It’s always nice to get even an easy box checked nice and early. The Arsenal did just that on a Wednesday evening in January when the seasonal double over the wrong end marsh-dwellers was achieved with a winner from Leo plus a welcome slice of luck seeing us home. Now, 2-1 is not the most convincing of wins on paper, however on the night we thoroughly deserved the points and of course the bragging rights. North London remains red. And on the back of that spineless spud effort it will be for some time to come.
The Opening
The evening had begun with Mikel Arteta naming an XI much as expected, with Sterling retaining his place on the right and Gabriel Martinelli the man to miss out among our four remaining attackers. Nice to see MLS flying the flag for Hale End. The club had helpfully laid out a large North London is Red montage in the West Stand to explain the current situation to whatever percentage of the neighbour’s support is literate nowadays and with that and the playing of the National Anthem North London Forever the game got underway. Well, we got started anyway as we utterly dominated the first 20 minutes. We looked confident on the ball and the crowd were noisily behind us, or so it sounded from my seat on the edge of the sofa. Sterling looked lively early on and was put in behind with a good ball in from Lewis-Skelly but the keeper was out quickly. A few minutes later our best chance of the opening quarter came from a Trossard shot in a good position just to the left of the six-yard-box, but it was blocked and scrambled clear by a nervous looking makeshift Spud rearguard. Corners came and went with no clear chance, although amusingly No Practise Ange had left two forward to try and dilute the threat, perhaps he phoned a friend for advice. Son did his best to rouse the visitors with his second-best dive and beseeching look at the ref but was ignored and the only other opposition action of note was Bergvall very luckily escaping a booking for a poor foul on Partey. The Spuds then had just about their only good five minutes of the first half. It began with a break down our right, Timber and Saliba allowed Spence too much room to cross and Gabriel had to do very well to divert the ball behind. From the ensuing corner we again had to defend as the ball dropped nicely for Kulusevski, fortunately Raya was out smartly to save at close range – an excellent piece of keeping. However, a couple of minutes later the Spuds won another corner. This time the ball eventually came to Son unmarked on the edge of the area and his fairly tame shot took an inopportune deflection off Saliba’s foot and into the far corner of our net giving Raya no chance. A large slice of luck for the undeserving but we had not helped ourselves at all by leaving Son so open. Frustratingly too, just a couple of minutes earlier a similar thing had happened but Sterling had smartly taken the ball off Son’s toe and made a break upfield. That is not at all to blame Sterling in particular for the goal but surely someone should have been closer.
The Fightback – 1-0 down, 2-1 up The Arsenal
For about 10 minutes after the goal we did, in truth, look a little set back though we pushed forward and strove hard. The goal as you would imagine gave them some confidence too and our sudden doubts seemed to transmit to the crowd who were somewhat quieter (again this is from my now hunched over position on the edge of the sofa!). Fortune, an annoying worm of late, was, however, about to take a timely turn. Leo attempted a cross from the left but it was blocked and went out after a double deflection for a goal kick – or should have, but bless the officials they missed it and gave us a corner, a porro decision really but hey I’ll take it. The corner came in to the back post, Gabriel got his head to it and the ball somehow, well, wormed its way into the net via a couple of deflections. Now, there was a large slice of luck there sure, but a couple of points should be made, firstly it was an excellent delivery from Rice to take out the keeper and most of the spud defence, secondly it came in at speed and it was an outstanding effort from Gabriel to get to it and make something happen. Those things were not luck, they were about skill and determination. At a difficult moment two of our most important players got us level and changed the whole atmosphere. The crowd were back at full roar and after a short break for an inconsistent yellow for Kai, we were back on the attack. Partey won it well in midfield, fed it to Øde, who passed it on to Leo. There was plenty to do but Trossard took it forward to the left edge of the area and then slammed it home across the keeper and into the far corner of the net. Should the keeper have saved it? Probably, but he is new and young and was undoubtedly nervous in a NLD. He had already got lucky a couple of times when well chased down by Kai and he couldn’t get away with it forever at this level. Half-time came and we had turned it round with great courage and purpose, I honestly can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t expect anything else as this manager and this squad has demonstrated those qualities numerous times, they do not hide, they fight.
