Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response
It was a enjoyable day on the Arsenal yesterday as we beat Crystal Palace 4-1 to go 8 factors clear on the high of the desk.
As anticipated, Rob Holding got here into the aspect, his majestic mane able to deputise for the injured William Saliba, whereas we noticed Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey and Leandro Trossard again into the beginning line up.
There was an early scare when Aaron Ramsdale made a save from Zaha, the ball hit the submit and hit him to go behind for a nook. From the place I used to be sitting I couldn’t see how shut it was, however ask Emi Martinez about how these issues can go.
For probably the most half although, we have been on high, probing and in search of a means by way of the Palace rearguard. It got here simply earlier than the half hour mark. Ben White, who I believed was good all day together with his one horny quick quick, performed a cross to Saka, who fired it throughout the field together with his proper foot to Martinelli. The Brazilian stepped outdoors the defender, and fizzed residence a gorgeous shot into the far aspect of the online.
Simply earlier than the break it was 2-0. White once more concerned, enjoying a cross to Saka who had run off Zaha simply sufficient to get house to twist residence a shot together with his left foot. We celebrated. Then we waited as a result of there was a VAR examine for offside. And we waited. Then we celebrated once more when the aim was given, but it surely was nonetheless fairly annoying.
Going 3-0 up early within the second half felt about proper by way of the efficiency. It got here from a passage of play the place we stroked the ball round with out Palace getting anyplace close to it, after which a splendidly incisive cross from Zinchenko (I feel), fed Xhaka who laid it off to Trossard who performed it again to Xhaka for the end. I haven’t seen quite a lot of replays but, however the end regarded a bit unconventional. Nonetheless, it’s his second in two video games this week in his highest scoring season so far, and after enjoying 120 minutes in midweek, it’s a testomony to his physicality he did the complete 90 yesterday and regarded like he may have stored operating for 90 extra.
Within the stands, there was quite a lot of laughter concerning the passage of play earlier than the Palace aim. Ben White was in a battle with Zaha, which he regarded like he received, however the ball squirted ahead. I’ll have to see it once more, however he chased again, then appeared to take out Xhaka as he conceded a nook. Actually, it was very humorous as the 2 of them lay flattened on the bottom earlier than hugging it out. After all it wasn’t so humorous once they scored however I really feel like I want responsible Palace for being spoilsports and ruining an important Ben White second.
At 3-1, there was only a sense of nervousness round. Not sheer terror or something, however just a bit reminder that dangerous stuff occurs in video games too. When Zaha put a shot not very far large in any respect, I used to be a bit involved as a result of I might not have loved 3-2. As a substitute, we determined the perfect factor to do was rating once more. Substitute Kieran Tierney offered the help for one more Saka strike. Once more there was a VAR examine, I do not know who may have been offside in that transfer. Once more it spoiled the celebrations a bit, however the aim stood and the lead was then insurmountable.
The remainder of the sport appeared to be about attempting to get Gabriel Jesus on the scoresheet, which clearly didn’t occur, and there’ll be a pub quiz query someday about Arsenal ending a recreation with a again 4 of Tierney, Kiwior, Holding and Partey at proper again. There was a pleasant second late on when the Polish worldwide received again nicely to disclaim Zaha after he’d run by way of on aim, and he had some excessive fives together with his central defensive companion as soon as the ball had gone lifeless.
Afterwards, Mikel Arteta stated:
I’m actually blissful, very happy with the way in which we began the sport. I used to be actually proud of the way in which they reacted after Thursday, and we took any query mark away from it. We confirmed quite a lot of dedication, quite a lot of goal in our means of enjoying. I’m actually blissful to carry out the way in which we did after enjoying 120 minutes, after dropping two massive gamers for us and to nonetheless compete and win the sport how we did.
Man Metropolis’s win within the FA Cup was clearly irrelevant in Premier League phrases, however a 6-0 win remains to be a little bit of ‘Take a look at what we will do’ kinda scoreline. Arsenal’s response yesterday was to win 4-1 and go 8 factors clear. You simply can’t argue with that, and I might a lot fairly factors on the board than video games in hand.
The ambiance stays enjoyably optimistic. Arsenal followers are having fun with themselves, and why not? The Vieira tune rang loud across the stadium just a few instances, and I’m sorry Fabio, but it surely wasn’t for you. ‘All of us dwell in a yellow submarine’ being co-opted as a means of getting a go at Tottenham was very humorous too. And what’s so nice is that there’s hope, there’s optimism, there’s perception, there’s the sheer happiness that you just get from seeing your workforce play good soccer, however no conceitedness. Everybody is aware of there’s nonetheless work to do, and troublesome video games forward, but it surely seems like there’s a dedication to take pleasure in this journey we’re on wherever it finally ends up.
The Interlull is now upon us, we await some information on injured gamers like Tomiyasu and Saliba, and maybe greater than every other worldwide break I can bear in mind, folks shall be praying for the secure return of our vital gamers. As a result of once we come again, it’s all concerning the run-in. That’s one thing we will cope with down the road, for now we may be content material that we didn’t let the chance to place some stress on Metropolis cross us by, and we did it in some type.
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Only a fast phrase for the many individuals I bumped into yesterday who learn the weblog and hearken to the podcast, from far and large. All corners of the globe. It’s at all times a lot enjoyable to fulfill folks, and I hope you loved the day as a lot as I did.
James and I shall be recording an Arsecast Further for you later – but it surely received’t be till I get again to Dublin this afternoon. Maintain an eye fixed out for the decision for questions on Twitter @gunnerblog and @arseblog on Twitter with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or in case you’re on Arseblog Member on Patreon, depart your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
We should always have the podcast for you round 6pm or so. Till then.
