Tag Archives: She Wore

MATCH REPORT: Brighton 2 – 4 Arsenal

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Brighton and Hove Albion (0) 2 Arsenal (2) 4

Premier League

American Express Community Stadium, Village Way, Brighton BN1 9BL

Saturday, 31st December 2022. Kick-off time: 5.30pm

(4-3-3) Aaron Ramsdale; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Martin Ødegaard (c), Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka; Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli.

Substitutes: Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding, Cédric Soares, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Mohamed Elneny, (Marcus Vinicius Oliveira Alencar) Marquinhos, Matt Turner.

Scorers: Bukayo Saka (1 min), Martin Ødegaard (38 mins), Eddie Nketiah (47 mins), Gabriel Martinelli (70 mins)

Yellow Cards: Gabriel, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka

Arsenal Possession Percentage: 32%

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Assistant Referees: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn

Fourth Official: Jarred Gillett

VAR Team at Stockley Park: VAR Paul Tierney; AVAR Constantine Hatzidakis

Attendance: 31,467

Firstly, a Happy New Year to everyone, and let us hope that 2023 sees the boys continue their most satisfying upward trajectory across all competitions. As is the case with every match, three points today is imperative, of course, which really goes without saying. This afternoon’s game at the Amex Stadium sees a welcome return to the substitute’s bench for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who returns after his painful hamstring issue, and it is also great to see Eddie Nketiah continuing to keep his place at centre-forward whilst Gabriel Jesus is still recovering from injury. 

After a moving tribute to Pelé, one of the greatest footballers of all time, who sadly passed away on 29th December, we kicked off proceedings here at the Amex Stadium on a chilly New Year’s Eve. Within a minute of the start, our first attack brought the opening goal of the game! We grabbed the lead as Gabriel Martinelli’s shot was deflected to Bukayo Saka at the far post and he simply volleyed the ball into the back of the net, for his sixth Premier League goal of the season. We nearly made it two shortly afterwards, as Oleksandr Zinchenko turned superbly inside the penalty area to bear down on goal but his shot was charged down by goalkeeper Robert Sànchez. We kept the pressure up, with Eddie Nketiah being desperately unlucky not to score, and it is also good to see Thomas Partey directing traffic in the midfield so early in the match as well. The game started to settle down, with both sets of players testing each other’s defences, with some near misses at both ends. After a couple of corners from the home side, we bounced back and had some great chances to score, but our chances went wide of the goal. On the twentieth minute, we produced a move that richly deserved a goal as Martin Ødegaard, who is at the top of his game, produced some clever trickery to slip the ball through the Brighton defence for Gabriel Martinelli, but his low ball across the face of goal was cleared. Breathtaking football. On top of that, Thomas Partey suddenly spotted Bukayo Saka completely free on the right flank and slotted a fine ball through the Brighton defence to send him clear on goal, and he got into the penalty area before his shot was deflected behind for a corner, which sadly went nowhere, especially after all that effort. Shortly afterwards, the first real save of the match came for Aaron Ramsdale as he pushed over a powerful Leandro Trossard strike from just inside the penalty area. It resulted in another corner for the home side, but it was one that our defenders were able to deal with fairly comfortably. Seven minutes before half time, Billy Gilmour headed away a corner to the edge of the penalty area where Martin Ødegaard was waiting to pounce and our captain dispatched a first-time effort into the back of the net for our second goal of the match. In injury time, Billy Gilmour received a yellow card for an extremely late tackle on Thomas Partey, and unblievably, Gabriel then also received one for time wasting, and as the seconds slipped away for the break, Thomas Partey received a yellow card for a late tackle on Adam Lallana. Just afterwards, Anthony Taylor blew the whistle for the half-time hiatus, and we went into the break deservedly two goals to the good.

Brighton and Hove Albion started proceedings for the second half, and it has to be said that the game started fairly much as the first one left off, with some clever play and heavy tackles; however, just as in the first half, we scored almost immediately from the kick off! Gabriel Martinelli raced off down the left wing, got into the penalty area before driving a shot towards Robert Sànchez’s near post, but the goalkeeper could only parry the shot and Eddie Nketiah was on hand to merely tap home the loose ball for our third goal of the game. We had a brief heartstopping moment when Pascal Gross appeared to be able to score; thankfully Aaron Ramsdale saved his shot, but then the linesman’s flag went up as he had just strayed offside, thankfully. Shortly afterwards, Bukayo Saka received a pointless yellow card, and on the hour, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White was replaced by our other full-backs, namely Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu for the rest of the game. With twenty-five minutes of the match remaining, a lack of concentration meant that Kaoru Mitoma grabbed one back for the home side, and it looked like we could have a game on our hands here. Although the home side started to string some good passes together, just five minutes after the home side’s goal, Martin Ødegaard played a brilliant ball from inside his own half to send Gabriel Martinelli away down the left wing and bearing down on the Brighton goal, he simply slotted the ball through Robert Sànchez’s legs for our fourth goal of the afternoon. Shortly afterwards, Mikel Arteta made another change as Mohamed Elneny replaced Thomas Partey with eighteen minutes of the match remaining. Five minutes later, there came a rare mistake by William Saliba as he was beaten to the ball by 18-year-old Evan Ferguson, who then bundled the ball past Aaron Ramsdale for their second goal of the match. The game became white hot now, and just after Rob Holding replaced captain Martin Ødegaard, the home side grabbed a third goal through Kaoru Mitoma but thankfully the VAR team alerted everyone to the fact that he was offside, which came as a relief to us, to say the least. During the six minutes injury time, the only incident occurred was when Gabriel appeared to tug the shirt of Jeremy Sarmiento, but fortunately nobody appeared to appeal too hard for it, and the officials did not give it, so in the end it was a non-event, and shortly afterwards, Anthony Taylor brought matters to a conclusion, and we are now top of the Premiership going into 2023, seven points clear of Manchester City.

