Errrrrrmmmm okay, that went well I guess maybe not so bad. No, I wasn’t talking about Omarosa and her former Boss, naaah I meant well……uhmm City didn't run Amok on us at the Emirates. Everybody please calm down and let’s not do a Tony cuz 6 weeks if you ask me isn’t even close to half the time needed to built a title challenging squad. The good news is, most fans know and are willing to tarry a bit, giving emery the trust to go on and make the necessary changes. Cech starting was a bit of a surprise, considering Leno and how he was brought to plug a supposed weakness in our leaky defence. Now besides that iffy moment that got him into a Twitter spat with Hamburg, he didn’t disappoint as he really wasn’t to blame for both goals, maybe some might argue about the first, however, replay shows he was blindsided by Socratis or so, he saw Sterling’s shot too little too late to do much about saving it, and as for the second goal, oh come ooonnnn.
Overall 3points lost aside, there were some positives for me in that match to make me say, let's see. Matteo Guendouzi for me especially was particularly lively in the midfield and unfazed by City’s much bigger stars. He demanded the ball, took the less safe path to forward play and generally got us ticking in midfield. Sure, he did lose the all occasionally in key positions, but I won’t blame him for anything, he has settled in well and I am impressed. The team trying to play from the back instead of going long, that experiment is going to take a bit to catch on and we may have to be more assured when doing so, especially with teams that do a high press. I think Cech might struggle a bit here, you could tell he was finding his feet so to speak. The Jury is still out on Socratis so let’s give him a free pass. Up front is where I feel we didn’t match City properly, we had a few half chances with Bellerin, Auba, and Lacazette and we squandered them, only Bellz made Ederson earn is keep. After the game, the coach was all positive in his assessment while acknowledging work to be done
“ The first game gives us more information about things to improve and also things to continue doing. It’s clear that the result was the first [objective] we wanted. But it was Manchester City’s day. We need to continue with our work to make the differences in the next match and in the future. For me, what was most important was the players know the positive things we did in this game and also the things we need to improve on and work more for”
I hope we get to see those marked improvements from the Gunners against Chelsea at the bridge. Arsenal needs to start racking the points cuz Chelsea while like us with a new coach already have 3 points in the bag, before the game against us, we don’t. we can’t afford to lose at the bridge. In fact, we need to find a way to win end of story!
Our away form at the bridge in the last five visits predate is without a win. Its been 2Ls and 3D with two clean sheets in the last two visits as the positive spin to that stat. Things aren’t looking good for us based on that, add to this the hammering the injury gods are already blitzing us with at left back position. Kolasinac and Maitiland Niles are out for months, with Knee and Fibula injuries. Monreal is a doubt having only just joind the team from the world cup break in less than a week. Someone made a joke about Danny Welbeck could do well as a left back…..LOL, it's so funny it's not even funny. The other option is Litchsteiner again at left back as he played against City. I think I would go with that, with a stern warning not to bomb forward like a wing back cuz of Willian on the prowl. How we intend to shut both him and Hazard especially down would be telling of how many points we may leave the bridge with. Harrying Jorginho and Kante in that middle will be key as they are the midfield metronomes responsible for serving these guys and Jorginho may be the weakest link in that chain since he is still settling in the league, this is where the gunners need, Xhaka and Torreira if he starts to make them uncomfy by stifling their time on the ball without the silly cynical tackles or passes though. Granit, I am looking at you, Yes you! Chelsea’s only injury worries will likely be Fabregas who may or may not be as consequential for Chelsea these days depending on which fan/coach you talking to.
In attack, Arsenal needs to be ruthless when the chance however clear or unclear they are. We can’t afford not to pepper their goal mouth with pressure and clinical finishing. I am sure Auba will start but not sure if he should with Lacazette. I kinda like him up top instead not on the wings, let's give Mikhi and Welbeck or even Ozil for that space for the first 50-60 minutes before changing things up. Welbz work rate may be needed to keep Willian and Moses at bay while helping Litchsteine who is will be playing outta position if we go with him over Monreal. All in all its going to be a good game with a fine historical balance between these two BIG London clubs. Head to head stats shows 195 meetings in all between them. Arsenal has 75W 58D L62. So you can see not much really separates the two sides even tho the gunners shade the dominance slightly. If we can play compactly, deny them space to operate in the middle and take our chances when they come, then we have a chance which is all easier said than done so will see how it goes.
If you enjoyed our write up, check out the hashtag on twitter #anaijagunner and Like/subscribe to our FB page here to get the latest post notification as it drops, hot n fressshh. In other news, David ospina has left for Napoli on loan, I'd say sell him we all know he ain't staying at Arsenal no more. Anyway, that’s it from us here, dont forget to leave us your comments and do enjoy the game wherever you are……Ciaoo
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