The Game
Well, what to make of that game? Prior to the match my only concern had been whether the real Arsenal would show up. The result is one thing but going gently into that dark night could not be countenanced in any way, shape or form. We had, I think it is fair to say, not done ourselves justice against Manchester City in the Carabao, against Southampton in the FA Cup or against Bournemouth in the Premier League. The first few minutes did nothing to soothe my nerves, early possession for them, a mistake from Raya, a chance that hit the post and a penalty appeal, (it wasn’t but it’s football and we have all seen more ridiculous decisions both for and against us). Nevertheless, I must own that that particular accumulation of early events all caused mutterings and palpitations of the unwanted kind.
Fortunately, the team were made of sterner stuff and the next twenty minutes put paid to any concerns. There was no sitting back, we were true to Mikel’s pre-match word, we were there to win and we played like it. We pressed aggressively, we got in their faces and we looked dangerous again from set pieces; all good things to see. Then we gave away a goal, to be fair, it was a very good individual goal; Cherki wriggling through several challenges and finishing well. However, I had barely begun to wonder whether that would prove to be a turning point when Kai smartly closed down Donnaruma and we were level. Fine work from Kai got a deserved reward.
I will not give a blow by blow of the rest of the match as in all honesty we would be here all day. Much happened, and at the end of the day, the fine margins did not go our way. We all know the result, there were great chances, possible red cards, howls of anguish, tempers were frayed, etc etc – in other words it was a high-level game of football. However, we stood up, we certainly did ourselves justice and I have no complaints. Instead, I would like to focus on a few other points and also share my own thoughts on where we are now, who they are and what next.
Our Performance
Firstly, why were we better than of late?
This is the first question that I asked myself as I began this report. Was it the return of Øde at No 10? Was it the selection of Kai up front? The move of Eze to the left-wing? Fighting words from Mikel? Who knows? Certainly not I, but whether it was those factors or others doesn’t really matter. We were much better, we made better chances, and could easily have got something from the game. I, at least, was encouraged and I hope the players are too once they swallow the disappointment of the defeat.
The Opposition
They played well, took their chances and got the points. Usually, as is our general wont on this blog, I would say fair play to them and move on. However, it’s the word fair that produces the rub, they are not known as Cheaty, C115ty, C130ty, etc for no reason, our fans (and others) do not sing “you know who you are, you cheating b%!%*s” for no reason. All that they have done is the fruit of a poisoned tree, a rotten tree with its roots firmly planted during the many seasons where they cheated, lied and defrauded all the clubs that played by the rules. They continue to lie and bluster because that is what they are – I know that, the PL knows that, all the fans from other clubs know that and even they themselves know that. In the circumstances, I cannot say fair play to them. Hopefully, the day will come when they will be held to account as I believe it must, but until then they are nothing.
What Next?
I would like to see Bukayo Saka back as soon as possible and Jurrien Timber as well. But more than that I want to see the same attitude as in this game. I read today that the last time we lost two league games in a row, we won our next eight. Well, that will certainly do very nicely for me as we seem to have about that number of games left if all goes well. Maintain the same attitude, get key players back and a CL / PL double is very much on.
I haven’t, in all honesty, bothered to read any reports / reaction on the game. No doubt, there will be much whining, defeatism and so on but now is not the time for any of that – yes, we have lost some games, ‘ twas ever thus in football.
It’s time for some home stretch hustle – score the goals, win the games, take the glory.
Excellent report, Matt. Very well put together, focused on the important points, and I agree with every word.
We now have a week before our next game. Time to get some rest but also spend some time in training focusing on whatever Mikel thinks we most need for the run-in.
Eze on the left worked for me, because it gave us another technical player who can keep the ball and offer threat. He also tucked in nicely, giving us numbers in the middle without losing too much width as Hincapie could overlap – and we are never the most dangerous team from the wide left anyway. He was fine defensively too, having understood how this team works much better and worked out how to play left wing for us much better than in his last run where he tended to play more like he was still at Palace.
Havertz up top was a big improvement on Gyokeres, but the Swede is also an excellent option to bring on (and maybe start certain games, perhaps West Ham away?). The sub for Zubi was a good move from Arteta. Odegaard was excellent for a guy lacking fitness, and having him fit will be vital.