The Foregone Conclusion
At the start of the second half I had thought that the neighbours would at least put up some kind of fight but I was relieved in a way to see Maddison and Johnson thrown on by Ange. These are not men to be feared in the heat of battle, mainly because they won’t be there. I am not going to go into any detail on the 2nd half because the only things to really say are that we mostly managed the game well, it was nice to see KT3, we should have scored more goals, and that I was never concerned even in the last minute when Porro hit the post, it was a shot that was never going in. The ref blew the final whistle and one of the great scientific questions was answered – Can spuds slunk? Yes, they can! I saw many slunking away, certainly enough for statistical significance anyway.
When all is said and done……………..
MLS said afterwards that his grandma was there for the game and he hoped she was proud of him. I am absolutely sure she was, I know I was, and MA described him as phenomenal.
Been a difficult week or two for Kai, but he certainly didn’t hide and I was proud of him too.
It was nice that David Raya took the time in an interview to remember Gabriel Jesus, the injury gods have been particularly cruel and I wish Gabi all the best
Raheem Sterling came in for a little criticism I noticed but to be honest I thought he did as well as can be expected given how little he has played. He obviously tired and MA was right to make the change on the hour but I feel more comfortable that Sterling can contribute well after that outing.
Having said that, MA said afterwards that we are actively looking for attackers as it’s urgent with Bukayo out for 3 months and now Jesus out for a long period. We have to accept that in the circumstances we may not get exactly who we want and may well get stiffed too but one more is necessary now.
Be great to see Ode and Kai on the scoresheet in the near future.
On we go then in better heart to the next game – home to Villa. Let’s welcome Emery and Emi back and then stick it to them.
Finally, fight for the Top 4 my arse, we are going for the title. We were before the game and we are now.
Gotta love it. Especially the final paragraph.
COYG
Every word, Om. I could not agree more with how you saw the game, our players and our current situation. To have it all wrapped up in an amusing and consumately well written piece is an absolute pleasure.
There is a large one of your choosing on the bar when you want it. Cheers!
I rarely re-post anything from the previous drinks but Baff closed the shutters a mere 3 minutes after I posted it and I loved this quote from Declan Rice…
“As I’ve got older I don’t get the recognition I deserve. I was bought for a big fee and I play for Arsenal. Not a lot of people like Arsenal – I keep my head down and I know my qualities.”
He gets it. Not a lot of people like Arsenal. And that’s fine with us.
Just an awesome night at the Emirates. I completely concur with CER from the last drinks that the crowd were up for it from the moment they left home. In the stadium the support was the loudest this season. We completely battered them but kept missing chances. Outstanding performances from MLS, Rice and Gabriel and Kai worked his socks off and won lots in the air.
The scenes at the end were wild. North London for ever played again, theFreed from Desire (your defence is terrified) had everyone dancing in the aisles. Wild and Cathartic. Our season is back on track.
Gabi’s superb intervention to neutralise the Solanke chance followed quite quickly by his outstanding determination, physicality and skill to, firstly, get into position, and then steer the ball goalwards made him my MotM. What a rock, inspiration and difference maker he is. Have we ever had such a potent, goal threat playing at centre-back while able to defend so resolutely?
MLS is one of three generational talents in our squad and both Arsenal and England are blessed by their talent and potential. It isn’t at all hard to see Miles playing in midfield, starting or deputising for Zubimendi (absolutely everything crossed) or competing with Calafiori for the LB berth. His interview with Wrighty post-match really made me smile.
