A trip to Suffolk usually involves medieval villages, the seaside and good fish and chips but Ipswich, once a prosperous medieval trading centre, doesn’t quite have the romance of a trip to Madrid. However the club that currently sits in second place in the league and in the semifinal of the Champions League still has to fulfil its obligations and take on the club in 18th place that seems destined to fall back through the trapdoor to the Championship after a single season amongst the elite. Their glory days under` Ramsey and Robson must seem light years away
The pre-match discussion on Sky was all about the prospect of the Mugsmashers winning the league today if we lost to Ipswich when they were clearly destined to thrash Lesta in Lesta later. There was feverish speculation that, after our triumph in midweek, we would see a drop off in intensity from the Arsenal, making the nauseating prospect of a Carragher-Cates walz around the Sky studio a delectable prospect for those concerned. This, despite MA8’s clear intent to take all three points by selecting a strong starting XI despite the hopes of most Gooners that our key men would be rested.
Frankly, the Arsenal starting line-up was surprisingly strong:
Reya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Ødegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Trossard and Martinelli.
The first half took the expected course with Arsenal dominating both possession and territory with 77% possession, 11 shots, 2 on target, 377 v 111 passes, 3 v 0 corners, 10 v 5 tackles won.
For most of the first half, Arsenal were camped permanently on the edge of the Ipswich box and, as the stats show, the home side struggled to regain let alone retain possession. At 14 minutes Ipswich did make a rare venture into Arsenal’s half which turned out to be a tad foolish. Kiwior intercepted a pass on the edge of our box and swiftly passed the ball on to Merino in left midfield. The burly Basque played a square pass inside to Zinchenko who quickly transferred the ball across the field to Ødegaard. The Captain cantered towards the Ipswich box like an old fashioned inside right, played the ball right to Saka and continued his run into the box. Saka immediately played the ball back towards Ødegaard who merely grazed it with his studs (thus gaining the assist!) as it rolled on to Trossard near the penalty spot. As the ball reached the Belgian so did a large agricultural worker whose arm round his shoulder no doubt had some relationship to Trossard falling to the ground but in the act of falling he got his shot away, through another field-hand’s legs and into the far corner.
On 28 minutes Martinelli scored a goal that was the epitome of teamwork and precision. It was indeed a thing of beauty. This one too began deep with Saliba lofting a high ball to Trossard who was waiting wide right on the half way line. Trossard took it down deftly and as a large blue thug approached, chipped the ball over his head to Saka who was some ten yards ahead on the touchline. Trossard was promptly hauled to the ground for his impertinence. Saka darted past another field-hand and played a low ball to Merino who had run to the edge of the six-yard box, level with the front post. As two large blue defenders converged on him, Merino simply back heeled the ball to Martinelli arriving at the far side of the six-yard box and our hot Brazilian swept the ball into the net.
On 32 minutes, Ipswich’s fate was sealed. Several of their players had begun to display their frustration at having to share the pitch with demi-gods and as we played the ball forward first Ødegaard was felled near the centre circle but got his pass away to Saka to his right only for a thug called Davis to rake his studs down his Achilles tendon from behind. Our Starman was clearly in agony, the referee had no doubts and promptly flashed his red card. It was a relief to see Saka get to his feet and be able to play on. He was booed persistently thereafter for having the temerity to be brutally attacked by a local thug – football fans can be extraordinarily moronic.
The first half was notable for one other thing. Saka missed a hat trick of chances. One his signature left footed curler as he drove inside at the edge of the box which swept just the wrong side of the post and two ‘must scores’ from close range that he conspired to miss, with a charmingly rueful smile on each occasion. Hopefully Lady Luck is saving the goals for the Champions League.
The second half commenced in much the same fashion as the first had ended with near total Arsenal possession. Our forwards, notably Ødegaard, worked hard to craft openings but understandably there was a little less intensity.
On 56 minutes, a long ball from Morsy (a gobby tyke whom I’ve never noticed before) found the big centre forward Hirst running behind Saliba and the big Scot made space nicely for a shot which span past Raya’s far post. That was pretty much it from Ipswich. It was a relief to see Saka replaced by Nwaneri in the 57th minute and Mikel Merino who had been in the wars a bit with some belligerent local oiks was replaced by MLS at the same time. It was less of a relief when the camera showed the physio strapping ice to Saka’s ankle as he sat on the bench.
