{"id":1851,"date":"2020-11-26T22:25:07","date_gmt":"2020-11-26T22:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=1851"},"modified":"2020-11-28T14:42:26","modified_gmt":"2020-11-28T14:42:26","slug":"we-can-do-it-on-a-cold-november-night-on-the-fannfjord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=1851","title":{"rendered":"We CAN do it on a Cold November Night on the Fannfjord!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The road to Redemption?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An Arsenal squad that has, this season, both raised our hopes and dashed them horribly, made their way to the frozen north aiming to cement qualification for the Europa League knock-out rounds. In the PL we have averaged just over 9 shots per game yielding a mere 9 goals in 9 games whereas in this competition, despite still not looking like a well-oiled machine, we have averaged almost 18 shots per game garnering a healthier tally of 9 goals in 3 games. A recent series of disappointing performances and results, leavened only by wins against Manure and tonight\u2019s hosts, left me wondering if we were capable of rising to tonight\u2019s challenge. Could we maintain our 100% record in this competition to enable us to rest key players in the last two group games or would the PL creative malaise infect this competition as well? Could a healthy sprinkling of aspirant youth help us recover from our lethargy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mikel must have been reading OM\u2019s fine preview, selecting 10 of his 11, choosing to start Nketiah rather than ESR:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

R\u00fanarsson, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

C\u00e9dric, Mustafi, Luiz, Maitland-Niles, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willock, Xhaka, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lacazette,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nelson, P\u00e9p\u00e9, Nketiah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subs: Macey, Hein, Bellerin, Tierney, Ceballos, Holding, Smith Rowe, Balogun, Azeez, Cottrell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There was pre-match speculation as to whether Lacazette would reprise his recent deep-lying forward\/advanced midfield role or play up front in a pair with Nketiah in a fluid 4-4-2? Starting with four attackers (5 if you include Willock) should ensure that we get more players into and around the box. The bench had that sprinkling of youthful talent hopefully to be given a decent run out if we could make the game safe early on rather than to be thrown on to salvage the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the kick off there was one minute’s silence in memory of the late Diego Maradona. Mikel Arteta looked somewhat nervously on as Molde kicked off. As many suggested, Lacazette played deeper than the more advanced Nketiah, flanked by P\u00e9p\u00e9 and Nelson. In the opening minutes, Arsenal started on the front foot, pressed high and a neat chip from AMN forced the Molde keeper to tip it over the bar. The game then settled down to 10 minutes of toothless alternate cut and thrust. Then a nice burst forward by Nelson led to an Arsenal corner culminating in a wild effort from P\u00e9p\u00e9 that sailed high over the bar. Seconds later, a neat one-two with Lacazette at the edge of the box gave Nelson a shot from 6 yards but the keeper got a foot to his effort. Immediately thereafter, a wicked Molde cross from our right eluded Luiz at the front post, zipped across the six-yard box past R\u00fanarsson at his near post and was met by a Molde player sliding in at the far post. Fortunately, that player\u2019s impending collision with the post caused him to screw the shot along the goal line to be gratefully poked clear by R\u00fanarsson still poised at the near post. Lucky Arsenal! