FT ARS 3-1 SOU We struggled early with potency, goals came slightly late, had to expend a bit more energy and perhaps use a few players we would've liked to rest more, but... JOB DONE... once again. The way we're getting wins... we kinda have that feeling of a title contender now don't we?
That will go into the books as a dominant performance, but I dunno ... "Skittish, Toombs. Very skittish."
I just noticed that Jesus made the interception that led to our all important equalizer by Kai. Credit to Gabi there. Edit: Oops, wrong-o... it was Saka not Jesus.
You're right, I'm wrong. Was tryin to throw a rare bone Jesus's way I guess. Another bow arrow in Saka's MOTM quiver.
I thought it was Jesus at first myself. Saka had a terrific match all-around. So did Kai Havertz. Rice did as Rice does. We just got a little tangled up with Sterling and Jesus up top.
Saka with a goal and 2 excellent assists in this. Somewhat quietly. we seemed to be off in defense all day. Saliba and Big Gabi each with a couple bad touches in possession at the back. Never risked a loss of possession, but slowed down our progression. Seemed to be related to sun/shadows, but don’t recall that being a problem for either of them in the past. like what Merino brings. Eager to see him get more time with first team.
Random observations: Partey filled in admirably at right back. Calafiori can be beaten for speed, but like the BFG before him, he appears to have go go gadget legs. Signs are good for Martinelli’s return to form. Odegaard is a big miss. And finally, if/when Southampton are relegated, Dibling might be an interesting transfer target.
Genuinely interested how you can say this. I don’t think we’ve missed him much at all. That’s not a diss, but we playing a different style of play and still dominant.
Still dominate but not very incisive with the final ball. Only Saka’s cross to Martinelli really qualifies as incisive final pass today. So far Saka’s creativity is sustaining Arsenal, but they be over reliant on him.
He was really good today. Positioned himself well, defended well, got off a really good strike which would have been a goal but for a lucky intervention. A very good day.
I think we’re significantly better with him, but you’re right this was another dominant performance even if game state made people nervous. It’s a credit to Arteta that we’re playing in a very different way but still getting it done and not just barely but decisively.
We’re as reliant on Saka as an NFL team is on their quarterback, but when you have a player at that level there’s not really any choice.
problem is he can’t overlap Saka so defenders can double him I personally don’t want to see him there again if we can help it
so far he seems to be a bigger, stronger, faster, and more technical iteration of Jorginho to me. Once he settles, he looks to be able to provide us with a lot of adaptability in midfield depending on the opposition.
And yet Saka had three goal contributions today. It’s crazy how good and somehow underrated by even Arsenal supporters Saka is.
Haven’t quite seen enough of him firsthand to say with surety, but what I’ve heard others say mainly, is that he’s a tackling, duel monster.
2-3 years ago I wasn’t 100% completely sold on Saka. But sometime a year or so ago, I got there. So if he was underrated in the past, it doesn’t feel like he is now.
Yeah, Saka is one of the best players in the world. With Odegaard, we were relying on his creativity to find passes. I totally agree. I am not saying sell Odegaard or that he is trash, but we look like a top side without him. We are playing a different way which is going to be better for us long term. And will be helpful when he returns because Odegaard tends to get crowded out against big clubs.
Get Odegaard and Merino up to full fitness so Arteta isn't tempted to play Havertz in midfield anymore. Can Jesus be sold before everyone else realizes he's washed, or is it too late?
Havertz is fvcking great no matter where you play him. I don’t think he’s getting enough credit for playing in Ode’s place. Yes it’s too late to get anything for Jesus. I have a feeling he will still do something for this team that moves the needle towards trophy at some point.