MAGICAL DEBUTS FOR WILLIAN AND GABRIEL

by .

Arsenal hit the ground running with a clinical dismantling of a hapless Fulham. The story of the day was all about the debutants. Willian landed two assists with a shout for a third and Gabriel kept a clean sheet and bulleted a header for his first goal.

The starting line-up looked very conservative, if Unai Emery had picked a starting 11 with so many defenders, we might have shrieked in complaint. However, this is a different era. Arteta’s 5 at the back is a little different. Maitland-Niles and Tierney added a lot to our attacking build-up play allowing us to play some joyful attacking football at times.

The midfield base was Xhaka and Elneny. Not where I thought we’d be at this stage of the season, but the two of them worked really well together. Mo(dric) is more mobile than Xhaka and he’s super tidy. He’s an engine room of a player, moving the ball fast, accurately (95% pcr), and mostly forwards. His height and size also gives us something. Granit Xhaka looked composed and fit, he completed the most progressive balls into the final third, his one into the box was a sight to behold, finding Auba with an over the shoulder pass Pirlo would have purred over.

Our defensive structure was solid again. Admittedly, Fulham really offered very little in way of threat. Our biggest errors were mostly self-made, the biggest scare came when AMN passed to Gabriel and the Brazilian ghosted the ball requiring Bernd Leno to be fast on his feet to stop the encroaching striker. He warmed as the game progressed. His erratic passing started to improve and his tackling sharpened. I think most of us forgot he’d not played for the best part of 6 months.

Rob Holding also looked very steady. Arsenal.com showed the Bolton boy dropping stepovers in training, he took that into Fulham’s half with a lovely bit of technique that opened up an attack. I wasn’t sure he had it in him to play at the level we need, but he’s getting better and better and the manager has told him he’s going nowhere.

Bernd Leno was under some extreme scrutiny. Martinez is off to Villa and there are a lot of hurt feelings in the fanbase. The German was fine. He’s a world-class keeper and he breezed the 90 minutes.

Hector Bellerin made a pretty excellent case for his continued inclusion in the plans of the manager. He looks fit, he’s grown out his fade, and he’s sharpened his attacking prowess. Everything about his game looks better at the moment. It is VERY interesting that after Vinai said Arsenal don’t sign players based on agent reccos that the squad didn’t contain Cedric Soares.

AMN worked hard for the team, his passing was a little off, 75% isn’t going to be his best number this season, but it was in the name of a vital role for our build-up play and he seemed to spend most of his time on the left. Rio Ferdinand had this to say on what he was doing for the team.

‘Maitland-Niles is a wing-back and when you speak about wing-backs you’d expect him to be in the wide areas, coming out consistently throughout the game.

‘He’s done anything but that, he comes in, passes the ball and his first run after that is to run inside and create an overload in midfield.

‘He comes straight into the midfield area and what that does is it causes confusion and causes them to have more numbers in there than they’d usually have.

‘After that, you’ve got the width being created by Aubameyang, your main goalscoring threat, and the left-sided centre-half, Tierney, he’s the man who creates the width.

‘It’s so different to what you expect from a three at the back. You normally see it being quite rigid and you know where people are.

‘When you’re a player out there and you don’t see players in the positions you expect to see them in, that is a confusing element.

‘That’s what Arteta seems to be doing and we see are they a well-drilled team? Yes, they are.’

Some people questioned Mikel keeping AMN. I couldn’t be more pro his inclusion. The guy is an absolute expert at executing tactical plans. I’m so happy for him, he’s an absolutely class act.

Tierney also had a good game, his pass completion was 86%, and some of them were dreamy to watch. He is going to be hugely important to our success this season, I really hope we keep him fit.

In attack, it was another positive game for Auba. We played out of the back in now trademark fashion, Willian switched the ball to him on the left, he cut inside and fizzed his shot into the top corner. We know what we’re getting with Auba, game-changing finishing every week. Rio Ferdinand told BT that he’s a player you always feel is going to do something, that’s a huge compliment.

Willian shut the doubters up (lololol) with an incredible debut. He’s sharp in the mind, he’s electric on the ball, and he gave us the sort of creativity we’ve been lacking. Near 100% pass completion. A hand in all 3 goals. He’s slotted right in. I think he’ll be very important to our success, what a dreamy player. I particularly liked that he kept Pepe benched. The Ivorian came roaring onto the field when he landed his minutes. We need a better level from him this season. The occasional flutter of magic isn’t enough at the highest level. We need him more present. Hopefully, Willian will push his game.