Despite one or two shaky moments in defence, overall, it was a fantastic performance at a ground where victories have been nigh on impossible for us in recent years, and with thirty-two per cent possession too! Every man oozed class tonight, none more so than captain Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. All three of these men were instrumental to our victory at the Amex Stadium tonight, and their calmness under pressure was truly a sight to behold. Going into 2023 being seven points clear of Manchester City is a huge confidence boost, and who knows where it will all lead us in the next calendar year? Best foot forwards, chaps. Happy New Year everyone!

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: Newcastle United at the Emirates on Tuesday, 3rd January at 7.45pm(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

An Ode to Aaron Ramsdale

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Last working day of the year for most (shout out to all those in retail and hospitality who will be working whilst we are sitting having dinner and a glass of port with loved ones).

I am really not sure how this came up for discussion, but recently the WhatsApp group came alive with the idea of replacing Aaron Ramsdale.

It was baffling.

Now Ramsdale is not perfect. You probably would not class him in the top 10 keepers in the world. But that does not mean he is not the best choice for Arsenal.

Football is all about styles, and signing the right players to fit that style.

Some might think a goal keeper is not impacted by the teams style. Afterall, they just stop shots, come out for crosses and kick the ball. But these people would be wrong, and have failed to move with the times.

There are mainly two “styles” of keeper – the Line Keeper and the Sweeper Keeper.

A Life Too Short: The Tragedy of Robert Enke was the first time I realised how important the difference was.

Enke sadly took his own life back in 2009 and the book should be an important read for every football fan, and footballer.

In the book, Enke’s disastrous spell at Barcelona shows how important it is not get your keeper right.

Barcelona played with a high defensive line. The likes of Frank de Boer, Carlos Puyol and Michael Reiziger would defend the halfway line.

To do this, they needed a goal keeper whose starting position would be the edge of the box.

Someone who was quick off the line, and able to sweep up any balls over that top. Enke was not this. He was a “Line Keeper”.

A Line Keeper usually excels at shot stopping, eliminating threats from crosses and quickly recovers after blocking a shot. He rules the 6 yard box.

They tend to not be the quickest, are uncomfortable coming outside of the box, and rarely want the ball at their feet.

Whilst Enke was a better stopper than Roberto Bonano, the Argentine kept the German out of the team.

They then had Victor Valdes coming through.

Valdes was not the best keeper. He was actually average at shot stopping, at coming for crosses. Your traditional attributes needed to be a keeper. But he was brilliant as a sweeper keeper.

He loved being on the edge of the box, loved sprinting out to stop an attack, and was very comfortable on the ball.

Valdes and Enke were two very different keepers. And whenever Enke came in for Valdes he struggled.

Barcelona’s high line did not suit Enke’s style of play.

When he came out from his box, he looked uncomfortable. And when he stayed on his line, Barcelona became too easy to get in behind.

Enke’s first spell of depression came during his spell at Barcelona.

Back to Arsenal. Ramsdale is a Valdes regen.

He might make a few errors, and certainly does not save as many as we like, but he has an important role to play as sweeper keeper.

With Gabriel and William Saliba, we play a very high line. To do that we need someone like Ramsdale who will be quick out the box to shut down those attacks.

Likewise, our goal keeper becomes a 11th outfield player when we are passing the ball around the bach.

I have lost count of how often we have played deep, inviting the press, utilised Ramsdale and then launched a counter attack.

Alisson and Ederson are the two best in world at this. We are not signing either of them.

For me, Ramsdale is in a group of players who can be considered “best of the rest” – alongside the likes of Mike Maignon, David Raya, Geronimo Rulli and Manuel Neuer.

Names floated in the WhastApp group to replace Ramsdale were Gianluigi Donnarumma and Jan Oblak.

Both of these are world class goal keepers. Ramsdale is not.

But both are also Line Keepers, and would struggle at the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Barcelona who rely on the keeper being involved in the buold up play. Who need the keeper to have a starting position at the edge of the box.

Oblak is a great example of having a keeper that is perfect for the style of play.

Atletico Madrid play very deep, defensive football. That means Oblak only really needs to be a shot stopper and deal with crosses. Two things he is excellent at.

