It’s so good to be back.
Ok, so this was my third visit to the Emirates in the last ten days but the Emirates Cup, despite all its glory and prestige, is no match for the big kick-off itself. Since mid-May I have been sat on a park bench twiddling my thumbs eagerly awaiting the resumption of proper club football. I thoroughly enjoyed the Euros, but nothing beats the buzz of watching The Arsenal up close and personal.
I made sure I got to the ground around 90 minutes early as I decided to attend the pre match party in block 25. During the week the famous Ashburton Army had announced on their socials that the concourse outside B25 was the place to be to grease up for kick off so that is where I headed. Pints were thrown (that seems to have become the fashion in recent years (can’t say I’m a fan) and a jolly old sing song was enjoyed by all. The usual renditions of “Allez Allez” and “we’ve got super Mik Arteta” did the rounds as well as a couple of chants I had not heard of previously. I suppose this is the place in which many new chants are conceived and I’m sure they’ll catch on swiftly.
Somehow, I managed to damage my sunglasses in the melee which meant I essentially had to watch the entire game with one eye which I suppose means we probably played twice as well as I thought. First up, Pedro Neto-less Wolves were in town. Zinchenko was handed a start after a solid pre-season, whilst Calafiori and Timber were on the bench. Partey partnered Rice in midfield and Havertz was given the nod up front. Could the German continue his fine form from the second half of last season?
Why, yes, he could. Following a low-key start from both sides, the deadlock was broken on 25 mins. Saka found space on the right and swung in a pin-point cross towards the six-yard box. Jose Sa came and didn’t get there as Kai rose highest to nod home to get The Arsenal up and running in 24/25. A lovely cross and a lovely header. The way in which the goal came about reminded me of Özil and Giroud a little.
Wolves came close to levelling up on the half hour as Hwang swung in a cross from the right and new signing, Larsen saw his header well saved by David Raya. It was an impressive stop because Raya had already taken a step one way and very quickly had to adjust his feet to push his body in the opposite direction.
We strolled through to half time without much fuss. The second half began in a similar vein as Arsenal appeared to be playing at a similar tempo to the first half of last season. We did what we needed to do and nothing more. It did leave us encountering a couple of hairy moments though, particularly when Saliba uncharacteristically gave the ball away on the edge of the box but thankfully, Cunha fired a tame effort straight at Raya. Meanwhile Ødegaard saw his long-range drive well saved by Sa and Partey fired a yard or so wide.
We really needed a second goal to kill the game off and on 74 mins we found it and, in some style. Havertz fed Saka on the right who jinked inside, hesitated as the ‘keeper and defender geared up for a far post shot, but Saka fooled most in the stadium when he opted for a thumping near-post drive. He followed this up with a celebrational shrug in front of the North Bank as if to say, “well what did you think I was going to do? Miss? Nah”, as his adoring fans applauded his genius. He really is quite good this Saka fella. He might just have a decent future in this old game.
From that point onwards, Arsenal were incredibly comfortable. Timber came on for the final 20 minutes meaning our new Italian would have to wait a little while longer for his competitive Arsenal debut. But it’s always good to see Timber on the pitch. Given his injury a year ago he is essentially LANS for this defence. Adding Timber and Calafiori to what is already the league’s least porous defence is a very enticing prospect. There was one more chance for Wolves as Sarabia’s volleyed effort from the edge of the area was again well saved by Raya as The Arsenal kicked off their campaign with a ‘run of the mill’ win.
There were one or two hairy moments but in the main Arsenal were quite comfortable and never really looked like conceding at any point. In an attacking sense we were still a little rusty in some respects but that’s nothing that can’t be re-oiled with more minutes in the next couple of games. We have Villa away next week and coming away with three points will be some task but the players will be a lot sharper following a very physical 90 mins.
You will probably have noticed I’ve deigned not to mention Mosquera’s assaults on Havertz and Jesus, both of which somehow went unpunished, and that is because I am sick and tired of talking about these referees’ incompetencies which often overshadow the actual football and that’s what we are all here for. I think my silence echoes the sentiments of many of us here. I will be visiting Supersavers later to fix my sunglasses and I expect to see Jarred Gillet there getting his eyes checked. If not, I may have to arrange an appointment for him.
All in all, a good day’s work and it was great to bask in the N5 atmosphere once again as The Arsenal start as we mean to go on for the next nine months.
Always forwards…..
Lovely relaxed review of a sunny afternoon at the football 21CG. Though I’m intrigued at the park bench you’ve been sat on since May. Has CER thrown you out?