Not every game will be a simple as this one, but you can only play what is in front of you. I read that this game was our best xG against away from home in 5 years. The players were focused and motivated. Everyone wanted to be on the pitch. The squad is finally united around a vision. They all want success, and who would bet against it? We look a different animal these days and everything coming out of the club is positive. What a difference 6 months can make.

Do we still need signings? Absolutely. I think they’ll arrive. I think the biggest need is a dynamic #8.  We lack a bit of midfield dazzle. Balls into the box rarely come from central midfield, Xhaka and Elneny between them put the ball in the box once, so that needs to change, particularly against teams that’ll have more organised defensive structures. I think we’d all love a #6, but we could survive without one. Hopefully, we sign two players, the desire is there, the challenge is raising enough funds to make it happen.

The manager made a statement of Mesut and Matteo. They aren’t part of our future. Matteo will have to find a new club. Mesut will likely just sit out the season to make a point no one cares about.

Might also be worth a small mention about the Ceballos and Eddie dustup. It looked like handbags and both of them made up on Insta after the game. Best pals again.

Next up is West Ham. They are in total disarray. Players in open revolt against the club. A shambles on the pitch. We are normally a gift for beleaguered managers, let’s hope we’re not next Saturday. A huge Top 4 game today when Spurs and Everton go head to head at Goodison Park. I can’t wait to see what that looks like.

WE ARE BACK! See you in the comments. x

 

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Guns of SF

so the 20M can go to Aouar.
We end up on the hook for about 35m?

I am sure the new keeper will not cost us that much….
Still need to sell the other dross in the team…
Why is this taking forever

Captain Tierney

James Rodriguez still has it.
Everton easily have a good enough squad to challenge for the 6th position.

Marc

YOU LITTLE WHORES!

raptora

What a goal! DCL

Tom

What’s the odds Mourinho doesn’t last the season?

Marc

I think this could well be one of the most entertaining seasons with regards to the Spud’s for years.

Samesong

Spurs are so shit. Falling asleep watching this game.

TT

tbh i hope the spuds dont lose this game. I want their downfall to be a drawn out bloody affair with Maureen staying long enough at the helm to cause damage that will take years to fix 😀

Trap

Gunnarson is valued @£1.5m

Marc

Tom

I was just thinking how long before Mourinho has a meltdown? It’ll seriously start when the window closes and he hasn’t been given a shit load of money to spend.

Marc

TT

Don’t worry with the stadium debt they’ve got he’ll do a lot of damage.

TT

Marc

One can always hope so 😀

Steveyg87

Gutted that Emi is leaving…

Hopefully this takes us a step closer to signing a quality CM, we will not finish top 4 with Elneny in the starting 11

Leftside

Falling asleep in this game, how poor do Sp*rs look?

Up 4 grabs now

New season, same old spuds, spurs being spursey.

Up 4 grabs now

Hopefully Maureen will be there for awhile.
The spuds can’t afford to pay him and his crew out there still paying the mighty pochs severance pay!

Marko

There is no more perfect match in world football than Jose Mourinho managing Spurs. It’s just pure ugly. He sets them up like every game is against peak Barcelona.

Valentin

Delle Ali seems to be the easy fall guy for Mourinho. I can see tension brewing there pretty soon. Half of the Spurs team seems like they are already fed up with his low block style of play.

Marc

Valentin

Agree 100% but it is funny!

Marc

“how poor do Sp*rs look?”

Well the midfield is so bad that Xhaka’s too good to get in it.

Paulinho

Not surprised the game is going as it so far. Everton are simply a more talented dynamic team (with their three new signings) than the Spuds.

Everton like to shoot themselves in the foot though and they still haven’t shown they can hold onto leads. which is a perennial problem of theirs in these types of matches. Always give up a goal late on.

Paulinho

Andre Gomez looks liberated by the movement around him as well.

Marc

With a more cynical front line Everton would be out of sight.

raptora

As a whole I like Richarlison. But fuck me, he tries to score from EVERY situation. Has fucked up multiple attacks where the danger could have been far bigger if he was to not just shoot from everywhere.

Paulinho

Marc – Always their problem. Whenever we play them they always waste chances, and fold defensively. Chronic lack of belief.

Marko

it’ll certainly take until next summer to move everyone on.

Been hearing this for years. Besides the argument being made isn’t everyone it’s moving on the few who have actual interest in them from other teams.

Habesha Gooner

Runarsson links making sense a bit more now. Inaki Cana has a bunch of videos uploaded to YouTube about the keeper. I don’t know if it is legit but has a lot of followers. Looks decent but everyone does on you tube. Still a second choice keeper so we will be fine.

