I had a busy day today and managed to turn the match on a tad late, missing the first twenty-two seconds. As it turned out, this was better than missing the last twenty-two seconds!
Having missed the team sheets, I had to work out early on who was playing and what the positions were. Calafiori was left-back, Madueke was left-wing, Eze was at 10 and, after almost two minutes before our striker came on screen, I was chuffed to see it was Kai Havertz.
Great selection from the boss. Could they deliver?
The short answer is yes. It took until the 89th minute for us to take the lead, but there was a lot to like about our play throughout the game. Madueke was at least as effective as our other left-wing options have been recently. After seven minutes he cut in and took a right-footed shot that the excellent Pickford saved. Havertz up front is vital for us going forward. He is not only the best striker at the club, but also the striker who best suits our game.
Eze had an excellent game. He took shots, he was involved in play, and he wanted to take responsibility. Calalfiori showed what he brings to left-back, he’s just a brilliant player. He made an insane block when he was on the floor, placed both hands on the turf and threw up an athletic scorpion kick to stop Dwight McNeil (lovely player) from scoring. I’d say he is the only player in our team who makes that block, but he’s probably the only player in the league who makes that block! He’s just magic. As play continued, McNeil hit the inside of the post with a wonderful strike and the follow up from the silky Ndiaye went just wide. Fine margins.
Everton were really good. They have a deserved reputation as being a defensively robust side, but they showed a lot of attacking intent and no small amount of skill. Raya made a handful of excellent saves today. As an aside, apropos of nothing: I really like David Moyes. He is just quality. There is plenty of him in Mikel Arteta and, as I shall return to later, I love our gaffer.
I am glad we won this game for many reasons. But not least is that it gives me the chance to talk through the penalty incident involving Keane and Havertz without it being decisive and sounding like sour grapes. Eze played a good ball through, Havertz took a great first touch to take it into his stride, and Keane made a challenge that took our striker down. It was hard to tell on the TV screen what had happened, but it was immediately clear that Kai was in no doubt. He was sure it was a penalty. The coverage showed two replays which were unclear but showed no obvious foul. VAR cleared the incident very quickly. Then the TV showed a third replay which was unequivocal in showing it was a clear penalty. Keane rakes his foot down the back of Havertz’s ankle. There is no debate, no potential difference of opinion; it is a nailed on penalty.
So, now we need to talk about VAR process. Either, 1: VAR looks at all the replays and decides it is not a penalty. That would be unbelievable. Or, 2: VAR makes the decision before looking at the third replay and then are unable to change their minds when they realise they have made a mistake. This is what happened.
I expect Howard Webb to issue an apology that they got this one wrong. I know the idea of referee credibility is laughable, but they got this one wrong in both decision and process. We regularly wait minutes at a time for them to make decisions that no-one understands, so for them to dismiss a clear penalty after mere seconds without looking at all the relevant angles is just a disgrace. Speaking of disgraces, I cannot tell you how much PL referees break my heart with their abysmal performances. Madley, truly, deeply.
Enough. Let us move on.
Beto is good. Decent PL striker but no more, but he plays like a physical striker and then (crazy notion, I know) does not fake injury whenever he gets challenged. He just gets up and gets on. It is indicative of this Everton side. They are tough but they don’t look for cheap fouls at every opportunity. Much respect. The league would be far better if more teams had that attitude. It comes from the manager. Did I mention I like David Moyes?
Timber started the game but I would have played White. When Timber came off injured in the first half, White still didn’t get on. Mosquera did well though. When are we gonna see Benny Blanco?
In the second half, we continued to be good. The setup was encouraging and looked much more fluid than some of our recent turgid performances. All of our players had good games and there was a lot of promise, but they were not quite used to each other and didn’t generate as many chances as they could have. Although, we also hit a lot of shots wide.
Gyökeres came on and showed why he is such a valuable player, although behind Havertz in the pecking order. Hincapié has been a wonderful signing. Exactly what we needed. Zubimendi came off for Dowman and I don’t want to overegg the young man’s performance. It was good but not as transformative as some would claim. There will be plenty of time to big Dowman up. He is an interesting option for the run-in, but let’s keep our heads.
The crowd were brilliant today. All the way through. They were behind the team. Personally, on 86 minutes I sent a message to some friends on a whatsapp group that said simply “Believe. COYG”
Two minutes later we were ahead. Dowman hit a decent cross, Pickford touched it with a crisp-packet hand and it came off Hincapié’s belly/willy into the path of big Vik who was in the right place at the right time. I went mental. My throat still hurts. Was that the moment we won the Premier League?