We can have no complaints regarding chance creation, but again, last night was frustrating in terms of conversion. Surely Kai and Martin’s luck will change soon – hopefully in a manner akin to a magnificent dam burst.
Great job in being up and about a 5am to watch and report, Matt. Avery fine review with which I was in almost complete harmony. You are seeing Sterling through rosier lenses than I am.
Win the next one.
Great report of a big night and the full emergence of the brilliant MLS . I liked particularly Rice, Odegaard , Gabriel , Saliba and Trossard . But we should find it in our hearts to commend the Spuds in some way
So congratulations to Dominic Solanke on his first goal in a North London Derby !
Excellent and amusing match report, OM, that only enhances the rosy glow of the morning after.
Flowers for those mentioned by others: MLS, Gabriel and the fans in the stadium, in particular, but most everyone else was not far behind. Good to see Ødegaard back to something near his best, and if Kai had been playing as a 10 rather than a 9, everyone would have complimented him on a great game. At some point, the goals will return for both of them.
My 2 cents on Sterling was that he too often slowed down our attacks doing Raya impressions by standing still with the ball once he realised he didn’t have the beating of Spence for pace. (Spence is a serial thorn in our side; remember him in the FA Cup defeat at Forest a few years back?). Otherwise, Sterling was OK, but he is a shadow of what he was.
I would have liked to have seen what Ismeal Kabia offers on the right wing, but I understand that half an hour of an NLD with a score of 2-1 might not have been the most opportune environment to find out.
Just to add, the ball must have completely crossed the line before hitting Trossard’s thighs ahead of the corner that led to our equaliser. Otherwise, you know VAR would have found a way to rule it out. And on behalf of all Ropey League players with Big Gabi in their team, I would like to say that it is outrageous that the goal was chalked up as an og by Solanke.
Cheers Matt. Great stuff. Never in doubt! (I wasn’t worried about the Porro shot either, in fact I think Raya had iit covered if it ever threatened to be on target).
Ned, VAR can’t do anything about wrongly given corner kicks.
Either way, we more than deserved that bit of ‘luck’, and given the way we were playing, I think we’d have found a way anyway.
Also Rice knows. But we are the Arsenal, so f*** all the rest!
Thanks Matt – you describe exactly the match I saw, albeit from a different sofa. The players were definitely up for this one, not that I cannot fault them for effort in the recent disappointing results. Sp💩rs were comprehensively out played – the score ( again ) not a true reflection of the game.
There were stellar performances from many ( already mentioned above ) but what a prospect we have in MLS – skill, application & attitude. I also want an enquiry into big Gabby’s goal being taken away from him – as Ned said it’s outrageous and has nothing to do to do whatsoever with him being in my predictathon team.
Let’s hope the club succeed in bringing in 1 or 2 forwards – even if loan deals. Our current 4 will be run into the ground / pickup more injuries at the current rate of attrition.
Meanwhile I will continue basking in the win – it’s always special keeping North London Red ( though I’m of the age who recall Tottenham being located in Middlesex).
Top class report, Matt, of a top class performance. Every man worked his socks off and, like you, I’m prepared to cut Sterling a bit of slack as he builds up his match fitness. He isn’t yet fully firing but I think he will have a part to play in this title race. I particularly liked your conclusion’s Agincourt-esque call to arms.
That’s a huge result for a team upon whom much unwarranted criticism has been poured recently after a couple of reverses when our finishing has been poor. That flaw did remain an issue last night as we made and spurned several excellent opportunities and really should have had a couple more goals to make the last fifteen minutes more comfortable but at least we got the points that we deserved.
The show is still on the road. Now let’s sort out Villa.
Has anyone had eyes on Ismeal Kabia in the younger teams? How do we rate him. I’m completely unfamiliar with him but I wonder if he could possibly do less well than Sterling? So far Raheem has been little more than a warm body, albeit on a cold night.
GSD @3 Very much worth repeating. It’s so obvious no one likes us and it’s only with reluctance the terrible pundits give us any praise.
