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MATCH REPORT: Arsenal 2 – 0 PSG

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Arsenal Starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Trossard; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.

PSG Starting XI: Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marqunihos, Pacho, N. Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, João Neves; D. Doué, Lee Kang In, Barcola.

Match officials:

Referee:

Tomaž Klančnik SVN

Assistant referees: 

Andraž Kovačič SVN

Nejc Kajtazovic SVN

Video Assistant Referee:

Tomasz Kwiatkowski POL

Assistant Video Assistant Referee:

Rade Obrenovič SVN

Champions League 

Emirates Stadium 

Tuesday 1st October 2024

KO: 20:00 (UK)

We are here tonight for our first home Champions League game of the 24/25 season. Tonight’s opposition is PSG who are renowned for being a big club however, after the departure of many key players they have began to struggle. 

We look to build on a strong first performance against Atalanta as we are still missing our key player Martin Odegaard. However for me, I think that Leandro Trossard has stepped up and put in some good performances. 

Another mention to Jurrien Timber who has been excellent. PSG have scored in their previous 50 group stage games I believe so hopefully we can put an end to their streak.

As we kicked off in North London, our first chance came within two minutes as Saka tried to play through Havertz however, the German forward was deemed to be offside. A minute later, we had another opportunity as Raya played a long ball through to Martinelli who was met by Donnarumma as the two clashed leaving both players on the floor needing treatment. 

We began on the front foot however, PSG stood strong as a few moments later, we had another effort with Saka’s curling effort going over the bar. PSG then had a chance of their own as Hakimi won a corner which was headed clear out to Nuno Mendes who volleyed wide. Saka had a lively start to the game as he put in another cross which was easily claimed by Donnarumma. 

We were playing with a high press which PSG couldn’t resist however, Nuno Mendes did well to win a free kick for the away side. Havertz then created an opening as he surged towards the area however, his ball was united by Hakimi. We managed again to break away through Trossard who did brilliantly to get away from the opposition player on the  halfway line and deliver a floating cross into Havertz who beat Donnarumma to the ball and headed home.

 PSG had been holding onto the majority of the ball but weren’t creating any threatening attacks. On the other hand, moments later Nuno Mendes drove towards the box and fired an effort which clipped the side of the post and out for a goal kick. Again PSG found an opening, this time through Hakimi whose shot was well saved by Raya and out for a corner. The corner was swung in but cleared by an Arsenal defender. Some good play from Trossard and Saka allowed the starboy to win a free kick on the right side of the PSG half.  

Saka stepped up to take as he whipped the ball in low and into the net with Martinelli jumping over the ball throwing off the PSG keeper. PSG had to try and get a reaction however, gave away another free kick. Saka sent the ball in however it went over everyone and out for a corner. PSG had their final chance of the half but their pass was overhit and the referee blew for half time.

Half time views:

A very dominant performance with some standouts such as Timber who has done exceptionally well with keeping Barcola quiet. Arteta will be pleased with how we have contained them in their half.

Saka and Havertz have also created plenty of chances with Trossard being the main creator.

No changes needed unless any injury concerns. Maybe a swap of Martinelli with Sterling to give him a run out.

As we looked to enter the second half we replaced Timber with Kiwior a change which looked to be about keeping aware of Timber’s previous injury. Again PSG maintained most of the possession passing it around without creating anything. 

They then won a free kick which was crossed in however, our prowess in the air helped us to clear. Some nice play from our attackers came to a chipped ball into Martinelli whose volley was straight at Donnarumma. Martinelli then went down the left winning a corner in the process. The corner was put in however, Donnarumma was there to claim. 

As we opened up the PSG defence an opportunity fell to Havertz however, he couldn’t gain enough power to beat the PSG keeper. Merino then made his way on for Partey to the delight of the home support of his delayed debut, as Doue and Vitinha were replaced by Ruiz and Muani for PSG.

