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Match Report: Arsenal 1 – 0 West Ham United

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Arsenal (0) 1 West Ham United (0) 0
Premier League
Emirates Stadium, Drayton Park, London N5 1BU
Saturday, 7th March 2020. Kick-off time: 3.00pm
(4-3-1-2) Bernd Leno; Sokratis Papastathopoulos, David Luiz, Pablo Marí, Bukayo Saka; Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Nicolas Pépé; Mesut Özil; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Eddie Nketiah.
Substitutes: Hector Bellerín, Alexandre Lacazette, Reiss Nelson, Emiliano Martínez, Joe Willock, Mattéo Guendouzi, Gabriel Martinelli.
Scorers: Alexandre Lacazette (78 mins)
Yellow Cards: Sokratis Papastathopoulos, 
Arsenal Possession Percentage: 69%
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 60,335
For this, the last home London derby of the season for us, both clubs enter today’s fray with a real sense of foreboding, as it is vitally important that three points are collected at the end of the match; let it be Arsenal. We do not need any more jittery performances, half-baked defending, just a good strong, solid win will do for us this afternoon, thank you very much.
Well, with Jarrod Bowen hitting the woodwork after just two minutes, it was not exactly the auspicious start that we expected today, but although the visitors took the game to us quite early on, it was far too soon for the alarm bells to start pealing. Within the first quarter of an hour, Mesut Özil was unlucky not to score when his shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Cresswell, and just minutes later, a cross from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found the head of Sokratis Papastathopoulos, whose subsequent cranial effort dramatically bounced off the top of the crossbar and into the blue yonder. The match now appeared to take on the form of a ping-pong game somewhat, with both sides creating chances for their respective strikers to score, but to no avail. However, despite some thundering play from our chaps, we were unable to convert our close cultured play into goals, and our frustration only served to allow the visitors to create some worrying chances to score against us in the dying minutes of the first half. In less than a minute after Michail Antonio’s header went wide, Eddie Nketiah was fouled by Jeremy Ngakia in the West Ham penalty area, which was undoubtedly a correct penalty call by us; sadly the indecisive circus that has now surrounded the VAR gang in Stockley Park cruelly denied Arsenal the right for the chance to take the lead on the stroke of half time.
Dejectedly, both sides appear to slouch their respective ways into the second half, with no discernible desire from anyone to change the status quo. However, seven minutes after the restart, we had a gilt-edged chance to score when young Bukayo Saka slotted an excellent through ball for Eddie Nketiah to run onto and shoot, but his well-struck effort was superbly saved by visiting ’keeper (and former Gunner, of course) Lukasz Fabianski; almost immediately, in a rebound movement by West Ham United, our current man in the number one jersey, Bernd Leno, was called into action when a Michail Antonio shot was palmed away athletically by Arsenal’s superb German international goalkeeper. On the hour, Eddie Nketiah was substituted for Alexandre Lacazette in a desire by Mikel Arteta to maximise our scoring chances in the last half hour of the game. After Sokratis Papastathopoulos became our first player of the afternoon to receive a yellow card for a pointless foul on Michail Antonio, our defence appeared to go to sleep when Jarrod Bowen ran through to have a free shot on our goal, which thankfully, was easily neutralised by Bernd Leno, who had an excellent match between the sticks for us today. At the away end, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang supplied a ball for Nicolas Pépé to run on and shoot, which was easily blocked by Aaron Cresswell, and a minute or so later, we had yet another penalty appeal turned down by VAR when Alexandre Lacazette was wrestled to the floor by visiting defenderAngelo Ogbonna. All this was immediately forgotten when our aforementioned number nine finally got the ball into the left-hand corner of the net (via a clever header involving Mesut Özil) from six yards out; even a heart-stopping three minutes’ investigation from VAR could not deny us this goal at last. With the deadlock broken so late in the match, and with our final two substitutes having been used (Reiss Nelson for Nicolas Pépé and Hector Bellerín for Mesut Özil), we managed to hold on through five minutes’ injury time to take maximum points from this incredibly close encounter here in North London today.
Looking at this match fairly and objectively, one could say that West Ham United may well feel robbed, as their efforts and possession stats came to nothing in the cold light of day (or night); but on the other hand, in football, you take your chances, and sometimes you pull it off. And today, despite all the danger, we pulled it off superbly, it has to be said. Okay, it was a fairly dull performance at times, but hey, in the greater scheme of things, who cares? The ends justify the means; we got three points, and at the time of writing, we are currently ninth in the Premiership, with a game in hand. With a little application, along with a wink from Lady Luck herself, we can do this; yes, we can finish fourth in the Premiership and win the FA Cup as well. It’s time to believe. Remember everyone, keep the faith, get behind the team and the manager, as this season is going to be crucial for our future success in all competitions. Stick with the winners. Our next match: Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, 11th March at 7.30pm (Premier League). Be there, if you can. Victoria Concordia Crescit.

