Now before we start, let me quickly say, this performance means didly squat if we don’t go on to Stamford Bridge and get a win. Okay, at least a win… yeah, that sounds better!!
That was easy… no, scratch that, that was EZEE! Thomas Frank, I do like you as a manager, you seem like a nice bloke, but now, let’s ask you the same question… Eze who?? Liverpool would be thankful they aren’t the ones grabbing the headlines for their crap performance over the weekend, losing 0-3 at Anfield to Forest and why is that? Cuz there’s always Tottenham Hotspurs, mate(in my best cockney accent). In the preview, I talked about wanting to make a statement win, one where we wiped the floor and stuffed them spuds into their rightful place. The team obliged, just what the doctor ordered. Eze announced himself to Thomas Frank, Jamie O'Hara, and others who questioned why he chose the Gunners over tiny Totts. Seriously, are Spurs fans deluded or are they just baiting with copium? I don’t understand. You lot did that when you sold Bale to Madrid and went on a splurge buying every Soldado, Capoue, and co you could find. How did that work out? We 'Let it all work out' thats how.
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| Eze Who? Image Credit: Adam Davy/PA For The UK Guardian |
I know, I know ....this sounds like a personal vendetta. But yeah, forgive me on this one game, please. Before we dive into how an Eze-inspired Arsenal cut Spurs to shreds in one of their worst, if not their worst, showings at a North London Derby, let me just say this again: Spurs are back to being Spursy. It was personal because you lot rolled over two seasons ago to allow Man City to beat you for the first time under Pep at the Lane, just so Arsenal missed out on the league by a point. Yeah… we owed you that—and more.
Game Time
The NLD arrived at a time when the Gunners had a bit of a foggy cloud over them. One, just back from the international break, and of course, suffering a couple of injuries—Big Gabby anyone? Two, we had just drawn against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, losing our best run of clean sheets in all comps. So yeah, add Spurs being the most in-form away team in the league up to the game, and one would be forgiven for being a bit nervy. Spurs may have had a bit of belief, thinking this was the best time to play Arsenal—missing all their front men, and Big Gabby out too. Spurs in rich form, who could blame them, right?
Well, by the time the players walked onto the pitch and took in the atmosphere, the Gunners were pumped up, while their counterparts from Seven Sisters must have been shaking. The Emirates Stadium was rocking. Add the unfurling of the Tifo with the Old and New Guard on show, capped by Sol 'Judas' Campbell—the stage was set for what was about to unfold. Time to put our money where our mouth is. It’s only 12 games in, two-thirds of the season still to play, so we are staying focused, feet on the ground, eyes on the ball.
Disecting the game, Where else do we start except with Eze? My guy set the tempo from the 3rd minute when he dinked one over the Spurs line for a Rice half-volley that Vicario saved. This was the only warning shot to Spurs. They didn’t listen. For the better part of the next twenty-odd minutes, the low block deployed by Thomas Frank kind of worked. Arsenal dominated possession without really testing Vicario that much, but the gaps were beginning to appear. Eventually, Merino, playing a hybrid false 9 role, found Trossard with a nice scoop over the Spurs backline. The pass was good, but Trossard’s take-down and pirouette finish was even better. Yeah, it had the good fortune of being deflected in the opposite direction of Vicario’s initial dive, but a goal nonetheless. 1-0 to the Arsenal.
I know Eze rightfully gets the headlines after this match, but Trossard was in scorching form yesterday, as a matter of fact he has been for a bit with his contributions from the left. Another goal plus an assist, making a total GA of 10 for the season in 16 games he has played. Not a bad return for someone who was rumored to be headed for the exit door last summer. Trossard has continued to keep the left side of our team a constant threat to opposition teams. He is clutch with an eye for a good finish and has a solid record impacting games against the big 6—something like 19 GA against the top sides. He made sure the Porro and co. were kept busy while being penned back.
Another honorable mention has to be Mikel Merino. He’s filled in while Gyokeres remains sidelined, and of course, he’s produced goals and assists. His assist for Trossard was well-executed, letting the chip come off sweetly. Let’s not forget he assisted Saka for the equalizer against Sunderland just before the international break with that deft pass. He may not be the slickest on the ball or as aggressive as our all-action Declan Rice, but he knows how to find those pockets to score or assist a teammate. Let’s give him his due flowers. You’d be forgiven for thinking Spurs would have it in them to shut up shop and prevent another goal before the halftime whistle, but they were cut open again by a well-taken Eze goal, the first of the night. Spurs were just abject, 0goal attempt at halftime, 0.07xg in all game in a derby!
Second half starts, and Eze wasn’t letting off. He was a man on a mission. He netted a second just 3 minutes into the half, ripping apart all the pep talk Thomas Frank must have given his lads. I’d like to say, the way Eze glides, twinkle toes his feet to create space for his shots—right or left—is just a beauty. Surrounded by a couple of Spurs players, he still calmly takes the pass, shuffles a little, and picks the corner to place his shot. Sublime!