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then a clever dribble into the box and low cross from P\u00e9p\u00e9 induced a flick from Nketiah that failed to beat the keeper. P\u00e9p\u00e9 subsequently fired a shot straight at the keeper. A P\u00e9p\u00e9 cross from a corner was then headed well wide by Luiz. As the first quarter ended P\u00e9p\u00e9 drove aggressively at the defence, drifted in but curled his shot past the far post. Nketiah then broke through the middle but was tackled as he ran into the box. Then a long, angled ball from Nelson on the left just failed to find Lacazette running into the box on the right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minutes later a C\u00e9dric cross was grasped by the keeper as two Arsenal forwards leapt for it in the six-yard box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bounce of the ball on the artificial turf and its slippery surface were causing us a few problems and early on, several players lost their footing. However, this was a competent display from Arsenal and but for the Molde opportunity on our goal line, we had managed their attacks well and created several opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Molde then won a corner after AMN blocked a shot from a dangerous cross from the left. A clash of heads in the box poleaxed Luiz who looked shaken but resumed play after treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An encouraging aspect of the first 30 minutes was the number of mobile forward options that our midfielders had ahead of them and the pace with which we moved the ball. After another P\u00e9p\u00e9 dart forward, Nketiah curled a shot from the edge of the box but it flew tamely into the keeper\u2019s hands. Molde then put a ball in from our left that curled across our six-yard box and was just missed by a Molde forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lacazette then collected the ball in the box, fed Nelson who dribbled through a crowd of defenders before falling only to have a free kick awarded against him. As the last five minutes of the first half approached, our energy level and drive seemed to drop giving Molde much more time on the ball. In possession we reverted to the \u2018arc of death\u2019 on the edge of the opposition box, moving the ball sideways then all the way back to R\u00fanarsson. But it was only a flash back! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nelson who was combining well with AMN, then curved the ball over the bar from the edge of the box. A break from Molde resulted in a cross-shot from our left clearing our bar. Then Xhaka blocked a shot from the edge of our box which otherwise might have beaten R\u00fanarsson. Immediately afterwards, a superb Nelson ball to the far post was headed clear from Nketiah as he was poised to connect. The resultant corner was touched over an Arsenal head for another corner leading to another corner from a blocked C\u00e9dric shot. This was cleared into our half and R\u00fanarsson promply had Gooners’ hearts in mouths as he ran out of his box to clear and missed it completely. Fortunately, AMN covered the gaffe. Shades of Flappyhandski!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HT 0-0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had started the first half well, looking more coherent and creative and taking more shots than we\u2019ve done recently. However, we had struggled a bit with the surface and our energy seemed to drop briefly after 30 minutes but we raised it again to force a series of corners as the half closed. In the first half we had 51% possession, 9 shots vs 7, 3 on target vs 1, 6 corners vs 5, 246 passes vs 241 and 87% pass accuracy vs 84%. Not much in it. We definitely had the edge but they messed up the best chance of the half though they hadn’t created much else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holding replaced Luiz for the second half probably due to that late clash of heads. Two minutes into the half, C\u00e9dric curled a ball towards Nelson on the edge of the Molde penalty box but a defender nipped in before he could connect. On 48 minutes, P\u00e9p\u00e9 took a pass from C\u00e9dric, cut inside and bent it towards the top corner of the goal, beating the keeper. Sadly, it hit the bar. A trademark P\u00e9p\u00e9 effort. More please!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seconds later, a cross from Willock on the left reached P\u00e9p\u00e9 at the far side of the box. He took a touch and curled the ball past the Molde keeper and inside the far post. Beautiful goal! The path to Redemption?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0-1 P\u00e9p\u00e9, 48<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