 PSG then won a corner which was whipped in and flicked on by Neves as the ball hit the cross bar and out as we were able to clear. Ruiz then had an effort which sailed over the bar. Moments later, a swivelling effort from Ruiz forced a strange stop from Raya who parried out as we cleared. PSG began to apply the pressure but we still looked comfortable. 

Arteta then made his second substitution with Jesus replacing Trossard. The ball then broke to Martinelli on the left, who forced a fine low save by Donnarumma from close range. Straight to the other end with Muani, who played a one-two with Barcola in on the break. But the ball back was just too far ahead of the sub as he looked for a tap in. Calafiori and Ruiz were then both shown yellow for an unreasonable push and shove.

 A deflected ball went into the box as it bounced up and hit Calafiori on the arm. The ref didn’t like the claim for a penalty, and neither did VAR. The PSG attack had been far more lively in the second period as they found room on the left again, but the cross was blocked. PSG then own a corner which was swung in and met by Marquinhos whose header went over the bar. Muani went down in the box and nothing war given. VAR checked and there was a shirt pull but it began outside the box so the review system couldn’t intervene as it wouldn’t have been a penalty anyway. 

Jesus ran out of room on the right as we brought on youngster Lewis-Skelly for Saka. 4 minutes were added. A late PSG corner trickled through to Raya summing up the away team’s night as the referee blew the full time whistle.

Full time views:

A very controlled second half performance and an all round good game. PSG weren’t very clinical and didn’t offer much attacking threat which allowed us to  sit back and soak up the pressure.

With many good performances, my MOTM would go to Havertz. I felt that he lead the press and made good runs aswell as getting a goal. Saka, Trossard and the defence also had very good games.

Anyhow, onwards and upwards as we look to face Southampton at home on Saturday.

COYG 

Hudson

Tottenham fans showing an unhealthy obsession

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They are all getting a little bit obsessed in Hertfordshire.

It must be hard being a Tottenham fan. Especially one a similar age as me (born in 1984). They have had to cope with decade after decade of being dominated by their nearest rivals.

A 6-year period aside where Tottenham finished ahead of Arsenal, the last 40 odd years has seen the boys in red and white dominate. And even during that 6-year period, Tottenham won nothing, whilst The Arsenal picked up 2 FA Cups.

Normal service has, of course, now returned. And that leave Spurs fans back in a position where they can only celebrate Arsenal’s failures. And it all leads to them being more obsessed about us than they are about their own team.

We saw their unhinged selves rise a couple of weeks ago when, despite losing at home in the North London Derby, some of their fans acted like it was a victory because they had more possession. Well done lads.

That obsession continued throughout the week beyond the game.

As Arsenal moved quickly on to the Champions League and then Manchester City away, Tottenham 2ere still stuck on “how arsenal could only beat us by fouling our keeper”. They were right in one way. We beat them.

Then last week even their official X account got involved.

Are they really trying to compare playing Carrier Bag at home with 10-men to Manchester City away?

Man City were unbeaten in the league at home last season. It is coming up to 2-years since they last lost at the Ethiad in the league – to Brentford in November 2022. They have suffered just 11 home league defeats since 2016. Yet Arsenal were expected to beat them whilst down to 10-men.

Meanwhile, Qarabag have won just 9 games away in the Europa League (excluding qualifying games). Those victories came against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, PAOK, Vorskla Poltava, F91 Dudelange, Kairat, Omonia, Olympiacos, BK Häcken and Braga. I only found out these clubs existed when writing this blog, the two Greek sides and Braga aside.

Qarabag lost 5-0 on aggregate to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League play-off game. the Croatian side sit bottom of the Champions League table having themselves lost 9-2 to Bayern Munich in the opening game. That highlights where Qarabag sit in the European pecking order.

Qarabag are nowhere near Man City’s level. That is obvious. So Spurs official account trying to compare their home win to our away draw is simply an obsession.

