Anyone up for a treble? Of course, this isn’t a “real” treble but that doesn’t really matter. We can pretend it is. Arsenal kept their “treble” dreams alive with an enthralling 3-0 win at Oxford on Monday evening. In the same way watching paint dry is enthralling. Arteta made seven changes from the Newcastle game although it was a team almost exclusively made up of full internationals even if they didn’t play like it for the opening two thirds of the game.
The less I say about the first half the better. In fairness Oxford gave as good as they got in the opening forty-five minutes. Both sides failed to register a shot on target before the break. It was a difficult watch. Oxford’s midfield included former Hale end Academy graduate, Marcus McGuane. He initially left us in 2018 to join Barcelona B. He now plays for a team who are 14th in League One. The grass isn’t always greener after all. They also had Josh Murphy who is the brother of Newcastle’s Jacob. If I am correct, I believe he was also on the Magpie’s books at some point.
The first half passed without much incident other than that we should have had a penalty when Lokonga saw his shot quite literally saved by an Oxford defender. The Arsenal players surrounded the referee but in the absence of VAR, not that it would’ve made a difference, there was nothing doing. Other than that, there was very little of note to report. It was the kind of game where if it was being played in your back garden, you would draw the curtains. Due to the Kassam Stadium’s unique design, there were only three stands, with the other “stand” being a car park! A couple of fans decided to watch the game standing on the roof of a car. Can’t do that at The Emirates. Magic of the cup and all that!
We did improve after the break. Perhaps an Arteta rocket up the backside was all that was needed. That or the half time oranges. There was a brief moment of panic where an Oxford player was sent through on goal, but Matt Turner’s excellent starting position snuffed out any danger. On the hour mark, Martinelli was scythed down and we had a free kick which was beautifully floated in by Fabio Vieira and Mohammed Elneny headed in expertly to break the deadlock. It wasn’t the Pyramid Pirlo’s usual howitzer from outside the box but a goal is a goal.
We began to turn the screw as the U’s were forced to commit more men forward. Granit Xhaka, who had replaced the mostly ineffective Lokonga in midfield, won the ball back in midfield, Elneny fed Vieira, who sent a delicious through ball to Eddie Nketiah who rounded the keeper and passed the ball home for number two. It was two assists in less than ten minutes for Vieira who Arteta said, in the build up to the game, was now at the physical level to compete. He could still do with a bit more bulking up but there really is no questioning his technical ability. Every time he plays, he seems to make a big contribution and you sense he is a player who is only going to get better. A brace of assists won’t have done him any harm.
Just six minutes later we had a third. Martinelli carried the ball into the final third before releasing Nketiah who sumptuously chipped the ‘keeper for his second of the game. That’s four goals in four starts since the resumption of club football following the World Cup. Our number 14 has had a lot of pressure foisted upon him following the injury to Gabriel Jesús but at the moment he is seizing his chance with both hands. I said at the end of last season, I would be disappointed if we let Eddie go for free and I don’t think I was alone in celebrating when he signed a new long term deal in the summer. That’s seven goals in all competitions this season in just eleven starts. He is now level with Bukayo Saka, Ødegaard and Martinelli. That’s a rather good front four. We then saw Emile Smith Rowe make his long awaited return from injury as he got on for about 15 minutes or so. With our number 10 back and the news that the Mudryk deal is inching closer to completion, we seem to have a fair amount of depth in attacking positions, particularly on that left hand side. And we are going to need it if we are going to be competitive on all three fronts.
We will now travel to Manchester in round four to take on our title rivals, Manchester City at the Emptihad. It will be interesting to see how we get on with that game coming a couple of weeks before our eagerly anticipated league encounter with the champions at the Emirates. It means our next three games are against Spurs and Manchester United in the league followed Manchester city in the Arsenal Cup. We then have league games against Everton and Brentford, before the potential title deciding clash at the Emirates. The next few weeks are set to be season defining.
COYG!!
Thanks, 21CG. I didn’t get to see the entire “enthralling“ spectacle but did watch the goals, which were actually quite spectacular on my little screen. All you can do is beat the opposition in front of you, which we did with a clean sheet and a few sparkling touches from Vieira and Nketiah. It also didn’t seem to hurt when we brought on our Swiss Albanian good luck charm as we scored within seconds. What’s not to like?
Nice job 21CG. I did watch the game and thought it was a good hard competitive match where the higher skill level showed through in the end. I certainly didn’t think Oxford were dirty, and can’t recall a bad foul in the game. Robust tackles which hurt yes, dirty no. I’d like to give a big shout out to Mo Elneny and Rob Holding. Every squad needs players who are very happy to be squad players but still put in 7/10 performances every time they play. On to the Etihad (not Friday or Monday night please).