Move Oblak to Barcelona, ask him to stand on the edge of the box, to cut out balls over the top and join the build up play, and he would flop. He would not be the keeper he currently is.

Same have also called for Edu to “get the cheque book out” and sign Serbia’s Vanja Milinković-Savić.

He is another who is a beast of a keeper that smothers anything that is in the 6-yard box. But no good coming off his line, outside his box.

The likes of Thibaut Courtois, Hugo Lloris and Petr Cech are other examples of Line Keepers. All great at their job, but all Bambi on ice when coming out of their box.

We all remember the bad old days of Bernd Leno who, whilst probably a better shop stopper than Ramsdale, looked like a deer in headlights when he had the ball at his feet.

Ramsdale is 24 and, importantly, home grown.

The only realistic man that could come in for him is AC Milan’s Mike Maignan. But he would not improve us enough to make the transfer worthwhile doing.

So whilst Ramsdale might have his flaws, the names you all mention to replace him also have flaws. And would struggle to play in Arteta’s system.

Ramsdale will be Arsenal’s number one for many years to come.

Keenos

Edu ready to “repeat Vlahovic decision” in January

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The friendly defeat to Juventus had many people saying that shows we NEED to buy in January”.

Those saying this are wrong. We should buy in January but we do not need to buy in January.

Being desperate to do something is what can lead to mistakes. Lead to poor decision making. Leads to departing from a well planned strategy.

Edu and is team will want to recruit in January. They have their targets. Are doing the work in the background and will hope to get the deals done that they want to.

But last January showed we will not make poor decisions just for the sake of getting someone in.

Most fans are calling for us to get in another forward. Someone that can play out wide and potentially cover Gabriel Jesus’s absence down the middle (or allow Gabriel Martinelli to move centrally). You will find very few disagreeing that we should be investing this area. And I completely agree.

Edu will have his list of targets. Seemingly top of that list is Mykhailo Mudryk. Reports are Shakhtar Donetsk are holding out for £85million for the 21-year-old.

That is a huge fee for someone who has played just 66 senior games.

Arsenal will not want to pay anywhere near that figure.

Edu will have this widow and the next two or three planned out. And the more we spend on one player means less available for another. That is why clubs negotiate. Why they don’t just “pay the asking price”.

With around £120m to spend over the next 2 windows, £85m on Mudryk will mean less money for a central midfielder, less money for another forward, and less money for further reinforcements.

If the Ukrainian club do not lower their demands, Arsenal will look elsewhere (and also possibly return in the summer when Mudryk might be cheaper).

But where will both of those options leave us in January?

Well if the plan is to return for Mudryk in the summer, then we probably will not buy a winger in January – the days of getting in short term cover at big costs are over.

If Edu decides to recruit someone other than Mudryk in January, it will be a permanent solution. It will be the next person on the list – someone like Cody Gakpo.

But then what if Gakpo is also unobtainable. As is 3rd on the list. And 4th how far down to we keep going?

We saw last year with the pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic that if a deal for our first choice does not materialise, Edu will happily “keep his powder dry” until the right target appears. And this January, despite us being in the title race, we will follow a similar philosophy.

Last January, Vlahovic was clearly our number one target. Despite our best efforts? He moved to Juventus. Edu did not panic.

He would have known that Jesus would be becoming available in the summer, and the Brazilian was the next man on Edu’s list.

Had he panic bought and got in Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Alexander Isak, we probably would not have been able to recruit Jesus.

Since the last January transfer window shut, Isak has scored just 5 goals. DCL 3. The pair have played a combined 9 Premier League games this season.

Both would have cost in excess of £50m last January and, had history repeated itself, been huge flops for Arsenal.

If Edu can not get his first choice in this January (whether due to him going elsewhere or being out priced), and other long term options do not materialise, then expect him to follow what happened 12 months ago and sign no-one.

If you go too far down your potential targets list, and sign someone just for the sake of getting them in, you will end up with a very costly error.

Lucas Perez is the perfect example of that.

Other deals that summer didn’t happen, and we ended up signing Perez out of no-where. Nearly £20m spent and he was clearly not up to standard. A waste of money.

Edu will be speaking to clubs, to agents, to intermediaries. He will know who is available in January and who is potentially coming available in the summer. He also knows our budget, and how buying someone else will impact other transfers.

Some might moan if we do not get someone in January. They would rather we over pay (and miss future targets as we have less money), or just get anyone in. They are more interested in us making a signing rather than who we sign.

These sort of people are short-termist. Reactionary.

They are also the type of fans that will demand we sign someone short-term, then if it doesn’t work out moan that we wasted money on a short term signing. The club are in a no-win situation with these.

I want us to sign a couple of players in January. An attacker and central midfielder. But they have to be the right players, at the right price.

And if the right players, at the right price, or not on the market, we should keep our pound notes in the pocket.

Edu will be ready to rest the Vlahovic decision from last year in January. He will only spend the money on players he wants. Not just sign someone because we need to buy.

Keenos