Steve

Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten: Arsenal v Racing Club de Paris 1930-1962 by Steve Ingless (Rangemore Publications, ISBN 978-1-5272-0135-4) is now available on Amazon.

Arsenal’s Youth: Who is HOT and who is NOT

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Against Portsmouth, we started with 5 academy products, with another one on the bench. 6 of the starting XI we under 21, with 2 teenagers

It has been the story of our season. Youth, and in the main locally produced youth, have got their chance.

But who is actually good enough to make it at Arsenal? Who is in line to be a first team regular, and who will be looking to play at a lower level to get regular football?

It is dangerous to write off players so young, but there is also a tendency to overhype youngsters. So who will make it at Arsenal?

Bukayo Saka – 18-years-old

No player has grabbed their chance this year more than left-winger Bukayo Saka, although his impressive performances have mainly come from left back.

No Arsenal player has more assists in all competitions, and he seems to have a good mix of physical and technical ability.

A good crosser of the ball, he can beat a man in tight spaces and has pace to burn. Although his simple passing does not improvement.

He is a winger, not a left back. Once Kieran Tierney is back fit, Saka should play the rest of the season on the left wing. He could save us millions in the summer.

It would not be too hard to make a case that for the 2020/21 season, Saka should be 1st choice left winger.

Verdict: Will be a star

Gabriel Martinelli – 18-years-old

Like Saka, Gabriel Martinelli is also just 18.

He signed from Brazilian side Ituano last summer and was expected to go into the U23 side, but his performances led him to quickly become a regular member of the match day squad.

10 goals this season is an impressive haul; although just 3 have come in the Premier League.

For his 1st year in England, at such a tender age, Martinelli has been superb.

Martinelli reminds you of Luis Suarez.

He works hard for the team, and can play anywhere across the front 3. The variety of his goals has been impressive.

We have seen him act as a goal poacher – appearing in the 6 yard box for a tap in. We have seen him bend one into the top corner from outside of the box. We have seen him beat a couple of man and slot one in. We have seen him score with his head and both feet.

He does need to work on his build up play, and he is probably better down the middle than on the wing.

His impressive performances this season could lead Arsenal to cash in on Alexandre Lacazette.

Verdict: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s understudy. Could become his long term replacement.

Eddie Nketiah – 20-years-old

Often in football one players fortune is another’s misfortune. You can only play XI players at one time. You can not progress every youngster. And that is the case with Eddie Nketiah.

He was sent on loan to Leeds for the 1st half of the season, only to be recalled following lack of playing time under Marcelo Bielsa.

It is his time away that gave Martinelli the time to shine in the Europa League and League Cup.

Nketiah has started a few games recently, and showed his poaching ability against Portsmouth. But there are question marks around his all round game.

The fear with Nketiah is he is an old school footballer. A goal poacher who needs to play up top in a 2. Beyond scoring goals, he contributes very little.

He is not great at holding the ball up, he is reluctant to get involved in the build up play, and he struggles as a teams sole striker. These are the reasons why Bielsa opted for Patrick Bamford upfront.

The other problem Nketiah is facing is Arsenal have a whole host of youngsters on his tail.

Martinelli is already ahead of him, despite being 2 years younger. The club also has Tyreece John-Jules and Folarin Balogun performing well in the academy.