We needed to find something in our team and our play that could refresh us and give us some impetus for the last few weeks. I really think we did that. If, as Matt says, we can get Saka and Timber back soon (even Merino?) then we will start to look really strong.
In a strange way, yesterday’s result has taken away the uncertainty and the nerves. We won’t be leading the league if City win their game in hand against Burnely by 2 goals (seems likely). We just have to go and win out games. If we do, I think it will be enough. Looking at Rice and Odegaard after the game yesterday, they looked like they believe we can do this. I completely agree. There will be more twists and turns, but yesterday struck me as a promising upturn. We’ve had a blip. Now we need a burst of form. Let’s pull together and make it happen.
Victoria Concordia Crescit
Excellent summary, Matt. Strangely, I wasn’t quite as jumpy as you in the early stages and I was absolutely delighted by our early play, positivity and press…….a day and night difference from the Bournemouth game only a week ago. That game left me feeling much more morose than yesterday’s which has provided a surge of happiness and confidence.
So what changed? The simple biggest change was Gyokores on the bench. Suddenly in Havertz (albeit only 90%+ fit and still rusty) who could win the ball in the air enabling Raya to kick without the ball coming straight back to him; run and control the ball at the same time and actually be in positions to score when chances were created. Odegaard’s return was the other critical factor. The team plays less well when he isn’t on the field. Eze too had a very good game, quality player that he is. The latter two complemented Rice and Zubi and our midfield played well throughout and potency was added up front.
IF (ifs are always big) Saka had played and had the same amount of the ball that Madueke had, The Cheats would have been punished mercilessly.
IF (another one but not quite as big) Saka and Timber return, Calafiori is available and the rest of the team that played yesterday stays fit we will be well and truly in with a chance of winning both of the competitions that matter.
Leave the handbrake off, Mikel, Victor on the bench and elevate Max in your thinking when we need competence and potency on the right wing.
COYG. NLFE.
Thanks, Matt for a great report that contains a lot of good sense.
I Couldn’t watch the game live so had to watch a recording last night. Thought we were excellent and unlucky not to win it with our two shots that hit the post and Kai’s last gasp header.
Thought the whole energy and mindset of the team was spot on.
Havertz and Odegaard made a massive difference.
Havertz looking fit again and watching Odegaard manage the press and the team was a master class.
Play the last five games like that and we have to be in with a chance.
Imagine it we’d played this season with no injuries, or even half of those we’ve actually had…..
Cheers Matt!
Thanks Matt and GSD for fine balanced contributions. I generally agree with the general tone; that that was our best performance in months and we deserved a draw. We had five chances and scored one, they had four chances and scored two.
I certainly felt far better driving home than I had against Wolves away or Bournemouth at home recently. This title tilt is still absolutely on.
I only like two things about visits to the Emptihad, the Maine Road chippy across the road from the away end and their fantastic stewards who are very kind and go out of their way to make sure that an old bloke with a stick stays safe and comfortable as he climbs up to the gods. I dislike the stadium where I always seem to end up in the flight path from Manchester airport, their cheating wind up merchants of a team and their despicable fans, the worst on the circuit.
You’ve hit the right note, OM. Bravo.
Not having half your first choice XI missing makes a difference. Who’d have thunk it?
I should also say that the away fans were terrific as always, loud and proud and staying to applaud the team at the end. Ian Stone was a couple of rows above us, right at the back.
Thanks for a fine report Matt which strikes exactly the right gone . If truth be told I was dreading this game for weeks as they peaked and we plummeted but we really turned up yesterday and played really well. I keep reliving Kai’s late header. If that had gone in….?
I rarely watch MOTD but for yesterday and thought the analysis was quite sensible and balanced.
Their conclusion was that we were still provably and narrowly in the best position but it may come down to goal difference . I don’t believe both sides will win all their games and they have a harder run-in than we do.
So heads up Holics let’s get behind Mikel and the boys and wait for C130y to slip
I must add that I thought yesterday was the best game I have seen Anthony Taylor referee. He was excellent. He let the players play, kept himself out of the spotlight and managed everything really well. I want to see that from him every time. It was so refreshing to watch a top PL clash with a top quality refereeing performance. Well played, Mr Taylor.
