Football is Back – After A Mixed Weekend for Arsenal
Football is back, and it feels like it’s been ages since I’ve had the chance to chat with you all. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the most joyful weekend for Arsenal. Sunderland’s Brian Bobby snatched a late equaliser at the Stadium of Light, leaving the game level at 2-2. It felt like a sucker punch, to be honest.
The first half was mostly Sunderland’s, as they pressed and probed, while we seemed to be playing a bit within ourselves. We eventually got caught out by a direct free-kick going long to a former Arsenal academy player, Ballard, who outmuscled Declan Rice and smashed one past Raya into the top right corner. There goes our clean sheet run. I was furious, honestly. It felt like déjà vu. If you checked my #Anaijagunner match preview, I had a gut feeling this would be a banana skin wrapped in a banana skin. Either we’d drop points or lose our clean sheet run. Well, it was both: 2 points dropped and our first goals conceded in over a month. But Arsenal came alive in the second half. We looked hungrier, played faster, passed with more precision – and it was only a matter of time before we got the equaliser. Saka stepped up to level things, and then, with a sprinkle of Trossard magic, we went in front. That goal was a beauty, no doubt. But then, with less than two minutes of added time left, Bobby’s equaliser left us reeling. A sucker punch. Okay Newcastle, now we too know what that feels like okay. We dust ourselves, we move on.
A Painful International Break for Arsenal & Nigeria
Then came the international break, and for us at #Anaijagunner, it was more sucker punches. We were hoping the Nigerian Super Eagles would qualify for the World Cup next year, but we got knocked out at the second round of playoffs by a determined Congo team that wanted it more. Hats off to Congo for putting their heart into it. The Eagles, having dispatched Gabon, played like they weren’t exactly desperate for the ticket. Sure, they may have wished for it, but they didn’t play to earn it. The game ended 1-1, and after extra time, it went to penalties. Sadly, but probably fairly, the Super Eagles lost. Once again, we’ll be watching the World Cup without the colorful display of our team or our signature supporters’ club. It’s a gut-wrenching result, but to be honest, probably fair. Wishing Congo all the best.
Arsenal Players Injured During International Duty
Next came more pain, as several Arsenal players picked up injuries during their international duties. The biggest blow was to BIG Gabby (Gabriel Magalhães), who had to pull out of Brazil's friendly against Senegal due to a hamstring injury. Fingers crossed it’s nothing too serious. Then we also have Calafiori missing out on Italy's second game during the break due to injury; recent word is that he is likely going to be fine for the NLD, fingers crossed. The cavalry really needs to arrive as the injury gods seem to be hell bent on testing Arsenal's much vaunted squad depth, everyone has been talking about. We have most of the front-line players missing due to injuries, and now we are going to have our most in form defender of the season sidelined for only who knows how long, as the timeline is still sketchy. Oh well, winning the league was never gonna be easy so we cant make any excuses, lets get on with it!
Liverpool and City Dropping Points, Can Arsenal Respond?
Looking ahead to Arsenal’s next challenges, the landscape of the title race is shifting. Liverpool and Manchester City both dropped points this weekend. Liverpool lost 3 points to Nottingham Forest, and City were stunned by Newcastle. At what point do we rule Liverpool out of the title race? I took a look at Liverpool’s form, and it’s not looking good on the red half of Merseyside. Jürgen Klopp’s side seems a bit lost, which is surprising for the defending champions, especially after a massive £350M transfer window spend. But here’s the thing that’s been bothering me about Liverpool: how has the absence of Diogo Jota affected them? We can’t say for sure, but it’s something worth considering. Has that been enough of an excuse for their dip in form? Maybe not, but it’s definitely a factor. The new signings haven't quite clicked yet, either, so maybe they need more time.
As for City, they’ve been unbeaten for a solid run of 14 games or so, but they got rattled by the Geordies at St. James' Park. That game could have ended 4-4, with both sides missing some major chances. Foden, Wöltermade, Barnes... criminal misses. We know City, they still have Haaland playing out of his skin, and with Donnarumma between the posts, they’re not to be taken lightly. However, this City side doesn’t seem like the imperious 4-time title winners we’ve seen in previous seasons. Is it enough for another title? That remains to be seen, but if you ask me, I really don't think so. Good side on their day, but not the great side we have seen go toe to toe with anyone. To put further context to this, the Gunners went into the first international break 2points behind Liverpool, the second international break, they were 1 point ahead of Liverpool, now in second place, and last international break, 4points clear of City, who are now ahead of Liverpool on the log. I would say, lets keep grinding out those wins.
Back to Arsenal – The North London Derby is Here
Alright, back to Arsenal. In case you missed it, the international break is over, and the big one is on the horizon: the North London Derby this weekend. I’m confident in this team, but I know better than to underestimate what a derby means. Form goes out the window in these games. It’s all about bragging rights: Red or White for North London? It’s been red for a couple of seasons now, and I hope the lads are aware of that. Tottenham Hotspur has been in good form away from home this season (except for the Emirates, of course), picking up 13 points from a possible 15. Their downfall has been their home form, which has been the complete opposite – real Jekyll and Hyde stuff. I should also mention that Spurs haven’t beaten Arsenal in the league at the Emirates since 2010. That’s a telling stat, considering Spurs had a couple of seasons under Pochettino where they had us looking up at them on the table. Those dark days seem to be behind us now (touch wood, we need to win majors, right?).
Tottenham’s form this season has been inconsistent, scintillating against City one week, average against Chelsea the next. Arsenal, on the other hand, has been the most consistent team in the league: 9 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss. We’ve been steady, rock-solid, and focused, keeping opposition teams at bay with clean sheets, except if you have Haaland in your team or you’re Sunderland. Yeah, I know we are the better team form-wise, yeah, I know Spurs have been good on the road until now, yeah, I am hoping for an Arsenal win. There are some games that you win by playing with flair, technique, and neat, free-flowing passing. Derby games are more often than not about the one who wants it more. I am expecting an Arsenal team to show tenacious fight, more hunger, and buoyed by seeing Pool & City dropping points (Watch Chelsea pop up in the rearview), take the game to the visitors and blow them away for a massive statement-making win. I like Thomas Frank as a coach, but on this one, I want his team to be absolutely battered so they know who runs London...yeah, Chelsea, we would soon get your spanking across to you too. We know who the biggest teams in England are, but there should be no doubt about who is next after the first two Reds in 'Man Pool' (Pun intended). I would like to see Eze show everyone why Arsenal brought him back, just to rub more salt in Spurs' face. I need Saka to show the levels he has got in the locker, lay down a marker with an unplayable display tomorrow. Forgive me if this post sounds personal; after all, it's just 3 points. No, it's bragging rights, it's showing chest, it's making a statement win, so #COYG. Here is my team sheet below, considering most of our attackers are missing.