Very good report 21CG. You captured the mood of the game very well. Some who were tyere said it was jumping but somehow the atmosphere on TV seemed flat.Maybe it was the mundane first half.
I agree with C100 about Oxford who were much better than I expected until they got near goal when they lacked penetration. By the way I liked the Turner save early in the second half . Ramsdale would have advanced in ultra macho mood and kicked him towards Didcot . Turner anticipated beautifully.
We did the job and special mentions to Eddie , Gabriel and Granit and Zinchenko who changed the mood of the game. I can see what there is to like in Vieira, the assist machine, but I haven’t quite synced with him yet . I’m not sure he’d escape the clutches of a Keane or Souness . Fortunately there aren’t many of them anymore .
Good review, 21CG. The ‘Pyramid Pirlo’ alone is worth the price of admission. From what yet another choppy stream let me see, Oxford worked their socks off to stay in the game, but once we had scored, they didn’t possess the attacking quality to get back in the game.
TTG@3: That Turner save you refer to caught my eye, too; a sort of semi-butterfly. I liked how he wasted no time in throwing the ball out to get an attack underway. There is a no-drama aspect to his keeping that is appealing.
On McGuane, I came across this video on why UK non-league football is so good compared to its counterparts elsewhere. The statistics it shows about the chances of an academy player even making it to a pro contract, let alone the Premiership, are pretty depressing if you are an academy player dreaming of being a pro.
Thanks 21CG, a fine report of an enjoyable second half and like you I am still optimistic on Vieira. We played well enough and seem to have come out with no injuries so all in all a good day.
And thanks Ned for the video. When my Dad didn’t take me to The Arsenal I used to go and watch Wimbledon sometimes. They were a Southern League team but it wasn’t a bad standard. You could go with your local mates and all be supporting the same team for a change instead of arguing about Chelsea, Man Utd etc. Of course about 16:40 you’d all be gathered about some bloke with a transistor radio waiting for the results of your ‘real’ team but it was football up close and personal as he more or less says on the video. Good to know those teams are still going strong.
Cheers 21CG. A fair review of what we saw. In the end, the job got done without too much fuss.
As Hazza reminded me on the arses, a special thought today for Dave on what would have been his birthday.
A fine report, 21CG. It’s remarkable how the addition of Xhaka and Zinchenko transformed an anonymous, toiling midfield, gave Vieira soace to work and changed the dynamic of the game which until that point could have gone either way.
Good call Ollie. A toast to the Guvna’s memory. “Wha’s like him?” 🥃
Another toast to the Guv’nor, here.
In loan news, Miguel Azeez has been loaned to Wigan after being recalled from Ibiza. Kolo Toure is Wigan’s manager with Kevin Betsy his assistant, so he’ll be among friends.
Talking of loanees, Charlie Patino is now playing as a DM at Blackpool and still getting good reviews (and he’s bulked up a bit; he now looks like a kid, not a young kid). If Burnley gets promoted, I wonder if Lokonga will go there on loan next season (Vincent Kompany is a fan) and Patino take Sambi’s place in our first-team squad. Or would Patino be better served with another season or regular senior football?
Ned. IMHO Patino’s ready. Let him finish the season by the seaside then bring him back as a 6 or 8. As you say he could take Sambi’s place in the squad. Keep working in the gym Charlie.
C100@10: I certainly wouldn’t cut short Patino’s loan. As ESR showed, battling relegation from the Championship can be character-building for a Premiership academy product.
Excellent review 21CG.
Vieira is excellent on the ball but he needs a bit of space to execute. His abilities in tight spaces and especially when pressed constantly need improvement to be able to provide viable alternatives to Ødegaard or Saka.
Sambi’s body language this season just doesn’t look right. If he is feeling sorry for himself he needs to accept that at a top level club like Arsenal he will have to prove himself on the field in whatever opportunities he gets. He might have been Anderlecht captain and impressed Henry or Company, but that counts for nothing once he is fighting for a position in the Arsenal squad.
Agree with everyone that Turner looked very assured and distributed well. Ramsdale has more of a competition than it originally felt to be.
Very happy for Elneny scoring the opener. The perfect squad player, and players like him are essential to a successful season.
“egyptian pirlo” is priceless, 21cg. thanks for a great review, it tallies with what i saw. fabio does need to bulk up a bit, but the weight on his throughball was perfect, and he placed his freekick exactly where not one but two arsenal players (tomi and e’pirlo) could have scored from it.
i like sambi, but agree he could do with a loan. something like balogun’s might be helpful, though i daresay he probably already speaks french.
can’t wait to play scum.