Agree with all the above, including the assessment of OM , for which many thanks.
Dino@9- That is the first and therefore only good game I have ever seen Taylor have. Pity it is at the end of the season. He should be striving for that level every game.
That’s an excellent report, Matt. Just what the doctor ordered! GSD’s Drink @1, adds further appropriate colour.
That was one of our top performances of the season. We lost this game on fine margins, missing four great chances: two efforts that struck posts and two Havertz efforts while Cherki’s shot evaded two blocks and Raya’s hand by a whisker and Haaland’s foul on Gabriel at his goal was not called by either the referee or VAR. It was very encouraging to see an Arsenal team playing on the front foot and undoubtedly the return of Ødegaard, alongside Eze and starting Havertz up front facilitated this improvement.
If we can continue this form, we should win our remaining league fixtures. Whether that will deliver the title remains to be seen but there is now no scope for error.
COYG
Ecco:
https://x.com/footyinsider247/status/2046189638289617010?s=12
‘Missing four great chances’ rather encapsulates the past few seasons.
Excellent video on yesterday’s game from Adam Clery.
And another, from Adrian Clarke. Both saying similar things. I’m really encouraged that 2 analysts whose work I respect make similar points and point to the fine margins and great work from Arsenal.
Both also exonerate Martinelli for the second goal, pointing out that he was following instructions and others weren’t quite on it. Apologies to Gabby.
Oops. Right one this time.
I like Adrian’s commentary and I like him on Handbrake off. He calls it as he sees it, no rose tinted glasses.
I thought we played well and maybe deserved a draw and as much as I dislike Haaland, must give him credit for not flopping when Gabriel squared up to him. Big Gabby is a lucky boy.
So disappointed in how little we have gotten from Madueke, Martinelli and Trossard the last few months. Like Matt says, we need Saka and Timber and maybe Calafiori if we are to save this season.
Thanks all, lots of good points, good sense and good links as always.
Fitness permitting I agree with most of you that think we will more or less have to start Kai at CF for the remaining PL games and probably Eze wide left. I don’t have any great belief in Eze’s defensive efforts but it doesn’t really matter that much at this stage, we have to go for it,
Before Xmas Leo was having a stand out season wide on the left
but I don’t know if it’s a niggling injury, burn out or something else
but he hasn’t seemed the same player in 2nd half of the season.
A bit of a bastard really as he is such a useful little engine when he’s
playing well.
CER@14-16: Thanks for those links. I thought Adam Cleary was spot on in saying that the result reflected City punishing our mistakes but us not doing the same to theirs. Not for the first time this season, we did not take a high enough percentage of our superior number of chances.
Ned@19- agreed. One of several excellent points made in the videos.
On another note, this is very interesting. I’d be glad to hear C100 on this.
https://shewore.com/
As someone who has started out in the road to away credits relatively recently, it’s not apparent to me but those on higher credits must be hugely frustrated. I must say, I have bumped into a lot of non season ticket holders at away games in Europe.
The Chavs had had this coming for years. Remember David Dein and “Abramovich parking his tanks on our lawn firing £50 notes”.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/chelsea-liam-rosenior-enzo-fernandez-premier-league-b2962246.html
CER @20. A good article from Keenos. But I think the bigger scam was the away season ticket. I know many who used to sell their tix on – not always for above face value, but to sell to mates or family who had very low credits but fancied an away day. I don’t know what the answer is. But I have no complaints given the way that Aidan and I have managed to climb the ladder.
Swiss Ramble’s review of PSG’s financials dropped into my inbox. Quite interesting.
Matcday : Arsenal £154M : PSG £68M
Broadcasting : Arsenal £273M : PSG £211M
Commercial : Arsenal £263M : PSG £336M
Other Income : Arsenal £0M : PSG £112M
Total Income : Arsenal £690M : PSG £727M (Delta £37M +5.4%)
Wages : Arsenal £347M : PSG £465M (Delta £118M +34%)
I no longer subscribe to Swiss Ramble so I don’t know to what extent Qatar Sports Investment contributes to PSG’s Commercial Income and mysterious ‘Other Income’. Perhaps the Monks do, Ned?
