Our final opponent in the ‘Arsenal Tour of Asia’ were the mob from the wrong end of the Seven Sisters Road which Arteta welcomed in his pre-match press conference as an opportunity “to bring football tradition, a rivalry” to “a completely different country” and provides a match “that increases the competition level again”. We have adopted a different approach this preseason by playing a familiar and notorious team of troglodytes relying on physicality and a low block and finally a transplanted NLD where we were sure to face the ire and nastiness of neighbours with chips on both shoulders about where they stand in relation to the best team in London. Although it gets us used to the tactics that we will face next season, I’m not convinced that these opponents are the best way of bringing our players to full match fitness without too much risk.
The stadium in which the match was played apparently holds around 50,000 and it was clear that the organisers had segregated the fans as three sides were red and only one end was white. It’s apparent that Hong Kongers know which team to support. It’s also apparent that, as nearly every fan was wearing a replica shirt, the Adidas’ coffers will be filling – although Hong Kong is notorious for its rip-offs: North Fake, Lorex and any designer bag you can name. However, hopefully Levy will have been gutted by the relative income generated by this game.
Preseason is primarily about building fitness and building familiarity between players new and old so the fact that we lost this game 0-1 is the least important element despite the inevitable emotional reaction to losing to That Lot.
However the first thing to observe is that MLS clearly had his heels clipped on 45 minutes by Richarlison causing the turnover that gave Saar the opportunity to launch a lob into our net over Raya who was in his usual advanced position outside his box, having passed the ball directly to a half-turned MLS. Raya is often vulnerable to that kind of strike but has, to date, fortunately, not been punished for it in a big game. However, in Raya’s defence, had MLS not been fouled, the keeper would not have been caught out of position. Adrian Clarke, today’s co-commentator, suggested that if this was a PL game, VAR would have overturned the goal due to that foul – after last season’s series of iniquities, I am not so optimistic.
The second observation is that the officials were execrable. The game was extremely scrappy, especially in the first half where play was frequently broken up by the little scrote with a whistle who blew it every time a Spud fell to the ground, irrespective of whether there had been any contact with an Arsenal player. The irony of him ignoring the foul that led to the goal underlined the question of his competence and, given that Hong Kongers are obsessed with the Premier League, which team he supports. To compound his lack of objectivity the referee had the support of a linesmen who couldn’t wait to flag Saka for offside, gave every 50:50 decision the Spudz’ way and awarded them several throw-ins that should have gone to Arsenal. Rant over! Our players do need a tutorial in how to win games despite the officials’ mistakes!
Arteta made a couple of changes to his starting XI, bringing in Kiwior for the crocked Calafiori, with Gabriel still not available, and starting Nørgaard instead of Zubimendi:
Raya
White, Saliba, Kiwior, MLS
Ødegaard, Nørgaard, Rice
Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
The coach seemed determined to give these players a proper workout as his substitutions were late:
Trossard and Zubimendi replaced Martinelli and Rice on 68 minutes;
Gyökeres, Zinchenko, Mosquera, Merino and Dowman replaced Havertz, MLS, Kiwior, Rice and Saka on 77 minutes.
Rice-Nelson replaced a limping Trossard on 85 minutes.
The first half was particularly scrappy and Saka, to whom we repeatedly played long-balls suffered many heavy challenges but remained busy throughout. On 36 minutes, Betancourt finally received a yellow for his most agricultural foul. Despite 49% possession and 6 shots, we had no shots on target in the first half. The only memorable moments were a looping effort from Ødegaard from a cleared corner that Saliba headed just wide and two late headers from corners, one at the near post and the second at the far post both of which caused panic but were ultimately cleared.
In contrast the opposition had one shot on target from 5 efforts – their spurious ‘goal’ but hit the woodwork three times. The first shot on wood came from Porro’s corner from Raya’s right that went, untouched by anyone, straight across goal to strike the far post and, fortunately, bounce out rather than in. Had we had officials familiar with the Laws of the Game, a foul would have been given for Van de Venn’s grappling with Raya that prevented him dealing with the ball. The second arose from poor management of a bouncing ball which eventually reached Odobert, who gave Ben White a hard time all match, and whose well worked shot kissed the far post and went wide to be deemed deflected by the referee. The third knock on wood came from a corner on Raya’s left that Richarlison met with his head at the far post, from which the ball struck the post then his hand and was cleared. Again the officials ignored Van de Venn’s wrestling with Raya that prevented the goalkeeper from dealing with the cross. Although none of the Spudz’ corners led to goals, our management of opposition corners deteriorated late last season (could Gabriel’s absence be the reason?) and it’s clear that the team needs to work harder on the training ground on these.
So, on the balance we deserved nothing from the first half apart from a better set of officials.
