Maresca Exits || Arsenal Smash Aston Villa: Ødegaard On Fire || Bournemouth Is Another Must-Win

Villa Put Back in Their Place (…that late goal though 😒)

That was a statement win versus the Villans. Spanking them did feel good, just that goal late in the game… agaaaiiiin.  Okay okay, let’s appreciate the win — and a good win it was — so we’ll let the lack of a clean sheet pass. Before we really crank on with the Aston Villa review, though, let’s talk about the circus that has become our West London foes in Chelsea.

Before we really crank on with the Aston Villa review, though, let’s talk about the circus that has become our West London foes in Chelsea.

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Happy Bleu Year, Chelsea!

Image Credit: ESPNDOTCOM

Happy Bleu Year Chelsea fans. I mean… what the heck is going on over there? Honestly, from a non-Blues fan who just likes watching the beautiful game, that club looks like it’s being run by people who know less than ideal. Enzo Maresca was never everyone’s cup of tea, nope  but to fire him (yes yes, “mutual consent”) halfway into the season, still in all competitions? That’s absolutely nuts. Even with a run of only one win in seven  as damning as that sounds there’s no denying he helped stabilise the scattered mess of a massive jigsaw puzzle Chelsea has become under this board. Can’t they see that? What even is the footballing philosophy there? Yes, they want young talent. Flip them later for profit. Nothing wrong with that you could even say they’re doing kind of a good job at it. But when that’s all you care about, what about the football?

What’s your identity? Where’s the core? Chelsea fans… can you tell us? One minute they’re spanking Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League, next they’re grinding out a draw against table-topping Arsenal in the EPL and suddenly getting thrown into the title-challenger convo (albeit briefly). That’s the Chelsea fans pay season-ticket money for if you ask me! Even with the unpalatable habit of sporting directors walking into the dressing room after games, and Maresca probably not helping himself by talking too much meetings with opposition management, alluding to it publicly (that’s basically signing your own sack) he still deserved credit in the bank. Two trophies (I won’t mention), Champions League qualification… expected maybe, but still achieved.

Liam Rosenior being rumoured as the frontrunner? I laugh. It’s a silly circus over there, and for the foreseeable future, it looks like the Chelsea board won’t change  their approach so hey, saddle up for more entertainment.

Back to My Arsenal 🔴

Villa got smacked back into size — no disrespect to Emery and co.

The first half was a cagey chess match, both teams shadow boxing. Arsenal without Rice found it harder to stamp authority; Onana was imposing early. Gyökeres had half chances with headers one he really should have scored. Ollie Watkins too probably should’ve done better with his chances. Depending on who you ask, Villa shaded the half or Arsenal held them comfortably without Raya being seriously tested. For those sympathetic to Villa, Onana pulling a hammy worked in our favour, as did the absence of Kamara and Cash.  Playing without Rice in midfield was mighty significant, and honestly made the win more enjoyable. Merino was lucky not to see a second yellow — silly that.

Big Gabby… you are a BEAST.

How much have we missed you? Hincapié has deputised well, no shade in being bested by arguably the best center back in the league or even Europe right now.  That recovery block vs Wolves was worth two points.  Calafiori has also been excellent across the pitch and rightly gets his flowers. But Big Gabby alongside Saliba? Different level pairing in both boxed. His goal set the tone rising well to nick the ball ahead of Martinez. That was the platform for captain fantastic to turn on the magic for the night.

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Martin Ødegaard: The Fire Is Back 🔥

Martin O, the captain, looks like he’s on a charge back. We’ve seen flashes earlier this season, but the last two games? He’s been conducting midfield.

Eze isn’t getting ahead of MO in that 10 role if this continues.

He was at the heart of three goals:

• The pass to Zubimendi for the opener — pitch perfect weight. 

• The press on Sancho that led to another.

• The wicked whipped pre-assist for Trossard.

And the fourth? Lovely chest control and lob into Zubi in one swift move. I loved Zubi’s gallop before finding Trossard, then Jesus finishing it with that curl. That was pure counter-attacking devastation served by Martin to Martin to Trossard to Jesus. There’s a new fire in Ødegaard’s belly, long may it burn. This Arsenal side could do so much more with it.