And the Cheshunt Ultra’s obsession peaked when Kai Havertz’s goal was given against Leicester City. Social media was quickly flooded with crying Spurs fans trying to compare Havertz fair goal with the one incorrectly ruled out by the officials in last seasons North London Derby.

The plonkers attempted to compare the two as they both took deflections off an opponent. But they ignored a key point – Havertz was in an onside position when Jurrien Timber played the ball towards him, whilst that Dutch FIFA centreback was in an offside position when James Maddison attempted his shot.

Tottenham fans are using the above picture in an attempt to show corruption in the league and favouritism towards Arsenal. But all the above shows is that the Leicester player clearly plays it towards Havertz.

Meanwhile, you go a few frames before the incident and you can clearly see Havertz was onside when Gabriel Jesus had his shot.

The fact Spurs fans think these two incidents are comparable really does show their obsession with us.

This obsession come from when you have been dominated for nearly 5 decades. It leads you to see the obvious incorrectly. To refuse to understand the rules and twist everything in an attempt to try and get a little bit of joy.

Whilst Arsenal march forward this week in the Champions League, Spurs will once more be playing Europa League football. They will continue to try and promote the two as equal, but like everything Tottenham do, it is inferior.

Enjoy your Monday.

Keenos

MATCH REPORT: Arsenal 4 – 2 Leciester City

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Arsenal Starting XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Partey, Trossard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
Leicester Starting XI: Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Winks, Skipp, Buonanotte, Ndidi, Mavididi; Vardy.

Match Officials:
Referee: Sam Barrott. 
Assistants: Scott Ledger, Wade Smith. Fourth official: Dean Whitestone. 
VAR: Paul Tierney. 
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.

Premier League
Emirates Stadium
Saturday 28th September 2024
KO: 15:00 (UK)

We return again at the Emirates, as today we face Leicester in the Premier League. Arteta played a rotated squad on Wednesday night against Bolton involving many youngsters, so today he may also be looking to give players like Nwaneri some minutes against a weaker opposition.

Leicester have had a mediocre start to the season, with 3 draws and 2 defeats, however, they have some goal threat through Mavididi, who has scored two goals this season.

Raya has returned to the starting XI with some injury concerns, however, Ben White this time has been left out of the squad.

Vardy kicked us off in North London. We held most of the possession for the first few moments, and we got our first half chance, as Martinelli was almost put through however, Hermansen was there to sweep up. 

Leicester then showed their effectiveness in the final third, as some good play allowed Buonanotte to get a shot off, however his shot was weak and was blocked by Calafiori. A few minutes later, Martinelli went down after a strong challenge from Oliver Skipp but he was able to get back on his feet. From the freekick, which we played short, Martinelli’s deflected cross went out for a corner. Rice whipped the ball in, as his ball was headed away by Kristiansen. We were able to recycle the ball in the Leicester half however, the kept their solid shape and nothing came of it.

 We began to increase the tempo was Saka crossed into Havertz who was free, but Faes got back to clear. Our first shot on target then came, as Saka cut inside and fired a shot straight at Hermansen. The ball then came to Saka who played the ball to Martinelli who blazed over. Finally, we broke the deadlock as some good play from Timber and Saka allowed Martinelli to finish neatly on the turn.

 Minutes later , Vardy was given a yellow by the referee. Again, we kept the intensity high as we won a corner which was then cleared by Leicester. We then won a free kick which was hit low and hard by Rice. The ball fell to Calafiori whose effort was straight at Hermansen. 

Straight after, we won the ball back as Rice set up Martinelli whose effort was brilliantly stopped by Hermansen. As we kept the Foxes contained in their half, Ndidi was shown a yellow card for a foul. Our wide players were causing problems for Leicester as Martinelli crossed in but the ball was cleared. 

