It always baffled me the way some fans did not take to Gabriel straight away. I feel in love on day one, and it was clear that he was the beast of a central defender we had missed for years.
Yet some fans did not rate him. They labelled him a liability. an accident waiting to happen.
Since he has joined us, he has never let us down and is a monster of a central defender. Yes, he has committed errors that led to goals, but every defender has that. If you only rate players who have never made a mistake, then the players you rate will be zero.
Gabriel and William Saliba compliment each other perfectly.
Whilst Saliba is slicker, and more aesthetically pleasing, Gabriel is the bully, the more physical one, and the leader of defence.
They are the best central defensive partnership in world football.
Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling
Winning 1-nil, on came Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling. the expectation would have been that they use their pace upfront to provide a threat on the counter attack. Instead the pair read the game situation and put in 15 minutes of brilliant defensive work.
When Ethan Nwaneri came on for Bukayo Saka, we risks losing a bit defensively. Both Jesus and Sterling recognised this and immediately dropped deeper, with the young Englishman often then our highest player on the pitch. This protected Nwaneri who is still developing physically and defensively.
Whilst that meant Jesus and Sterling did little to influence the game in an attacking sense, the pair, alongside Kai Havertz, created a pressing trio that sat in front of Jorginho and Thomas Partey making us impenetrable.
Ethan Nwaneri
Our lack of attacking signings caused some concern for fans this summer. But many of them had forgotten about Ethan Nwaneri.
It is two years since Nwaneri became the youngest ever player in the Premier League, coming on against Brentford in September 2022. Since then, Arsenal have taken their time with his development, allowing him to continue to grow both physically and mentality.
Now 17, he is ready to make an impact this season.
Nwaneri’s cameo against Spurs was no fear. He did not hide and looked to get on the ball at every opportunity. His first thought was always “forward” and he relived the pressure a couple of times with his youthful energy.
This season he will play the duel role of covering Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, and the result with be Fabio Vieira departing next summer.
We have an exciting player on our hands. We just need to continue being careful with him.
Cobra Kai
I feel very vindicated.
Throughout the summer, when we were not close to signing a striker, I kept making the point: Anyone that come sin must be a better option than Kai Havertz.
And being better than Havertz is not just his goal scoring exploits. It is also his work rate, his versatility, movement and ability to create for others. Yes, he might not be an out and out goal scorer like Erling Haaland, but he has much more to his game than just goals.
After the Spurs game he looked exhausted. He had not stopped running for 90 minutes and covered every blade of grass.
When Odegaard and Havertz play together, they take it in turns to be the “first presser”, with the other sitting in behind getting a breather. With a deeper central midfield, no Odegaard or Declan Rice, the onus fell on Havertz and he did not dissapoint.
He was central, deep, wide and worked from box to box, whilst still providing an attacking threat. His height also gave David Raya an outlet when we wanted to go longer – and he won over 50% of his aerial duels.
Kai is simply a brilliant all-round centre forward.
Spurs starting XI: Vicario, Porro, Van de Ven, Romero, Udogie, Bentancur, Maddison, Kulusevski, Johnson, Son, Solanke.
Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Jorginho, Havertz, Saka, Trossard, Martinelli.
Match officials:
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistants: Darren Cann, James Mainwaring.
Fourth official: Robert Jones.
VAR: Stuart Attwell.
Assistant VAR: Constantine Hatzidakis.
Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Sunday 15th September 2024
KO: 14:00 (UK)
So, here we return after a long 2-week break for our players and us fans. Today we face Spurs in the North London Derby as we look to bounce back from a disappointing result prior at home to Brighton which resulted in a 1-1 draw with Declan Rice also receiving a controversial sending off ruling him out of todays fixture.
Over the (in my eyes pointless) international break, two of our players both sustained injuries. Both Riccardo Calafiori and captain Martin Odegaard came off injured on international duty with Calafiori suffering a calf injury with no confirmed date of his return. Ødegaard sustained an ankle injury in Norway’s last game with his return expected to be in early October.
With a light squad today consisting of many youngsters on the bench, the starting XI will have to be at their best with only 4 senior players on the bench as well as Ethan Nwaneri. Raheem Sterling makes his first appearance in the Arsenal Matchday squad so hopefully if needed he can make an impact. Jorginho also makes a return to the starting XI and is skipper for the day.
