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Arsenal had the most comfortable of nights as they move smoothly into the quarter finals, but sadly I didn’t!

I’ve had tough nights in reporting for GHF but tonight takes the biscuit! My first report was primarily a whinge about the fact that I was unable to follow the second because my Sky stream disappeared in the second half. Fortunately the game was won by then and I was confined to snatches of the action on the Sky tracking reports. So my report will be lacking in the detail and volume I would normally provide mainly because having written most of it my battery ran out and I had to compose the report all over again. Well, at least we won!

In reality it was a very good night for Mikel Arteta’s lads. He picked a very strong side in the circumstances with only Setford on his debut, and Nwaneri playing in a sort of no. 10 role, coming in from the younger ranks. Saliba returned at centre back and we even saw the lesser-spotted Zinchrnko playing his inverted left back role. Sterling caught the eye in a very one-sided first half looking tricky and incisive on the right wing. Our share of possession in the first half was well over 70% and we showed how to press quite brilliantly although the quality of the opposition was not high despite their 17-16 penalty kick win over Fulham in the last round.

We took the lead in the 24th minute when Jesús broke his goal drought lashing in a near post drive that gave Woodman no chance afted Kiwior had nodded the ball down to him. We added a second in sumptuous style ten minutes later when Ethan Nwaneri curled a superb shot into the top left- hand corner after a pass from Jesús. We continued to dominate in the closing minutes of the second half passing Preston to death, creating overloads on both wings and seeing Nwaneri combine intelligently with Sterling, Jesús and Timber. It was a very comfortable half.

Half- time – Preston 0 Arsenal 2

I then lost regular contact with the match but was delighted to see Kiwior notch his second assist with a fine left-wing cross which Havertz, who took over from Merino at half-time headed into the left corner like a bullet. Woodman made a superb double save midway through the half and Arsenal (as far as I could see) strolled through the second half although a couple of chances fell to Preston players following crosses from the wings.

Ayden Heaven came on to replace Nwaneri for his debut, and to my horror halfway through the second half Saka replaced Martinelli. We closed out the match, Setford has his first clean sheet and we are in the quarter finals where we will face Palace at Ashburton Grove in mid-December. The last time I remember us playing Palace in the League Cup we reached Wembley in 1993 where we took the trophy (the Stephen Morrow final).

Progress past Bolton at home and an outgunned Preston takes us rather easily into the last 8 of a competition that we have only won twice. Arteta must balance the understandable desire to push towards Wembley with the upcoming Christmas rush of fixtures. It is highly tempting to use Nwaneri in this competition, and the boy looks a gem. Two-footed, confident, and elegant, he looks a very special player. Lewis-Skelly has also integrated himself into first-team contention and he is another player of great promise. Hopefully tonight’s goal will boost Jesús. He took it well and worked very hard as he always does but he isn’t a predatory finisher. Merino is coming to terms with English football (Could he do it on a cold night in Lancashire? Very definitely!).

One thing that was very clear tonight was our superb away support. It was deafening, good-natured, and continuous. We hope our travellers return safely home, albeit it at stupid o’clock and hopefully they can fill in a few more details than I was able to note in this sadly abbreviated report. I was encouraged by the quality of our play and sense as players return from injury we will build momentum. And we are only three games from a Wembley Final!

27 Drinks to “Technology conspires to thwart an honest scribbler”

  1. 1
    ClockEndRider says:

    Not much more to be said, TTG. It’s 3.45 am and 21CG and I are still on the coach somewhere near Luton. Aah, the glamour….Shout out for C100 and son who have had to suffer the same nightmare journey home as us, with a long stretch of the M6 being down to 1 lane, but with the added complexity of actually doing the driving themselves. That is truly putting in the hard yards.

  2. 2
    OsakaMatt says:

    Thanks TTG for your brave efforts to defeat the trolls of modern technology and a dastardly battery. I didn’t see the game myself though I too defeated two enemies in the shape of a bottle of Chianti Riserva and a smooth-talking Barolo. I hope you, CER, 21CG, C100 and son, and the entire Arsenal team all feel fitter than me this morning.