All that said, Eze wasn’t done. Before then, though, we had a blip. Zubimendi was caught dilly-dallying on the ball by a smart challenge from Paulinha, and Richarlison had the awareness to spot Raya off his line, lobbing an audacious but well-placed ball over him for a consolation goal. That was an absolute peach of a strike, and I had to clap for him. Sometimes you just admit and give your opponent (even a Spur) his due. The Gunners were rocked a bit by that goal. For about 5-10 minutes, Spurs managed to string together a couple of decent passes with nothing threatening, except speculative pops from Xavi Simmons. Eze wasn’t done, though. He wanted his hat trick, and in the 76th minute, he got it. Merino again involved in the build-up, playing Trossard a nicely weighted pass before he burst one low cross to Eze, now occupying a very familiar spot waiting patiently for the ball to roll across his body. Then, whacking it in with his right for the hat trick. Udogie has to be smarting from that sliiiide. Eze didn’t have to even touch the ball, but my word, Udogie, please accept my apologies. Eze still had a shout for a fourth goal, but Vicario was having none of that. You know what, fair play to him he was having an afternoon to forget.
The wrap, Eze chose the right time to announce himself to Thomas Frank’s asking. The player who Spurs had all but signed, only for him to check in at the last moment with Mikel Arteta—are you sure Arsenal isn’t interested? It’s ironic but maybe scripted in the stars, for that same player to come back to rub it in as you play your biggest rivals. He couldn’t have picked a better moment to announce himself. I do love Odegard, and I know Mikel really rates him, but he does have a tough choice to make when our captain comes back. Or, find a way to play both of them in front of a holding midfielder. Who do you drop for that though? Good problems to have for any manager, though. I’d wrap the NLD review by saying, Arsenal were hungrier, meaner, and ready to fight for the ball, even out of possession however short the spell was. They knew there was a job to do—City dropped points, Liverpool did too, and Chelsea suddenly popped up in our rearview mirror with them up next at the Bridge. Even the bookmakers are already giving it to Arsenal (scary times… aye). I'm thinking, this Arsenal pack, however, seems to be tuning all this noisy hype out, going about business with a steady calm ‘we mean business’ type of attitude. Now, let’s switch to the business of the UCL.
Arsenal vs Bayern: A Champions League Clash to Remember
Its 1st Vs 2nd in a top of the table header as Arsenal welcome the Bavarians from Munich in a Champions League clash at the Emirates. The German champions are no strangers to this stage, having knocked out Arsenal in the quarterfinals two seasons ago. And let’s not forget the countless knock-out round pains they’ve inflicted on us under Wenger’s tenure. Yeah, they know the Emirates well and truly. However, that’s just the first part as there's also the Harry Kane factor. We all know how Kane tends to find joy playing against Arsenal—whether it’s scoring against us or just generally being a nuisance. I wouldn’t put it past this lad to be the one who breaks the duck for visiting teams in the Champions League (I hope not, lord please we just spanked spurs).
Now, here’s the kicker, Arsenal have not conceded a single goal at home in the Champions League group phase. This record stretches all the way back to last season. Not too shabby, right? But Bayern, on the other hand, are top of the current UCL group table, sitting above the Gunners in second place on goal difference. They bring with them an attacking front trio that’s been ripping teams apart in both the Bundesliga (no surprises there) and the UCL. Kane, Oliseh, and Luis Díaz have been tearing it up, but here’s a twist: Díaz may not be available after receiving a red card for his dangerous tackle on PSG's Hakimi, which left the defender sidelined for potentially a month or more.
Is that a good thing for Arsenal? Maybe. But both teams are in fine form heading into this clash. Arsenal are coming off the back of that NLD thrashing, while Bayern are fresh off a 6-2 drubbing of Freiburg—both teams securing big wins over the weekend. They’re equal on points and goal difference, with Bayern just edging ahead on goals scored—three more than Arsenal—and, notably, three more goals conceded than Arsenal’s solid zero. It’s a clash delicately poised: defense vs attack, the immovable object vs the unstoppable force. Who’s going to come out on top?
Team Selection and Tactics for the Bayern Game
I wouldn’t expect the gaffer to change much from the weekend's squad, but if I were him, I'd try to keep my team fresh for the Chelsea clash. For me, that is the more important game. Yes, Arsenal vs Bayern has a history, with us mostly on the wrong end of it, but right now, I feel it’s more important to prioritize freshness for the weekend. I’d rotate a bit more—give Calfiori and Timber a deserved rest, maybe Saka & Rice too. Norgard needs game time, and Zubi missed the Sparta game due to suspension, so he can play with Norgard. But I need Rice to be in good shape against Caicedo on Sunday. Allow Merino to continue up top with Eze behind him, but get them off at 60 minutes. We have enough in Ethan, Max, Odegard (who is back), Madueke, and Martinelli.
I hope we are able to shut the Braverians out and maintain that home record, but this isn’t a game I’m worried about drawing. Not losing, though—I’d prefer a Nil-Nil draw for the clean sheets. That being said, knowing Mikel Arteta, he would likely keep things as much the same as possible, not changing too much, so expect just a little rotation. Obviously, this will be one of our sternest tests yet this season, and all the games we’ve played at the Emirates. Let’s hope the team has zoomed back to focus following the NLD demolition of Spurs. Since VG and Kai Havertz remain unavailable, let’s keep Merino up top, flanked by Madueke and Ethan. A midfield of Norgard, Eze, and Zubi. In defense, I’d maintain the Hincapié-Saliba partnership, but bring in Benny Blanco and MLS to the flanks.
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| #ARSBAY |
While the Bayern is a big one, if the Gunners can keep their cool, stay sharp, and focus on the task ahead, I see no reason why we can’t continue our home dominance. However, with a well-rested squad and an eye on Chelsea, Arsenal should look to set the tone early, maintain their defensive solidity, and keep Bayern at bay. In the end, we’re not just fighting for points in the UCL, we’re setting the stage for an all-important league clash. Let’s get this job done and move to the next one, enjoy the game whereever you are...#COYG.
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