Leandro Trossard kicked us off, with Arsenal in the black away kit and Spurs in their home colours of white and navy trims. We were able to get a corner inside the first minute ,where set pieces had been our strength last year Pedro Porro headed the ball out and Spurs were able to clear any danger. As both teams held possession a few cagey moments for both sides as Spurs carved out the first chance of the game with Dom Solanke cutting the ball back to Heung-min Son whose effort went straight into the hands of David Raya.
As Spurs mounted on the pressure, we defended well as Dejan Kulusevski’s corner bounced across the box as Raya made the save however, Spurs came again and Kulusevski was able to get a shot away which was blocked on the edge of the area. Spurs continued to dominate maintaining a lot of possession as we sat back in a solid shape looking to pounce on any mistakes.
We began to slow down the game and get into our rhythm however, Ben White’s ball across to Thomas Partey was slightly intercepted by Son and the ball found its way through to Solanke, but his chance was expertly shut down by William Saliba. Saliba was then booked for delaying the restart a couple of minutes later. We were able to create a counter attack as Gabriel Martinelli broke away and crossed the ball into Kai Havertz, however , Vicario was there to claim it.
Again, Martinelli was able to break away , this time through the backline as he had a clear sight of goal however, some good defending from the Spurs defenders closed down the angle and Martinelli’s attempt was easily held by Vicario. Spurs then swung the ball into the box through James Maddison as Raya claimed the ball on the goal line as Solanke rushed into him and the Spurs striker was penalised.
The game became very end to end as Brennan Johnson’s strike went straight into Raya’s hands and then down the other end, Destiny Udogie was booked for a late challenge on Saka. Spurs were able to contain us in our half and again Maddison swung a great delivery into the box where Solanke’s header whistled past the post.
We were able to break away as Havertz pushed forward and was fouled by Rodrigo Bentancur who received a booking. Jurrien Timber and Trossard completed a near passing combination resulting in a corner. Martinelli swung it in as Vicario seemed to just touch it and another corner was given. Saka this time crossed it however, it was a poor corner and was cleared.
As Spurs played out Timber appeared to make a good challenge on Porro as he pushed down the line however, the referee pulled it back for a foul as Vicario ran up to Timber in fury sparking a feud between the players something that is inevitable for an occasion like this. VAR checked for a red card for Timber’s tackle however it was cleared quickly. Some people say it could be a red card as his studs went up however, for me there was minimal contact from Timber on Porro and I even think that it wasn’t a foul but a strong tackle, a rare good decision from the Premier League officials! Timber and Vicario were both booked for their involvement for the small brawl after the challenge.
As the half time whistle loomed, Spurs were able to create a half-chance as Brennan Johnson’s attempt is closed down well by Timber. Trossard was then caught on the edge of the area and Kulusevski pounced on the loose ball and played the ball to Johnson whose shot was blazed over.
We were able to push up the pitch as Micky Van de Ven came flying in with a late challenge as the referee played advantage where Kulusevski brought down Jorginho. The referee issued two yellow cards for the two Spurs players. The referee then blew the half-time whistle as a cross went straight into Vicario’s hands.
Half time views:
A very end-to-end open game with both sides having their fair-share of chances. A lot of yellow cards have been given out by the referee so Arteta will have to be mindful of who is currently booked. Arteta will also be looking for some more composure when attacking as whenever we have entered the Spurs final third, we have been wasteful. No changes needed for the second half.
The home side kicked us off as we had the first chance of the half as Martinelli’s cross was easily claimed by Vicario. Spurs were able to get a corner and from it Maddison swung a curling cross with his weaker foot towards Van de Ven whose glancing header was saved by Raya. Spurs then managed to grab another corner as Kulusevski’s cross was tapped out by Ben White.
The ball was swung in and we were able to clear. We were still defending resolutely and were able to counter however, Van de Ven was able to use his pace and cut out any chance of our attack from progressing any further. As both teams looked to counter eachother, we were able to attack through Timber, however he was shut down and Spurs counter but were again wasteful.
Both teams had been very lacklustre in the final third. Havertz was able to pull out of the Arsenal half and counter by playing the ball to Saka whose shot was blocked and went out for a corner. The corner was delivered into the box by Saka towards the edge of the six-yard box and his ball was met by Gabriel who rose highest to power his header past the hopeless Vicario. Very poor defending from Spurs as Gabriel was able to just jump away from Romero and header it straight past Vicario who was stranded on the goal line.
Spurs made substitutions straight away as Pape Mate Sarr and Wilson Odobert came on for Bentancur and Johnson.