    Looking forward to reports from the trenches on how our young lads played, and also did Jesus’ goal boost his confidence. I noticed Raheem running hard to keep the ball in for Nwaneri’s fine stroke – did he actually do his defensive duties diligently this time?
    Also why do Preston play at Deepdale when it isn’t deep in the dales?

  3. 3
    Countryman100 says:

    I’ve just woken after reaching my Cambridgeshire home at 2.30 am. We suffered the same appalling traffic there and back (scuppering plans for a pie and a pint with CER and 21CG before the game). Google maps is on the naughty step for not finding a way round that. But well worth it for being in the middle of that crowd and seeing that strike from our Ethan. What a player. We were reminded of a goal, shown on Arsenal TV, by a 16 year old Jack Wilshere for the kids. Same time on the ball, same left footed strike, same lovely curl on the ball to finish top bins.

    I’ll have some more thoughts on the game later after a shower, coffee and breakfast.

  4. 4
    North Bank Ned says:

    Troopers, all. TTG for battling with technology gremlins and CER and C100 et fils for battling traffic on the M6.

    The away support came across magnificently on the broadcast.

  5. 5
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Cheers TTG. You’ve done a great job, expecially as you only saw half the game. Sky sports is a poor service. They pay morons to ‘analyse’ matches, former referees to gaslight viewers and they can’t even manage to maintain a multi-view platform for a full 90 minutes. Whilst I’m at it, they also binned the crowd-noise only option, literally forcing you to watch muted or listen to Neville and his ilk bleating on. Oh, the horror.

    I agree that Sterling looked interested. He’s still working out how this team works, but it’s clear we needed a player in that position and he’s doing fine, albeit we are all hoping for more as the season progresses.

    Nwaneri looked the dogs. I think he could have had more PL minutes in Odegaard’s absence, as he looks as comfortable on the ball as Havertz and Jorginho. He’ll certainly get plenty of minutes this season, and presumably solve the glaring problem of what we do without Odegaard on the pitch.

    I’m glad Jesus scored. Hopefully that opens the floodgates, or at least marks the start of him scoring more regularly, as I doubt he’s going to drown us under the thundering waves of his goalscoring form.

    Also, I’m chuffed for Kiwior. I really like him as a bloke. He’s humble, professional, works his balls off, never complains and fits in wherever on the pitch he is asked. Sure, he’s not as good as Gabriel (who is?) but he takes too much stick (although rarely in this bar) when he makes an error and I’m thrilled he got a couple of assists and had a solid game. Well played.

    Palace at home in the next round. Can’t say fairer than that.

  6. 6
    BtM says:

    I suffered the similar SKY+ blues, TTG, which resulted in me missing the first goal and first 30 or so minutes until the shakedown broadcaster sorted out their ‘technical issues’. I have my annual “take it all away” session with them today. It usually results in a 40% cost reduction but, like the magic money tree grower, they manage to elevate the new number to at least 110% of the old number quickly and by devious means.

    Anyhow, I did see Nwaneri’s goal, near miss and crossbar hit and Havertz bullet header from an excellent Kiwior cross. It was good to see Setford and Ethan start before Myles and Heaven joined them later – surely that’s exactly what games against lesser opposition are for? Did Saka really need that run out. Preston tackles were flying in pretty hard at the time he replaced Martinelli. Still, I expect Mikel knows.

    Other than all of that, it wasn’t a game that will live long in my memory. Palace at home in the next round sounds more interesting.

  7. 7
    Countryman100 says:

    Interesting that so many of you experienced tv problems. Sorry to hear that. T’was a great night to be at the game. Incidently you could have bought a ticket for that away end on a silver membership and zero credits.

