AUBA FROM ONE YARD TURNS THE TIDE + NEW PLAYER REVIEW

by .

Arsenal notched their first win of the season versus Norwich City. The game wasn’t easy. The result felt like a bit of a slog. But the 3 points on the board were more than deserved and will hopefully act as a pivot point for the season.

The starting line-up was pretty wild. Arteta put most of his new players out on the pitch. We saw Tomiyasu, Odegaard, White, Lokonga… and Ramsdale. Those were big decisions. The Premier League is tough, to make so many changes in one go was always a huge risk, especially notable considering Tuchel had to yank Saul at halftime against Villa. Arteta even dropped Ainsley into midfield. When the chips are down for Mikel, he always turns to the kids, and they usually do the job.

The first half was a fairly mixed bag. We dominated the first 20, fell off a little, then came back before halftime. The second half was where it was at, we refound our intensity, kicked up into the 4th gear we haven’t had all season, and finally made the game count when Nicolas Pepe fizzed a shot at the inside post, bundled himself at the second chance, allowing a rebound to fall comfortably for Auba to prod home from a single yard.

It was the sort of goal the game needed. Just a mad one even the footballing gods couldn’t deny us. At the stage Arsenal were, you couldn’t complain. We just needed something, anything, to get this season going.

So what did we learn?

When Arsenal have all their best players out, even those that have never played together, we are a far more interesting and capable side. It’s weird having to argue with people for 2 weeks that mass injuries and covid outbreaks impact performance, but there you are. We created 30 attempts at the Norwich goal. That is a beasting. The problem wasn’t dominating the opposition, the problem was finding the target.

This new team will deliver what the summer needed of it. Every component piece we’ve added helps us move the ball forward faster and with more variety. The players make us more unpredictable and the quality of final ball is better so it gives players like Auba the confidence to make runs because he knows the chances are that someone will find him.

Aaron Ramsdale was the big move for me. Bernd Leno isn’t committed to the Arsenal cause, but I didn’t expect him to be dropped so soon. The move worked. Sure, it was Norwich and they didn’t do much in possession, but the issues we had in goal weren’t about shots. It was more about communication, decisions making, and raw ground skill. Aaron passed the game with flying colours. His passing range is varied, he’s comfortable on the ball, turning a Norwich player with ease at one point and pinging a pass out wide, and he seems to radiate energy. Patrick Vieira always had great engagement with the fans, Ramsdale seems like he’s going to be that type of persona because he’s basically like having a fan in goal.

Ben White is a good player. You can’t deny it. The weirdos writing him off after one game will look very silly this season. He created three chances of his own yesterday. His ability to move the ball out of defence like a midfielder makes his problematic. As a defender, you can’t sit back because he can pass, you can’t let him run because he can overload, and he’s risky to press because he’ll go past you. He’s a very rare type of problem for a centre back. I thought he was excellent. It’s also clear that the partnership he has with Gabriel already is a game of opposites. The main bonus? Both are very athletic defenders.

Tomiyasu was the real surprise package of the day. He had a debut to dream of. The fans loved him, they felt his presence, and they could all see that he has all the raw ingredients to be a good player. Firstly, he has it all physically. He showed off his pace early catching up 5 yards on a dangerous run with ease. He’s aerially very strong because he’s basically a centre back. His technique on the floor is great and his hunger to join the attack means we’re more balanced going forward. I really like him, his work ethic looks great, and Arteta went to great lengths to communicate that he’s a smiler behind the scenes that is always happy.

Midfield was a mixed bag. Ainsley started next to Sambi and struggled at times, but did grow a bit in the second half. He created a few chances, but his 76% pass completion rate in the final third needs to be higher. It was good to see him given a chance regardless. Sambi Lokonga is such a talent, he came off on 60 because of fitness concerns, but he really does have it all. Great awareness, he’s tactically mature, and he is basically everything Ceballos is not. Quick at passing, tight control, forward momentum.

