{"id":4850,"date":"2022-02-23T08:56:53","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T08:56:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=4850"},"modified":"2022-02-25T00:11:17","modified_gmt":"2022-02-25T00:11:17","slug":"we-must-keep-the-wolves-from-the-door-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=4850","title":{"rendered":"We Must Keep the Wolves from the Door…..Again!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
From lookandlearn.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It feels somewhat premature to be facing the Wanderers from Wolverhampton again so soon after our spirited performance at Molineux but that is the result of Covid-induced postponement of this fixture due to a number of cases in Wolves’ ranks. This postponement provoked widespread media outrage and accusations of \u2018abuse of the system\u2019 for the temerity of following pre-agreed rules for Covid-related postponement. Wolves were cast by the world and his wife as self-serving pariahs for this act of self-interest that no-one else in the league would even remotely consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh! It didn\u2019t? They weren\u2019t? There wasn’t a squeak of the merest upset? It was another club that was subjected to prolonged outrage for a fixture postponement and labelled an uber-pariah? Oh well! How sad. On with the preview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the reverse fixture, so nicely previewed by 21st<\/sup> Century Gooner and succinctly reported by TTG, we faced a Wolves team against whom our recent record had been very poor and who would have leapt above us with a win. However, they ended that game extremely frustrated by failure to at least salvage a draw from overwhelming possession for the last 20 minutes after the unusual, nay bizarre, red card for Martinelli. They also appeared to be angry that our goal wasn’t disallowed and that our ten men celebrated their hard won victory at the final whistle. It was an extremely tight game won by great work in the Wolves\u2019 box by our centre backs and Lacazette and we would have won by a more convincing scoreline had the Frenchman finished a great chance created by \u00d8degaard and Saka and\/or his one-on-one with their keeper from a superb Gabriel through ball. However that game will be remembered for the unusual red card and for a superb defensive performance by ten Arsenal men. It was also a crucial victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of that result was highlighted by the results on the weekend after it, when our fixture at the Bus Stop in Fulham was postponed because the Chavs were playing in some God-forsaken desert land against God knows whom, simply to net FIFA more sponsors\u2019 cash and raise the profile of some Sheikh, Emir, Princeling or other middle-eastern potentate. Delightfully, our closest competitors for a top four slot all dropped points and so, without kicking a ball ourselves, we have found ourselves in a position in which fourth place is a realistic target.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, a principal contributor to that excellent turn of events was our forthcoming opponent who went to the wrong end of the Seven Sisters Road and proved that the Marshdwellers do not actually need to GO anywhere to get battered. That result does give Wolves a lift for their visit to the smart end of the Seven Sisters Road as they have, as a result, put themselves back into contention for fourth place. The boost they have gained from that result will be added to their determination to make amends for their failure to take advantage of the ten-men of Arsenal in our Molineux confrontation and their apparent and inexplicable anger about our goal. I have no doubt that we will see a very highly motivated Wolves team aiming to wrest three points from this match both to assuage their grief at the Molineux result and to haul themselves at our expense into the race for a Champions League spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Opponents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the 5-Live radio commentary, Wolves stole the points in their last game, the East-Midlands – West-Midlands derby. Leicester were the far better team and dominated the second half but spurned multiple chances whilst Wolves barely crossed the halfway line. \u2013 but clearly just enough. Interestingly, it was the first game this season in which Lage has had his whole squad fit; playmaker Moutinho returning from a short absence and talented, 20-year old forward Neto making his first appearance of the season after a long-term injury. Wolves won that game with two 20-yard strikes one of which saw Podence, their other talented and speedy winger opening his account for the season. The return of Moutinho and Neto, the latter likely to come off the bench, will make them more of a handful tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wolves have won 7 and drawn 1 out of their last 10 matches. Recent results have been based more on a miserly defence than a prolific attack. Their two wins since we beat them at Molineux have taken them to 7th<\/sup> place only 2 points behind us, having played one game more. Once again, they have the incentive of leaping over us if they beat us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their new goalkeeper, S\u00e1 has had an outstanding first season in the Premiership and looks a real bargain at \u00a36.8m. Wolves’ strong defence is generally based on three centre halves: generally, Kilman, Coady and Saiss who are extremely solid and well organised by Coady. Their wingbacks, usually Semedo and Mar\u00e7al, readily push forward to join attacks but our dynamic young wingers will hopefully press them back. Wolves have a hardworking midfield likely to comprise Dendonka (Belgian for brick scheiss-haus), Neves (upon whom we have apparently cast an interested eye) and the ageing but dangerous Moutinho. Upfront they will probably start David Luiz\u2019s head-bumping buddy, Jimenez and the tricky but until recently unproductive Podence. Against Leicester, a Wolves tactic was a long clearance from the keeper over the opposition’s high defensive line for Podence to chase. We can expect Wolves to try that again and will need to be alert to that threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Arsenal<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final quarter of the Molineux game left some Gooners with a sense that we were lucky to get those three points. However, that last quarter with 10 men in no way resembled the previous three in which we could have ensured victory \u2013 and the heroic defending of those ten men ensured there was only a single ‘near thing’ and more than earned those points. The celebrations at the end which so annoyed Neves and others, suggest that our players have bonded and are focused on a common goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2-1 score line from our last game against Brentford doesn\u2019t reflect our dominance in that game. We achieved 80% possession and produced some lovely passages of play. We really should have won far more convincingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Arsenal team now looks like one that picks itself. Ramsdale is our best stopper in a very long time. The centre back partnership of Whibriel grows more assured every week and though Tierney isn\u2019t quite ripping up opposition flanks as fearsomely as he did last season, he remains a reliable defender and attacking stalwart. The only question at the back is whether to select C\u00e9dric or Tomiyashu? The latter was on the bench for the Brentford game and well though C\u00e9dric has played in our last two games, the Japanese international is clearly the more reliable right back and provides better balance to the backline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first-choice midfield three is now settled. Partey is growing into the player we thought we had signed and is clearly acclimatising to the Premiership. Despite his propensity to brain-farts and cards, Xhaka is his most reliable double pivot partner and has had several fine performances of late (pac\u00e9<\/em> TTG) while \u00d8degaard gets more and more influential with each game. In recent games we have played Partey as a single pivot with \u00d8degaard and Xhaka playing as right and left \u2018Number 8\u2019s\u2019 ahead of him. As Mike McDonald points out on Gunnerstown<\/em>, this switch from a double pivot is a result of the increased security of our back five. The addition of a more mobile, attack-minded number 8 in the summer will add to our goals threat next season in the way Aaron Ramsey did. