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Match Report: Arsenal 2 – 0 Chelsea

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Arsenal (2) 2 Chelsea (0) 0
Premier League
Emirates Stadium, Drayton Park, London N5 1BU
Saturday, 19th January 2019. Kick-off time: 5.30pm
(4-2-3-1) Leno; Bellerín, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolašinac; Xhaka, Torreira; Guendouzi, Ramsey, Aubameyang, Lacazette.
Substitutes: Čech, Elneny, Özil, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Monreal, Mustafi.
Scorers: Lacazette, Koscielny
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 59,979
A split second before kick-off in such matches, there is always an audible pause that surrounds the stadium, almost as if everyone is in a form of silent prayer to the God of their understanding that maybe, just maybe the pundits and ganblers would be wrong here, and we play the way that only we know that we can, and send the red half of The Emirates home with a smile on their faces and a warm glow in their hearts. Today was truly that day in question. There is no substitute for paying attention, and there is no greater reward in life for those that accomplish their homework on the training ground prior to the match either.
Perhaps it was the preparations for today that fired us up straight from the kick-off, or perhaps it was the horrifying thought that Manchester United would overtake us by default today if we lost; either way the speed of Arsenal’s beginning certainly took the West Londoners by surprise. Indeed our first goal that was notched up just a quarter of an hour after the start showed intent and reason that we were not going to be a guest at our own party against one of our rivals. Héctor Bellerín delivered a cross into the Chelsea penalty area, and the swift reactions of Alexandre Lacazette were there for all too see as he mercilessly drilled the ball into the roof of the net after twisting and turning away from the opponents’ defenders. The red areas of the stadium erupted with elation as if this was a goal that secured a trophy; and in many ways it was surely good enough to be one too.
Now the real Arsenal started to show their mettle, by pinning the visitors in their own half and not allowing them the luxury of space and time to break out and attack our goal. Just six minutes before the half-time break, we struck again, only this time in controversial circumstances somewhat.  From a free kick superbly dispatched by the excellent Lucas Torreira, club captain Laurent Koscielny launched himself at the ball only for our spherical friend to fortuitously bounce off his shoulder and into the back of the net. Amazingly, nobody saw it but the television cameras, which was a real blessing. Either way, we went into the interval the happier of the two sides.
Chelsea appeared to wake up in the second half, but although they did indeed play some interesting football at times, they never threatened the home side at all, with the defence holding firm throughout. Tired legs became prevalent throughout, and in true second half form, Mr. Emery made three substitutes; Ainsley Maitland-Niles for Aaron Ramsey, Alex Iwobi for a weary Alexandre Lacazette and Mohamed Elneny for an injured Héctor Bellerín five minutes after the other two. Unfortunately full-back Héctor Bellerín collapsed with an injury which appeared to be a knee problem after twisting his left leg awkwardly whilst running to win the ball back from two Chelsea players; we await with interest the report from the medical team of this latest addition to our injury list, another one that we could well do without. Although Chelsea had 64% possession, the Arsenal defence were so efficient that they never had a shot on goal until eight minutes from the end of the match. When referee Anthony Taylor called proceedings to a close after six minutes injury time, a sense of elation and relief swept through the Arsenal supporters that were fortunate enough to witness this important victory in North London today.
After the disappointment of the last match, who could surely have predicted such an outcome today? Although it was a well-earned victory by us today, we were never really threatened that much by the visitors, who certainly gave the impression that all they would have to do was turn up and three points would surely be theirs; they certainly paid a high price for their conceited attitude with an Arsenal who were determined to put a victory on the scoreboard and three points on the Premiership table tonight. Manchester United in the FA Cup are the visitors on Friday, and after this win tonight, who knows?  Eleven days and counting until the end of the transfer window for loan deals. Remember everyone, keep the faith, get behind the team and the manager, as these early days are going to be crucial for our future success in all competitions. Stick with the winners. 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.

The Truth: Mertesacker’s “absence” and Manchester United’s ticket allocation

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First thing to do this morning is nip something in the bud quickly.

Per Mertesacker went the NBA London Game on Thursday night rather than to Arsenal v Tottenham in the FA Youth Cup.

This decision has led to huge criticism by many uneducated members of the media and fans. Most are looking for easy hits or RTs on Twitter.

Mertesacker is the Academy Manager.This means he oversees the operation at Hale End – where members of the Arsenal Academy train.

The U18s are not considered part of that academy. Once you reach U18 level, you move across to London Colney to train with the first team

You can not expect Mertesacker, Unai Emery or whoever to go to every game, every time. They have other things to concentrate on, and are allowed a life outside of work.

Going to the FA Youth Cup does not fall within Mertesacker’s contract parameters.

Now he might have gone out of interest, or to see how an U16 performed if they are stepping up a level, but on this occasion he decided to go to a basketball match.