As our striker celebrated, Dowman choked the shit out of him. Watch the replay, very funny.
Just before the end of the game, Pickford came up for an Everton corner and Dowman scored from the breakaway. You don’t need me to describe it. Go and watch it online.
Seriously, what are you doing still reading this? Go and watch the Dowman goal, you nutter. The celebrations from the players and fans were special. But our manager lived this match and everything he did was stellar. Seeing him celebrate made my day. Make no mistake, the most important person at our club is our manager. He is our leader, and I would follow him into hell and back. Wait until he is done. All-time great in the making.
West Ham drew with City later in the day. Cake. Icing.
Nine points ahead with seven games to go (they have 8).
We’re gonna win it, aren’t we?
Are we?
Yeah, we are.
Make it happen Gooners.
Until next time, ‘holics.
Thanks Dino, fantastic report on a great day!
What OM said @1, plus the right sense of perspective on Dowman.
Cheers GSD!
Was lucky enough to be there today. Absolutely magical.
I think we will win it but there are more twists and turns to come. We are still not clicking and a few key players seem tired. That said, expect a lot more to come from Eze, Madueke and Havertz. And maybe Odegaard. They will get us over the line.
As for Dowman, just Wow. What an unbelievable talent. That cross was more than decent, it was almost perfect. Right into that zone that drew Pickford out and froze their backs. He could well be the key – the Freddie Ljungberg – in the run in.
That stop by Califiori – crazy! And Raya, several big saves.
Westmoreland:
O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work to-day!
King:
What’s he that wishes so?
My cousin, Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark’d to die, we are enough
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call’d the feast of Dowman
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,
And rouse him at the name of Dowman,
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say “To-morrow is Saint Dowman.”
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say “These wounds I had on Dowman’s day.”
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words—
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester—
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Max Dowman shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be rememberèd—
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Dowman’s day.
After W.Shakespeare, Henry V, Act IV, Scene iii
A superb report GSD, to mark a joyous truly special day.
What a night to be there. Truly privileged.
The North Bank sucked those two goals in.
I was at the end of the world yesterday.
Let me rephrase that, I was at the World’s End in Stroud Green Rd yesterday afternoon watching an excellent Ireland vs Scotland game. The result in that game went against me and caused some foreboding on what might lie ahead at Emirates Stadium.
I needn’t have worried, nor do I need to tell you what happened because GSD has already done so in splendid fashion. Wonderful celebrations in the stadium and all the way to Finsbury Park Station.
Win the next seven.
Excellent report, Dino. “ Madley, truly, deeply”. Genius!
C100@5- apologies for my being e’er so vile yesterday and not attending! Still a little jaded after the carousings in Cologne/ Leverkusen. Not quite “now abed” but not far off. What was I thinking? Serves me right.
Dowman is just some player. And Arteta is doing the right thing holding him back. Another summer of physical development and I suspect he will feature more next season. But still he needs to be nurtured. We all remember how overplaying and/or injuries while still young blighted the careers of Wilshere, Ramsey and even Fabregas.
No league game for the best part of a month. I hope Arteta is hitting the phones to ensure that our most overplayed – Rice, Zubimendi, Saka- don’t go away with their countries. What is Tuchel going to learn about Rice and Saka that he doesn’t already know?
It’s getting close now. I am daring to believe.
This morning, watching and rewatching the Dowman goal from a thousand different angles, my mind goes back to the early 70’s when every boy in the flats, in the school playground, in Highbury Fields, on Market Road Astro, was Charlie George. I’m remembering the anticipation of playing football on Monday morning with my mates at school and reliving together the previous Saturday’s exploits. I’m thinking of all those kids who are going to do exactly the same tomorrow – this time not just in Islington, but all over the world.
Happy days.
Bang on the money with that report, GSD. Captured the game and the mood. For so long it seemed like another day of frustration and then….what a glorious ending!
C100, from where I was sitting, the Clock End blew those two goals in! 😉
Thanks GSD a very balanced and enjoyable view on proceedings – with one caveat which I will examine later . And C100 adds a touch of class and literacy you won’t find in many football blogs !
I sat in the row in front of my normal seat yesterday so a seven year old lad could sit with his Dad. I love to see youngsters falling in love with the game and with Arsenal . At the end this little fellow was so excited and overwhelmed mainly by the feats of a lad a mere nine years older ! He will never forget that day however long he lives .
