{"id":2383,"date":"2021-02-15T18:54:49","date_gmt":"2021-02-15T18:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=2383"},"modified":"2021-02-18T03:28:18","modified_gmt":"2021-02-18T03:28:18","slug":"captain-auba-and-the-art-of-scoring-goals-a-valentines-day-romance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=2383","title":{"rendered":"Captain Auba and The Art of Scoring Goals &#8211; A Valentine&#8217;s Day Romance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<a id=\"bk9tLnphSKxjvNghpO8c4w\" class=\"gie-single\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.co.uk\/detail\/1302123947\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'bk9tLnphSKxjvNghpO8c4w',sig:'8_mLOSjG4NMRnmTU4M_ghpkC7nrr3EBrJYwQpFL_yCk=',w:'594px',h:'431px',items:'1302123947',caption: true ,tld:'co.uk',is360: false })});<\/script><script src=\"\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\" async=\"\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>There have lately been heard whispers in the air that one Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has, if not entirely fallen out of love with his muse, lost that intense drive, the instinctive touch, the infectious joy \u2013 maybe even the <em>jouissance<\/em> as a Lacanian might say \u2013 of scoring goals which has been a defining passion of his footballing life. There were absences forced by personal challenges \u2013 made worse by these wretched pandemic days \u2013 which needed to be taken care of, and everyone in and around the club \u2013 including the world of Arsenal fans which let us be honest aren\u2019t all universally the most understanding type \u2013 had offered him nothing but the most gracious support, and thankfully all that is behind him now. But even when he was starting matches this season wearing his captain\u2019s armband he hasn\u2019t really been quite himself: not in the way he moved lethargically in and around the penalty box, not in the way he carried himself without his usual inspiring positivity, and definitely not in the way he failed to find the back of the net in succession of matches which is most unusual for a player who has created a career out of scoring goals irrespective of how the team is playing or whatever else might be going on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, it was all the more enjoyable, and reassuring, to see our talismanic captain back basking in the glow of his goalscoring passions on this Valentine\u2019s Day, and (hopefully) announcing the end of this very unusual dry period with his first Premier League hattrick, which also took him to two hundred league goals in Europe\u2019s top leagues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even then, he was not my man of the match as Arsenal and Leeds served up an exciting afternoon of free-flowing, attacking football. Arsenal\u2019s young number 7 \u2013 by all evidence until now a rightful heir to such luminaries of that shirt as Liam Brady, Robert Pires, Tom\u00e1\u0161 Rosick\u00fd, or Alexis \u2013 Bukayo Saka produced one of those performances that can be called\u2026unplayable, or at least nearly so.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The starting line-up from Mikel Arteta promised a front-foot approach with both Emile Smith Rowe and the January loanee Martin \u00d8degaard starting together. \u00d8degaard nominally in the number 10 role and ESR occupying the left wing (or left inside-forward, as is preferred by Mikel)&nbsp; in place of Nicolas P\u00e9p\u00e9, who might have felt a bit aggrieved by this snub given the upward trajectory of his recent performances, but one suspects that given the importance of our upcoming \u201caway\u201d match against Benfica in Europe this was a planned rotation from Mikel and not any judgement on the Ivorian\u2019s contributions. Saka started on his customary right sided attacking role, and Aubameyang as the focal point of the attack which typically is the preferred role for his friend Lacazette, rested for this match.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thomas Partey\u2019s injury opened the door for Dani Ceballos, himself returning from injury, to resume his midfield relationship with Xhaka. The center of the defense saw the Brazilian duo, Gabriel keeping his left sided role and his mentor Luiz to his right. Leno returned back from the one match suspension \u2013 and his deputy the lifelong Arsenal fan Matt Ryan having performed admirably in his absence now providing a sense of security on the substitute bench \u2013 with Cedric and Bellerin in the two full back roles where our options being severely limited with Tierney\u2019s injury and Ainsley\u2019s courageous leap into Sam Allardyce\u2019s tactical brilliance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Leno<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Bellerin \u2013 Luiz \u2013 Gabriel \u2013 Cedric&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Ceballos \u2013 Xhaka<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Saka \u2013&nbsp; \u00d8degaard \u2013 ESR<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Aubameyang&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The team from the very first minute showed that they are well prepared for the relentless intensity and fluidity of movements of Bielsa\u2019s Leeds who -especially for a newly promoted team &#8211; play with fearlessness and verve that has given the PL this season some very memorable matches, and who can hurt any opposition at any stage of a match.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arsenal started purposefully with an aggressive press from the front, and a rare intensity in one-on-one duels that bodes well for the future. Leeds do not defend tactically with players positioned statically in spaces but always move in fluid formations allowing them to launch speedy attacks from any position at any time. Winning the majority of the duels and not allowing any Leeds player to even look up and notice the passing lanes was a noticeable tactic that Arsenal executed superbly all throughout the first half. The technical security provided by Ceballos and \u00d8degaard in the middle of the pitch \u2013 both adept at keeping control in tight spaces and \u00d8degaard particularly with a quality of touch, control and pass that was highly resistant against the manic pressing of Leeds \u2013 helped us to quickly release ESR and Saka who played mostly as inverted wingers, allowing them to assert control using their stronger feet, with Cedric and Bellerin overlapping on the outside.