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saka is a nailed on starter when fit (tough luck P\u00e9p\u00e9) and for me, the only question up front is whether to retain ESR as a starter now that Martinelli has served his ban. I would stick with the the Croydon de Bruyne but it\u2019s a close call. Personally, I would use ESR, Saka and Martinelli as the three prime rotational options for our two wide positions along with a leavening measure of P\u00e9p\u00e9, giving each of our youngsters a considerable amount of game time but also significant rest periods throughout our remaining fixtures and according to need within each match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have seen a lot of discontent elsewhere about Lacazette\u2019s performances at centre forward and in particular his lack of goals. These criticisms overlook his outstanding work-rate, interlink play, assists, pressing and his clever movement to open up space for other forwards. He has clear flaws in that he has never been fleet of foot and this is particularly exposed when he drops deep to link play and then cannot reach the box in a timely manner to finish moves, and he just doesn\u2019t score enough goals for a \u2018centre forward\u2019. However, he is by far our best current option at the moment. My heart sinks when he is substituted by Nketiah as inevitably our attack becomes blunter and for whatever reason, Eddie hasn\u2019t grown into the forward we hoped he would become during his early career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those Siren voices calling for Martinelli to replace Lacazette in the middle have either not watched his brief attempts to play there and\/or have no appreciation of the demands on a player in that central position. Martinelli is superb at cutting in at pace from the wing but he doesn\u2019t yet have the upper body strength to deal with man-mountain centre backs when receiving the ball under pressure with his back to goal. He is enthusiastic and mobile and he is up for a fight but I think he currently lacks the physical strength to be fully effective in that role. One day perhaps, but not yet. Don\u2019t even start with the idea of P\u00e9p\u00e9 hopping on one foot in the centre! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An interesting suggestion a few days ago from Tim at 7am Kick Off<\/em> is to play ESR as a false nine and I see that Mikel Arteta also discussed that possibility later. ESR certainly possesses the link-up skills Arteta wants from his 9\/False 9 as well as having the pace to get himself into the box from deep to finish moves and he has acquired more upper body strength during this season. I think he\u2019s currently a far better option. We may see either of those players play in the centre late in games as Lacazette tends to have exhausted himself after 60-70 minutes and either would offer more than Nketia. However, with fourth place now in clear sight but depending on every point if not also on goal difference, I don\u2019t think now is the time to experiment with an internal replacement from the start unless our hand is forced by injury. We know Lacazette\u2019s limitations all too well but we also know we will get maximum effort and clever interplay for the rest of the season and that we have goalscorers across the forward line. We definitely need to find a swifter and more incisive striker, but that is a task for the summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have absolutely no sympathy for those bemoaning the loss of Aubameyang from the squad, amplified by his Bar\u00e7a hat-trick last weekend. Firstly, Auba rarely prospered up the middle in the Premiership and he was far better coming in from the left. When in a central crowd scene his first touch is, more often than not, extremely poor and his hold up play with his back to goal is generally execrable. More importantly, he was clearly unhappy at Arsenal and his form had fallen off a cliff while, as soon as he was dropped, the team started playing better and getting results. I wish him well at Bar\u00e7a unless he is playing against us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having said all that (too much, I know!), I expect the following starting 11:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00d8degaard, Partey, Xhaka<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saka, Lacazette, ESR\/Martinelli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a somewhat less helpful set of results from our direct competitors for fourth place this past weekend, we once again face a \u2018must win game\u2019 to keep up with the pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I expect this to be a tense, tight match and that Wolves will try hard to win it rather than simply sit in and try to catch us on the break as they have done in recent matches at our place. They are frustrated and even angered by the result at Molineux and as Mike McDonald observes may be emotionally driven in this game and therefore vulnerable if we can strike hard and early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Holic Pound<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bookmakers appear to be offering quite generous odds on an Arsenal win by a single goal in this match at 29\/5 on 1-0, 43\/5 on 2-1 and 41\/1 on 3-2. This Holic pound is backing 3-2 to the Arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I fear that our nerves are going to be shredded by its end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy the game, Holics, whether there, nearby or far afield. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s going to be tense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take your Beta-blockers and when your fingernails have gone, STOP BITING!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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

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

It feels somewhat premature to be facing the Wanderers from Wolverhampton again so soon after our spirited performance at Molineux but that is the result of Covid-induced postponement of this fixture due to a number of cases in Wolves’ ranks. This postponement provoked widespread media outrage and accusations of \u2018abuse of the system\u2019 for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4850"}],"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=4850"}],"version-history":[{"count":66,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4850\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4924,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4850\/revisions\/4924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}