Nketiah will be 21 in May. The feeling is he has one more season to prove his worth.

2020/21 John-Jules and Balogun will be sent out on loan. If they perform well, it might be time for Nketiah to step aside and Arsenal focus on those 2 years his junior.

If he does leave Arsenal, a mid-lower table team would snap him up, and Arsenal would get a good price for him.

Verdict: On borrowed time

Matteo Guendouzi – 20-years-old

It is incredible to think that Matteo Guendouzi is still just 20-years-old.

He has been criticised by some this season, and even written off by others, but that is unfair.

On his debut season he was fantastic. A real talent. A gem. But he has perhaps flatlined this season. But the potential in him is great.

There are not many other central midfielders across Europe doing what he is doing. But he needs to get his head down and work hard.

Under Unai Emery he was over played and under coached. In Mikel Arteta he should have the perfect manager who knows his position.

One problem for Guendouzi is no one is really sure what sort of midfielder he will become. Is he defensive? Or does he excel when he has a defensive midfielder behind him? Allowing him to roam the pitch pressing?

There are concerns around his petulance, and he seems to have this annoying habit where he is looking for the foul in the middle of the park rather than pass the ball on quickly.

He needs to listen to Arteta, take on advice and work hard on the training ground. He has the world at his feet, but it is up to him to take it.

Verdict: Work hard and he could achieve anything

Reiss Nelson – 20-years-old

Reiss [Nelson] is a special player and can eliminate players one on one. He’s been out for a while but he’s back now and he showed what he’s capable of doing.

That is what Mikel Arteta said about Reiss Nelson following his solid performance against Portsmouth.

2019/20 has been a frustrating one for Nelson.

After a successful season on loan at 1899 Hoffenheim in Germany, he has found his chances limited this season.

At the start of the season, he was never going to get a shot with £72million Nicolas Pepe ahead, and has picked up a few niggling injuries. He has not had the opportunity that Saka or Martinelli has had. But his talent is equally as big.

As a right-footed right winger who loves getting chalk on his boots, he offers us something completely different to Pepe.

The Ivorian is always looking to cut inside, to get the ball on his left and drive into the box. Nelson meanwhile looks to beat the man on the outside, and put a cross into the box.

In the short term, Nelson will find himself as understudy to Pepe. A different option to bring in when chasing the game. Someone who would stretch teams out wide.

Verdict: Has a future at Arsenal

Joe Willock – 20-years-old

What is Joe Willock?

Is he an attacking midfielder? Is he a wide midfielder? Is he box to box?

He is clearly a good athlete, and a good player, but it is a struggle to see where exactly he fits in at Arsenal.

As a 10, he does not have the eye for a pass of Mesut Ozil, the technical ability to play in tight areas. But then he does find space in the box to score goals.

Out wide, Arsenal simply have better young options in Saka and Nelson.

If Willock has a future at Arsenal, he probably needs to reinvent himself as someone that plays deeper, in the  number 8 role. That way his athleticism and driving forward with the ball can be better utilised.

He could probably do with a season out on loan, playing central midfield in the Premier League.

Verdict: Needs a loan deal

Emile Smith Rowe – 19-years-old

The one on the list who is not currently at the club, Emile Smith Rowe is currently performing well at Huddersfield.

Smith Rowe is one reason why Willock needs to reinvent himself as someone playing deeper.

Whilst he does not have Willock’s athletic attributes, he is a more technically gifted player, and you can certainly see him as an understudy to a senior number 10 (whether Mesut Ozil or someone else) next season.

He certainly deserves a chance back at Arsenal, and at 19-years-old still has plenty of time on his side.

