Category Archives: Arsenal

Match Report: Brentford 0 – 3 Arsenal

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Brentford (0) 0 Arsenal (2) 3

Premier League

Gtech Community Stadium, 166 Lionel Road North, Brentford TW8 0RU

Sunday, 18th September 2022. Kick-off time: 12.00pm (noon)

(4-2-3-1) Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Kieran Tierney; Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka (c), Bukayo Saka; Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Martinelli; Gabriel Jesus.

Substitutes: Eddie Nketiah, Rob Holding, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Albert Sambi Lokonga, (Marcus Vinicius Oliveira Alencar) Marquinhos, Matt Turner, Matt Smith, Ethan Nwaneri, Lino da Cruz Sousa.

Scorers: William Saliba (16 mins), Gabriel Jesus, (27 mins), Fabio Vieira (48 mins)

Yellow Cards: Granit Xhaka, Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal Possession Percentage: 64%

Referee: David Coote

Assistant Referees: Nick Hopton, Timothy Wood

Fourth Official: John Brooks

VAR Team at Stockley Park: VAR Peter Bankes; AVAR Neil Davies

Attendance: 17,250

Because of the sad passing of Her Majesty The Queen on 8th September, this is our first match for ten days, and after today’s game, our next game will be in seventeen days time, which is the North London derby, of course. This is our first visit to Brentford since the opening day of last season, and none of us wish to be reminded about what happened on that sad day, suffice to say that we are a different team this year, and our resolve is greater.

Within minutes of the kick-off, we showed our intent when Granit Xhaka, who is our captain for the day, as Martin Odegaard is injured, ran down the left hand side of the home side’s penalty area, crossed it for Gabriel Martinelli, who missed a good chance to open the scoring from just twelve yards out. Although the home side had a chance to score just afterwards through Bryan Mbeumo, his header was weak and did not trouble Aaron Ramsdale in any way, shape or form. Slowly, we started to show our class and dominate proceedings with some fabulous footwork and passing ability, the likes of which Brentford had trouble containing, let alone stopping. The pressure we placed on the Brentford defence was only going to have one outcome, and just after the quarter of hour mark, a Bukayo Saka corner, (that wickedly curled into the home side’s penalty area) which William Saliba rose to meet before flicking a superb header into the net off the post. Five minutes later, Gabriel went to ground, but our physio ran on and attended to him before carrying on with the match. On the twenty-seventh minute, Granit Xhaka found time to take a look to see where Gabriel Jesus was positioned before chipping a perfect cross onto his head, somehow looping a header into the back of the net, to make it two-nil to Arsenal just before the half-hour mark. A few minutes later, Bukayo Saka almost made it three, and as the first half wore on, we looked like we were simply cruising. Kieran Tierney had a long range shot from twenty-five yards which went up and over the home side’s crossbar, and as half-time appeared, we were not too bothered by any Brentford attack in the slightest.

The second half started fairly much as the first one finished, with Arsenal in complete control, and just three minutes into the second half, Bukayo Saka stroked the ball off to Fabio Vieira some twenty-five yards out, who simply took a touch and whacked the ball into the back of the net via the post (again), for our third goal of the game. Complete control. There could easily have been a fourth goal a little while later but goalkeeper David Raya made an excellent save from close range to deny Gabriel Jesus his second goal of the game. Granit Xhaka received a silly, soft yellow card from referee David Coote, and just after the hour mark, Bukayo Saka’s strike from the edge of the penalty area was amazingly kept out by a flying save from David Raya. On the seventieth minute of the match, supporters were on their feet to applaud the memory of Queen Elizabeth II and her seventy years on the throne. With thirteen minutes of the match remaining, Thomas Partey was replaced by Albert Sambi Lokonga and Gabriel Martinelli made way for Eddie Nketiah, and our pressure on the Brentford goal continued, with both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus being desperately unlucky not to score within seconds of each other. Takehiro Tomiyasu replaced Ben White on the eighty-fifth minute, and we received our second yellow card of the day when Gabriel Jesus stupidly tripped Adam Hickey. And then, on the stroke of ninety minutes, a truly historical moment in the history of Arsenal Football Club happened, when Fabio Vieira was substituted for Ethan Nwaneri, who at fifteen years and 181 days, became not only Arsenal’s youngest ever player, but the Premier League’s as well! Also he is the first player to play in the Premier League under the age of sixteen. Such a huge honour for both the lad and his family. Just over three minutes later, the match finished with a well-deserved win for us, who remain top of the Premiership tonight.

