Tag Archives: Chelsea

MATCH REPORT: Arsenal 5 – 0 Chelsea

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Arsenal (1) 5 Chelsea (0) 0
Premier League
Emirates Stadium, Drayton Park, London N5 1BU
Tuesday, 23rd April 2024. Kick-off time: 8.00pm

(4-3-3) David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Takehiro Tomiyasu; Martin Ødegaard (c), Thomas Partey, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard.
Substitutes: Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith-Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Jakob Kiwior, (Jorge Luiz Frello Filho) Jorginho, Fábio Vieira, Oleksandr Zinchenko

Scorers: Leandro Trossard (4 mins), Ben White (52, 70 mins), Kai Havertz (57, 59 mins)
Yellow Cards: Mikel Arteta, Ben White, Leandro Trossard
Arsenal Possession Percentage: 44%

Referee: Simon Hooper
Assistant Referees: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long
Fourth Official: Graham Scott
VAR Team at Stockley Park: VAR Peter Bankes; AVAR Simon Bennett

Attendance: 60,238

A major showdown ahead on St. George’s Day with the boys from SW6, as most of our matches are with them, and have been for many years now.

This evening’s game could see the return of Takehiro Tomiyasu after his injury that prevented him from taking part in Saturday’s victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, but aside from him, there appear to be no other issues reported.

Right from the start, there was an immediate penalty shout as Kai Havertz went through but tumbled under pressure from the retreating Benoit Badiashile as soon as he strolled into the penalty area, but in the fourth minute, we had the perfect start when Declan Rice moved forward before feeding in Leandro Trossard who, although the angle may well have been against him, got his head over the ball and smashed it past Chelsea goalie Djordje Petrovic and into the net for our opening goal!

A few minutes later, Takehiro Tomiyasu collapsed on the halfway line after clashing with Nicholas Jackson, whose studs appeared to catch our man just above the ankle, but the VAR team were not interested in informing the referee about it, apparently.

Chelsea came back at us through Conor Gallagher, but William Saliba was on hand to deal with the issue successfully. The visitors certainly felt that they had a chance in scoring, with the best of the chances falling to Axel Disasi but the ball ran post our post, thankfully.

We started to take a hold on the game when Declan Rice received the ball on the half-turn, easily spinning past Enzo Fernandez before firing a strong shot just over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

Although Nicholas Jackson hit the outside of the post when the visitors broke out of their half, we just shrugged out shoulders and got on with the game. Just before the half hour mark, we had three good chances to score again.

Bukayo Saka ran into the penalty area but his shot went straight at the keeper, and then Chelsea lost the ball and goalie Djordje Petrovic was called into action to deny Leandro Trossard an obvious goalscoring chance, and then the keeper pulled off a sensational save to keep out another Leandro Trossard shot that deflected off a defender at the last moment and looked certain to drop into the bottom corner of the net before fate took a hand.

Just before the break, Chelsea had a couple of good chances to score through Nicholas Jackson and Conor Gallagher, but David Raya played exceptionally well to keep the visitors out to ensure that we were a goal to the good at half time, but not before Mikel Arteta was booked by the referee for complaining!

The second half started rather slowly, with both clubs having chances to score, but it was us that got closest to putting the ball into the net when Declan Rice won the ball off Conor Gallagher high up the pitch and passed it to captain Martin Ødegaard, who moved forward and beautifully laid the ball off to Declan Rice in the penalty area, but he shot it straight at the Chelsea keeper.

Our captain was driving the boys forward, and it was a sublime pass from him that found its way to Kai Havertz, who was through on goal, but Chelsea keeper Djordje Petrovic raced off his line to keep out our man, sadly.

Seven minutes after the restart, we grabbed our second goal of the night when the ball was eventually played in to Declan Rice whose shot was blocked, which fell right into the path of Ben White who merely tapped the ball into the net.

This second goal certainly fired us up, and five minutes later, we scored our third goal when Martin Ødegaard played a stunning pass forward, which was weighted perfectly for Kai Havertz who ran through on a one-on-one with Djordje Petrovic and merely chipped the ball over the hapless Chelsea keeper and into the net.

We were now actively hunting for more goals, with Chelsea looking more and more lost as the game was rolling on.

Kai Havertz scored our fourth of the night when his shot went in off the post, and our tails were up and our confidence was there for all to see.

Ben White scored our fifth of the night (and his second) when he collected Martin Ødegaard’s lobbed through-ball, attempting a first-time cross that stroked elegantly into the top corner of the net!

A few minutes later, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard were replaced by Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in order to consolidate our situation on the pitch, and there were even more changes when Jorginho and Oleksandr Zinchenko replaced Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu with about a quarter of an hour remaining of the match.