In attack, we had a good day for movement and attempts at goal. Nicolas Pepe was frustrating, but also nearly really amazing. He created 5 chances, made plenty of direct runs, and was decisive for their goal. He needs to be coming out of games like that with 3 goals and 2 assists. He looks fit, he looks very interested, and I think having a proper right back to create chemistry with is going to make him more involved in ways he wants to be. I just wish he could sharpen his footwork, sometimes he looks easy to defend against because it’s the same bag of tricks over and over. I’m hoping there’s more to come from him.

Odegaard is a very, very good signing. He’s a leader, he works relentlessly, and he often leads the press. I think he’s going to love it at Arsenal this season and I can’t wait to see the sort of relationship he forms with Auba. I can’t believe people were calling him a boring player, I love watching him, his eye for a final ball is something else and we’ve barely scratched the surface with his ability.

The real star though was Thomas Partey. He’s a new player to my mind. He’s our best player and when he came on, he made a huge difference. Keep him fit this season and we’re going places. He’s the difference-maker. We’ve missed him, he will be such a driving force for us this year. Honestly, I cannot believe how good he is.

Finally, so much for the fans getting on Arteta’s back. They are there to support. He’s built a very likeable young team, everyone at the club has communicated that this project might take a bit, and they are all there to back the players. They were excellent all game and it turns out… Twitter/blog comments vibes isn’t an in-stadium thing.

Arteta has a lot of work to do regardless. You could sense he’s been to some dark places of the past few weeks. He’s likely taken onboard some home truths as well, because the way he’s conducting himself is a lot more positive than before. Every game needs a result. Burnley and Wimbledon are huge games, but Spurs is our cup final. We need to gel fast, the football needs to keep adding 10% of excitement, and the fans need to see where the project is going. Everyone was very quick to complain about the talent we brought in this summer, but no one is pinning for Maddison. Not many of the Emerson experts are clawing for him this morning after his disaster-class yesterday. There also seems to be quite a bit of love for our new keeper. Those kids were good signings, I’m convinced of that.

There’s a long way to go this season,  there will be bumps in the road, but for now… it’s one game at a time. Let’s see where this season can take us now everything is in place and looking fit.

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Dan

Nervy game, but most important thing was the 3 points. Lot of players playing their first games since injury/ illness and confidence was low.
Hopefully we will see better performances and it all coming together as we don’t look like we know how to attack

TT

Good article Pedro.

TT

3rd?

TT

4th?

TT

4th trophy and that’s even after reading the blog 😀

TT

Upwards and onwards from here on Dan.

Gommit

Should not have started on the post.. well in TT

Ishola70

The EPL is tough. Except when you are playing Norwich. Their 14th consecutive defeat in the EPL yesterday. White struggled a few times defensively with the mighty Pukki. Still not convinced with Gabriel. He was yet again over impetuous again involving the mighty Pukki. Now there will be oposition strikers thinking I can do what that mighty Pukki did and some more on top of that. The season looks like it rests on whether Aubameyang can repeat a big haul of goals like a few seasons ago. There are many doubters regarding that. Xhaka will come back into the side… Read more »

T

Really happy allround about everything! We had good control of the game whether it was sitting back at times or turning the screw at times. And all that with 2 kids in the middle! Wow

Karsa

Amazing how many were writing White off after a single game.

Almuniasaynomore

We were shit but there’s real signs after scuterring a one nil win against Norwich that if the stars align and he’s given another few hundred million that Arteta might,just might make us mediocre. Anyone spotted Arsenal football club anywhere?

Ishola70

Well you know what’s being implied Pedro.

That the team lacks cutting edge and decisiveness because of a fixation with passing and control over everything else.

As you discussed with Mr Cochrane Lokonga looked to give the midfield a bit of a quicker impetus other than passing with actual running on the ball but both you and I know that Xhaka the pass master and master of absolutely nothing else will be brought back into the side sooner rather than later.

Ishola70

Smith Rowe can gives us someting else other than passing as well but Arteta didn’t start him yesterday. Used from the bench.

Odegaard will be Arteta’s preference from the centre.

Chrispy

Nice vibe, Pedro. Ish…..fuck off.

consolsbob

Fans who take no joy from a win, any win, but instead continue to find reasons to moan must be very sad human beings.