From beginning of the game to the end, Arsenal were by far and away the best team on the pitch today. Our passing was crisp, our finishing was clinical, and Mikel Arteta had the confidence to give an Arsenal debut to the youngest-ever Premier League debutant as well. All this and more, sets us up perfectly for the North London derby in a couple of weeks!

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: Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates on Saturday, 1st October at 12.30pm (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

Could lack of “old man strength” be a problem for Zinchenko and Jesus?

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What a long old, strange week. But finally the weekend is here.

We start off with the news that Mikel Arteta was named Premier League Manager of the Month for August.

Not a huge surprised considering we are top of the league – although I do think Graham Potter would have deserved it were he still at Brighton.

It is unbelievable that there are still those out their that spread negativity around Arteta and Arsenal despite us being top of the league.

All clubs suffer from these sort of fans that think it is “cool” to be ultra-negative. You have to feel sorry for them.

Oleksandr Zinchenko has been ruled out for a couple of weeks with a calf problem. This could be a blessing in disguise as it will mean he misses Ukraine’s pointless international games.

I was a little concerned over the long-term fitness of both Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus when they signed.

Neither has really played a full seasons of senior top flight football despite both being 25-years-old.

Zinchenko has never made more than 15 starts across a Premier League season, whilst Jesus has never started more than 22 league games in a single season since moving from Brazil.

I think it is legitimate to question whether they have built the “old man strength” you gain from playing week in, week out in your early 20s to play consistently without picking up niggling injuries.

Their lack of football over the years can really be highlighted when compared to Bukayo Saka’s career.

Now I know some will make the argument that Saka has been over played in his youth – and he probably has. But Jesus and Zinchenko have clearly been underplayed (and this is a key reason they both left Manchester City.

At just-turned-21-years-old, 2 of Saka’s 3 seasons have accumlated the more minutes than either Jesus or Zinchenko despite the former-City pair being 4 years older.

In fact, Saka has played more Premier League minutes in his last two seasons than Zinchenko has during his ENTIRE time in England.

The above also highlights my concern over Jesus.

Over the last 3 seasons he has averaged around the 2,000 minutes mark. Has he accumalted the old-man strength and staminia to play closer to 3,000 minutes this season? And how fit and sharp will he be towards the business end of the season?

Arteta expects his front line to play a high energy game. Lots of closing down and pressing. They also need to be sharp and dynamic when the ball is turned over.

We saw last season Saka suffer towards the end of the season as he ran on empty. I expect him to be better this season having experienced 3,000 minutes last. But Jesus has not done that.

It is one to keep an eye on, but do not be surprised if Zinchnko and Jesus pick up a few injuries throughout this season.

Whilst I am on injuries, Emile Smith Rowe remains out due to ongoing groun problems associated with “growing pains”.

The club have confirmed it is the same injury that saw his loan spell at RB Leipzig last just 3 games back in 2019.

I would be concerned that something which occured 3 seasons ago is still being “managed” by the club. Especially with one so young.

My gut is this groin problem will follow him throughout his career which is why I floated the idea of cashing in on him next summer.

if in 10 months he is still suffering from the recurring problems, Arsenal management should recognise they have a bit of a sick note on their hands and look to maximise the price.

That will result in a sale next summer as other clubs would look to spend big money on an English a 23-year-old despite his injury record. Arsenal could then move on and sign someone without the long-term issues.

I feel if Arsenal leave it an extra year, his value will plummet.

Disclaimer: I am not advocating selling him now, I am saying if he continues to show a lack of fitness then it is something that should be on the agenda.

Last bit of Arsenal news is that Ben White was not selected for England. I am not too disappointed.

I discussed this previously in a blog where I discussed the fall-out of our 3 Gabi’s not being picked for Brazil.