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First ten minutes Arsenal were completely dominant with ESR and Bellerin shooting over the bar, Aubameyang involved in the build-up both times. Auba was moving with the sharpness and unpredictability of old that makes him such a threat especially against defenses that do not keep a low block. However, the first attempt on goal came from Leeds when following a rare foray down their left flank Bamford headed in a cross straight at Leno.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first goal came shortly thereafter. Following brisk passing between Gabriel, Xhaka and ESR on the left side of our midfield Xhaka found Aubameyang at the edge of the box with ESR darting inside and opening up some space for his captain. Auba cut inside, did a couple of stepovers and shot through the legs of couple of defenders. Even though Meslier had his near side well covered by narrowing the space he could just touch the ball on its way to the back of the net as he tried to make a save on his right.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 13\u2019) \u2013 Leeds 0&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The match continued with Arsenal dominating play in the Leeds half and not allowing them to play out from the back. But whenever Leeds could bring the ball forward they showed that they have enough guile to cause us trouble. Around 19<sup>th<\/sup> minute Klich found a little space to control the ball and take a shot at the goal but it flew over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though this is not the \u201cDirty Leeds\u201d of infamy, and neither is Bielsa known for a tactics of overly enthusiastic physical challenges, Leeds was still prepared to use the rotational fouling that now has become the go-to strategy for opposition teams to counter the brilliance of Saka, who was being kicked around, again. Midway of the first half Alioski \u2013 a left fullback with #10 on his back \u2013 shot straight at Leno for Leeds second attempt at goal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Around 35<sup>th<\/sup> minute following a great combination play with \u00d8degaard, Saka drove purposefully in the box, ran past the defender, and was hauled down. There was a penalty given originally by the match referee which was overturned a few minutes later following a discussion between the VAR, the referee, and a ghost in the video screen that showed intangible visuals to the referee to make up his mind to second guess his perfectly fine original decision.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To their credit Arsenal didn\u2019t let this \u2013 if the words \u201csurely not again?!\u201d have bobbled up in the forefront of their mind they did well to not let that frustration show&nbsp; \u2013 questionable decision sidetrack their purposeful play and earned an absolutely \u201cun-VAR-overturnable\u201d penalty when Meslier brough Saka down as Saka just stole the ball from the goalkeeper\u2019s feet after a clever and relentless press.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our captain stepped up, sent Meslier the wrong way and sealed his 200<sup>th<\/sup> league goal in top European leagues with an emphatic finish.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arsenal 2 (Aubameyang 13\u2019, 41\u2019) \u2013 Leeds 0&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just before the half-time whistle was blown the move of the match unfolded to get us our third goal in a manner reminiscent of the best Arsenal team goals over the years.&nbsp; Saka again went on one of his unstoppable runs but this time stretching the defense from their left to right, right across the penalty box, keeping possession and weighing up his options as his fellow bandmates in red and white arrived in droves. After a brief hesitation he set Aubameyang up on the left side, who floated in a cross to the opposite side of the goal that Bellerin headed down to \u00d8degaard, who quickly found his fellow Madrid loanee Dani, after holding on to the ball for a second Ceballos found Bellerin by a \u201cnutmeg-pass\u201d and Bellerin finished sharply between the goalkeeper and the near post.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arsenal 3 (Aubameyang 13\u2019, 41\u2019, Bellerin 45\u2019) \u2013 Leeds 0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All the three first half goals were immensely enjoyable, also equally enjoyable was a moment of beautiful total football by Arsenal that didn\u2019t lead to a goal as Luke Ayling \u2013 another Arsenal academy graduate \u2013 produced a fantastic block to deny Aubameyang. It happened around 28<sup>th<\/sup> minute when David Luiz, after sweeping up a loose ball in an advanced position decided to go on a marauding run \u2013 instead of a quick long pass that he tried maybe a little too often until then \u2013 and was the most advanced Arsenal player on the right byline before providing a perfect cutback to Aubameyang who saw his goal bound effort blocked by an excellent piece of last ditch defending. All around good football!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The second half, pleasingly, saw us started with the intensity undiminished. Aubameyang dropping deep protected the ball well and set up Saka for one of his runs right through the Leeds midfield, while himself quietly moving towards our right. Saka\u2019s shot from the edge of the box was blocked, Cedric helped Saka out in recovering the ball and set ESR up who floated in a tantalizing cross (again, just like with Saka\u2019s goal against Chelsea where he intended to score, I think ESR here saw Auba ghosting in on the backpost and set him up) that Aubameyang headed in for his first premier league hattrick.