We asserted ourselves slightly more in the second half, adding 10 shots but with only one on target; the rest were blocked and we didn’t really trouble their goalkeeper at all. The memorable moments were a Martinelli shot that he scooped over as he was off balance. However the move began with some fine play from MLS on the right of midfield as he used body strength to retain an intercepted clearance and then drove forward for Havertz to set up Martinelli’s shot. We continued to play occasional long balls and one of these was deftly headed by Havertz into Rice’s path as he ran into the box but his goal-bound shot was blocked by a sliding challenge from Porro. We applied a lot of pressure at this point of the game but didn’t create any clear cut chances.
Ødegaard worked hard and had a couple of shots but these lacked the power needed to beat the keeper. Zubimendi almost scored with a volley from the edge of the box that was deflected upwards and onto the bar then had a couple more efforts from a similar position, the first blocked and the second he screwed wide. The addition of the late subs added a spark but it was Dowman who provided excitement rather than Gjökeres. The youngster proved a major threat on our right, dancing past defenders and on one occasion producing a fine shot that, sadly, was blocked in the 6 yard box. Gjökeres’ major contribution was a fine lay-off inside a crowded box to, I think, Merino whose shot flashed wide. Despite strenuous exertion, the Swede unsurprisingly lacked opportunities to show the talent for which we signed him.
At the other end, Van de Venn missed a clear headed opportunity on one of the Spudz’ rare breakouts when he really should have hit the target. Props to MLS for leaning into him to impair his effort.
Trossard limped off only some 15 minutes after replacing Martinelli. He seemed to overstretch his groin in a challenge and looked unhappy and immobile for several minutes before his substitution.
So, what did we learn from this game?
We looked below par throughout despite starting brightly. We still need a cutting edge up front.
This game was played in 29 degrees and 88% humidity at the end of a couple of weeks of intensive training. So it’s remarkable that White, Saliba and Ødegaard played the full 90 + 7 minutes as well as Raya.
The whole defence is less assured without Big Gabby and his organisational skills especially when defending corners.
We cannot expect Ødegaard to be our only source of midfield creativity. It was noticeable that we turned up the heat on the opposition when Zubimendi replaced Nørgaard. His progressive passing is a notch above what we are used to and he also gets into scoring positions. However, we do need to add a bit more dynamism, chaos and flair going forward – is this where Madueke comes in or even Eze? Neither Trossard nor Reiss-Nelson add this.
Gjökeres needs time on the training pitch. Once match fit, his direct runs and striker instinct will almost certainly help us to finish the chances that we continue to spurn when cut backs and cross balls persistently fail to find a connection.
Dowland is an extraordinary talent. He adds threat to our attack even when replacing our most threatening forward. He thinks about the opposition goal whenever he receives the ball. We have to manage his exposure to the cloggers carefully. Hopefully he has a good strong pair of shinguards.
We do need to improve our left sided threat. Martinelli works hard and has clear talent but without an overlapping fullback his options to beat two defenders are far inferior to Saka’s who has the support of Ødegaard, White and, often, Hazard too (no wonder there’s no-one at the end of his cut backs!).
Mosquera looks handy both with and without the ball. Interestingly, he played RCB with Saliba moving to LCB. He should prove an excellent back-up or alternate for the Frenchman. I think we may be succession planning here.
The wild optimism generated by our unusually early and large expenditure and acquisition of quality players in the positions we actually need needs to be tempered by recognition that the new boys have to bed in and that our opposition will improve as well.
First place and Big Ears are by no means nailed on but we will improve with more work on the training pitch and, from what I’ve seen so far, l expect us to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.
COYG
Spot on match report, Bath. Can’t argue with a word of that.
After 2 hard games on tour to be honest I had expected to see some signs of development. From my perspective, these were noticeably not present. We seemed to revert to the bad old days of Horseshoe Football, too many simple passes failed to meet their targets, there was a dearth of genuine goal attempts. That said, it’s pre-season. I hope the team fly back and start to up the pace in training. They have 6 days until the next game, at the Emirates, when we will expect to see a more coherent performance.m
There will not be a more detailed resume of today’s game anywhere on the planet. Well done!
It’s difficult not to be a little disappointed by much of what was witnessed today. However, context is critical, there was nothing at stake, the task was to build fitness, familiarity with new squad members and gradually get back into the groove towards the heights that the (now newly strengthened) first team achieved last season. And all of that to be attempted in tropical climatic conditions – rarely experienced in North London.
I’m looking forward to the next game when granddaughter numero uno will be in attendance for her first men’s game at the stadium.
NLFE
A very fair summary of an underwhelming performance, Bath.
Some very Spurs-friendly editing of the BBC clip of Sarr’s goal, with the close-up bit of the replay conveniently not starting until well after Richarlson has clipped MLS’s heels.