Interesting that our total income is close to PSG’s without any oily aid. The player wages gap vs Arsenal is significant and a challenging bridge.
C100
I think ( sadly) that had Abramovich stayed in charge of the Chavs they would have continued to be successful. While we may not like the way they’ve got success they did pursue it relentlessly and got plenty of it .
The big change was their purchase by the private equity group . No offence to our American colleagues intended but Delaney hits the nail on the head when he points out how they could reverse the norms of an established business , that they had spotted something nobody else had . Whatever it was it hasn’t helped them and their supporters are in despair . Rosenior won’t be retained but who would go there in his place to operate under the model they operate? Iraiola is the hot ticket but he can do much better than them. As Delaney points out their best players may want to leave and with their model they are likely to sell them on to be replaced by a motley mix of young wingers and goalkeepers most of whom are wildly overpriced . My experience of private equity would suggest they won’t tolerate the degree of mismanagement they are seeing now( and Rosenior is only a pawn in a much bigger and misguided game ). Couldn’t happen to a better club….except for C130y of course !
BtM@23: PSG’s other income includes the club’s share of the third and final tranche of the Ligue 1 CVC private equity deal. It was down 27% from the previous year as the third tranche was smaller. It also looks as if a bit of FIFA Club World Cup money is in there, too. The CVC money has shrunk because UEFA nixed the Qatar Tourism Authority sponsorship deal with the French league that UEFA thought was back-door money for PSG, as the club gets by far the biggest slug of the CVC money of any of the Ligue Un clubs.
A small footnote, PSG classifies the CVC money as ‘other income’ but the Deloitte Money League numbers lump it in with ‘broadcasting’.
The other titbit from the PSG accounts is that Mbappé’s departure cut the wage bill by 19%.
Swiss Ramble today is taking a look at Chelsea’s accounts, as it happens.
Couple of points to add to TTG and others’ comments about the specific instance of US private equity at Stamford Bridge. First, my guess is that the ownership of Chelsea thought that they could apply US sports and PE financial models to PL football without fully realising the fundamental differences between the financial infrastructure of US and UK professional sport. Some of the things they have tried in the UK work so well in the US because they are born out of that infrastructure, but were unlikely to flourish in the UK because the financial soil is so different.
The second, again guessing, is that they misunderstood the media environment that they would be operating in. US media is much more club friendly (and controlled) than the red-in-tooth-and-claw UK popular prints. Home teams get criticised by US media, but not savaged in the same way when the UK red tops let loose. It is one thing appointing a technically qualified young head coach in, say, the NFL, where he will get a degree of protection from the press and there will be a general manager to share being the face of the club if necessary, quite another to do so in the PL where being thrown to the lions over a nine-month season is part of the job.
As for Iraola or anyone else taking on the Chelsea job after Rosenior, even though they shouldn’t touch it with a bargepole, exhibit A is de Zerbi and the neighbours. Moths to the flame, all.
Btw, Swiss Ramble’s headline on Chelsea’s finances: Bablyon’s burning.
Bit of trivia. Gabriel Arteta, Mikel’s son, has made his competitive debut today for Arsenal U18s v Reading.
Jeorge Birds report on the U18s
@25/26, Ned, thanks for both.
Babylon’s Burning and deservedly so. This Times article is an interesting read if you didn’t catch it.
https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/chelsea-sanctions-fine-premier-league-3923799hf
LinkedIn Liam is available for other opportunities
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/22/liam-rosenior-leaves-chelsea-contract-2032?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Igor Tudor is available
Liam could be sold to the ladies team
£24m payoff apparently. He might be out of work but he’s rich.
Three and half months of incompetence and walk away with £24m? Sign me up.
Yeah, my application is in the post though I’d give it up for a late
Burnley equalizer.
I expect both have equal chance Matt 🤓
Trump has asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the World Cup.
https://www.ft.com/content/1ff3a3fd-8d46-4eb4-9b15-0b9183925c6f (££)
@36 😂😂
Five games to go. Win them all. Score lots of goals. Job done.
UTA.
Noose knows.
Noosa knows.
Bloody spillchucker can go hang.
