In my mind, I had Arsenal scraping a 1-0 win in a turgid afternoon stodgy football, or I thought it had the potential to be a blowout.
It was a blowout.
Arsenal are back baby. No doubts now. We’re spiteful, focused, and determined to put the first three phases of the season behind us.
The first half saw 7 goals - it was bonkers. Pure Barclays, in the rain, under the lights kind of stuff. There was some real high-quality end product from both teams, if we’re going to be fair.
Our first goal came from… you guessed it, a setpiece, Bukayo Saka into the front post, with Gabriel doing Gabriel things. The setup was soooo Nico Jover.
Arsenal put 6 players on the back post in a pack. As Saka struck the ball, they swarmed towards the front post like a pack of skiers making their way down a hill.
Almost impossible to mark. The movement forces the the keeper and the defenders to look the opposite way of the ball delivery. All it takes is a momentary lapse and you have the setpiece monster punishing you with a glancing header across goal. Also… just check out the Timber nudge on Paqueta, masterful, truly masterful.
What made this goal better? Gabriel totally cucking Gyokeres by deciding he’s going to steal his celebration permanently and do it a little bit wrong for effect. Like going to a dinner party, flirting with the hosts wife, while calling him the wrong name.
The second goal was an Arsene Wenger classic. The old man would be giving a wry smile from his Ivory Tower at FIFA if he were watching. Bukayo Saka started with the ball wide right, hugging the touchline. He played it into Odgaard, worked his way around the outside ready to receive a perfectly floated sand wedge onto his thigh, his next touch was a delicate touch across the goal, Trossard was NEVER going to miss from 4 yards.
I have the be honest, this is how I like games to go.
Amidst all the fun, it was painful to listen to West Ham fans boo their exCaptain who won them a European trophy and allowed them to spend big after he exited. Angry because he didn’t choose City? Very weird line of attack if you ask me. Classless if I’m honest.
Our third goal came from a penalty after Saka was clipped over. The decision felt like the sort we haven’t been getting this season, Saka played for the contact, it was light, but the ref and VAR decided to give Arsenal the decision.
Saka handed the ball to Odegaard, the Norwegian put his low and to the right of Fabianski. He then did the baby celebration, an Ode to the new child he’s going to welcome into the world (if he hasn’t already).
Number 4 was pure George Graham. Route one perfection from Trossard who dropped a ball over a West Ham defender to Kai Havertz. This was a one vs one under no pressure and there were no mistakes. The ball passed under Fabianski, giving the German a much-needed second goal of the week. 8 in 18 appearances. He’s now equaled his Chelsea G&As for Arsenal in about half the games. Not bad for a player some said would end Mikel Arteta.
Carlos Soler wasn’t going to exit the game without at least an effort - he took control of the ball in midfield and split our defence with a low diagonal ball that evaded everyone to find the run of Wan Bissaka at the back post. He showed no mercy with first-time brutal near-post finish.
Things weren’t over… West Ham won a soft freekick from a perfectly good Declan challenge. Emerson, from 25 yards, struck perfection over the wall, over Raya, grazing the underside of the bar on its way in. Tony Yeboah stuff.
I had some people in the GC fearing a Cheik Tiote afternoon…
It wasn’t to be. Fabianski to the rescue. Another Arsenal corner caused him pain, he flew out of his box to clear his area, missed, landing a haymaker that could have ended the Jake Paul fight with Tyson in round 1. I was a bit shocked the ref gave it, the right decision, but not the sort we normally get.
Bukayo took the penalty, he hit it to Fabianski’s left, the Polish keeper got a soft hand to it. Arsenal headed into halftime 5-2 up.
The second half was always going to softer - no need to kill yourselves with the run of games we had. It was all about managing the half and not doing anything dim. Gabriel didn’t come out, bringing Kiwior into the match.
There wasn’t anything too dramatic about the half, bar West Ham players trying to make villains of themselves with some pretty grim challenges. They seemed to be targeting Odegaard’s ankle. Saka exited the game limping again. Calafiori was clutching his groin.
Arsenal had some good moments. Raheem Sterling was largely uninteresting for most of his cameo. He was slow defending and he didn’t really go for it in attack. Gabi Jesus was a bit better, but once again, I’m celebrating nearly moments… when I need G&As. His only contribution this season has been in the League Cup. Not good enough on his wages. That said, not terrible, there’s surely something still left in the locker? He’s only 27.
I thought Kiwior looked decent, he showed some strength, batting off two West Ham players in a dangerous situation. Zinchenko looked close to his best, offering a lot of value to the game late on. Ethan even landed some minutes, though he struggled to find his place in the match.
So… 5-2… a beasting. So bad, West ham fans had a massive tear-up between themselves… amazing there was enough in the stadium for that to happen.