I watched a Tottenham vlog of two imbeciles attending the game. What a pair of twats. How I laughed.
BtM @12, I have seen Kabia play, in the EFL Trophy fame vs Orient earlier this season. A small, quick, skilful winger, not unlike Cozier-Duberry, and equally with a style similar to Saka. He also scored and fairly tormented his full back that night.
It’s a big jump up to NLD though and I imagine Arteta doesn’t fancy him enough at this stage to play in a PL game, unless we’re already a few up. In which case, I’d be confident that he could do well enough. That’s not damning with feint praise. He’s only 18.
I should add that it was really excellent to have the North London Forever anthem completed before kick-off and for it to be repeated after the final whistle. It really enhanced the atmosphere.
Faint, not feint.
That’s it. I’m sacking my secretary.
Baff. Yeah, even on TV it sucks when the match starts before North London Forever has finished. They’ve got to stop that happening!
To add to CER@14, Kabia is really quick, and the quality of his crossing is rated highly. Although he is only 18, he plays regularly for the U21s. He frequently trains with the first-team squad, has had a couple of Carabao Cup games and been on the bench for a few PL games, so Arteta is keeping a close eye on his development. As CER said, giving Kabila a debut in an NLD would have been a mighty ask, especially if he had replaced Sterling on 60 mins.
What GSD said @17.
What Ned said at 19.
This has baffled me.
It used to be finish well in time before k-o, then I seem to remember once or twice when it was just as the game kicked off, but the recent trick of making the game start while the singing was still going on felt just annoying to me at least.
Thanks gents, the team made that a nice easy one to write, and cheers Dino🥃
Thanks for your astute and entertaining report, OM. Those were three big points that are quite enjoyable to chew on, and I expect to be chewing on them for quite a bit longer. Also, I think Ned is correct @8 about Trossard being over the end line when the ball hit him which is why we were given the corner from which Solanke scored his first NLD goal as TTG notes above. 😘
The GHF Predictathon leaderboard for Match Week 21 has been posted, along with the latest form guide. More movement this week than Ødegaard in the half-spaces. You know where to find it…
The famed HOLIC CLOCK (see the right hand margin of this page) reveals that it has now been more than 63 years and 8 months since Spurs last won the league.
Big Club my Arse, indeed, and which club did the double on them marshdwellers this season??
64 years coming right up as they lounge in the bottom half.
BOTTOM FEEDERS
Perfectly expressed, Sir!
Delusions of grandeur seems a life long affliction to those who inhabit the Middlesex marshes.
I understand some supporters groups wanted NLF to continue after kick off as they thought it would add to the atmosphere . Wrong!
In the Ipswich game I felt it nearly led to a very early goal against because it seemed to distract the team . Glad to see it in its rightful place and it sounded great after the NLD
Congratulations to Renée Slegers who is now the ladies permanent coach- what took them so long?
Interesting to see the 10 year Haaland contract and the frantic transfer activity at C130y. Almost like they were expecting upcoming transfer sanctions!
Robotic Donkey Haaland gets a 9.5 year deal at 500k a week. Thats 247 million!!!!!
Obscene!!!!
All of what TTG said.
Cheers Matt – great job and a nice one to write up.
We are definitely in a title race – although it doesn’t feel like it because of having to adapt out style to constant injuries and recently illness, our stats after 20 league games are practically identical to last season. And Liverpool are starting to drop points.
TTG@27: I second your congratulations to Renée Slegers on being appointed head coach of Arsenal Women. Always encouraging to see an internal promotion.
You are spot on about how bad an idea it is to let North London Forever run over the kickoff. You want the anthem sung before the whistle blows so the roar can go up when it does to get the team on its way.
@23, Ned, while Ode’s form is on the up my prediction is doing the mirror image.
Everton will be looking for a new manager bounce tomorrow against you know who
>>>>>>>