    Slightly sour responses BtM! For me that game will live long in the memory, for being in that noisy, rollicking crowd (so Paddy got up made an appearance, always a sign of a happy Arsenal crowd), and for the coming of age of Ethan Nwaneri. When Saka came on, Ethan was going over to him at corners and telling him what to do!

    I know it was a championship attack, but Saliba put on a masterclass of defence, not putting a stud wrong. Our young debutant goalkeeper, Tommy Setford acquired from Ajax but already playing above his age group for England looked very confident with both hands and feet and lined up very high, like Raya does. Lovely to see Ayden Heaven and of course Lewis Skelly on the field at the end.

    Jesus looked sharper than previously. Sterling tried his heart out but I fear Chelsea have ruined him. Kai was fantastic when he came on, full of confidence. Kiwior played a key role with two assists. I have to say it was so nice not to have VAR. It was a low stress, confident evening all round.

    Deepdale is a tidy little stadium, although challenging for me, in row 36 behind the goal with steep steps with no guard rail to hold onto. I understand they were selling Invincibles beer, badged with both Arsenal and PNE logos and a commemorative cup. A nice touch, although as we only arrived at the stadium 15 minutes before kick off no time to sample it.

    Another nice thing happened at the end. We allowed the steps to clear before cautiously climbing down, and noticed Lewis Skelly and Tommy Setford making their way towards a small group of lads at the bottom of the stand. It was obviously their mates. The stewards allowed the Arsenal players to climb over the low barrier and join them (incidently the Preston stewards were terrific throughout, smiley, polite and helpful – West Ham take note and think on) to much cheering and backslapping. Great stuff. Our young players are a credit to themselves and us.

    So it’s a double header with Palace just before Christmas. Time we won this thing. And I for one can’t wait to see Nwaneri start again.

    Lots of triumphant Spurs fans on the radio on the (interminable) drive home. Obviously an excellent night for them beating City (and thanks for that) but of course in typical Spurs fashion they had already booked the open top bus for the celebration on winning the whole thing which was “nailed on”.

    Lads. It’s Tottenham.

  8. 8
    TTG says:

    C100
    I guessed we would have happy Spuds. If they’re happy at the expense of the loathsome Oilers I can handle that . To put that game into perspective C115y had a substitution left with 15/20 minutes left and Haaland on the bench . They chose not to use him .That shows what the game meant to them . The Spuds must now face off against ManUre so one of our least favourite clubs will come a cropper .

  9. 9
  10. 10
    Bathgooner says:

    A Sterling effort, TTG given you had the same second half problems as I did though sky sports plus proved impenetrable to me for the entire match (despite a subscription) though I did manage to see the first half in a dodgy Russian stream with added flesh shots before it died presumably because it’s sky sports source died. A game well won with 3 fine goals (especially Nwaneri’s – that lad is a gem). Hopefully none of our more established stars have been damaged by the northern oafs.

  11. 11
    Countryman100 says:

    Here’s that beer

  12. 12
    bathgooner says:

    C100 @11, do you not read from the top?

  13. 13
    North Bank Ned says:

    C100@7: A few seasons back, Preston won a couple of best-experience-for-visting-fans awards, so they have commendable previous for being good hosts.

    To repeat my @4, the travelling support’s magnificent singing came across loud and clear on the CBS broadcast feed in the US, which lasted for the full 90, btw.

    Nwaneri deserved his plaudits. Sterling put in a shift. It was probably his best performance for us, but he still doesn’t seem quite to fit in. Debutant Setford was tidy but not really tested. There were a couple of times when his positioning looked wrong. Yet it would be churlish to be over-critical of an 18-year-old who kept a clean sheet. Kiwior had a decent game. True, he won’t keep Saliba or Gabriel out of the team, but he is still an international-quality defender (that is what squad depth looks like). His work for Jesus’s opener was excellent, both the creation of the space to win the header and its direction down to Jesus. Ditto his cross for Havertz’s goal. Both set up the perfect dispatches they received. It is unfortunate for Kiwior that he is in and out of the side. I think he is one of those players who benefit from having runs of games.