Verdict: 1st team squad next season

Keenos

Match Report: Portsmouth 0 – 2 Arsenal

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Portsmouth (0) 0 Arsenal (1) 2
FA Cup Fifth Round
Fratton Park, Frogmore Road, Milton, Portsmouth, Hampshire. PO4 8RA
Monday, 2nd March 2020. Kick-off time: 7.45pm

 

(4-4-2) Emiliano Martínez; Sokratis Papastathopoulos, David Luiz, Pablo Marí, Bukayo Saka; Mattéo Guendouzi, Lucas Torreira, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock; Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah.
Substitutes: Bernd Leno, Dani Ceballos, Alexandre Lacazette, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Rob Holding, Nicolas Pépé, Granit Xhaka.
Scorers: Sokratis Papastathopoulos (45+3 mins), Eddie Nketiah (51 mins)
Yellow Cards: Mattéo Guendouzi
Arsenal Possession Percentage: 73%
Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 18,839

In a team with nine changes from the Olympiakos match last Thursday, and of those players, six are under twenty years of age (or under). Our line-up tonight shows Mikel Arteta’s intent to put youth at the helm in an important match here at Fratton Park this evening. The facts are stark and plain: win, and we are in the draw for the quarter-finals of the oldest cup competition in the world; lose and we face an uphill struggle in order to finish in the European places of the Premiership for next season. It is as simple and cut and dried as that.

Right from the start, the home side put us under pressure, which certainly tested our defensive capabilities somewhat. Lucas Torreira was carried off the pitch after, what initially appeared to be, a simple bread-and-butter tackle executed by defender James Bolton and was replaced by Dani Ceballos in the fifteenth minute; we then attempted to impose a possession-style match on our opponents which didn’t work, as all it did was serve to prove that our football became dull and fairly pedestrian. The worrying thing was that despite our attempts to break out of our half and launch assaults on the Portsmouth goal, they still managed to regroup and apply pressure on our goal, stretching the Arsenal defenders wider and wider across the pitch. Amazingly, and thankfully, we took the lead three minutes into injury time, when a superb Reiss Nelson cross from the right found Sokratis Papastathopoulos, who wasted no time in firmly placing the ball in the back of the net with a strong right-footed shot which ultimately meant that we went into the half-time break in the affirmative.

We started the second half with renewed confidence; it’s amazing what a goal just before the break can do! Anyway, six minutes after half time, another Reiss Nelson cross from the right saw Eddie Nketiah bundle a right-footed shot into the roof of the net to put us two goals ahead on the night. With the luxury of a two-goal lead, we were able to apply basic game management to the proceedings with a possession style that saw us control the game now. With twenty minutes of the match remaining, Reiss Nelson’s cross was met by the head of Gabriel Martinelli, which went high and wide, that was a missed opportunity for us to grab a third goal on the night. Just minutes later, young Bukayo Saka twisted and turned the Portsmouth defence inside out, and was unlucky not to score with his ascending shot that Alex Bass athletically tipped over the bar for an Arsenal corner. As the game was making its way to a natural conclusion, we found ourselves in the enviable position of being comfortable in an away cup game. Joe Willock was substituted for Granit Xhaka after eighty-six minutes, and the introduction of fresh legs in midfield only served further our desire to see the match out with a victory, which, despite one or two forays on our goal by the home side that dissolved into nothing, is exactly how the match finished here on the South Coast.

Despite a sluggish early start with a few close calls, we did enough to win the match and become the first club this season to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup tonight. Reiss Nelson was an absolute revelation on the right, providing excellent, accurate crosses for the strikers to run onto; indeed it was his cross that enabled Sokratis Papastathopoulos to open the scoring in the dying moments of the first half. Pablo Marí was impressive on his first team debut, as was Eddie Nketiah and, although he was on the pitch for the most briefest of times, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who replaced the aforementioned Reiss Nelson with a few minutes left on the clock. David Luiz showed mature leadership skills to inpire the Young Guns, as did Sokratis Papastathopoulos too. All in all, it was a clinical, professional victory, one that we desperately needed after the debacle of last Thursday’s defeat at The Emirates. Remember everyone, keep the faith, get behind the team and the manager, as this season is going to be crucial for our future success in all competitions. Stick with the winners. Our next match: West Ham United at The Emirates on Saturday, 7th March at 3.00pm (Premier League). Be there, if you can. Victoria Concordia Crescit.

Steve

Too Dearly Loved To Be Forgotten: Arsenal v Racing Club de Paris 1930-1962 by Steve Ingless (Rangemore Publications, ISBN 978-1-5272-0135-4) is now available on Amazon.