To friendofdepressed in the previous drinks, I can only speak for myself, but please give Shane my best wishes. Lots of ‘holics understand what he has to deal with, and the last thing they would want is for him not to feel this is a safe place. I am not sure of the history, and don’t want to reopen old wounds, but I am truly sorry if Shane feels he was turned away from here. That is the last thing the Guv’nor would have wanted. He would have kept the door open, and so will we.
Cheers Bath for a detailed and very fair report of a very frustrating game.
Ok, it was a pre-season “friendly” although the Spuds clearly hadn’t had that explained to them. They were desperate to avoid another “NLD” defeat and Frank’s usual Brentford tactics of “stop them with a constant stream of niggly – and one or two not so niggly – fouls” was well in evidence.
The officials were straight out of PGMOL Spurs were lucky their goal was allowed to stand and Bentancour was lucky not to get more than one yellow card. However, this was not a great display by the Arsenal, a shame for the 80% of the crowd decked out in red and white. It was absolutely no test of our new signings as Zubimendi and Gyökeres got very little time on the pitch and Madueke is still resting up after the Infantino Fiasco in America.
Martinelli is having a tough time ploughing a line furrow on the left and deserves more support. Dowman is incredible for a 15 year old on the right and deserves several evenings with no homework.
I hope this idea of playing Premier League rivals with a cross to bear in pre-season ends here. This stop-start, foul ridden, gripey exercise today can have had very little benefit at all – not even much by way of fitness, so stop-start was it.
Thanks Bath. Looks like a fair report of the game and I fully agree with the last sentence. To be honest I found out too late afterwards that I could have paid £6.99 and watched the game on the .com – seems to have been a lucky bit of incompetence on my part.
And good news on the injury front as, according to MA, Gabriel, Timber and Calafiori will all be fit for the start of the season. I guess the next couple of games will give us a look at the likely starting XI away to Manure.
Being fit for the start of the season is not necessarily the same as being fit to start the season, I guess. But it is good news that they are all on the mend.
Yes, agree Ned. Unless Gabriel and Timber start in the final two friendlies I would be surprised if they start cold as it were at Old Toilet.
A cold Old Toilet – a perfect description of Manchester United !
I have warm feelings about the Old Toilet. I’ve been twice and seen Manure lose twice. It’s really nice of them to accommodate a visitor. It makes the awful journey up and down the M6 almost tolerable.
I’ve had more good days than bad at Old Toilet. One memorable one was when we beat the Marshdwellers in an FA Cup semi final in the early 2000’s (I think).
Although it took 3 hours to get out of Manchester and 9 hours in total to drive home. Could have been worse. We could have lost…
I won’t miss Son
It seems Aaron has now officially joined the barcodes just as Isaac Hayden has left
Have the Spuds got a video out yet?
UTA
Wow! Now we’re blaming the refs pre-season … getting excuses in ever earlier so one’s lame-assed ‘analysis’ counts for something in this constituency of nodding dogs. UTA!
I see that the new Orcs (formerly the barcodes) have done for James Maddison, stretchered off in a preseason friendly.
Another in our “formerly of this parish series” https://x.com/david_ornstein/status/1952001671044710441?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
Re my 17 above, we play Villarreal this week. …..
Keenos bang on the money on Sesko and his agents:
Saw that by Keenos, Bath and completely agree. Arteta and the owners have worked too hard to get someone in who clearly thinks or us being advised that he is bigger than the club.
All sounds a bit Aubameyang 2.0. Bullet dodged.
Thanks Bath for that report of a preseason game I didn’t even try to see but now have a taste of the status of our preparations.
Be odd seeing Partey back so soon if he does sign for Villarreal.
I wonder what reception he will get as I’d guess most of our
fans would like to forget all about him as soon as possible.
Our ex-Parishioners are busy it seems, Matt Turner will be joining
Rob Holding in the US league next season.
I would be surprised if Thomas Partey were to start for Villareal on Wednesday as he can’t possibly be integrated into their team but his very presence on their bench will inflame a section of the crowd who don’t believe in the legal process that an accused is innocent until proven guilty. If he takes the field his reception will certainly be very mixed if not hostile. A wise coach would spare him the indignity of such a reception but Partey himself may be such a pachyderm that it doesn’t affect him.
On a happier note, an interview with Santi 😀
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cq8zlg3wvpno
How about the cricket? Bloody hell, what a game, what a series. Test cricket rules.
I’ve missed this whole test C100 – away in Feurtaventura where mobile TV Apps refuse to work.
OM@25: Thanks for that link. An uplifting read.
C100@26: Shades of Cowdrey batting against the West Indies in ’63.
That is an excellent piece on Santi who clearly has a strong relationship with MA8 and ambitions to return to the Arsenal in a coaching role someday.
Cheers Matt. Could there be a more Arsene person than Santi ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>