Nice interplay on the right saw the ball reach Nwaneri in the Ipswich box but his shot was blocked by a field-hand. Ødegaard crafted space for a low curler from the edge of the box but his shot lacked the power to beat Palmer.
The umpteenth corner in only a few minutes was taken short for Rice ultimately to find Trossard on the corner of the 6 yard box. Our number 19 fired a low hard shot through another pair of blue legs past Palmer and into the goal on 68 minutes.
Sterling replaced Martinelli and Tierney replaced Rice on 72 minutes to give Arsenal a third left back on the field. At this point, MLS, who had been playing his usual inverted left back role with Zinchenko in front of him, moved centrally and our youngster played the ‘Partey role’ with considerable authority and style making several progressive passes through the low block statues. On 79 minutes he produced a nice piece of play, making his way into the box with a give and go but sadly his shot was blocked by a large local peasant.
On 84 minutes Butler-Oyedeji replaced Trossard to make his PL debut.
With 5 minutes of normal time left we got a free kick outside the Ipswich box. The camera panned to Rice, sitting on the bench, who looked interested and made a remark to Merino that produced a chuckle. Zinchenko fired the free kick straight into wall. Shortly afterwards the ball was recycled to Ødegaard at the edge of the box and he struck Palmer’s near post with a fine shot. Seconds later Butler-Oyedeji forced the keeper into a fine save with a shot from the edge of the box that was heading below his crossbar.
The coup de grace (or in Suffolk should it be ‘the crop of grass’?) came in the 88th minute when Zinchenko found Nwaneri in the box with a short vertical pass through the defence. The youngster moved to his left and struck a fine shot at goal that ended in the net via a couple of deflections.
Over 90 minutes Arsenal had 75% possession and 24 attempts on goal, 7 of which were on target. Not bad for a stroll in the Spring sunshine in Suffolk.
We were clearly there for the three points and took a businesslike approach to the match. The only downside is the assault on Saka and the resultant injury. Hopefully he can shrug it off before PSG come calling. He clearly felt able to play on and made several useful contributions after the injury but I was surprised that he was asked to play ten minutes in the second half and I certainly wouldn’t start him against Palace.
Raya was untroubled throughout and Saliba and Kiwior were imperious. It was nice to see White back in harness and he occasionally linked well on right sided attacks but had, on the whole, a pretty quiet game. Zinchenko played his inverted left back role well, recycled the ball well and made several good passes without his usual obligatory error. The midfield of Rice, Merino and Ødegaard dominated the match like a Rolls Royce dominates a Massey-Ferguson unless you’re talking ploughed fields with which, fortunately, none of the PL grounds can any longer be compared. I actually thought Ødegaard had his best game in a long time. Basically he ran the show, kept probing and manipulating and must again have covered a hell of a lot of ground. Rumours of his demise are premature. However I would have liked to see Rice, who was his usual dominating force with and without the ball, substituted earlier but I guess Arteta wanted to see the game won before he left the fray. Merino looks very good alongside our other midfielders and his assist for Martinelli’s goal was exquisite. Our wingmen were superb, it’s just a pity Saka didn’t get at least one goal. Trossard deserves flowers too after some recent criticism. He took his goals well and clearly has further contributions to make this season.
All in all, a good day out. Fingers crossed for Saka.
A Happy Easter to Holics everywhere!
Thanks Bath, excellent report, we played well as you say and they were lumpen at best.
To be fair Ipswich have shown spirit and enterprise at times this season but today wasn’t one of those times and hopefully we have gotten out of there with all the points and none of the injuries.
MA trying out a few combinations on the left was good, let’s keep everyone guessing until an hour (or whatever it is) before the PSG kick off.
Oh, I forgot, happy Easter to you too Bath! I appreciate the effort on a holiday weekend.
A fine report, Bath. We saw the same game.