And Lol at spurs. Thank God we hate Mourinho and we didn’t even contemplate hiring him. He has become every stupid insult he has thrown at Wenger.

Leftside

Yup Marc. Ironic also how Everton look a far better side investing in the midfield too.

Leftside

Ndombele looks like he’s been rolling around in talcum powder.

Nelson

Everton’s midfield looks strong. I don’t think Iwobi has a chance to get into the starting 11.

Tom

The only reason Mourinho might last longer this time around is because Spurs players are perennial chokers too lame to revolt the way Chelsea and United players did.

Paulinho

Sigurdsson really is shite.

Marko

Seeing James Rodriguez play like this has me pining for Coutinho

DivineSherlock

Nelson
Iwobi isnt even on the bench !

Marc

Leftside

I was struggling to get excited for the season but the juices are beginning to flow. I’m looking at our team / squad and the forward line looks quality, the defence looks quality we get CM sorted and we’ll be challenging for the title in a season or so.

Marko

Runarsson links making sense a bit more now. Inaki Cana has a bunch of videos uploaded to YouTube about the keeper

They worked together at some Danish club previously

Marc

Tom

Good point how do you actually tell if the Spud’s have downed tools?

Tom

HG
Plenty Arsenal fans wanted Mourinho including some on here.

Up 4 grabs now

Just think next summer ozil goes and frees up wages for
Three 100k players and 2-3 kids, let that sink in.

Shift on a couple now mustafi on his last year 90k Kolasinac 120k sokratis 90k and a few next summer and you may well be close to 800k a week in wages, (just in time for messi on a free!)

DivineSherlock

Also Richarlison easily shouldve had a hattrick . Already in line for the worst miss of the season.

Captain Tierney

Richarlison when he learns to make better decisions will be a devastating left sided attacker.

Captain Tierney

Martinez sale making more sense now with links to an unknown keeper for the no.2 position.

Leftside

Would be marvellous Marc, been far too long.

Abit concerned with reports of just one cm, think we need more than that but theres still time in this window.

Paulinho

It’s moments like this that Spurs miss Eriksen and his shoot-on-sight routine.

Tom

Apparently Everton haven’t won away to a big six club in the PL since Dec 3013.

If they hang on here ………they still haven’t.

Nelson

Good. They kill each other!

Captain Tierney

How’s that not a red.

TheBayingMob

I’m a bit gutted about Emi. I think he dominates his area better than Leno and for me that’s a differentiator,

Marc

Leftside

If we only get 1 CM this window we’ll need 2 next summer. 1 will be the other 1 from this window and the other will be a replacement for Ceballos.

Up 4 grabs now

Have spurs downed tools already?

81st minute.
The stats are quite worrying for Spurs. They’ve made seven tackles all game, and Harry Kane has just had his first touch in the box… in the 81st minute.

Daniel levy on the phone to poch as we speak!

raptora

Still time for Ndombele to come good. But horrible first season and starts this one as a reserve. 55m pounds. Was it Marko that had a fetish for him? So far not justified.

DivineSherlock

Spurs looks like theyll be midtable ,between Everton Wolves & Leicester .

Marc

The number 5 the Spud’s bought from Southampton looks piss poor.

Leftside

Yeah thats true, if I had to answer now Marc, I would go for Partey if its just one we will get this fall.

Habesha Gooner

Tom
I will put it down to becoming desperate at the final run of the Emery reign.

Spurs spent a lot on Loscelso and Ndombele. Both aren’t Mourinho players. They need freedom to play. I hope he stays the whole season. By then the likes of kane will be agitating for a move. And spurs will ho back to their original midtable place.

raptora

Agreed that spuds miss Eriksen. Their most important player. Kane has looked dead out of service since the Dane left their team.

TR7

Dijon goalkeeper Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson is close to signing for Arsenal. [@ElliotR1971] #afc

Marc

TR7

Let’s hope he’s mustard.

I’ll get me coat now!

Marko

Spurs CB’s going into the season are Alderweirld and Diet first choice with Sanchez and Foyte as backup? Hmmmm

Valentin

Marc,

I think you meant clinical rather than cynical.
If Richarlison had half the shooting calmness and accuracy of Aubameyang, he would be world.class.

Captain Tierney

raptora

I think the fee for Ndombele was 60 mil which could potentially rise to 70.

Spurs do miss Eriksen but more than anyone they miss Moussa Dembele.

I believe they bought in Ndombele to replace Dembele but he hasn’t been half the player the former was.

Nelson

That Allen is very good!

Marko

I’ll get me coat now!

That’s actually good

raptora

Marc lolololol

Marc

Marko

Fuck you too!!!

