BtM. 😉 🙏🏼It looks like the canaries might be going to get a caning.
We look dominant now. Like the way Tierney hugs the line instead of cutting in which gives us greater depth in attack.
Thanks, Scruzgooner. Nothing else to do.
ceballos having a great game. he’s a real heel-nipper.
good save emi!
Good save by Martinez. Mustafi carelessly giving away a free kick in a dangerous position. Can’t get complacent now.
Feathers and blood, Bath. Feathers and blood. I’m getting squeamish.
Putting me in the mood for a visit to the faltering Fullback, Le Grove and then a good night out at Pappagone. Anybody in??
Did I get there?
Bugger.
Taps it across the D to himself, runs on, back heels it up to his head and then nods it in for the ton.
Too slow in the hole there C100. Been one of those days for you 🙂
and c1000 with a tabs moment. well-in for the ton, btm.
if we can use this game as a template for all teams, and get better and better at it game after game, we could be going somewhere other than mid-table next year. the pressing is beautiful to watch, though (as you say rightly ksn) the defensive mistakes are still causing lower-body orifice tightening…if we can excise those mistakes and keep the front half work as good as it’s been today, well, i’ll be a happy camper and we’ll be on our way!
For some reason my stream has moved to BT. Who’s commentating? Lots of Canary subs and Rob’s on for Mustafi. Brain upgrade.
Holing on for Mustafi. Not sure why. Norwich make three changes one of whom forces a good save from Martinez.
BtM @100 I’m up for that, sir.
OOOOO! Good save Emi!
Btm
Sounds great . Won’t it be brilliant to do it again !
Holding not Holing.
BtM, that’s ex-canary, Chris Sutton. A right plucker!
Why do we always start the second half in a dopey state? Does someone slip something in the tea?
baff, just shaking my head about that. we look hesitant and confused. norwich have regained some self-possession. we need to take back control and the initiative.
Their subs are making a difference and Norwich have kept Us pinned in our half and twice have come close to threatening our goal. We need to wake up.
what the hell was that, hecate?
Willock on for Nelson. Nelson looked a little rusty.
Didn’t make the most of that opportunity, ken.
Mike Dean checking for a penalty against us. He says no penalty!
our defending is a bit last gasp right now. COYG!
We haven’t left the dressing room for the second half yet
Martinez gets a card for time wasting!
auba putting on great pressure from the front.
nearly, joe, you eager beaver.
auba!!
Auba 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Auba gets his second off a Norwich mis pass.
blood and feathers everywhere.
Canaries caned
norwich coach looks to be spitting feathers, too.
Arteta is really full on with them during these brakes. Big change from “Good ebening”
Love me a bit of blood and feathers!
If we have any ambition in this team we need to flay this shower.
5 is a minimum!
I was relieved to see us reverse the momentum with a third. We had started to be dominated after a very good first half . Eddie needs to come on for the disappointing Lacazette
kola seems to have taken over xhaka’s “slow it down” mantle. contrast with the drive dani is showing.
Our next five matches are against Wolves, Leicester, Totts, Pool and City (in the FA Cup). Really tough schedule.
ksn all we have to do is get better and better each game 😉
Nketiah and Cedric on for Laca and Bellerin.
a cedric sighting, and laca out for eddie.
True, Scruzgooner, but it will take a lot out of the team physically. Arteta will have his job cut out to manage the squad properly.
CEDRIC!
cedric!
Cedric scores!!!!
welcome to the club, ced!
Fuck me what a hit by Cedric
Pepe on for Auba. Good substitution. Keep Auba fresh.
seriously, c100. i thought eddie got his head to it, or a deflection, but it was all ball movement!
Canaries double caned.
Arsenal go ahead of Sp*rs. St Totteringham is clearing her throat.
oooh, nice move, joe just outside the upright.
Nketiah is definitely an upgrade on Lacazette.
this game is a tonic for what ails ya, we are so good at times!
and everton taking points from leicester.
Norwich got caned but not disgraced. They are careless and very attacking for a team which is leaking goals and losing regularly but we played well and took our chances.
job well done, lads!
A good win and a bit of a caning for the canaries. Blood and feathers but not a complete stuffing. Love me a bit of stuffing.
That was good. We did what top half teams are meant to do to relegation candidates, but we were gifted two goals.
Very good signs tonight.
We had a very good team shape in the first half .
We struggled at the start of the second half but bringing on Willock and Nketiah and ultimately Pepe gave us much more fluid movement again . I was impressed by Ceballos and Tierney as well as Aubameyang. Ceballos clearly has great ability but is he a flat- track bully ? Can he play like that against the top-six teams ? We need to be more able to control midfield for 90 minutes but there is much to be encouraged about
Other Arsenal players to score on their Premier League debuts:
Laca, Auba, Freddie, Adebayor, Nasri, Vermaelen.
Cedric is our joint second-fastest Premiership debutant scorer tied with Samir Nasri at 4 minutes but behind Laca at 2 minutes. He is the fastest scoring debutant to come on as a sub, ahead of Freddie at 5 minutes.
I have had a wave of optimism come over me and I do believe that unless Barca or Real Madrid come in for him, PEA will sign an extension to stay with Arsenal and contribute to the Arteta Renaissance (c). In the first instance he may simply not leave this summer but will then sign a new contract in response to our impressive beginning to the new season. You heard it here first.
Bath I’ve told you before to stick to the good stuff and not touch that home made hooch you brewed up in the shed. It’s giving you hallucinations. A man of your means as well.
Heh!
It’s a mellow Chilean Carmeniere actually.
Jacky boy coming on for Wet Spam
Cracking win, not quite the 5-1
predicted but close enough.
Pleased for Auba to get scoring
again as there’s a fee games
coming where we’ll need his
goals. 6 points behind Wolves
and them next
It was good to see Auba smiling broadly and doing that celebratory flip of his after scoring. We don’t want to lose someone who got to 50 Premiership goals in fewer games than TH14. Arteta sounds upbeat that Auba will stay, but then I guess he has to be.
Big win for the Spammers today. Not sure what I want from the Sheffield-Totts game, a draw or a Blades win. We’ll drop to eighth either way. Those three dropped points at Brighton are looking more expensive with the passing of every day.
i will take a draw, ned@164. we’re done with the blades, but have to play totts, so being behind them on goal difference won’t matter…they’ll be behind us on points after our visit to their toilet bowl. then, given big enough wins against wolves and scum, and leicester, we’ll be in 6th, pushing for 5th.
*passes back to baff the wave of optimism (shed-brewed, vintage 2020)*
Huge game incoming against Wolves in Saturday afternoon. What poor bastard has to write that preview? Oh shit it’s me …😪😪
I’d like to hold on to Auba so his next 50 (100?) goals for us are more meaningful than the first 50, what with Arsenal being on an upward trajectory in case you haven’t noticed. He’s a likely candidate to get the winning goal against Barcelona or Bayern to bring home Big Ears,
Well, all we have to do now is win our final five games and hope that others screw up grandly. Simple as that 🙂 15 additional points will put a fine sheen on Mikel’s first season. Two Cup wins would put some welcome silver on the mantlepiece.
Sadly, Ned, the Brighton points were a damaging and very avoidable loss.
Nothing Is Easy.
They were that, BtM.
The Wolves game is a six-pointer, C100. Anything other than a win will leave the gap with the top six uncloseable.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>