The day started well for me, with a meet-up outside the North Bank with an old University friend and cricketing colleague who I’ve known since 1976! He’s a Wolves fan, despite being born in Ebbw Vale, so was incognito. His daughter’s partner is a Gooner.
The key moment in this game for me, was Raya’s fantastic save in the first half. Right in front of us he changed direction in mid air to claw the ball away. Two fantastic goals kept us comfortable, despite a few misplaced passes.
On to Villa next weekend!
Excellent report to kickoff the new season 21CG. It is indeed so good to be back.
Villa away is a tough fixture up next, so the manager and players have done so well to get 3 points with a minimum of fuss, which allows them to focus on the fitness and steps forward that are so vital for a successful start. We’ve got a tough run of fixtures to start, we need to get up to speed quickly, and continuing to take maximum points while we do that could be vital at the end of the season.
UTA
Cheers 21CG!
Great stuff C21G.
COYG
What Esso, Pangloss, GSD and c100 said.
Excellent report c100 and careful what you say to the Australian. 😎
bt8 @5. Wasn’t my report. It was beautifully written by 21CG.
Nice report, 21CG. For that I may allow you to come home and not sleep on that park bench.
Watched the full game re-run this morning and I thought the first half in particular was very encouraging. Partey was very good, we were in total control and it was only a matter of time before we scored. Second half looked as though we took our collective foot (?) off the gas more than anything. Had Wolves managed to score, I think we could quite easily have upped the pace. It seemed like a managed improvement on last season and that, just as last season, Arteta has instructed the team to play at a sustainable, energy saving pace, in order to focus on upping it for the games we need to get results from in the first half of the season, as well as in order to come on strong in the second half of the season. A solid Beta performance overall with plenty more to come. I expect Timber/Calafiori to come in at left back for the Billa game as well as , Sp*rs and C137y.
List of players not in Chelsea’s match day squad today.
1. 🇫🇷 Axel Disasi
2. 🏴 Tosin Adarabioyo
3. 🏴 Raheem Sterling
4. 🏴 Trevoh Chalobah
5. 🏴 Carney Chukwuemeka
6. 🏴 Ben Chilwell
7. 🏴 Conor Gallagher
8. 🏴 Reece James
9. 🇷🇸 Đorđe Petrović
10. 🇮🇹 Cesare Casadei
11. 🏴 Tyrique George
12. 🏴 Josh Acheampong
13. 🇧🇷 Deivid Washington
14. 🏴 Omari Kellyman
15. 🇧🇷 Ângelo Gabriel
16. 🏴 Marcus Bettinelli
17. 🇫🇮 Lucas Bergström
18. 🇪🇸 Kepa Arrizabalaga
19. 🏴 Bashir Humphreys
20. 🏴 Tino Anjorin
21. 🇦🇱 Armando Broja
22. 🇨🇮 David Datro Fofana
23. 🇧🇪 Romelu Lukaku
Cheers 21CG! Great and accurate review. A very competent start to the season, it felt like if we needed to find an extra gear, we would. But we didn’t need to. Weather helped the good vibes too.
I have to say that your description of pre-match by block 25 sounds not that dissimilar to what’s been around block 5 or 6 for a season or two?
I missed it though, because despite being in 24 for this, I spent most of the pre-match at the opposite end where most of the people I know generally gather.
😂😂😂😂😂
Chelsea woeful. Beginning to regret I didn’t put Maresca for the tin tack. I seriously thought about it. Enzo Fernandez at 10 rather than Cole Palmer? Don’t get me started on racist chanting Enzo as Captain. Chelsea doubling down on their brand.
The Bus Stop will be an increasingly more difficult place to visit as Maresca gets his throng sorted out and then gets his first choice XI organised. When do we go there?
I think Maresca will be given the full season Ten Hag will get his jotters earlier – but may not be the first.
Bath @12, we visit Fulham Broadway on Saturday November 9 (subjectto change for TV).
PS.
I could be the ticket man at Fulham Broadway Station.
What a waste.
I could be the catalyst that sparks the revolution…
Aah the great Ian Dury…….
Although I’ll see your What a Waste and raise you:
“ “Men come screaming, dressed in white coats
Shake you very gently by the throat….”
Very topical there, CER.
21CG
Thankyou for a fine report of a very important start.
I was attempting to negotiate my way home from my anniversary celebrations.
My wife asked if ‘ for once’ we could avoid the football commentary . I think she feels listening to the commentary makes me aggressive. Moi ?
So I was interested to see What’s App messages flashing up but there weren’t many . Being affected by road works I didn’t get home until halftime .