Ben White was booked for a silly, yet minor infringement and a little whilte later, we almost scored our sixth goal when Declan Rice hit the post, and then, with one eye on the weekend, Mikel Arteta replaced Bukayo Saka with Fábio Vieira with just a few minutes left on the clock.

Fábio Vieira then went on a clever run through the Chelsea defence before unleashing a strong shot which hit the side-netting, confusing everyone, as it looked like a goal!

During the seven minutes injury time, Gabriel Martinelli easily beat the offside trap and ran at the Chelsea goal, but Djordje Petrovic somehow saved the one-on-one to spare the visitors yet further embarrassment. There were no more goals, and we ran out worthy winners here tonight.

With this victory tonight, we have gone three points clear of Liverpool and have significantly added to our goal difference situation as well, which is most pleasing to see. Tonight’s win was a triumph for everyone in the team, but none more so than our captain Martin Ødegaard who put in a masterful performance that inspired his men from start to finish.

It was great to see both Kai Havertz and Ben White get two goals, but it is not to be forgotten that Leandro Trossard’s early goal set us on the path to victory against our West London rivals this evening. And yet, we could have scored yet more goals tonight, but it was not to be.

The performance by everyone overall was wonderful, the attitude was first-class, and nobody in the Premiership will surely fancy their chances when they get the opportunity to play us, whenever that is. Well done, chaps!

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 Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, 28th April at 2.00pm (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

Tottenham “win” the transfer window as Premier League big boys spend nothing

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Big day today! One that I dread every year. I am already nervous about what could happen, keeping my fingers crossed it will be good news. My car is going in for its MOT!

The transfer window slammed shut yesterday. Many of you would have forgotten it was open considering how little business was done.

Premier League clubs spent £715m less than January 2023, with the combined expenditure of the 20 clubs being just £100m. Just 17 permanent deals were made.

The impact of Premier League clubs not spending was seen lower down the leagues as EFL sides spent just £15m – they rely heavily on money coming in from selling players to enable them to buy.

A lot of fans have blamed PSR during the window for the lack of spending, but the truth is most Premier League clubs blew their budget in the summer.

Despite the slow January, the 2023-24 season has seen over £2.5bn spent by Premeir League clubs across both windows – the second-highest total annual transfer spend ever.

The record of nearly £2.8bn was set in 2022/23, driven by Chelsea’s big spending January. Whilst 3rd on the list (2017/18) is around £700m below this years total.

So for those moaning…your club is not spending because they were not allowed due to PSR, they were not spending because they have no money until the summer. And in the case of Everton, your club is not spending because you have lost nearlt half a billion pounds in the last 5-years. If it was not for PSR you would be in administration.

Winners of the transfer window is Tottenham.

I have lost count how many times in the last decades their fans have celebrated “winning” a transfer window. Have not won a trophy in 16-years though.

Spurs signed some unknown Romanian centreback, loaned in a Chelsea reject and reportedly got a £10m deal over the line for some 18-year-old Swedish midfielder that no-one had heard of 4 days ago.

I read an article yesterday that said “Daniel Levy is a genius” and that his “long term planning is coming to fruition”. enic bought Tottenham nearly 24 years ago. they currently sit 4th and have won 1 League Cup in that time. What brilliant long term planning.

Tottenham’s spending in January simply means they will spend less in the summer. Whilst they decided to draw forward some funds, other clubs kept their powder dry to ensure they had the finances to secure their premier targets in 5-months.

Some might say “waiting 5-months could cost the league”, but that makes the assumption that Arsenal or Liverpool’s top targets were available in January. And if they were not, those secondary targets were good enough.

Personally, I would rather wait until the summer to buy a Douglas Luiz or Ivan Toney then sign a Lucas Bergvall or Timo Werner.

Arsenal did see a couple of outgoings in January.

Alex Runar Runarssons time at the club came to an end as we cancelled his contract. He has joined FC Copenhagen for free. What a strange signing he was!

We also cashed in on contract rebel Lino Sousa. The talented teenager’s current deal was due to expire in the summer, sand he was refusing to sign a new one. He has decided to take the step down to Aston Villa, who immediately sent him out on loan to Plymouth. The path to first team football is much clearer at a mid-table than a title challenging side. Good luck to him.

Charles Sagoe Jr, who made an appearance this season in the EFL Cup, has gone to Swansea on loan, whilst Mika Biereth saw his loan deal with Mothwerwell cancelled and is now at Austrian side Sturm Graz.

Tyreece John-Jules has seen his loan deal with Derby County extended until the end of the season. The hope will be that he continues to impress as Derby chase promotion, and they look to recruit him permanently in the summer.

The final deal saw Marquinhos return to after Arsenal pulled the plug on his loan deal to Nantes.