The club has done a great job producing new artwork for the exterior of the stadium. Really great work, Arsenal!
https://www.arsenal.com/news/take-closer-look-our-new-emirates-artworks
The Guvna is in the new artwork:
Bath
How appropriate and how thrilled he would be . I see Layth is on there too. The artwork has grown on me . I’m getting very positive about it
Update: I have been informed that this is not the final artwork. It’s still a work in progress. These are pictures with which the artist is working but I have been assured that Dave WILL be there.
As he should be! That’s terrific.
Great stuff, bath at 17.
Balague on the reasons why Joao Felix and Diego Simeone don’t get along. Very interesting read, especially in light of Felix’s good first half but early second half red card in Chelsea’s loss to Fulham today. He may have some good games for Chelsea starting in February but Arsenal may have dodged a bullet.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64243954
Great to see The Guvna immortalized at The Arsenal! 🍾🥂
We’ve been pulled up in front of the FA again. The penalty appeal against Oxford this time – as mentioned by 21CG in the 4th paragraph of his report. I honestly didn’t think it unusual at the time but before I castigate the FA I will see what happens this weekend. In the normal course of events I would expect to see at least 4 or 5 teams charged for the same offense because it was the sort of thing you see every single week.
Yes I am expecting both Chelsea and Fulham to be pulled up for the same offence during the sending off.
If not then why not. They just look incredibly stupid when they apply things so inconsistently.
It is the FA, though, SP.
bt8@20: Thanks for that link. Joao Felix would not have fitted Arteta’s system much better than he does Simone’s, although the two managers play a different way. And we know what happens to players who won’t buy into the Arteta vision. Felix and PEA can compare notes. Also, if it is true that Atletico is just parking Felix until Simone leaves in the summer, then how much commitment will he give to the club he is loaned to in the meantime? You are right, a bullet dodged.
Oh yes apologies. I am still in the 1980s.
A superb profile of our Captain by Jonathan Liew.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/13/martin-degaard-bumpy-path-destiny-arsenal-norway
Hi Countryman! Thanks for the above post on our captain! UTA
Hi GUN! Are you getting to any games? The City FA Cup game may go to red members, we have 7800 tix!
Ned,
My take on Felix was that in football terms he looked the sort of fluid, skilful and paced attacker that Arteta would love. I was very impressed with what turned out to be a cameo from him at Fulham. But as you imply the keynto an expensive loan is his level of commitment. Harking back to Liew’s excellent analysis of Odegaard I immediately felt he was totally committed to the side and I remember him leading the fight back at West Ham which he orchestrated beautifully . Will Felix care enough or buy into such a difficult League at a problem club enough to be a worthwhile loan signing. I suspect Arteta would have had a very positive impact on him but it is a big gamble to take- not a sure thing like spunking £80 m plus on a young Ukrainian winger ! 😀
TTG, there is also the not-inconsiderable matter of £4 million in wages that the borrowing club has to pick up on top of the £9 million loan fee. Chelsea is paying handsomely for the privilege of keeping Joao Felix fit for Atletico until Simone is gone.
Two excellent articles C100 and bt8 – cheers !
Just trying to catch up before the Spuds preview takes over.
So looking forwards to stuffing them – mind you, Paul Tierney, last season’s referee at the Armitage Shanks is on VAR !
Just reading about Mudryk and his likely arrival. Anyone seen him play? Is he the real deal?
Manure doing us a favour for the first time in living memory
OM@34: I would have preferred a draw. Man U are gaining a worrying head of steam ahead of their visit to the Ems.
Would Fernandes’s goal have stood anywhere but the OT?
Hmmm, I would have to say no and no Ned!
I still think Shitty are the threat but you are right that Manure are doing well right now. Fortunately, we can put a spoke in that very shortly.
And no, I agree there’s no way that was a goal.
Ned, Do the monks have data on When was the last time Liverpool, Citeh and Chavski lost in the same week?
bt8 – you forgot to add the Spuds to that list…
Quite right, ecg 🫢😎
Wouldn’t want to count my egg before it has hatched of course. 👍🏼
Looks like the Chavs have gazzumped us on Mudryk if he is willing to play for those classless tossers.
I was worried we were overpaying at what we were already offering.
I guess if Mudryk turns out world class then it will look a good buy but
Boehly seems a bit crazy to me.
Time for Plan B, C and D.
bt8@37: the week of September 27-October 2, 2020.
It also happened April 3-10, 2021 and April 6-13but that is a Sunday to Sunday and Wednesday to Wednesday week, so doesn’t quite count.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/14/arsenal-emirates-revamp-captures-buzz-finally-feels-vibrant-again
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