So, here are my highlights:
INJURY UPDATE
It seems like most of the injury concerns are minor. Gabi wasn’t taken off for concussion, he was managing an injury issue from Sporting. Sounds like he’s good. Calafiori was about managing minutes. Saka is fine. Only question for Wedensday is whether Thomas and Merino were rested vs bigger issues.
BANG-BANG BRUTALITY
16 shots, 7 on target, 5 goals.
All five of those goals in the first half. We didn’t play with our food. We ate it whole while it was running into the brush. This was t-rex and that poor little goat… except no leg hit the stationary Ford Explorer. This is what we’ve lacked so far this season - an apex predator mindset. We’ve now scored 13 goals in 3 games.
BIG NAMES STEPPING UP
Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, David Raya, Kai Havertz, Jorginho, Trossard, Declan… everyone has decided that they want to step up in Phase 4 and let’s be clear, that’s the only way we close the gap on Liverpool. We really can’t afford to miss. Points dropped anywhere could be fatal. But this team, with Arteta as manager, can get to 24 points out of 27 during this run of games.
Let’s drill down into that starting 11 a little bit - Trossard has been really average of late, but he steps up with another goal and a beautiful assist. Jorginho is once again reminding people that he’s always been slow, but not in the mind. He was brilliant when called upon and continues to look like incredible value for money. Arteta won’t make it out of this crunch without fully leaning on the unfashionable players. So far, those guys have stepped up, long may that run continue.
RIGHT BACK DIFFERENCE MAKER
I continue to shocked that Ajax managed to get £65m for Martinez, £90m for Antony, but couldn’t break 50 for one of the best right backs I’ve seen at Arsenal. Timber offers so much value with his movement, control, command of pitch, and world class execution. It feels like he’s been at the club for 10 years. Ben White missing should be curtains for any team, the fact we have Jurrien ready to move across the defence to help us out has been a real boon for the squad this season.
BIG GABI STEPS OUT OF THE SHADOWS
The path to superstardom has been harder for Gabi than it has for Saliba. Gabi went through a mistake phase when he was learning on the job and there have definitely been question over his application. That was summed up by the lack of game time early last season. Since then? He’s been immaculate. Near perfect. It’s time to call him what he is… world class. He’s Vidic to Rio, Sol to Kolo, John Terry to Carvahllo. He’s sets the time for aggression, he shows bravery at all times, and now he’s banging in goals and stealing celebrations. The man is just entering the peak of his powers and word on the street is he’s going to sign a new deal. What a player. Let’s hope he’s good for United on Wednesday.
ARTETA MAGIC
No manager seems to come under the shadow of doubt quicker than Arteta. The start wasn’t perfect, there have been doubts over signings, he’s landed the blame for hating attackers, and some quarters spoke about him being sussed tactically.
Well, think we can lay those concerns to rest. He’s one of the best thinkers in the league and he will have Arsenal firmly in the mixer come March. It could be our year. I think the way he’s managed the rough period has been measured. He hasn’t attacked anyone, never blames outside forces, and always finds a way to get the most out of his mistakes.
Arsenal have clicked. It could all go to shit. But yesterday gave me some of that Post-Dubz feeling of hope that we can start moving through easier fixtures and rack up some points and grab the popcorn for the big fixtures other teams have.
But let’s be clear here, we’re fighting the luckiest team in the league. They faced a depleted Madrid, they’ll have a wrecked City tomorrow, Newcastle have lost Isak to injury, and Spurs don’t have Vicario.
Ok, now for some other bits:
FIRST LIVE PRODUCTION
THE AOP will be doing a LIVE production at Fancy Free in New York. We’re teaming up with good folk at Brooklyn Invincibles to bring Spicy Hot Takes to the streets of downtown BK. We’re going to be inviting the audience to get involved and join the show. Imaging youtube comments in real-life. What could possibly go wrong? Come down and hang out. It’s not ticketed. You’ll have fun, I’ll buy you a beer, if HR is a problem, I’ll write them a note. Game starts at 3:15, we’ll be going LIVE right after.
MEMBER OFFERS
Listen, I really want you to become a member of this website so I have some SPICY offers to bring you into the fold.
Currently, you can get a 30 day FREE trial to experience the membership perks here. Primo writing, Before the Whistle Podcasts, LIVE content, with everything ADVERT free. Imagine how much that kills an ex-ad guy?
If you don’t want the first date and you just want to get stuck in, I have a very good deal for you, let’s call it 35% off monthly plans AND annual plans. If you like that sort of offer, don’t mess around, dive in now because we’re going content crazy this month.
Ok, loads of news. Thanks for indulging me. Love you all xxx