  14. 14
    Trev says:

    Well I seem to have been the lucky one as my Sky Sports + behaved perfectly throughout. Mind you, it’s entitled to given the ridiculous price I pay Virgin Media for the platform – I have to have BtM’s discussion with them imminently.
    Nwaneri looks so much like his mentor Odegaard, and what a finish for his goal !
    The away support was brilliant throughout – shame the journey took such a stupidly long time – in both directions.

    The only other thing I wondered was what Matt mentioned at #2. Why is Deepdale called Deepdale when it’s located at the northern end of Preston near the harbour – so I read ? As such I presume it must be a touch above sea level ? Your fault, Ned ! You get us all interested in such details 😉

  15. 15
    Uplympian says:

    Thanks TTG for overcoming technical deficiencies and reporting on the commendable footballing display by the team. Everyone played their part on what could have been a tricky encounter. The 2 standouts for me ( and everyone) was the accomplished performance by Nwaneri at just 17 yrs – what a prospect we have – and a fine effort by Sterling, particularly in the second half wh3n he switched to the left wing. However, I agree with Ned he is yet to appear on the same wavelength ( Artetaball) as the rest of the team. Hopefully the coaching he is receiving will enable him to sync in with the playing style required, otherwise he will remain a peripheral b@ck up player.
    I subscribe to NowTV for sky sports only. Although their monthly fee is around £35 but you can cancel at @ny time. When doing so their algorithms lead you through a succession of pages trying to get you to renew – when you say no to all, they finally offer you a special price for a set period ( 2-6 months) at a special rate which has varied from £18 – £25 per month ( for all sky sports channels ). I don’t subscribe to any of the other sky channels. I had full coverage for the match last night.
    Also a big well done to the C100 & CER families to the long trip ooop north – it must h@ve been great to be in the middle of the f@ntastic support there – we could only hear to gooners singing throughout the whole match.

  16. 16
    North Bank Ned says:

    OM@2 & Trev@14: Deepdale, the football stadium, is 47 metres above sea level, according to the OS maps. That is about 10-15 metres lower than land a couple of miles to the east, but equally, the land continues to slope down to Preston docks two miles or so to the west/southwest (shame TTG couldn’t make the game as he could have moored his yacht in the Marina). That doesn’t suggest a dale, shallow or deep, however. The lowest point near where the stadium is would have been Deepdale Brook at the south end of Deepdale Farm: the field the footballers leased from the farm was at its north end, appropriately enough. Deepdale Brook is 39 metres above sea level and looks to have been a couple of metres’ drop from the land immediately next to it. I have no idea whether the brook gave its name to the farm, vice versa or neither. The mid-Victorian OS maps show the district also had a Deepdale Mill, a Deepdale Station and several thoroughfares bearing the name. I read that most places in Britain called Deepdale get their names from the Anglo-Saxon for deep+valley or water+valley. A rarer alternative is that the dale derives from deill, meaning the inherited share of a piece of land, rather than anything topographical. Which seques awkwardly to another oddball connection between Deepdale and US pro sports. Deepdale Farm was one of the Earl of Derby’s landholdings. Frederick Arthur Stanley, who was Baron Stanley of Preston before becoming the 16th Earl, donated the cup that bears his name that goes to the champions of the National Hockey League.

  17. 17
    OsakaMatt says:

    Thank you Ned, masterly as ever. If the topographical is, as it seems to be, unlikely then we are left only with the rarer alternative I suppose. A grateful murmur of thanks to the monks for their toils.

  18. 18
    ClockEndRider says:

    Following on from C100@11 above, I agree that the Preston welcome was indeed generous. The staff were excellent and friendly. I only wish we had more time to spend there rather than on the packed coach stuck in traffic for hours on the M6.
    Loins are being girded ahead of the 3.30 am start to get to Newcastle tomorrow. Hope to have a bit of time to mill around central Newcastle ahead of the game. 21CG and I will be writing the match report on the coach on the way back, so expect something of an Impressionistic take on the day.