Captain Tierney

Tomiyasu is sooo good technically for a 6’2 right its amazing. He can control, dibble, pass and shoot with both feet and looks like he’s got real pace. The first half moment comes to mind where he easily recovered 5 yards on the Norwich winger with ease. Lokonga looks like a real gem. The flat long ball he plays out to Tierney reminds me of Kroos. Very few players in world football have that flat long ball in their arsenal. He always looks to turn and is a good back carrier as well. We’ve got another green in our hands.… Read more »

Ishola70

No people like to talk in reality and what they think and feel is the truth.

If Arteta surprises many on here including myself then all hail Arteta.

Until then a win over a hapless Norwich isn’t going to bring out the bunting.

Mr Cochrane Pedro’s accomplice on the podcast must also be a very sad individual as well because he was basically implying the same thing.

Lots of sad people around it seems.

Or just realists.

Sly

Arteta overcomplicates the beautiful game
Trying to “fit” game play into the Pep manual

Almuniasaynomore

Chrispy,
Instead of telling Ishola to fuck off what don’t you enlighten us as to what you saw yesterday that makes you believe we can surpass one out of city,utd,chelsea and pool which we have to if we are to qualify for the champions league in what is Arteta’s 3rd year after outspending everyone in the last window? What did you see? Tell me? I’m watching football too long to believe that Arteta is putting a top 4 team together. Enlighten me.

Almuniasaynomore

#Why don’t you

Mb

“”Burnley and Wimbledon are huge games””

Since when?

Moray

It’s 3 points out of 12 so far.

If we end up in the top four I will be the first in line to suck Arteta’s dick.

As it is, young team or not, be look mediocre and poorly coached, and importantly short of goals up top. Hopefully things will turn for us but it’s going to be a hairy season for us, that’s for sure.

Moray

“Since when?”

Since we lost most of our others

Chrispy

AL….youre another one. Just give it a rest for once. I sat there in block 128 and I enjoyed my day. Painful for you I know.

Dennis+the+Menace

I like a win. I like a win that ends a goal drought and gets us our first points. I am, frankly, relieved. I also like to keep some perspective and acknowledge that Norwich are the easiest team to beat in the Premier League this season. I am disappointed we only scored one goal. That’s a worry with 30 shots and 21 of them from inside the box (but at least the chances are being created, finally). I still can’t see why our expensive and complex management structure couldn’t invest more evenly in both experience and youth. I still don’t… Read more »

Moray

Hopefully White gets a pass for the Burnley game. We should set up for the opposition. Holding will enjoy that battle.

Graham62

Dennis

Of course Arteta isn’t good enough!

There’s passing and there’s passing.

With Arsenal, it never seems to flow.

Why is that?

Almuniasaynomore

Chrispy,
I’m delighted you enjoyed the day,going to the game and being rewarded with 3points is a great feeling. But Ishola was expressing the view that the performance reflects no real improvement after all this time and money. You saw improvement? Great. I don’t agree with you. Difference is I won’t label you or tell you to fuck off because of it.

Muppetman

You can’t complain about people writing white off after one game to then praise him to high heaven after one game. Let’s wait until a good run of games to start judging. Everyone just wants to argue because they are pro or negative Arteta

Nelson

We are staying up!

Sly

Contrast our performance with crystal palaces
Will be very interesting to see how paddy does
Great performance thrashing Spurs
#coachingmatters

Sid

Without Xhakalson & Diet Pep this squad is easily capable of top 4

Mafuko

Holding in defence, then line up White, Lokonga, Partey in CM against stronger/tougher opposition. White at the base, Lokonga left, Partey right

@C Tierney
Hondas are pretty reliable though :).

DigitalBob

A win is a win, and we needed it. I predicted 3-0 before the game and we really should be beating this Norwich team 3-0. They are a Championship team punching above their weight but credit to Daniel Farke for at least setting up his team to play positively. I reckon a more confident Arsenal, same eleven mind you, is more clinical and puts two or three more in the back of the net. I agree with much of your post Pedro, the positives really being Tomiyasu(that volley!!) and Lokonga, two really promising summer acquisitions. Personally, I don’t think this… Read more »

Sid

Edouard would have been our Lukaka for the same amount we were offered for Xhakalson

Let that sink in

Receding Hairline

“We created 30 attempts at the Norwich goal. That is a beasting.”