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arsenal 4 (Aubameyang 13\u2019, 41\u2019, 47\u2019, Bellerin 45\u2019) \u2013 Leeds 0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bielsa had made two substitutes at the start of the second half and as Leeds have already shown this season, they had nothing but the most positive intent and the score-line made no difference to how they continued to approach the game. Dangerous Raphinha has been kept quiet by Xhaka-Cedric- Gabriel for the most part but when he got on the ball he produced a save from Leno. Leeds made their final substitution. Saka continued to torment the Leeds defense and earned Arsenal a free-kick, Xhaka floated in a decent delivery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then Leeds scored. They have been poor at defending set-pieces but their own execution of the corner was excellent: Raphinha producing a great delivery with Struijk making a late run past Saka and jumping over David Luiz to plant an unstoppable header past Leno.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arsenal 4 (Aubameyang 13\u2019, 41\u2019, 47\u2019, Bellerin 45\u2019) \u2013 Leeds 1 (Struijk 58\u2019)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the 62<sup>nd<\/sup> minute ESR was replaced by Willian. The rational explanation would be that this is not any sort of reward for the misfiring Brazilian\u2019s performances throughout the season but an attempt to play him back in form, and keep P\u00e9p\u00e9 and Gabriel Martinelli rested for the Europa match. While understanding the rationale I wonder whether his position in the squad would be better served given to someone like Reiss Nelson who for all his inconsistencies is always involved and plays with purpose and intensity, and if his fellow Hale End graduates ESR and Saka are any examples to go by a consistent run of matches even if from the bench can definitely help the team more than someone who seems to be going through the motions at this stage of his career.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then Leeds scored their second goal with a brilliant piece of attacking football. Raphinha providing a through pass inside of Bellerin, Roberts flew past Hector to get to the ball and provided a neat cut-back for H\u00e9lder Costa to finish strongly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arsenal 4 (Aubameyang 13\u2019, 41\u2019, 47\u2019, Bellerin 45\u2019) \u2013 Leeds 2 (Struijk 58\u2019,<\/strong> <strong>H\u00e9lder Costa 69\u2019 )<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The commentators didn\u2019t tire of reminding us that Arsenal remains the only team in PL history to not win from a 4-0 lead \u2013 and I remember that match at Newcastle rather well, including the nicest of footballers Abou Diaby returning from one more frustrating injury being fouled all through the match and losing his temper to earn a rare red card \u2013 and after the second Leeds goal I am sure most Arsenal fans relived that memory. We failed to control the match with 4-0 up and instead of keeping the ball and making Leeds chase the game we allowed them to attack easily. It was understandable that the first half intensity cannot be maintained for the whole ninety minutes and a bit more guile and ability to slow the tempo down \u2013 especially from the seniors like Xhaka and Luiz \u2013 would have served us well. The match remined open and Arsenal continued to attack as well: Aubameyang hit the bar, \u00d8degaard\u2019s goalbound shot was deflected, Saka hit the post albeit from an offside position.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In between Mikel had brought in Elneny for \u00d8degaard around 78<sup>th<\/sup> minute to provide more defensive security, which Mo did with his characteristic tenacity chasing and hurrying Leeds midfield.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On 87<sup>th<\/sup> minute Cedric produced a superb right footed effort on goal from outside the box; the swerving dipping shot produced a good stop from Meslier. Holding was brought in for Ceballos to further shore up the defense in the final moments of the ninety minutes.&nbsp; The additional minutes went by without too much scare on either end, in between Auba receiving a couple of kicks on his legs. Just before the final whistle was blown Aubameyang raced through with the ball from a counterattack following a Leeds corner but he was brought down.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first 45 minutes of this match Arsenal probably played some of their best attacking football in the last few years, Aubameyang thriving in a free-flowing role as he expertly exploited the positional uncertainty created by the continuous movements of \u00d8degaard, Saka and ESR. Not all teams will play like Leeds and have this open a match and in those cases there will of course have to be different tactical tweaks &#8212; but the fluidity, passing accuracy, technical security provided by those three, and ably supported by Dani, shows the progress we are steadily making as a team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Saka and ESR Arsenal Academy has produced two most promising young talents to have come through the ranks in a very long time. Per Mertesacker, Freddie Ljungberg, Steve Bould and everyone else involved \u2013 past or present &#8212; in our youth academies should be proud of those two boys.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Embed from Getty Images There have lately been heard whispers in the air that one Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has, if not entirely fallen out of love with his muse, lost that intense drive, the instinctive touch, the infectious joy \u2013 maybe even the jouissance as a Lacanian might say \u2013 of scoring goals which has been [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":2391,"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\/2383"}],"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\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2383"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2389,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2383\/revisions\/2389"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}