The GHF Predictathon leaderboard for Matchweek 33 has been posted. We have a new leader, an escape from the relegation zone and a lot of movement in the middle of the pack. Only one player’s position is unchanged from the previous matchweek. Were you up? Were you down? You know where to find out…
I see that Filipe Luís is among the favourites to take over at Chelsea. The Brazilian was sacked by Flamengo in March, just after beating Madureira 8-0 In the semifinals of the state championship and despite winning a shelfful of trophies the previous season. He was accused of secretly negotiating with Chelsea to take over there while simultaneously renegotiating his contract with Flamengo. Filipe Luis was told he was getting the old heave-ho in a 30-second conversation with Flamengo’s top brass immediately after giving his Madureira post-match press conference. It sounds as if he is perfectly prepared for a move to the Bridge.
Matthew Syed goes in two footed on Chelsea
Chelsea escaped justice for so long — this self-sabotage is heavenly
https://www.thetimes.com/article/5f6323f5-83ed-4333-bd5c-63840ae4b814?shareToken=24b2d40727c0289958a4e7888595b485
Thanks for the link @ 47 c100. Matthew Syed hits the spot ( he very often does ) in exposing Chelsea for the charlatans they are. Of course they have got away with their cheating with a “pocket money” fine by the EPL. This regretfully, and unsurprisingly, will no doubt be reflected in the punishment meted out to Man Cheatys when the EPL finally get round to their decisions. As for those cretinous supporters calling for the return of the Russian mafia, I guess there is no shock really – their history goes before them.
A run up to the 50 approaches – floats a diagonal across the pitch to the fast approaching…….
@46 C100, two footed indeed. He doesn’t appear to be a fan. Hopefully the next similar piece will be two footed with an. accompanying flying head butt and written under a Blue Moon.
Leaps gently and nods home before tumbling sunwards and falling asleep in the sunshine.
Well in for the half-ton, BtM, and an extremely nonchalant celebration. We’ll wake you in good time for the ton.
C100@46: Thanks for the link. That wasn’t just two-footed, it was full Shawcross.
If anyone is developing a taste for West London blood, here is Phillip Auclair
https://www.eurosport.fr/football/premier-league/2025-2026/apres-le-licenciement-de-liam-rosenior-chelsea-lagonie-dun-modele_sto23293103/story.shtml
C100@53: Given where Auclair’s sporting sympathies lie, it is no surprise to see him weighing in on Chelsea, but more power to him.
Our own Dr. F could have hardly bettered this sentence of Auclair’s, And, like Molière’s doctors who would inflict bloodletting after bloodletting on a haemophiliac, Eghbali, Boehly and the others find themselves at the bedside of a dying person, incapable of seeing that if the patient is so bad, it is still a little, a lot of their fault.
Well in for a fine 50 BtM and thanks for the link @46 C100
So? We are now overlooking an onanistic self-assist, are we? Have our standards fallen to the level of the pathetic Premier League Fraud Enquiry? Are we forgetting the standards of yesteryear?
Matt@55, I initially read that drink as the issuing of a £50 fine for that infraction.
Yellow card to BtM for the self-assist and to OM for hailing it is my suggestion!
If you haven’t already, I recommend you download the Arsenal app. And then watch the Charlie George documentary. After watching it, I won’t need to take a tube down to The Arsenal tomorrow. I shall simply ask my wife to point me in the right direction, give me a gentle push and I’ll fly there.
An update ahead of semi-finals weekend that seven GHF Predictathon players remain in the running for the bonus FA Cup prediction award: Dr. F, Dr. F Jnr, GSD, Pangloss, Steviehyperdee, the Aristocrat and Uply.
Dr F Jnr and SHD are still on for a Cup double, having shared the League Cup award.
Shocking aspersions in the bar tonight! Onanism and card-waving abounds
However, a measured review of the situation by the appeals panel shows that BtM’s 49 was a response to C100 @46. As such, it is, de facto, not a self-assist. Further forensic analysis shows that the 50 was raised in response to Uply @48.
There you have it, a Latin phrase and a vague reference to forensics – case proven.
Saka and Calafiori in the squad for tomorrow. Timber not ready yet.
https://www.arsenal.com/news/arteta-delivers-saka-calafiori-and-timber-update
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>