There is talk that Brazilian side Fluminense are in negotiations with Arsenal over a loan deal for Marquinhos that could include a purchase option at the end of the season. The Brazilian window is still open until 11 January.

Marquinhos was always signed as one for the future, and we have seen over history how often these sort of signings do not work out.

For every Gabriel Martinelli poached from obscurity, you get a Marquinhos , Joel Campbell, Carlos Vela, Wellington Silva and others. And this is not just Arsenal, every top team buys a lot of teenage talent from abroad with 95% not making it. You just need to ensure you are not overspending on these “punts” (like Chelsea have done!).

Marquinhos is still only 20 and habours an ambition to play for Brazil at this years Olympics. A good loan deal in Brazil should secure his seat on the plane (if they make it), and a good tournament could see him return to us full of confidence, or add a bit extra onto his price for a sale.

Today the cricket restarts. It has not been a good morning for England.

UTA.

Keenos

Dubai return, Injuries, Ivan Toney and more

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Dubai return

I am not a fan of the winter break. It feels pointless. But it also came at a good time for The Arsenal.

We felt like a club under pressure. Struggling for positive results with a missfiring forward line. Spending 10 days in Dubai has been an opportunity for players to unwind – both physically and mentally.

Tomorrow we need to get behind the lads. They would have shaken the negativity off, so it will be important that we the fans do not pile it straight back on.

A big enough win tomorrow (8 goals!) and we go second…

Injuries

With the team out in Dubai, we have not had the usual thursday pre-match Mikel Arteta press conference. That means we have no idea if any of our walking wounded will be back fit.

The lads out long-term – Jurrien Timber, Fabio Vieira and Thomas Partey – will almost certainly not be back.

Some were hopeful that Timber would return in February, but with the type of injury he had this was always optimistic. I would be surprised if we see him until April.

Fabio Vieira and Thomas Partey were both out in Dubai training, but the Crystal Palace game will come a little early whilst they continue to rebuild their fitness. With another 10-day break before our next game, expect both to be held back.

Olexsandr Zinchenko is currently 50/50 to start against Palace. The expectation earlier in the week was that he would be back, but the Evening Standard are now reporting that he might not be fit enough.

It is better news for Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has looked fit, sharp and ready in Dubai. Expect him to be straight back in the first XI tomorrow.

Ivan Toney

I have always been concerned about Ivan Toney’s attitude.

Those Snapchats from a couple of years ago where he abused Brentford never sat well to me. Then you had the gambling ban. And more recent the interview where he openly discussed leaving the West London club.

Btrentford recruited Toney from League One. They supported him during the gambling issues and his ban. He has shown them so little respect and clerarly believes he is destined for bigger things than them.

Compare Toney to Ollie Watkins (who Toney replaced at Brentford). Watkins gets his head down, scores goals, and is never in the press for the wrong reasons. There is a reason why Watkins has now become an England squad regular, whilst Gareth southgate was always reluctant to pick Toney.

I am not sure that I would want someone with Toney’s attitude at the club, despite the goals he might score.

Tottenham transfers

Spurs fans are all a little giddy right now after news broke that they will (potentially) be signing 18-year-old Norwegian forward Antonio Nusa.

“Ange has transformed us”
“Paratici doing bits”
“Levy backing Ange”
“So exciting to be a Spurs fan right now”
“We are back as a serious club”
“Ange success rewarded”

Let’s get a few things right.

They have signed a Romanian central defender that no-one had heard of 6 months ago.
They have signed (on loan) a past-it forward who was dumped by Chelsea, and has now been dumped by RB Leipzig
They are potentially going to sign an 18-year-old forward with 5 goals in 52 games that no one had heard of yesterday morning

This will not be the first transfer window Tottenham have “won”. Infact, by my math they have won more transfer windows than league titles.

As for Spurs being back and brilliant Ange, Tottenham are 5th, behind “found out Mikel Arteta” and “struggling Arsenal”.

Give it 18 months and the tactically inept Australian will be at Fulham.

Jordan Henderson

Joke of a man.

Went to Saudi Arabia for the money, pretended he was going to “achieve something special and build a club and build the league”, and then within 6-months he is out of there.

Everyone knew that the Saudi Pro League was a huge sports washing experiment, and all those players that took the money to promote the nation in a positive light are complicit in the Human Rights atrocities that are carried out at the demands of their pay masters.

One reason I chuckle when football wear rainbow laces or take the knee is because you know the majority of them can be bought. They will all go to Saudi Arabia for £500k a week, despite the “Kingdoms” stance on slavery and sexuality.

Henderson was one of the most prominent voices during the “we will promote any cause” era of the Premier League. He then showed his true self by going to Saudi for the money.

He should never play for England again.

Keenos