My only view of the game was Match of the Day which is no way to judge a performance.
Saka , Havertz and Raya were excellent. Zinchenko is not a left back but it was a good win. We only won 2-1 last year in this fixture ( and on the first day ) . Onwards and hopefully upwards
Fun fact.
Until 1952 Fulham Broadway was known as Walham Green. My parents referred to it as such for all of their lives.
Chelsea.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/aug/18/sense-of-chaos-continues-as-confused-boehly-still-searches-for-chelseas-soul
My apologies 21cg for inadvertently misattributing your excellent report @5. I intended to say it was yours from start to finish, as it was. Also, I hope you are off the park bench soon. 😂
Walham Green – I gad no idea! Thanks vm C100!
C100 @20, someone should point out to the dumb klutz that Chavski has no soul, having sold it to Old Nick long ago.
Re: That excellent Jonathan Wilson article linked @20 by c100. Chelsea and Man C115ty are the main perpetrators as to why “All of football now feels like one of those passages of play after a possible offside when everybody’s waiting to see if a flag will belatedly go up. Is it real? Does it count? Will any of it matter? Or is it all just ghost football that could be exorcised at any moment?”
I’ve got to agree 100% with those sentiments, and I’ve been waiting and waiting for real justice to be handed down on those blue shirted perps. Abramovich is gone, reflecting one stage at least of justice handed down but the stench of his financial shenanigans pervades the air at the bus stop. A similar and even stronger stench will continue to waft over C115ty until real justice is meted out.
Good going, 21CG. A match report in perfect step with the metre of the game. Your point about our attack needing a drop or two from the oil can is well made. We created chances, but we didn’t create many high-quality ones. Partey looked good until he tired, when mistakes crept in. Our passing was uncharacteristically sloppy; at 83.4%, our completion rate was below last season’s average of 84.6%. Zinchenko has drifted back into dwelling too long on the ball before moving it forward, a habit he had seemed to rid himself of in the early pre-season games.
C100: This is the description of Walham Green from Old and New London, a monumental multi-volume Victorian history of the city and property-porn of its day: Walham Green is—or, rather, was—a triangular plot of greensward on the north side of the Fulham Road, upon which, in former times, donkeys had been wont to graze . Plus ça change.
Let’s all laugh at Tottnumb.
Spursy.
https://x.com/premierleague/status/1825641159806317049?s=61&t=cVFjCyGkt4y-Ne45LtfqkQ
With 76 year old Vardy scoring a goal for Leicester to boot.
The first Predictathon leaderboard of the season is up. You know where to find it…
If I understood my statistical source (Wikipedia) correctly, Bukeyo Saka has now scored 59 goals for Arsenal including 49 in the league, two more in the FA Cup and eight others in European competitions. But he is moving on: He turns 23 years old on September 5th.
Apologies for misspelling Bukayo above. In the Yoruban language Bukayo apparently means “adds to happiness” which he most certainly does.
Hello All Managers,
We have now kicked off the HolicsRopeyLeague too and there has been a strong start by the gentlemen from Texas and Kent. May all your decisions be fruitful.
As you know there are only two simple rules……..
— No spu*s
–At least one Arsenal player in the squad
However, for the sake of clarity I will just share the penalties for breaking the rules, inadvertently or otherwise……….
1 Any selection of a Sp*rs player/s: no points gained from that player/s in the week selected
2 If the Sp*rs player/s in an entrant’s squad stay beyond one week: the entire squad is ruled invalid and no points are scored until the player/s is transferred out.
3 If the Sp*rs player/s in an entrant’s squad stay beyond four weeks: expulsion from the Holic League
4 If no Arsenal player in the entrant’s squad for one week: 30 points deduction
5 If an Arsenal player is not included in the squad for more than a week – the entire squad is invalid and no points scored
6 If an Arsenal player is not included in the squad beyond four weeks – Expulsion from the Holic League
Any points sanctions will be applied by a points deduction from the Holic League table as held by the registered moderator (which would be me at this moment)
@33 OM
Hope all that was clear but just let me know in the drinks if you have any questions
Matt @33, I do wish you were in charge of the C137y investigation!
So do I Bath, so do I 😉
Ned, how very dare you, Sir !
ThePredictathon leader board “doesn’t mean very much” !
I’m 6th – with less than a gnat’s naughty bits between me and those above up to 2nd !
I never got as far as 6 off the bottom last season, so this is big beer to me !
And we’re still in the FA Cup ! What ..? Details, Sir – mere details !