I agree about Moyes and Everton – an admirable team. If I had to choose a team to go to the Etihad to defy C130y it would be them . I also agree about the penalty . VAR were negligent and matched the awfulness of Madley the man who allowed THAT goal at Newcastle .
But forget all the very British reserve . A star was born yesterday. Arsenal do not win that game yesterday without Dowman- he was completely transformative . He unhinged the Everton defence in a way that nobody else did ( especially Saka) . His goal was a glorious moment one of the great Emirates memories in years to come . Every touch was crisper , slicker and more incisive than our other forwards although he did balloon a chance over! The big challenge is how to nurture a talent like that without overburdening him but at the same time making sure he can make a difference at the right time.
And great praise for Arteta yesterday . His substitutions and tactical tweaks were brilliant .
We passed the London Stadium on the way home waiting for West Ham to subside . They didn’t and one of our alumni won them a point ( and us two!) . A great evening .
Cheers GSD. Missed the first 20 as I made my way home from the match post-rugby and many pints with friends.
Another dull match….until it wasn’t. Brilliant ending!
And a cherry on top from West Ham. I stopped worrying about City a month ago or so, so I am also seeing this as an important point in the relegation battle… 😀
A great day of sports. Max Dowman. Just fantastic.
For the first ‘match’, read ‘pub’.
Excellent report, GSD, but this was simply as finely-constructed a piece of writing as one could hope to pen:
“ Speaking of disgraces, I cannot tell you how much PL referees break my heart with their abysmal performances. Madley, truly, deeply.”👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Cheers, C100 for that recounting of the Feast of St. Dowman. How appropriate was it that such feats were performed on Pie Day (that’s for Dr. F). I will proudly show my scars on every anniversary.
What a day, Holics! Soak it in. Drink up their milkshake!😎
MCMBD
Great report GSD, and comments above by US (usual suspects). As the French commentator said, “Douman ha marque’” (or something to that effect. Vin rouge is on the bar for all’s who wants ‘em.
I’m a bit worried Tudor might be fired if the spuds get thrashed again. So I’m hoping for a narrow defeat, preferably a last minute sickener of some kind, and Tudor being allowed to stumble hopelessly on to the championship.
TTG@12: To build on your point, another effect Dowman had was that Saka played centrally, where, no longer double-teamed, he started to have more influence on the game. Dowman was in acres of space when he put in the cross that Pickford fluffed, room that Saka has rarely found/been given this season. I suspect one of the reasons that Timber underlaps so much is to pull at least one defender away from the duo or trio covering Saka, but it clogs the half-space where Saka is so dangerous. When Dowman put that cross in, Mosquera was outside him, occupying one defender and stretching the Everton defence, giving Dowman space to work in. If you think of the Ødegaard-White-Saka triangle at its peak, Benny Blanco invariably overlapped on the outside. It will be interesting to see how quickly opposing managers work out a way to shut Dowman down, though doing so will be no mean feat given the youngster’s talent. Rice needs to start practising his edge-of-the-box free kicks, as I suspect Dowman will be winning a lot of them.
Congrats on the rugby Ollie. It was your day for last gasp success 😃
OM@17: The silver lining might be the return of Happy ‘they know where to find me’ ‘arry.
Great report GSD of a great result – nothing beats last minute winners.
Until the finale, there was more direct attacking intent but without much to show for it ( ie less horseshoe of death ). Tbe subs were very effective – well played / timed by the boss. He was so animated along the touchline that when he threw off his cost it seemed he was preparing to come on and play 😂.
It was wonderful to see young Max seem so much at home at that level – what a magical player he is already – too advanced to be called a prospect. Our regulars must have found it so special to have been at the NHOF to witness that and hope their limbs have recovered.
Ned @ 22 – they will need to lock away all the spare cash before letting him through the doors.
Cheers Matt. Saw that last match through a somewhat alcoholic haze. Convinced we’d lose (and not liking the colour of the shirt for this one). Very last gasp, been a bit of a wild Tournament all around.
The second coming of Hairy Redcrap, sounds like the nonagenarian nightmare of earlier in the week.
Uply@23: That must be why Vinny has put off taking the season ticket renewal money…
What a surprise! The Mickeys can’t be relied upon to do a damn thing. Unless its stealing hubcaps or robbing a corpse.
The neighbours nick a last-minute point at Anfield with Igor Tudor channelling his inner Sean Dyche and finally playing the 4-4-2 that all relegation-threatened sides should resort to.