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Bournemouth Preview 🌊🍒

Arsenal pause their mini run of home games with a Saturday evening trip to the seasiders at Bournemouth. Andoni Iraola’s side is far from the early season high flyer with just one win in nine. Quite a sharp contrast to their early season run where they went unbeaten in eight and sat top four. Funny how football flips, one minute  you are Arsenal are “in crisis”,  5points adrift of current champions Liverpool, the  next minute you are Liverpool who  can’t buy a win to save their title charge or keep a clean sheet and Salah’s being thrown under the bus. So Iraola will just have to suck it up.The coin flips are just mad, so Bournemouth would just have to suck it up. Semenyo leaving for City isn't gonna make things any smoother but Andoni has him available for this match, bummer. He is a lively one, the Ghanian, with 12 goal contributions for the cherries this season across competitions. The other casts like Tavernier 6 GA, and Kroupi with 5 GA. The do have some dangerous men. for context, Arsenal haven't got anyone with 12 GA, lots of goals shared around the lads. I think Trossards got the best return of our attacking lot at 7GA, Saka & Eze both on 6 GA and  Gyökeres with 5GA. The problem for Bournemouth has been their leaky defense, which is in contrast where Arsenal remain very strong, middle of the park to the backline. The cherries have been turning over goals in bucketloads, 2 goals, 3 goals etc. their games make for interesting watch if you are a neutral but I suppose their fans would be frustrated they cant seem to hold out despite scoring aplenty. I cant remember the last time they kept a clean sheet, which says a lot. One is hoping a Solid defensive platform should serve us in good stead here, that is all things being equal. 

The truth is, nothing is ever straightforward in football terms so we would have to see how things pan out. that said, Arsenal do have some demons to banish from last season, Bournemouth did the double over the gunners last season and i am sure Mikel is very mindful of that. Their current form may not be in that mold but, games against them have been high scoring, with two goals or more. One hopes Arsenal comes out of the game smelling like roses having given much much less while taking more away from home. There is also the fact that city dropped points, opening a four point gap at the top, you want to either increase that wiggle room by piling the pressure on city with a win or at least ensure it remains 4points if you assume City beats Chelsea when they meet on Sunday. I cant understate how important a win is going to be for us, we cant afford to fumble this up after Sunderland did us a favour. 

So a good attacking side with a poor defense Vs a quite good attacking side with a solid defense, who's your money on?? My team sheet would read like this. Team sheet looks:

#BOUARS

I think Rice remains on the bench while Kai might return today, remember he got his groove going with that penalty against Bournemouth (may be something there). Start Madueke on the right and Martinelli on the left with a warning to them both, take your chances, no profligacy in front of goal, we need to get this game well and truly beyond Iraola's lads as quickly as possible. Martinelli also for the defensive side of things. I'd keep the middle same with Nørgaard joining Martin & Martin. Merino takes a breather for this game. Anyway, i am pretty sure Mikel Arteta would go different, I hope Nwaneri gets some much needed game time, his continued absense is becoming ominuouly telling. Thats it from us at #Anaijagunner HQ, remember to like, share, comment and enjoy the game wherever you are...#COYG

Raya’s Brilliance Edges Arsenal Past Brighton || Can The Gunners Rise To Emery's Villa Challenge?

 Raya the Difference as Arsenal Secure Three Points

There is no other place to start than that world-class, potential save of the season. David Raya, take a bow son you earned your bacon. When I saw Minteh curl that ball toward the far right corner, I was all but sure it had gone in, but Raya made me feel like I needed glasses to see properly. How he did that is anyone’s guess. He secured Arsenal’s three points  gbam.

Raya rightfully gets the plaudits, and I sure hope he stays grounded as Arsenal look to secure another three points against Aston Villa on Tuesday (more on that later). There were a lot of positives from this Premier League fixture. As is customary, the Gunners overturned last season’s result — a draw that included Rice’s silly red card (PGMOL, I’m looking at you). This time, Arsenal made it a win. Progress? Yes, but with a few needless tense moments too. Don’t get me wrong, Arsenal played well. Ødegaard, Saka, Rice, Zubi, and Trossard all showed up to the party. Gyökeres… not so. Ødegaard getting off the mark was truly nice, and when you add that to his virtuoso performance, one thinks maybe ...just maybe, Captain MO is back.