A huge basketball fan, the NBA London Game is a once or twice a year thing.

So let’s just ignore the white noise and fake news surrounding his “absence”.

In other news, Arsenal are set to donate around 600 tickets for the FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester United. This after a dispute between the clubs over ticket allocation.

FA rules dictate that home clubs must make 15% of tickets available for the FA Cup. This is 9,000 tickets at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal have given Man U just 5,000 tickets, citing safety concerns.

Every club must get a safety certificate for every game. They must have this signed off by the local council and the police. In the past (when we play Tottenham in a mid week cup game, for example) the police have stopped us giving away the full allocation as they can not guarantee the safety of all fans.

Whether the council or police are behind the drop in allocation, or Arsenal are just hiding behind Health & Safety is not clear.

There is also a bigger story at play here. One which is rarely written about. And that is the fact that Manchester United never give visiting teams a full allocation for cup games.

The FA have approved Manchester United to give visiting teams a lower allocations for FA Cup ties at Old Trafford, where around 11.7% of the 76,000-capacity is handed over to the away team. This usually happens without much comment from the media.

This is potentially tit for tat with Arsenal. “We do not get full allocation when we visit you, so why should we give you full allocation”.

The same happened against Tottenham in the League Cup.

Spurs never give Arsenal their full allocation, yet a lot of fuss was made when we failed to give them theirs.

One problem with the 9,000 tickets is they are then lower and upper tier, with club level and executive boxes filled with Arsenal fans in between.

In the past when away fans have got upper and lower tier, there have been stories of those Arsenal fans in the middle tier being spat on, coins thrown and urine poured over them. This is clearly unacceptable and Arsenal’s first priority is the protection of its own fans.

Back in 2014  Everton (a club with a reputation for throwing urine) only got 9%

The FA responded to complaints stating the 15% was “subject to the local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) agreeing to that ticket allocation number.

“The SAG is made up of services such as the local council, police, fire brigade and the club amongst others and issues the stadium’s health and safety certificate.

“In regards to the Arsenal v Everton Sixth Round tie at the Emirates on Saturday 8 March, the local SAG has chosen to allocate just under 9% to the Everton supporters.

“Although we appreciate the disappointment in the SAG not granting the full 15% allocation, it is nearly double the amount of tickets that Everton would have received for the Premier League fixture at the Emirates back in December.

“The FA does not have any input into the decision of the SAG and cannot change it as this is a matter of health and safety.”

So here is an idea. If you want to have 15%. Stop throwing coins, spitting on, or throwing urine at fans below you.

Today is Chelsea. Not much to say except we need 3 points.

Keenos

Should Unai Emery put more trust in talented youngsters?

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Last night Arsenal beat Spurs 5-2 after extra time in the FA Youth Cup. A write up of the game can be found over on Jeorge Bird’s Arsenal Youth Blog. The win saw Arsenal progress to the fifth round of the competition – in which Arsenal made the final last year.

Arsenal’s victory in the competition over their North London rivals is even more impressive considering the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Zech Medley were not involved despite being eligible.

For some time I have been thinking that during the sticky period, where Arsenal have struggled for a consistent line up and tactics, should Unai Emery have had faith in some of the youngsters, rather than swapping and changing his tactics to fit in whatever first teamers he had available.

We have struggled with width this season, due to a lack of natural wide man. In Xavier Amaechi and Bukayo Saka Arsenal have two teenagers with pace to burn and talent in abundance.

Amaechi was out injured until November, and Saka is just 17-years-old, but both could have contributed in recent weeks.

If the talent is there, age is nothing but a number, just like Matteo Gunedouzi has shown.

Could both have offered something out wide? Or at least been an option coming off the bench? I look at the West Ham game when we were crying out for width and pace. Had we bought the pair on in the 70th minute, I am sure they would have contributed.

Moving up a little older, Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have both spent a lot of their youth careers playing out wide. Could they not have been an option to offer us width on the wings?

And with emery struggling to play either Mesut Ozil or Aaron Ramsey for whatever reasons, could Willock have been given a shot in behind the striker? He offers the running from deep and goals that we have missed this season.

At the back we have seen Grant Xhaka and Stephan Lichsteiner both fill in at centre back. Why were they selected over Zech Medley?

Medley is raw at 18-years-old, but he is 6 4, quick and good on the ball. Alongside a senior partner (either Laurent Koscielny, Shkodran Mustafi or Sokratis has always been available), Medley could have been guided through the game.

Would it have been a better option to play a proper central defender at centre back even if he is raw? I think yes.

With Arsenal set not to buy anyone in January, Emery surely has to consider playing some of the youngsters who are natural in their positions, rather than continuing to chop and change and put square pegs in round holes?

Keenos