I would have had Saka off as soon as he got injured. And I would have had him carried off on a stretcher so he wouldn’t be at risk of any more damage from hobbling off to get his ankle iced.
On my US stream, some colour commentator with a North-west England accent opined that Davis’s foul was only worth a yellow. I can only assume he believes it takes full removal of the leg for a red. He did make a Freudian slip later when he mentioned that Davis had been sent off for a foul by Saka.
Arteta says the Saka injury is ‘nothing serious’. Thankfully.
Saka was ‘injured by a high challenge on the back of his ankle’, according to the BBC, which seems an anodyne description of getting raked by studs down the Achilles long after the ball has gone. BBC Sport does seem to have ‘gone native’ since moving to Manchester.
A summary so excellent that I think I can use 90 minutes more profitably now than actually watching the game on delay. I’ve seen the goals, sounds like that was enough.
Good three points toward a remarkable second place.
Excellent report Bath, many thanks . On Wednesday I was a nervous wreck. Today I can’t ever remember being more relaxed watching an Arsenal game. I must take exception to the yokel references as I originally bought my house because it was forty yards from a farm ( I grew up in London next to a bomb site so it was a nicer view ) . Some of us country folk don’t like the fancy ways of the big city folk especially when the cities involved are Liverpool or Manchester. Even though the game was obviously invented there and is only truly played properly there . Bloody Sky Sports – they encourage people to stream out as soon at they go a goal down , love to show wimps in the crowd crying because they are losing and at no stage did anyone condemn the crowd for booing Saka for diving viciously onto Davis’s studs with his heel . A well known pro trick that .
Arteta is coaching the club brilliantly and marshalling resources very well. We didn’t recruit properly in every respect in the summer but Merino is doing marvellously now and he is bringing the two young lads through beautifully. Young MLS has a hell of a character
One serious technical point is that Kiwior stood too tight to young Hirst who caused him quite a lot of issues . Chris Sutton who played centre back and striker touched on it during commentary . I wonder if Mike McDonald mentions it . He could afford to step back a yard and time his challenges more judiciously . But a very nice week ( football wise ) ended well .
Many thanks Bath for your fine report on our fine three points earned at the peasants’
My first game at Portman Road yesterday. It proved to be a very enjoyable experience. Ipswich is 68 miles from my home, the same as the Emirates (or the City ground, Nottingham), but it’s by far the quickest journey. A steady 80 minute trundle along the almost traffic free A14 took us to our parking space. Just the other side of the Orwell river are new blocks of flats and it was here that we parked. An easy stroll across the Sir Bobby Robson bridge and we were at the ground. Locals were friendly with helpful, smiley stewards.
Into the ground and, as we were early, a sample of their footy scran. Not bad. Greene King IPA, fresh drawn on a hand pump for £6.50 a pint and a tasty pie. I wish they’d sell pies at the outlets behind the North Bank lower rather than rubbish pizza and chicken strips. See also Brighton for a decent pie.
Into the stadium. A tidy little ground which reminded us of a mini Villa park. Crowd close to the pitch, corners filled in, three tiers of stands, by no means a soulless bowl. I’d missed out on lower tier seats, but we had a great view from row D of the upper tier.
The away fans as always were superb. Gaby’s new song rang out, as did. another Madrid favourite
Arsenal at the Bernabeu!
Tottenham watching Emmerdale!
After the red card, when the Ipswich fans started loudly booing Saka, this was amended to
Arsenal at the Bernabeu!
Ipswich Town are going down!
Another variation on a theme was
Che sera sera
Whatever will be will be
We’re going to Germany
Che sera sera!
So many player songs got an outing. Merino (who was excellent), Trossard (ditto), Rice, Saka, Saliba, White , Kiwior (a reworking of the Sami Nasri song), MLS, Zinchenko and probably some I’ve forgotten.
Basically just too good and we could have scored eight. Back down the A14 in time for a G&T and a roast lamb Easter Sunday dinner.
A highly enjoyable day at the football.
Forgot a song.
If Sterling scores
We’re on the piss!
Thanks C100, an enjoyable read and sounds like a nice day out.