Yet, why wasn’t there a VAR review of Richarlison’s equaliser as surely the Brazilian was offside at the start of the phase of play that ended with him scoring?
Richarlison was useful in Everton’s relegation battle I remember. Odd really
as he generally disappears for about 80% of the season. Perhaps it’s a
savior complex thing and it’s the Tiny Totts helplessness that appeals.
https://gunnerstown.com/
Does anyone (Ned?) know if any Arsenal players will be suspended for the quarterfinal (if we go through), if they get a yellow card against Leverkusen?
https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/football/news/champions-league-suspension-list-players-banned-risk/38b7796b5f5ced7853ef01f4
As I understand this list, Norgaard is the only one.
Thanks SP @29 for the link.
A lot about Max as you’d expect but some other good points too.
It seems Timber and Ode not at training today.
I’d start Benny Blanco if he’s fit.
Thanks very much Matt @31
C100@30 et al: Zubimendi would also miss the next game if booked.
On the Leverkusen side, García, Grimaldo, Kofane and Poku are one yellow away from a suspension.
Ned – hasn’t Zubi already served a ban?
I’ve been sent this
https://www.sportingnews.com/uk/football/news/champions-league-suspension-list-players-banned-risk/38b7796b5f5ced7853ef01f4
C100@35: I’ll raise you this:
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/02a3-2028c3816de7-9fce4b872741-1000–champions-league-predicted-line-ups-and-team-news-round-of/
Re raise you this Ned. Only Norgaard is one yellow from a ban. Rice and Zubi have already served bans. Zubi is one of several who could miss a semi final with two more yellows.
https://dailycannon.com/2026/03/norgaard-arsenal-champions-league-suspension/
I can only assume UEFA knows its own rules. Perhaps not?
There might be some confusion in that yellow cards are not wiped until the conclusion of the quarter finals, as per CL Rule 63.04, and that a player faces suspension after getting his third yellow that does not result in a red, and after each subsequent odd-numbered one.
CL Rule 63.02 (b) says as from the first match in the league phase, players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, that did not result in a red card, as well as after any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.)
That is a much tougher sanction regime than in the PL, which imposes a one-match suspension if a player accumulates five yellows in the first 19 games, a two-match ban for 10 yellows in the first 32 games and a three-match ban for 15 yellows.
The CL yellow card count is:
4: Zubimendi
3: Rice, Merino
2: Nørgaard
1: White, Gabriel, Martinelli, Havertz, MLS, Madueke, Calafiori, Saliba, Nwaneri
That puts Zubi and Nørgaard one yellow away, and the rest two yellows away from suspensions.
I submit Ned. I’ve never won an argument with you yet!
Top stuff, GSD ! “Madley, truly, deeply” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Where does PGMO(L) keep finding these incompetent muppets. I’m reinstating their “L” for Limited Intelligence, Lobotomised, Ludicrous, Lousy* ( delete as appropriate).
And VAR 🤷♂️. Having viewed the camera angle that VAR chose not to bother with, every single commentator, co-commentator, pundit and journalist agreed it was a definite penalty. The only person to disagree was the one with all the power, the unaccountable power to make the decision. This is how we run by far the biggest football league in the world. Unbelievable.
And now for something completely different: Max Dowman. I agree with you that Mikel Arteta is playing a blinder with him. Fabulous talent. A developing kid’s body, albeit an already well trained one. Congratulations to him on already creating one of his most enduring memories – whatever he does from here. What would I give ….. ?
C100@40: If all else fails, read the instructions…
This is such an Arteta answer from his pre-Leverkusen press conference:
Q: Are you ready to play [Dowman] regularly?
A: Yeah, depending on what you call regularly.
That death grip Dowman put on Gyokeres after the first goal actually looked quite painful. I know Viktor is big and strong but shouldn’t someone have a word with the young Max to get a grip on his emotions rather than our star striker’s neck?
😅
The Premier League finds that Chelsea made “obvious and deliberate breaches” which “involved deception and concealment in relation to financial matters” between 2011 and 2018. Penalty given? Very little more than a polite slap on the wrist. If I were Man 115ty I wouldn’t exactly be quaking in my boots.
Point of order: Didn’t Max self-assist on his goal?
If so, what’s to prevent others from emulating him?
.
.
.
BOOM
Well in bt8, amazing dribbling skills carrying the ball from your own goal-line!
*Jumps into the stands to hug Ollie.*
Bt8 – self assisting AND jumping into the crowd ….. that’s two yellow cards. Off you go !
>>>>>>>