My first visit to The Emirates this season threw up a somewhat strange game between Arsenal and Crystal Palace, although the result went the right way as we ran out 3-2 winners thanks to a second half hat-trick from Gabriel Jesus.
We lined up with Partey at right back and Timber next to him in on the right side of central defence. Kiwior partnered him and Kieran Tierney started at left back for the first time since God was in short trousers. It didn’t look terrible on paper, but it did not fill me with confidence either. My concern proved unfortunately well-founded when Palace punted a ball upfield and Kiwior failed to win his header, allowing Mateta to run through and hold him off, finishing into the bottom corner.
Much like against Fulham, we let the opposition score with their first and only sight of goal before we dominated the rest of the half without creating much in the way of proper opportunities. We looked a bit laboured and couldn’t get out of our own way.
Partey and Timber were on each other’s toes. The ball progression out to Sterling was too slow and I can see why he doesn’t bother making the runs in behind that he has built a career on when there is no-one interested in playing the pass to get him in. He was okay today, not awful but not adding much, although he had a great free kick well saved by Henderson, who also made a save in the second half when ‘Raz’ should probably have scored from a Tierney cross before hitting the bar with the rebound. The problem with him on the right wing is that we try to give him the ball in the same areas as we give it to Saka, without any attempt to play to his strengths. Frustrating all round.
Merino and Nwaneri were not on the same wavelength, so there was often no-one in central midfield as they both pulled wide or dropped deep. The former struggled to get in the game, the latter really hasn’t worked out how to be effective in our team and if the point of buying an established 28-year-old professional was to minimise the bedding in period then it has not come to fruition so far. Trossard was busy but wayward. KT3 was obviously a bit rusty, and he isn’t a stylistically good fit for this team anyway.
Jesus looked bereft and, in the flesh, I was seriously worried about him. He looked like he spent the day clinging to a shipwreck in the Atlantic before being airlifted to the ground at the last minute and shoved into his jersey. He was a shivering shadow of the bloke whose energy and hustle added so much when we signed him; all of the first half he looked like he needed wrapping up in one of those shiny blankets that paramedics give to people suffering from shock.
In short, it all looked a bit of a mess. However, it is worth noting that if Palace had not scored their only chance then the narrative would have been different. Sure, we weren’t clinical – Trossard firing over, final balls misplaced, and a series of corners and free kicks wasted – but we were in complete control and Palace could not lay a glove on us. When I write that an Arteta team looks a bit of a mess, I mean a helluva different thing to when I say that about an Emery team or a Ten Hag team.
Being inside the stadium, it was clear there was not much in the first half to get the fans going and it was a slightly tentative atmosphere that only ignited in bursts, as the crowd tried to raise the team, or were stung into a response by the numerous and excellent Palace fans who sat beneath me (club level in the Clock End) and did their team proud all evening.
Fortunately, the second half saw big improvements and the home faithful had much more to sing about. Ødegaard came on for the unlucky Nwaneri, while Partey came off for Saliba, with Timber shuffling out wide. This proved immediately successful as we came out of the blocks at pace, and we were level with ten minutes when our captain slipped the ball through for Jesus who took a great first touch that took him past the defender and dinked a deft finish to score a genuinely excellent goal. Everyone around me was chuffed for him – you could feel how much the crowd wanted him to do well.
Just before the hour mark Eddie Nketiah came on to generous applause and cries of ‘Eddie, Eddie!’ as Glassner decided he’d seen enough of Mateta against the imperious Saliba. Kiwior (who had settled well after his early error) also looked more assured next to the France International.
Jesus, now full of confidence, was put through by Trossard and the Brazilian turned smartly before his shot was deflected behind by Henderson. I saw Tierney pull up and reach for his hamstring a few seconds before he went down. I don’t know if he was injured or if it was just brought on by fatigue, but he was replaced by Lewis-Skelly and Saka came on for Sterling at the same time.
Jesus did not have long to wait for his next chance, put through on 72 minutes by a ruthless Saka before finding an emphatic finish into the bottom corner. He was marginally offside, but no-one in the ground had any inkling of that and there was no VAR to rule the goal out, so we could celebrate with abandon as soon as we saw the lino keep his flag down. Gotta say, that’s something I’ve missed.
Five minutes later, the game-changing Ødegaard put Jesus through to complete his hat-trick, running onto the ball from his own half and again finding the side-netting with the sort of finish we don’t always get from him but that he is eminently capable of.
