{"id":11534,"date":"2025-07-31T17:47:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T16:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=11534"},"modified":"2025-08-04T18:25:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T17:25:43","slug":"hk-nld-wtf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=11534","title":{"rendered":"HK NLD – WTF?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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 \u201cto bring football tradition, a rivalry\u201d to \u201ca completely different country\u201d and provides a match \u201cthat increases the competition level again\u201d. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s defence, had MLS not been fouled, the keeper would not have been caught out of position. Adrian Clarke, today\u2019s co-commentator, suggested that if this was a PL game, VAR would have overturned the goal due to that foul – after last season\u2019s series of iniquities, I am not so optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t wait to flag Saka for offside, gave every 50:50 decision the Spudz\u2019 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\u2019 mistakes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arteta made a couple of changes to his starting XI, bringing in Kiwior for the crocked Calafiori, with Gabriel still not available, and starting N\u00f8rgaard instead of Zubimendi:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raya<\/p>\n\n\n\n

White, Saliba, Kiwior, MLS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00d8degaard, N\u00f8rgaard, Rice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saka, Havertz, Martinelli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coach seemed determined to give these players a proper workout as his substitutions were late:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trossard and Zubimendi replaced Martinelli and Rice on 68 minutes;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gy\u00f6keres, Zinchenko, Mosquera, Merino and Dowman replaced Havertz, MLS, Kiwior, Rice and Saka on 77 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rice-Nelson replaced a limping Trossard on 85 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u00d8degaard 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast the opposition had one shot on target from 5 efforts – their spurious \u2018goal\u2019 but hit the woodwork three times. The first shot on wood came from Porro\u2019s corner from Raya\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u2019s wrestling with Raya that prevented the goalkeeper from dealing with the cross. Although none of the Spudz\u2019 corners led to goals, our management of opposition corners deteriorated late last season (could Gabriel\u2019s absence be the reason?) and it\u2019s clear that the team needs to work harder on the training ground on these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, on the balance we deserved nothing from the first half apart from a better set of officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019t 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\u2019s 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\u2019t create any clear cut chances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00d8degaard 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 Gj\u00f6keres. 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. Gj\u00f6keres’ 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the other end, Van de Venn missed a clear headed opportunity on one of the Spudz\u2019 rare breakouts when he really should have hit the target. Props to MLS for leaning into him to impair his effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what did we learn from this game?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We looked below par throughout despite starting brightly. We still need a cutting edge up front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This game was played in 29 degrees and 88% humidity at the end of a couple of weeks of intensive training.  So it\u2019s remarkable that White, Saliba and \u00d8degaard  played the full 90 + 7 minutes as well as Raya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The whole defence is less assured without Big Gabby and his organisational skills especially when defending corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We cannot expect \u00d8degaard to be our only source of midfield creativity. It was noticeable that we turned up the heat on the opposition when Zubimendi replaced N\u00f8rgaard. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gj\u00f6keres 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s who has the support of \u00d8degaard, White and, often, Hazard too (no wonder there\u2019s no-one at the end of his cut backs!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

COYG<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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 \u201cto bring football tradition, a rivalry\u201d to \u201ca completely different country\u201d and provides a match \u201cthat increases the competition level again\u201d. We have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11534"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11534"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11557,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11534\/revisions\/11557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}