Revel in it while it lasts, Trev. 🙂
The local press in Wolverhampton says that one sticking point in Ramsdale’s potential move is that Wolves have to move on Jose Sa if Rammy is to start, and there is no interest in him. Another is that they want a loan with the option to buy next summer, but they won’t cover all of his wages. We want an outright sale, but would accept Bentley in part payment.
Personally, Ned, I’d rather take Rolls-Royce.
The last time I read something about Cesc Fabregas and Como, I think he had become an investor. Could be wrong of course but I guess I blinked for a minute because now he is their manager and the team is competing in Serie A although not so well so far
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c0l80014ywet
Having failed to keep up with Juventus, Como visit Cagliari where they will have another cross to bear. Still they will always know they have a lovely lake to come home to.
I was also surprised about him being named manager (when it happened a few weeks or a month ago or so?), and even more surprised that the articles then didn’t mention be was a shareholder, because I thought that was what he was too.
(Alongside Dennis Wise and also Henry now, I think?)
Dennis Wise bringing down all sorts of averages in that company…
The next ten days are going to be busy for Edu. He has to finalise the outgoings of Eddie and Aaron at a minimum and drum up interest in KT3 and Nelson while finalising the acquisition of Moreno and perhaps even a “mystery forward”. No time for barbecues at the moment.
Agreed Baff.
I can’t see Kiwior getting much game time either, so even though Edu won’t prioritise touting him about, if a good offer comes in then he might also make an exit.
I think we really need that mystery forward. Preferably a winger, unless there is a striker that Arteta really wants. Personally, I’d rather a player who can play on the right or left, providing quality cover for Saka and Martinelli.
Rice has been particularly effusive about Havertz up top recently. I’d stick with him and keep our powder dry with regards a centre forward, as it doesn’t seem like a good market this year. Unless Edu pulls something out of his hat.
Definitely a busy 9 days ahead, and we could come out of it in a much stronger position. So far, Edu looks to have done well this window, especially in changing the perception of us as a club easy to lowball for players. But the proof of his stance so far will be in how he brings it home, and whether or not he manages to make the deals we need. I have to say, I’m confident in his skills on this front, but that doesn’t mean I’m sure what moves he has planned, or how this will all play out.
Fingers crossed.
Bit
The Ornacle reporting that Forest close to agreeing a fee for Eddie. Hopefully this wakes Palace up and we can have a nice bidding war.
Quiet
Loud cheer
Nailed it Baff!
Me and.CER combined there for a Jover-style misdirection assist that no defence could have seen coming!
Did for me, I was like Andre Sa last weekend, looking to the right corner while Bukayo smashed in the left 😃
Well in Bath
Well in Baff for the half-ton!
Is Andre related to Jose, Matt?
Well in for the half-ton, bath.
Yes, Andre is his tennis playing brother Ollie. Maybe that’s why he was fooled so easily 🤔
Well, he would have expected a smash then! 🙂
Here’s Mike McDonald’s thoughts on last Saturday’s game. Well worth a read.
.
Athletic reporting that Patino is off to Deportivo La Coruña for £1m with a sell-on clause. After a very promising start, it does seem that the Spanish second division is probably about right.
C100@58: Thanks for the link. A thoughtful take on the Wolves game from Mike McDonald, as to be expected. The rapid restarts he mentions were very noticeable. Arteta had said during pre-season that that was an aspect on which he wanted the team to improve. Watch Raya race to take goal kicks now that he can be thrown a new ball from behind the goal line.
I am not sure I agree with/understand McDonald’s Rice-to-left-back idea, although Arteta’s ideas about what a left-back does do not have much connection to the traditional role, and he once or twice did flirt with Partey at right back. If McDonald is thinking of Rice as Zinchenko with more defensive solidarity, don’t we have Timber and Calafiori options for that? We certainly have a DM problem to solve in that neither Partey nor Jorghino has a full 90 in them anymore, and Rice is the only other option unless Lewis-Skelly is being prepped for the role; it is where he plays for England U-18s and our U-21s.
Can anyone remember a situation like this at Chelsea with 15 fully fledged professions training away from the first team? Has he tried putting them in Aldi’s middle aisle?
https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/aug/21/sterling-wants-permanent-move-as-maresca-continues-chelsea-clearout?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
The Chelsea situation is beyond bizarre . They are destroying value. The Clearwater people must either be tearing their hair out or have relinquished any oversight . They are going to find it incredibly hard to sell/ loan anyone for a realistic price . Why would their competitors relieve the financial pressure on them? They could have ten players on huge wages ( and very long contracts ) kicking their heels for at least four months . If these guys have a different vision it’s a fundamentally flawed one!