There was time for Eddie to get one back for Palace, scoring just below me with a brilliant header that Saliba probably should have defended better. Frankly, I was not nervous at all, despite the raucous Palace fans below me who seemed to think this goal got them back in the tie. I gave Eddie a clap and watched calmly as we brought on Gabriel for Kiwior and saw the game out. Happily, this brought home a cheeky wager of mine on a 3-2 victory at 25/1. Pity it was only 10p!
So, we go through to a semi-final, a poor first half was nullified by Arteta when he got everything right in the second half, and Gabriel Jesus got a huge shot in the arm that we can only hope sets his season off.
Job done, and our attention now turns to the weekend when we try to take three points off the same opposition.
Until next time, holics.
Cheers GSD, I am glad you got to see and write about such an interesting match, and such a satisfying second half in particular.
Thanks GSD, I couldn’t see the game so much appreciate your excellent report!
Like everyone I am happy for Jesus, he seems a good guy and a confident in-form
Jesús would be very useful for us.
And congrats to Arsenal Women too for an excellent 3-2 win over Bayern Munich.
Cheers GSD!
What an excellent report GSD . I’d been to see Conclave and missed the first few
Minutes but your report brings the game to life very well . They played their best team so we know what to expect on Saturday
I was pleased for Jesus and Eddie . Two strikers earning redemption and Jesus showing just how good he can. be .
There were a lot of Gooners berating Arteta in Odegaard’s absence for not playing Nwaneri but it’s a big responsibility to start especially as the creative fulcrum . Odegaard turned the game on its head
One sour note is that I don’t trust Kiwior. We need better cover than he provides . But it was a good win and Arteta made good changes
Great report, GSD. I hope this kicks off a great run of goal-scoring for Jesus and victories for the team. Ødegaard looked like a man on a mission and long may that continue.
I mentioned that I missed the start of the game on TV and listened to the commentary on the radio for a few minutes ( TalkShite). I thought their commentary and the TV commentary where the main commentator seemed extremely pro- Palace propounded an agenda a lot of non- Gooners are spouting.
This agenda suggests Arsenal are the new Stoke , are in deep trouble as the season implodes and that Arteta needs a trophy or should be sacked . All manifest rubbish .
We are third in the league and entering a phase of the season where we have done really well for the last two seasons. We are third in the Champions League table and our only defeat was daylight robbery via a ridiculous penalty and we are in the semis of the Carabao Cup which has no Chelsea or C130y this year . The FA Cup is to follow . And that’s while negotiating a serious injury crisis .
That’s pretty healthy as far as I’m concerned . Arteta has done an incredible job and if any Arsenal fans think he needs replacing they need their head examined . I hope we will prosper even more with a new Sporting Director in place . That doesn’t sell copies of the Sun or drive traffic to TalkShite but it’s the truth .
Great report, Dino. Spot on.
To TTG’s point @5 above, I think it was instructive that Nwaneri, who is still only 17/18, looked betwixt and between last night and the whole game changed when Odegaard came on. Hopefully those – not of this parish obviously – berating Arteta for not giving Nwaneri more opportunity can begin to understand just how good Odegaard is and that Nwaneri is still growing and learning. I sometimes think that many people regard players – especially the young ones – as entirely interchangeable automata, rather than individuals who need to be developed and managed. It’s almost as though Arteta has been through that mill himself and knows more than the rest of us……
I hadn’t realized we’d decided not to take the extra year for KT and that he could be off
very soon. Best of luck to him in whatever he does, he was a good lad for us.
I really enjoyed the game last night. Great report Dino and glad you were able to get to a game. Jesus was fantastic in the second half and for the first time in a long time we were able to sing his song
Oh Mik Arteta called him
Said now’s your time to shine
‘Cos I’m collecting Gabi’s
And I’m going to make you mine
They say he walks on water
And turns it to wine
Oh I believe in Jesus
He’s Arsenal’s number nine!
I totally agree with GSD that both the crowd and his team mates were absolutely thrilled for him. Even though he has been pants this season he has always tried his heart out and never hidden. If he now plays like this it will make a huge difference to our season.
Odegaard changed the game. Energy, vision, quick feet and two assists. Fantastic.
The other thing that made this game a joy was the absence of VAR. The ref and the links made decisions quickly and got on with the game. We could celebrate the goals without that sense of dread. Having seen the game back, Jesus was probably marginally offside for his second goal. So it worked for us. But such a breath of air.