No it isn’t. 13 of those 30 shots were blocked shots, only 6 of that 30 was on target, we created only 2 big chance the entirety of the 90. Norwich had long spells in the game where they were comfortable and played some good football.

No one who watched yesterday’s game will say we beasted Norwich or played them off the park.

I know you want Arteta to succeed but come on, there was nothing exciting about yesterday’s win or the football on display.

Receding Hairline

And we are not going to play many teams this season who take the type of risks Norwich did playing out from the back, they kept turning over possession in very dangerous areas. And Ben White was only a problem for them in the first 20 minutes then they stopped allowing him space, any semi professional coach can plan against that, he doesn’t really take the risks Luis used to, his passing is top notch yes but that’s once you give him space, once Norwich settled we saw less and less of those passes. As for Ode, I don’t know… Read more »

I’m not a fan of the passing game, or I should say I’m not a fan of sideways and backwards passing for no real gain or reason. It’s why I think England are boring to watch. Look at the game v Poland, 800 2-3 yard passes but no real cutting edge, that’s Arsenal to a T. I much prefer the football Wenger served up in his hey day

David Smith

Nice one Pedro, good to read a bit of optimism, and I for one do not believe it is unfounded either. It’s clear there is a way to go with this project, what we saw yesterday is clearly nowhere near the finished article, but as you say, some very likeable players on view in that game. Most of yesterday was just one of those days to enjoy on the sporting front . Would be intrigued to know all that Arteta has had to deal with in that post Wenger dressing room, his demeanour yesterday gives a tantalising glimpse, he clearly… Read more »

Dissenter

Arteta took big risks yesterday, starting with so many new players and it most backfired on him.
He deserves some credit for taking that risk.

Dissenter

I’m glad Pedro out some balance into the Pepe commentary.
I’m even more glad Arteta left him on, he does have to play him closer to goal, more centrally because he s far more like to score than Auba.

Fuck sake it was a 1 nil against a team that make ours look like peak Barcelona. I had us as down for 3 nil win. I can’t stand Arteta but thought even he would have enough in him to put Norwich to the sword. Sorry if I didn’t see any improvements yesterday , must of been streaming a different game

Dissenter

The Burnley game is going to be so different from yesterday that I’m not even sure there’s any carry overs.
Ben White will likely be a liability, Holden need to one back
Drop Auba and play Laca, Auba can come in late on

WengerEagle

For all the 30 shots, I can only remember 3 real clear chances and they were- (1) the goal, (2) Auba’s 1 vs 1 in the first half and (3) ESR’s 1 vs 1 in the 2nd half. Norwich created just as many clear cut opportunities. They really should have scored and a better side i.e pretty much any other PL side would have punished us. Some positives for me were Tomiyasu’s debut which I was encouraged by, I thought that ESR looked very good when he came on, Ramsdale while not massively tested looked assured in goal and Pepe… Read more »

Dolomite

Regardless of your thoughts on Arteta, the players or owners…..

If you’re not pleased about getting off the bottom of the table with a win against Norwich you’re NOT an Arsenal fan and frankly you should just fuck off.

End of.

Receding Hairline

“Fuck sake it was a 1 nil against a team that make ours look like peak Barcelona” That’s the thing, against a team that are so accustomed to losing in the premier league, we didn’t even look that good. For long periods the stadium was quiet and worried. Yesterday was arguably the easiest fixture we will play in the league and it was tough. Yes we had a lot of new faces but the coach has been here 20 months, there wasn’t really any pattern to slot into. Everyone made it up as they went along. Contrast that to Norwich… Read more »

Pedro

WE, that wasn’t reflected in xG and on another day, against another team, that’s a 4-0 beasting for Arsenal. If Arsenal had registered 1 shot on target away and been pumped for 30 shots, there’d be no ‘it was close’ from people.

WengerEagle

Dolomite

I don’t really get that sentiment to be honest. Yes we are all glad we beat Norwich and are off the foot of the table but yesterday was more worrying than worth celebrating if you really watched the full 90+ mins.