Frankly it’s hilarious. The consequence of a manager merry go round and an incoherent purchasing policy. Carry on, chaps. The men in white coats are waiting for you.
Ned@60 Don’t panic. I think your may have mis-read the paragraph heading, which refers to “Rice to left eight”, ie L8 not LB.
So, Sterling wants a transfer to a PL club. Nota bene, Edu. We absolutely do NOT want Sterling and his wage demands and whining anywhere near the Arsenal dressing room. We spent the first two seasons of Arteta’s tenure excising self-entitled, overpaid prima donnas from the club. Surely we are not going to let another one in? I know Saka needs rests during the season but I’d far rather see a committed team-player like Nelson (albeit with limited skills) give Saka a break than bail the Chavs out of a problem of their own making and shell out a fortune for a potentially disruptive back-up.
What Bath said @65
Excellent Arseblog this morning
Bath @65 – 👌🏻
Pangloss@64: Your eyes are clearly in better shape than mine.
TTG@62 et al: Chelsea now has 191 years-worth of players under contract. Next in the PL are the neighbours with 97. We rank 16th with 62 years. Perhaps Boehly’s vision is to create a league of their own.
What Trev emojied @68 about what bath said @65.
Spursy
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy76pdz5152o
C100@71: Apple, tree, and all that.
He has also been dropped by his agency which would, I would imagine, point to quite serious complaints about his ‘workplace conduct’.
As a result of his sacking by the Beeb, it has emerged that, bizarrely, Jenas was, until today, the frontrunner to replace Saint Gary as frontman of MotD. You may speculate. I couldn’t possibly comment.
Looks like there’s finally some positive movement on the Mikel Merino signing:
( https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/aug/22/mikel-merino-set-sign-arsenal-real-sociedad-accept-32m-offer )
I’m pretty sure Arteta sees this is as a very important signing in terms of pushing our midfield strength and depth over the line.
In The Guardian in late July ( https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/article/2024/jul/30/spain-midfielder-mikel-merino-ideal-arsenal-mikel-arteta ) Sam Hammond wrote “Merino is the type of midfielder Arteta would create in a lab if given the chance. He is press-resistant, creative, combative and, above all, a duel-winning machine; Merino won more aerial duels (168) than any other midfielder in Europe’s top five leagues last season.”
Welcome to the Arsenal to our new midfielder.
Four Four Two’s Adam Clery on Merino:
Be good to get Merino in, another step forward
Just speculating but Jenas would have ticked the ‘don’t like Arsenal’ Lineker box.
No idea what happened but companies, like talkshite for example, will employ anyone I think so I expect Jenas will slime in somewhere like the detestable keys and gray.
I’ve had a conversation with several who think Charlie Patino’s sale to Deportivo la Coruna for £1m was very low ball. Bloody Edu etc. She Wore explains it well this morning.
C100 @77, thanks for the link. That seems an entirely rational plan. Skill, alone, is not enough. Charlie may be a late developer physically and if he can progress further in Spain and become a stronger player then we will reap an appropriate reward. Keenos has the ability to cut through crap and his question, “how much do you think a player that struggled for regular Championship football should be sold for?” hits the nail firmly on the head.
On the other hand, Marcus McGuane, whose departure from the Academy for Barcelona B was highlighted by Arseblog yesterday, has just signed for Bristol City in the Championship. The fee was undisclosed but is being described as ‘cut-price’ as McGuane was no longer wanted by Oxford Utd, so I would bet it was less than £1 million.
Gundogan going back to City sort of trumps the benefits of getting Merino when it comes to narrowing the gap with the Blue Mancs. Both potentially give 20 starts and lots of minutes off the bench so that other senior players can be rested during what will be a long, hard season. But Gundogan is plug and play for Pep. It does show, though, that top clubs need a player of that sort and quality in their squads.
C100@77 – All good points. It’s up to each of us to decide whether that, or “Edu’s incompetent; my granny could do better” is more credible. I know which side I come down on.
COYG
Pangloss@81 which side would that be?
Your Friday flippantry: Since Sterling arrived at Stamford Bridge two years ago — for £47.5m and on a five-year contract, let us not forget — as the first arrival of the Boehly era, Chelsea have made 38 other signings and had four permanent managers.
When asked about our interest in Sterling at his press conference today, Arteta’s first word was ‘no’ before he went on to speak highly of Sterling as a player. I hope no means no.
Great promo for Chelsea v City last weekend: https://x.com/Nancy_Gillen/status/1825225050754273786
>>>>>>>