Draw tonight. I’m hoping for either Spurs or United. .
I haven’t been to The Swamp for the derby for over 30 years. In those days I had enough fitness to be able to run all the way down the High Road to Seven Sisters. Personally, I have no desire to revisit as from what I’ve been told things are every bit as bad outside as they were in the 70s and 80s.
CER @11
I thought that and stayed away for years. However I’ve been the last two years and, provided you are sensible and don’t wear colours, have seen no problems whatsoever.
In that case, what the hell. It’s always good to go behind enemy lines.
Excellent thsnks, GSD.
Like everyone else I was so pleased for Jesus last night. Arteta is saying you have to go with players when they hit that sort of form – if one game equals form – and out inconsistent left wing might offer him the chance to claim a place back in the team. I do sympathise with Martinelli and Trossard though as the left side has seen so many injuries that there’s been no consistency or understandings built on that side. We do need to create more chaos and goals though so good luck to him.
I’m hoping for Newcastle personally as I’d enjoy denying them a final place and then Liverpool in the final.
Think of the fans Matt! Up to Newcastle for a 7.45pm kick off getting back at 3 or 4 am.
What a strange game of football at the Toilet Bowl.
Now for the draw.
spurs 4 united 3
Interesting draw coming up
Of the seven goals four were goalkeeping errors.
And in the league cup semifinal we are playing, home first leg
Newcastle
Got your wish Matt. I can go to the home leg but not the away game (on holiday).
@15 🙇♂️ C100, selfish of me i know
They have been incredibly annoying the last couple of seasons
Hello Goonerholics Forever
Just want to send best wishes to you all for another year of brilliance
Happy Christmas and New Year from Donegal,Derry,Belfast,Glasgow and finally at last and a long time coming London
Cheers and here’s to David Faber ⭐️
C100 @21 – hopefully 21CG and I will be able to do our duty for the away game in your stead. As for the Preston away game, this will be another 5 am return home. I haven’t done quite so many all nighters since I was a student….
My hatred of the Spuds is continually tested by my eldest grandson’s support for them . He is if course disinherited 😀. It was his seventeenth birthday yesterday and he and his dad went to the game and he was looking forward to it incredibly. My hope was for a goalfest and for his sake I’m glad he enjoyed it . Watching that lot he must have died a thousand deaths.
I thought ManUre were the better side and that Ange is incredibly naive . It was pointed out how little in the way of instructions he gives from the sidelines – I don’t think he knows how to manage games . I was pleased to avoid them and Liverpoolin the semis . I have an operation on the likely day of the match so won’t be there but hope to enjoy a good two leg performance. If Liverpool choose to take the competition seriously they wink decimate the Spuds
Sorry will not wink !
Flights and hotel purchased for the away leg for self and 21CG.
COYG
Late to the party, but thanks for a perceptive review, GSD. You crystallised my slowly forming thought over the past few weeks that Nwaneri, for all his undoubted talent, doesn’t take games by the scruff of the neck, but it is too early for us to expect him to. That day will surely come, but Arteta is pacing him carefully.
Considering his name, it really isn’t all that surprising that Jesus scored three goals in one game. The true test of his mettle will be to see if he can do it again every time he steps out onto the pitch from here on out.
Either that or turning water into wine for all in attendance.
Apparently they got a chance to reprise his fabulous chant
I do hope Youtube doesn’t try to make you prove you’re not a Bot as they did me. Proving a negative is always so hard. My apologies if so.
A very belated thanks GSD for a speedy and accurate report. The changes made by Mikel for the 2cnd half completely changed the complexion of the game – the score line didn’t really reflect our control of the proceedings. As well as seeing GJ9 having an excellent game, I got a lot of satisfaction seeing KT3 bombing down the wing with great effect – what a shame with his injury record and lack of invertesness.
One of my sons now lives in Sheffield but he managed to get 2 tickets for this match and took his partner for her first trip to the Emirates. They were in the lower north bank so had the pleasure of standing for the whole match. The atmosphere in the 2cnd half was great although the choir master of the Red Army chant was situated just behind them and he bellowed out the chant for the whole match, quite some effort!
Its Geordie Arabia for the semi final – its time to exact our revenge for our recent tribulations with them.
Thanks Ciaran @23
The very same best wishes to you and yours
And a glass 🥃 to the Guvnor too!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>