P\u00e9p\u00e9 was smiling again and followed his goal up with a dribble out of our half beating several players but he was tackled just as he was about to pass the ball to Nelson inside the opposition half. Nketiah then had a poacher\u2019s goal chalked off for offside after a fine shot from AMN at the edge of the box. P\u00e9p\u00e9\u2019s goal certainly lifted us and we began to move the ball sweetly and stream forward whenever we regained possession. Willock then darted up the right flank and fired a low ball along the edge of the six-yard box for Nelson to run into the centre of the box and fire it through the keeper into the goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0-2 Nelson, 55<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A four man break out led to a beautiful P\u00e9p\u00e9 cross to the edge of the six-yard box that Nketiah unfortunately headed over. That should definitely have been three! Holding then gave us a fright as he let ball and man past him in our box but the ball was smothered by R\u00fanarsson. On 60 minutes, Molde made two substitutions. We then had to defend a free kick from our left which we did without any problems. Xhaka was then replaced by Ceballos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P\u00e9p\u00e9 quickly latched onto a high ball that his defender had missed, drove towards the box and stroked a lovely low ball towards Nketiah which he tried to back heel into the far corner but he failed to connect properly. P\u00e9p\u00e9 was clearly enjoying this game. Holding then intercepted a Molde pass on the left, ran forward, beat a couple of Molde players and played a lovely line ball for Nketiah who drove towards goal but his shot from the edge of the box was blocked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the last quarter loomed we looked comfortable at the back and when we regained possession our defenders linked well with our midfielders who built forwards down either flank with the full backs or through the centre with Lacazette. Lacazette took a shot from the edge of the box from a gentle touch-back by Nketiah that drew an excellent save. Holding then put an effort past the near post from the corner. Willock then had a strong run to the half way line only to be fouled as he was about to pass forward. That was one of the few times our moves were disrupted by a foul \u2013 quite an unusual experience these days!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 74 minutes, Tierney and ESR replaced Willock and Lacazette. Tierney took up his usual LB position and AMN moved to the right of midfield. A good curling shot by Bolly running into the box from our right beat R\u00fanarrson but fortunately also cleared the bar. On 80 minutes, Molde replaced their captain and another fella. At the same time Balogun replaced Nketiah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 82 minutes, a sweet ball from Ceballos found Tierney running up the left wing. Tierney passed it to ESR running into the left of the penalty area. ESR swiftly squared the ball to Balogun who turned and stroked it nicely into the box. That\u2019s Balogun’s first first-team goal for the Arsenal. Sign that contract, laddie! ESR had displayed excellent vision for his assist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

0-3 Balogun, 83<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 89 minutes, Holding\u2019s square pass to no-one on the edge of our box almost put us in trouble but otherwise we were dealing competently with the Molde attack and on regaining the ball stroked it swiftly forward through midfield with confidence. As the game ticked towards its end, Balogun was unlucky to be caught marginally offside on a ball over the top by C\u00e9dric. The energy, mobility and enthusiasm of ESR and Balogun up front enlivened the last few minutes of added time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FT 0-3 Arsenal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apparently, this is the first time that we have won our first four matches in a Europa League group. We looked a more fluent operation than we have for some time in the PL. This was probably at least in part because Molde committed hardly any fouls to break up our play and our players were able to run with the ball and run into space without being chopped. The curse of Sam Allardyce apparently hasn\u2019t reached the frozen north. The second half in particular was most enjoyable viewing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was a pretty competent performance all round. R\u00fanarsson did have a dodgy moment with his fluffed clearance, got lucky with his save from Molde\u2019s best chance and had very little else to do. C\u00e9dric brought the ball forward well, linked well with P\u00e9p\u00e9 and made several excellent passes and crosses. The three centre backs we used contributed to a generally solid defensive performance though Holding had a couple of \u2018daft moments\u2019. AMN had an excellent game and linked well with Nelson when he went forward. Willocks shone again in midfield, provided an effective link between defence and attack and deserved his two lovely assists. Xhaka produced a very competent performance both with and without the ball which Ceballos didn\u2019t surpass when replacing him. P\u00e9p\u00e9 and Nelson were our most dangerous attackers, giving their markers a torrid time and deserved their goals. Lacazette worked hard between midfield and attack, provided several good through balls and was unlucky not to score though I remain unconvinced by him in this role. Nketiah put in a good shift and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet but really should have taken one of his chances. Surprisingly KT3 is still able to run while the 10 minute cameos from ESR and Balogun have given us a tantalising glimpse of a possible future. Could they match DB10 and TH14? No pressure, lads. We\u2019ll hopefully see more of their skills in the final two group games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Job done. Now we have to sort out the PL performances.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

An Arsenal squad that has, this season, both raised our hopes and dashed them horribly, made their way to the frozen north aiming to cement qualification for the Europa League knock-out rounds. In the PL we have averaged just over 9 shots per game yielding a mere 9 goals in 9 games whereas in this […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1851"}],"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=1851"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1851\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1864,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1851\/revisions\/1864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1851"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1851"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1851"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}