Does anybody have Norwich staying up this season? And we had to fight tooth and nail for that 1 nil win. We very likely would not have beaten any other PL side playing like we did yesterday.

WengerEagle

Pedro

4-0?

List out all of the missed guilt edged chances so because my memory is clearly shit.

Pedro

David, agree, just a good afternoon out. So boring to read the usual suspects whining after a win.

Basically a brand new team of very young player playing out of an almighty hole. Plenty to look forward to.

AFC Forever

Nice piece Pedro. Facts are the first three games injuries & Covid deprived us of players. We saw when he came on yesterday how much Partey adds. We’ve bought new players who haven’t played together yet & some ‘fans’ seem unable or unwilling to acknowledge that fact or how important it is. Arteta inherited a bloody mess which required culling the squad . They’ve identified players and spent money to bring in young players for the future & to fill holes.. Over the past few weeks, people have expected us to compete with Chelsea or Man City and that’s ridiculous,… Read more »

Pedro

Think Norwich outshot and out xG’d LG faves Leicester last week.

Receding Hairline

“If you’re not pleased about getting off the bottom of the table with a win against Norwich you’re NOT an Arsenal fan and frankly you should just fuck off.” And you think this sought of loser mentality makes you a better fan? We are in for 34 more games this season in the league and most of it against opposition miles better than Norwich. We are Arsenal football club, getting off the bottom of the table is not something we should be associated with let alone pleased over. What’s wrong with Arsenal fans? The whole management team are bent on… Read more »

Pedro

Leicester had 9 attempts, 3 on target.

Chris

I get the feeling Lokonga and TT especially are going to become big fan favourites. My fear, which I think is likely shared by others, will be the inevitable return of Xhaka to the team once available. We still wait to see a Partey and Sambi partnership and you may just get the feeling it could be very special. I think we will see this next week against Burnley. I do think it was the right call to go with Ramsdale also, as long as he gets a consistent run in the team and Arteta doesn’t decide to start mixing… Read more »

Pedro

‘Ben white will be a liability against a better team’

Someone get diss a copy of Brighton vs City before he buries himself

Receding Hairline

“Leicester had 9 attempts, 3 on target.”

Leicester were at Carrow road. We were at home.

We didn’t beast Norwich, I watched the full 90 and was very worried. We didn’t look remotely well coached and their lack of individual quality was a saving grace.

Yesterday’s game was just one of those wins you take and move on. That you are trying to make out it was a win that rendered all the criticism’s we have had this season as unfair doesn’t stand up to real scrutiny.

WengerEagle

“They need playing & training time together to gel and build partnerships and awareness. Really important. Team patterns will evolve, tactics will be tweaked and hopefully we will see a ‘team’ come together. Won’t happen overnight” Yep agreed, just give it another another 2 years and we should start to see a pattern emerging I am sure. “They need support but some sections of the fan base have no idea what that is” “As for the “it’s only Norwich’ brigade” Like clockwork back from your hiatus as soon as we finally scrape a result against the worst team in the… Read more »

Graham

I would imagine Ramsdale is very keen to play against AFC Wimbledon as he is something of a cult figure among their fans both got his personality and ability (having staved off an almost certain relegation) – and goalkeepers that swap teams normally get a much better reception than outfield players.

Pedro

Chris, does a shift to a 4-3-3 avoid that?

Wonder if Xhaka starts to fade. Covid and the red card was not a good look to the start of the season.

Also, Sambi has looked very good.

Graham

For his personality not got ..

Chris

Pedro I think 433 would be a formation worth using at home, and it would be easy to see Partey/Sambi/Odegaard featuring in that. However despite Xhaka’s calamitous start to the season it is hard to shake the feeling he will be back in the line up, mainly owing to Arteta’s very public backing of him as one of our leaders. Unless Arteta has done a 180 on his thoughts on Xhaka during the int, break, here is hoping. For the first time in a while it will be fun to go into my Spurs fan filled work place on Monday… Read more »

Kris

Nice one, Pedro, though I feel WengerEagle’s summation of the game was better. In fact, I agree with everything he said.
But yeah, new players looked good, and I feel we will rival Spurs this season (may only mean a fight for 6th or 7th, though).
Would just add that Tierney is so frustrating to me with his crosses to Auba because that’s 95% of the time just a waste of time. I would also disagree about Ode being good, he looked quite ineffective to me, especially if you compare him to ESR, who’s all energy.