We then created a chance as Trossard made his way to the by-line and chipped the ball into Havertz whose header just went wide of the post. Our shots kept on flying at Hermansen however, he stood strong in the Leicester net. We still pushed on however, we couldn’t find the breakthrough as two minutes were added. On the brink of half-time, we grabbed our second as Martinelli rolled the ball across to Trossard who slotted home. The referee then blew the half-time whistle.

Half time views:

A good performance especially from our attack to put us 2 up. However, I still think that we could be more clinical infront of goal, even though Hermansen has been performing very well.

For me, no changes need to made and Arteta will be pleased with his players. Hopefully we can keep composed and break Leicester down to finish the game off.

We kicked the second half off and a few moments in, Leicester were awarded a free kick and Saliba was booked. Buonanotte stepped up and swung the ball into James Justin whose glancing header fired into the back of the net. Another two bookings were then given out in a matter of minutes as Calafiori and then Skipp were both shown yellows. 

We were then able to get our most dangerous asset, a corner. Saka crossed the ball in and again Gabriel headed on target however, Hermansen smacked it away brilliantly to Timber whose rebound was off target. Again, we attacked as Saka fired another effort by the near post which was saved by Hermansen with his feet. 

Again Timber and Saka played a nice combination as Bukayo shot into the side netting. Chance after chance as we hit the post after a loose ball fell to Trossard whose poked effort hit the upright. Leicester made a rare passage of play as Buonanotte smashed his effort just wide.

 Out of nowhere, Ndidi whipped a ball towards the back of the box where again, was Justin whose amazing volleyed effort rattled against the post and went in. 

Leicester stayed persistent as Buonanotte had another effort saved by Raya. A few minutes later, we managed to grab a corner which was headed down by Calafiori to Trossard whose effort deflected out for a corner. The resulting corner was cleared by Ndidi. We continued to push on as Saka’s blocked shot fell to Havertz whose shot looked to be going in, but was hooked away amazingly by Hermansen.

 Buonanotte was then booked for asking for Calafiori to receive a second yellow. Another attempt from far out by Rice was then easily held by Hermansen. Arteta then made his first substitution as Martinelli was replaced by Sterling. Hermansen then made another save however, he then played a loose ball to Winks who loses out to Rice. Rice then played the ball to Trossard whose shot was beaten away by the relieved Hermansen.

 Ethan Nwaneri was then given his chance as he replaced Partey. Leicester had begun to time waste and see the game out for a draw. They then made a substitution of their own with Buonanotte being replaced by Jordan Ayew. Nwaneri had his first action of the game as he forced another stop from Hermansen. 

Again, we had a corner as Calafioris header which was swung in by Saka, was tipped over the bar by Hermansen. Leicester then made a double  substitution as Skipp was replaced by El Khannouss and Mavididi was replaced by Decordova-Reid. 7 minutes were then added as we pushed on. Minutes later, we were able to get a corner, which was swung in and met at the back post by Trossard who side footed the ball into the box as it ricocheted off of Ndidi and into the net.

As play restarted, we kept on going as Saka managed to beat Kristiansen however, his cross was deflected out for a corner. We then made a substitution with Trossard being replaced by Jesus aswell as Leicester making a double change with Ndidi coming off for Edouard and Okoli coming off for Fatawu. 

We then made another breakthrough as Jesus’s shot was spilled by Hermansen as a Leicester player poked the ball against Havertz abd went in. The goal was originally called offside by the officials , however  after a VAR check it was awarded. As Leicester looked down and out, the referee then blew the full time whistle.

Full time views:

A very nervy and thrilling game today as we stay unbeaten. Leicester battled hard in the second half and did brilliantly to keep it level until the last moments. 

I think that our character helped us get the win as we never gave up and again capitalised on a corner. We had an xG of 4.09 whilst Leicester only had an xG of 0.27 showing how difficult it was to get past Hermansen.

Anyways, onwards and upwards as we look to play our first Champions League game at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

COYG

Hudson