Whilst I want to see England win the World Cup, I also think the top sides that have the least players out in Qatar could see huge benefits as the season comes to its conclusion.

It is only natural that those players that get a 6-ish week winter break will be fitter come Apil / May than those who have played a full 9 month season.

Tomorrow itr is Brentwood. An early kick off so no blog from me.

Keenos

Arsenal fans Guide to Bodø/Glimt

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Away guide Bodø/Glimt – Arsenal 13/10.

Except for the small amount of tickets, Bodø is the perfect away-trip as absolutely everything is within walking distance.

The easiest way to get to Bodø is of course by flight. From the airport there is a 15 minute walk down to the city center where you will find hotels, restaurants, grocerys, bars etc. Are you heading straight to the Aspmyra Stadium it is only a 10 minute walk.

There is no Uber service in Bodø but it is a taxi rank right outside the airport if you prefer the easy way downtown. All the busses from the airport passes both the stadium and the city centre.

Another route to Bodø is by train from Trondheim. The trainstation is located in the city centre and you can walk from here to any hotel and the stadium.

Hotels:

More or less all hotels in Bodø have a good standard, and they are all located in the city centre and by walking distance. Prices is around £100 a night. The newest hotels in the city are Comfort Hotel, Quality Ramsalt and Smarthotel Bodø which opnened in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Arsenal will probably stay at Scandic Havet.

The cheapest option is the Hostel in the trainstation, but not really recommended as its almost the same price as the hotels, and not really good there.

My best recommendation is Quality Ramsalt, new and modern hotel and not too expensive.

As already mentioned all hotels are close to both the stadium and the airpot so you can walk there.

Small amount of AirBnb available, but you wont save much so hotels still recommended.

Restaurants:

To be a small city with only 50k people there are a lot of restaurants options in the city centre. A minus is of course that in Norway the prices are really high. So a dinner at a restaurant easly ends up well over £50 per person. You do have the cheaper options with fast food chains such as Burger King, Peppes Pizza and Subway, and if you want a good burger i can recommend the local fastfood place Annas Gatekjøkken. We got finer restaurants such as the Italian restaurant Bjørk located in the city shoppingcenter «Glasshuset» and Bryggerikaia with a lot of local food near the harbour. «Egon» is a big chain of restaurants in Norway and is located in the same building as Thon Hotel Nordlys. «Delicatessen» and «Bølgen» both fine restaurants is located with the Quality Ramsalt Hotel.

«Orion» (Italian/turkish) is a cheap alternative where you get both good food and a lot of food for the small price.

There is a sporsbar were you can combind sports, beer and food downtown called «Sportsbaren».

If you want to try traditional norwegian food stop by «Løvold Kafeteria» downtown.

There is a lot more restaurants in the city centre and you get something for every taste. There is sushi, turkish, burger, tapas and much more.

Bars:

Bars as well as restaurants have that problem it’s ridiculously expensive. A pint here in Norway is never under £10 and often as expensive as £12-15. This is due to the very high fees and alocoholtaxes in Norway.

On the matchday «Norlænningen» is the away friendly pub. Its a brown pub in the city centre right outside the shopping centre. You can walk straight from here up to the away entrance on the stadium on a 10 minute walk.

Other places to get a beer is the already mentioned «Sportsbaren», here there will be a lot of home supporters on the match day. But there is no hooliganism or ultras supporters in Bodø so it wont be a problem to take a beer at the same place as home supporters. Every supporter here is friendly and will probably enjoy a good chat about football if you meet some.

«Hundholmen» is the largest bar/restaurant in the city, here it can be nice to take a drink in the evening. «Dama di» is also more of a party place and so is «Lucero» in the shopping centre. Though there is not much nightlife in Bodø on a mid week day.

«Landlov» in Sjøgata is where the active home supporters gather on matchday and is to be avoided by away supporters. Not because there can be trouble, as said all supporters here are friendly, but that bar is for home supporters only on matchday.

Other than that Arsenal supporters are welcome everywhere.

Should there be any other questions will i be happy to answer @benna94 on twitter.

Enjoy Bodø, bring a lot of clothes as its freezing cold here, and have a good game!

Ben