So why did I say managed? Because Arsenal failed to kill off the game despite being dominant. The Gunners should have been out of sight in the first half, much like against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup. Brighton came out with more purpose in the second half, gave the game a go, and were rewarded with a goal out of nowhere. Suddenly, things became nervy at the Emirates. This is where Martin Ødegaard showed his value. His leadership of the press from the front didn’t allow Arsenal to sit deep for long, helping avoid the mistakes seen against Sunderland and Villa, this is very key. The substitutions also helped Arsenal wrestle control back from Brighton. Big Gabby came on for Myles, with Hincapié shifting to left back. Declan Rice was immense at right back, though hopefully he returns to his natural midfield role when Timber is available for the Villa game.

The naysayers will say own goals and marginal wins aren’t sustainable. The glass-half-full crowd will say this is the stuff of champions — Arsenal bettered last season’s result and held their nerve. Take your pick. I’m somewhere in the middle. Yes, Arsenal saw out the win, but they can help themselves by converting more of the chances they create. 9XG across four games, yet only one open-play goal is not good enough. Simple as that… or maybe not. To more positives though, Bukayo Saka’s assist for Captain Ødegaard brings his Arsenal Premier League assist tally to 47 (48) if Martinelli had kept his shot down), placing him fifth all-time behind Özil (54), Fàbregas (70), Henry (74), and Bergkamp (94). Anyone betting against Saka breaking into the top three over the next few years? Fingers crossed.

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 Arsenal vs Aston Villa – Top-of-the-Table Clash Looms

Attention now turns to a much-talked-about top-of-the-table Premier League clash as Arsenal face Aston Villa. It still sounds crazy saying that, but such has been the form of Unai Emery’s side. Villa arrive as the most in-form team in the #EPL, riding an 11-game winning run across all competitions. Villa’s comeback win against Chelsea over the weekend told us plenty. Chelsea were the better team for large spells but lacked the killer instinct — something Arsenal themselves are still searching for. Football can be cruel. Credit to Unai Emery though; his substitutions paid off, with Ollie Watkins coming on to turn the game around.

Aston Villa may look near imperious, but they are not unbeatable. I expect Arsenal to be more clinical and defensively solid than Chelsea, and Emery will know that too. Historically, Emery has had the edge over Arteta, who has beaten him just twice in the last four seasons. That deficit needs repaying big time. Add the scars: Villa’s 0–2 win at the Emirates two seasons ago that derailed Arsenal’s title charge, Emery knocking the Gunners out of the Europa League, and that late Buendía winner just two weeks ago. It’s time to whiplash someone — and Gyökeres needs a brace or two.

This Arsenal vs Aston Villa match is primed for the critics to come out with daggers and knives, so boiz, everyone needs to step up. If the Gunners stay defensively resolute, tactically astute with our early season type press, and clinical in attack, they can blow Villa out of the water. Villa were passive for long spells against Chelsea but still found a way — that’s been their story so far… until now (touch wood).  My team selection from  would look like this, with a tilt toward aggression and physicality. 

#ARSAVL

 I believe Timber's absence for Brighton was precautionary, also Zubi needs a breather and Norgard has shown he can do a job in that middle of the park, his physicality and ariel threat is also an asset from set pieces (lol). Madueke hasn't had a look in since the Palace game in the Carlin cup, I would give him a chance to redeem himself, after the miss in the earlier matchup. I also feel we may need to take off Saka early, so its important we kill this game off as soon as possible by being ruthless in front of Villa's goal. Anyway, all that said, it would be down to the team to understand the job at hand and go about it with a calm professional efficiency. Just get the 3 points and a clean sheet, start chipping away at the 4goal deficit between us and Man City. That's about it from us at #Anaijagunner HQ, like, subscribe and share us your thoughts in the comments, do enjoy the game wherever you are...#COYG

team selection from me would look like this—