Marc

Valentin

I did – bloody spell checker.

Captain Tierney

Dembele leaving Spurs started their downward spiral.
He was thei Cazorla tho not ad good as the little magician.

Poch once compares Dembele to Maradona. 🤯

Captain Tierney

Nelson

Allan is what we thought Torreira would be.

Marko

There was actually some cunt on the Sunday supplement talking about how shrewd Spurs business was this summer and how Mourinho did well and was going to push on this summer. Absolute garbage

Leftside

Sp*rs still playing like its the end of last season. Poor from them and great result for Everton.

Marc

Marko

And these guy’s get paid for their opinions!

Valentin

Raptors,

I was the one singing NDombele praise. I still think that he is a classy player. But he is not a Mourinho type of player. Having Pierre Hoijberg who had a nightmare game starting ahead of him against Everton is just proof that Mourinho first instinct is to park the bus.

Leftside

Sunday Supplement is filled with em though Marko, I don’t even bother with them.

Habesha Gooner

Marko
Don’t forget the comparisons between Hoijberg and Partey. Dissenter I am looking at you.

DivineSherlock

Captain Tierney

To be fair , Torreria played well in the beginning too.

GunnerDNA

Everton made some decent signings, certainly looks better than last season

Vickingz

The Almighty Emery is losing to Huesca, funniest thing is the look on his face, so demoralising

Marc

I’m looking forward to Mourinho’s post match interview.

Vickingz

Everton’s play out from the back using James to launch over the head ball to Richarlson should be studied. It opens spurs up over and over again

Dissenter

Everton looked very assured totes in the midfield.;
-James still has a lot of juice, his passing is exquisite
-Doucore still has his engine intact.
-Allan is a proper number 6, he reads the game very well.

It will be hard for Liverpool or city to get 100 points this season because the middle of the league has improved so much.

Captain Tierney

Divine

Yup, Agreed.
Allan tho in his first match showed he is a very good forward passer and can do mostly everything Torreira does in the defensive side of the game.

Lets see if he can continue to do that for the whole season.

Vickingz

Mourinho by himself lost this game with his selection, how on earth did he put ndombele on the bench? His midfield was shapeless till ndombele came in

Marko

Don’t forget the comparisons between Hoijberg and Partey. Dissenter I am looking at you.

Oh that’s not going to be forgotten about anytime soon

Marc

Marko’s sharpening his knives.

Captain Tierney

Ndombele loses the ball too often.
He did bring some spark to Spuds hapless midfield but in the 10-15 minutes he was on he also lost the ball quite a lot for a midfielder.

Nelson

Everton’e attack is better planned than Spuds. Richarlison missed so many chances.

Leftside

My ears bleed when I hear Sp*rs referred to as a big team, big team where?

Tom

Wait, was James a free transfer?!?!
He looked the part.

Marc

Leftside

Only amongst their own fan base and the Arsenal hating media.

Paulinho

Everton remind me a bit of Leicester last season.

Well-balanced first eleven that all compliment each other. Similar to Leicester as well in that their level drops like a stone if they lose any of them to injury.

Nelson

James has very good technique and can pass. But he is not dynamic. I prefer Willian.

Marko

Everton are built to be a little more consistent this season but I wouldn’t go make any big predictions just yet.

Dissenter

Marko
There was a time when Draxler was going to solve every problem Arsenal ever has, now it’s Partey.
All we ever read now is Partey. I don’t rate him as much as you do, Why is that so hard for you to understand?

Dissenter

Nelson
James still has excellent passing though. He my not need to be as dynamic because he has good runners all around him.
Everton have a very mobile forward line in Richarlison and Calvert-Lewis.

Marc

Look people it’s my birthday in October and I don’t think I’m being unreasonable in asking for 2 CM’s and a full on Mourinho meltdown.

Little Mozart

Mourinho and Delle, that’s where it’s gonna start. Selle is a hot head he won’t let Maureen run over him. May the drama begin.

Dissenter

What happened to Ndombele?
It’s not just Mourhino that’s ailing him because he didn’t exactly do well for Poch as well.
He was awful when he came on.

Marc

Mozart

Yeah and it’ll spread to Kane – basically the Spud fans two favourite players.

Dissenter

We are about to sign an Icelandic goalie?

Valentin
How is good is this Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson?
He’s only 25 year old so why would he be so willing to come and be a definite number two?

Marko

There was a time when Draxler was going to solve every problem Arsenal ever has, now it’s Partey.

Two completely different types of players but ok.

I don’t rate him as much as you do, Why is that so hard for you to understand?

It’s more than that it’s also you stupidly comparing him with Holjberg.