  19. 19
    TTG says:

    CER ,
    Your Gooner sojourn with 21CG is admirable, highly ambitious and exhausting. While I consider myself a passionate Gooner I’ve never consistently done the hard yards up and down the motorway and my overseas travel has been mainly for finals .
    Our away support is extraordinary and as I can see from C100 , addictive and when ( hopefully ) Cup Final tickets are handed out our away contingent should get first dibs . We should also not forget those around the world who rise at sparrowfart or stay up all night to follow the team- great dedication.
    On a continuum of passion and loyalty , despite my longstanding attendance I’m some way down the line . Home games and TV support ( when I can get a signal!) are what I offer but there are many who warrant our admiration more for their enthusiasm and sheer stamina. May your passion be rewarded with happiness tomorrow!

  20. 20
    ClockEndRider says:

    In truth, it’s a pleasure to go away and really no hardship. We park up and take the coach so all the hard work is taken out of it. For £25 quid each return to Newcastle, it’s a no brainer, especially as it’s only a 20 minute drive for us to pick up the coach. My admiration is reserved for C100 and son who hack it up and down the country under their own steam, rain or shine. As well as all those loons in far off places who get up in the early hours to watch every game. You know who you are and there are drinks on the bar for you all……

  21. 21
    Trev says:

    Thanks Ned for the Deepdale explanation – comprehensive and easy to read as ever.

  22. 22
    bathgooner says:

    A superb piece of investigative research @16, Ned. Most informative. Thank you. I would bet the farm that this information isn’t available on any other football related site.

    The monks truly earn their soubriquet, I Illuminati. Give them an extra pat of butter this morning.

  23. 23
    Trev says:

    TTG, I’m not sure I agree with this idea that there is an up or down line of merit in how one supports the club. I do admire and envy the dedication of those who travel up and down the country to support the club home and away, and those in far flung corners who have acquired amazing knowledge of the club and organise themselves around ever more diverse kick off times.
    Some, of course, are not able to do all those things for a variety of reasons – work, family commitments, financial, health etc – but don’t necessarily support the club with any less passion or loyalty for that.
    Personally, I’m currently limited to supporting from the sofa until this extremely painful knee is replaced (hip done and now absolutely fine) but I have “done my time” travelling to places like Bolton, Sheffield, Upton Park, Tottenham etc etc and abroad in far more dangerous times to attend games than the present.
    Our away support is magnificent both in numbers and spirit and I would love to be part of it. While I can’t it has to be the sofa and the TV but with complete loyalty and passion, nerves for days before a game and pleasure or frustration after it.

    In the meantime, safe journeys to all those getting up in the middle of the night to get to Newcastle for 12.30 on Saturday. I remember feeling sorry for Newcastle fans at the Emirates who had to travel for Monday night kickoffs at 8.00pm twice in two (or three?) seasons. Do the TV companies actually know where these places are ?

  24. 24
    ClockEndRider says:

    In answer to your question, Trev, yes they do. However the question is incorrect. It should be: Do they care?
    And we all know the answer to that, despite all the bolleaux they were throwing out during Covid and the potential existential threat to the televisual status quo of the breakaway league.

  25. 25
    bt8 says:

    Many thanks to the ttg, nbn, cer, and c100 clansf for bringing us such unique abd entertaining perspectives on the arsenal pne cup tie. On to Newcastle for the select few, and three points please

  26. 26
    Gunnersaurus Stunt Double says:

    Uply @15 does make me wonder whether Odegaard will find the through balls for the runs Sterling likes to make? Without our captain, we don’t have anyone else who naturally plays those passes in behind the defence that Sterling is so effective running onto. Perhaps the return of one will improve the output of the other?

    I’d really like Sterling to have a good season with us.

  27. 27
    Bathgooner says:

    >>>>>>>