Just the sort of relaxing game we all needed I think. Recent
signs that Palace are already planning their summer hols and
so hopefully more of the same midweek.
I was trying to think which three of the five teams contending
for the other CL places would I least mind qualifying.
I was forced to draw the line after reluctantly including Villa and
Forest. Hopefully the PL will write to UEFA declining the other
place as all the others are disgusting serial cheats and liars.
Cheers Baff. Excellent report. And a lovely away day report from C100 too.
I must take the blame for Saka’s woes on the injury front as well as for his uncharacteristic misses. I made him my triple captain in Fantasy League, so of course, he was unable to contribute more than a single point (tripled to three!) and was subbed 3 minutes before the 60 minute mark. Mea culpe.
C100@8: Delightful report of what sounds like a delightful away day. Disappointingly, the singing is muffled in the streams we get in the US. You can hear it is going on, but making out the words is usually difficult. I think US broadcasters don’t understand the part it plays in games — there’s nothing comparable in US sports — and are worried about broadcasting obscenities, like ‘Tottenham’.
Thanks Bath for an excellent report and always a good read from C100 from the trenches.
We were really good, particularly in the 1st half, and should have gone in with more than 2 goals to the good – all the team were “on it”. It was good to see Butler-Oyedeji finally get a few minutes after numerous times warming the bench.
I had a few visits to Portman Road as a corporate guest back in their previous period in the EPL. Their chairman David Sheepshanks would visit all the tables who were enjoying their corporate lunch and we enjoyed some nice banter when enquiring if there were any gooners at our table. We sat close to the directors box but I did feel a lonely figure when I jumped up to cheer the Arsenal goals ( 2-0 to us I think ). I always found the locals very friendly but rather parochial.
Ned @13. I wonder if the US broadcast media’s squeamishness about muffling swear words stems from the days of Patrice Evra playing for Manchester United. AS I recall, the Arsenal chant towards Evra was a poetic little ditty
“Evra you’re a c***
You’re a c***
Evra your’e a c***!”
C100 @15 – I find it hard to accept the silencing of free speech, especially when, as in the case if Evra, the words are demonstrably true.
Great report, Bath and C100. I was at a wedding yesterday. Both sides were N1 offspring so there was much furtive glancing at phones by the guests, but in fairness only up until 2-0.
I look forward to watching the full match tomorrow.
C100@15: the explanation is far more prosaic than that. Obscenity has very limited First Amendment protections. Broadcasters who allow obscenity, indecency or profanity to go out over their airwaves are subject to fines and up to two years imprisonment.
There is a sub-genre of You Tube videos, Americans react to.. Americans reacting to football chants seem genuinely shocked by the words of many chants. The cuttingness of the best chants is alien to mainstream US humour. The US version of The Office turned the David Brent character into a loveable fool, a million miles from Ricky Gervais’s portrayal. And for those who remember One Foot in the Grave, it got the same anodyning treatment once it crossed the Atlantic.
Any further psychological or sociological explanations I will leave to your imagination.
Also, thanks for the reportage on the Que sera, sera chant on Sunday. I could tell from the rhythm that that was what was being sung even if the words were indistinct. I had assumed it was Ipswich fans acknowledging what has seemed inevitable for some time.
“Rolls Royce dominates a Massey-Ferguson” – that’s a classic line!
Showing my age but I remember the early 1980’s Ipswich team that played nice football and had moderate success, running the Liverpool juggernaut close a couple of times. Wark, Brazil, Gates, Mariner (RIP and later one of us) and the Dutch lads. Muhren was an elegant player. And of course managed by Bobby Robson.
Great pic C100!
I have seen the Ipswich team of Sunday described as a farm-yard Stoke.
Thanks fellas.
I do like that description Ned @20 – I do wish I’d coined it.
Up4GrabsNow! @19, I remember that Ipswich side well. They played lovely football with those elegant Dutch midfielders pulling the strings. A major milestone in the development of the team of my youth was Aberdeen’s 3-1 victory at Pittodrie to knock that Ipswich side, then UEFA cup holders, out of that competition and give them the belief that ultimately led to further trophies. What TTG would call a sliding door moment!
>>>>>>>