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.
Happy Bleu Year, Chelsea!
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| Image Credit: ESPNDOTCOM |
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.
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:
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The pass to Zubimendi for the opener — pitch perfect weight.
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The press on Sancho that led to another.
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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.
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:
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| #BOUARS |
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