Spurs seemed to be shaken from the goal as a passage of disjointed play was frantic in search for an equaliser as Udogie’s cross was straight back at an Arsenal defender. Spurs were able to continue with pressure however, a shot from 25-yards out was blazed over by Sarr.
Possession was again regained by Spurs as Maddison’s cross was evaded by both Gabriel and Solanke who seemed to be tussling together in the box. A few minutes of end-to-end play passed as both teams made substitutions with Toni Werner replacing Maddison and Raheem Sterling making his debut replacing Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus also replacing Trossard.
Odobert pushed on into our box as the ball nearly made its way into the path of Solanke however, a strong challenge from Gabriel cleared any danger. Saka seemed to have pulled up and couldn’t continue as he was replaced by 17-year old Ethan Nwaneri.
A few chances from Spurs had come to nothing as we began to time-waste and try to see the game out. 5 minutes were added as Kulusevski rifled an effort just once the bar a moment where I think all Arsenal fans’ heart was in their mouths. Spurs came again as Odobert fired a shot towards the goal however, his attempt was defelcted off of the offside Werner. Spurs had their last chance of the game as Son tried a long-range attempt however, Nwaneri was there to block and the full-time whistle was blown.
Full time views:
A very solid performance from every single player in a black shirt and of course it’s always nice to beat the little lads. Arteta will be very pleased with how we managed the game in the second half especially after the goal. For me the standout performers today were Saliba, Timber, Gabriel, Raya and also Jorginho who did extremely well to replace Declan Rice.
For man of the match, I would give it to Timber for his tenacity and assistance when defending or helping Martinelli when attacking down the left. Anyhow, onwards and upwards as we look to face Man City away one of the biggest games of season if not the biggest. With a performance like that today and with Declan Rice back in the team I definitely think we can get a result.
COYG
Hudson
A selection of 4 ceramic beer mats with a bottle opener makes a fantastic gift set! #Arsenal
Martin Odegaard out for two weeks. Mikel Merino out for the foreseeable. As is Gabriel Jesus. Throw in Declan Rice’s suspension and Mikel Arteta has a headache.
We are basically without our first choice midfield trio. Not a position you want to be in ahead of a double-header away trip to Tottenham and Manchester City. But this should not be an excuse. Mikel Arteta still has options.
A temporary measure, for the Tottenham game at least, could be to go to 4231.
With no Declan Rice, Jorginho was probably already scheduled to come in for Spurs. Personally I would play him alongside Thomas Partey rather than with one of them in a more advanced position.
Jorginho and Partey would provide a solid defensive shield in an away fixture where we might be best conceding possession.
Under Fat Ange, Tottenham like to dominate possession, but struggle to break down teams who defend deep. They are also vulnerable on the counter attack.
A defensive 6 of White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Jorginho and Partey should be more than enough to cope with anything Tottenham might throw at us. And then Jorginho has the passing range to quickly transition the ball from defence into attack.
To fully exploit Tottenham’s vulnerabilities, we then need pace in attack. And pace is not one of Kai Havertz’s strong points. So instead of the German, I would take a risk and play Gabriel Martinelli through the middle.
The Brazilians movement and finishing could prove too much for Tottenham. He will be able to expose left by Tottenham’s defence. Players who are more interested in the glory of goals than the clean sheet.
Then to add extra pace, I would start Raheem Sterling on the left, with Bukayo Saka on the right.
Both Sterling and Saka would find plenty of space in behind Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie.
It will be a basic ploy – win the ball, get it to Jorginho, who can then launch an attack either via the left, the right, or centrally. And there were be plenty of pace for the players to catch up an influence at the other end of the pitch,.
As for Havertz, he would then go deeper, playing in the 10 role behind Martinelli.
This will enable us to still use Havertz’s ariel duel ability, and go longer and higher quickly via David Raya. He would then compete for the high ball, with Martinelli in and around him ready for those flick ons. The old “big man, small man” combination.
Lurking Spurs fans will now be thinking “Arsenal needing to go long ball to compete”. that is not the case. It is simple a tactic that works against them, and a tactic they have used in the past.
How often in the last decade has Harry Kane looked to drop a little deeper to win the aerial challenge and then look to play in Son who has the pace to run clean through and the finishing to grab his team a goal. It was a highly successful tactic and at not point did Spurs fans bemoan long ball football.
Havertz going up for the ball, and either flicking it on to Sterling / Martinelli or Saka. Or Havertz dropping deeper and looking to play a pass around the corner into space for his team mate. It is a tactic which should work time and again against Tottenham.
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 