Distanced hairline

This arteta team would be a gold mine in the hands of a top manager, arteta needs a goal machine, he wanted tammy, but if he could get onuachu hed be good. Isak is not our level right now, he wont want to come

WengerEagle

ESR has to be accommodated into the XI, he is easily our best attacking player of late.

I would have him, Saka and Pepe behind Auba/Laca and bench Odegaard for the moment. Midfield two behind of Partey and Lokonga.

englandsbest

I know it was a home game and only Norwich but the manner of Arsenal’s performance was truly impressive. I am going to try to sum it up in one word: PENETRATIION. The team scythed through Norwich from all directions, through the middle, down the sides, zig zags across. Umpteen chances created.. We all know what was missing: in a word, CONVERSION. We need players who find the net. It used to be Auba – but no longer. He scored one, but a half-decent striker would have scored three. In a single word he has lost his DYNAMICISM. We have… Read more »

Sid

Leicesters players are Not as good as Arsenal, the difference is Brendan is more competent than Diet Pep

Sid

The fact that Diet Pep wanted Tammy(who felt he deserves better) instead of Edouard speaks volumes about his competence.

Pedro

Kris, said that on the podcast… his final ball is weak. Nice to have an option on the right again.

Chris

Wenger Eagle That is the crunch for me also, what do we do with ESR & Odegaard. We looked more dangerous when ESR came on yesterday, and I feel he operates best through the middle. Yet I may be outnumbered here but I felt Odegaard brought other qualities to the game yesterday, his lofted through balls and his vision. At times he looked a second too slow ok the ball however but i think this will sharpen up long term. However that is the question, how does ESR and Odegaard fit into the same time without affecting the overall efficiency… Read more »

Sid

According to sauces, Viera waved his longstuff at the Spurs player during halftime, the got scared and confused in the second half because of that, Arsenal need someone like that.

Pedro

Not sure why anyone thinks it’s either or with MO and ESR. Both compliment each other. ESR only benched because he was sick.

Dissenter

This is going to be unpopular but I think Tierney needs to be dropped as well.
His output has been consistently average all season. His defending is shoddy and is attacking contribution is utter predictable and almost certainly dross.
He shouldn’t be guaranteed a starting spot.
That square jaw-strongman routine is wearing thin on me.

Maybe Tomiyasu. will bring some balance. Tierney just bombs forward and crosses blindly.

SurferX

Spot on Pedro. Cracking atmosphere too- and no doubt he & the team has the backing of the fans right now. My Two pence: Ramsdale might / might not now be as good as leno, too early to tell, but from a communication and organisation perspective best I’ve seen since Lehmann. White took like a rolls Royce with the ball at his feet- not entirely convinced defensively but the partnership between him and Gabriel could become very good given time. Tomi had an air of Oleg about him- he steamrollered and down the right like a train. Sambi looks really… Read more »

Dissenter

We have to get a target man in January
No if’s, ands or buts
Even an average bruiser like Chris Woods will score loads of goals.

Dissenter

Pedro
The magic is really with ESR
Ode is indeed overrated, that much is clear. He is eager to press the opposition but won’t run at players because he has no acceleration

Danny

I’m still trying to work out how the goal wasn’t offside. It’s worrying because if it had been cancelled then a nil nil drew with Norwich is beyond useless.
Hopefully now we’ve won and we’re off the bottom, psychologically things can only get better but I still want Arteta and of course Edu out of our club.

Pedro

Surfer bringing out the big gun references with Oleg!

Same as you, goals is the concern. We need a lot from players that don’t have great track records.

Radio Raheem

We could play a diamond 442 with Laca and Auba upfront with ESR behind them.

Midfielder three of Partey, Xhaka/Lokonga and Ode.

Saka and ESR have been overplayed the last year or two. I don’t think bit was a coincidence ESR had a good impact coming off the bench yesterday.

Danny

Nice that when we scored we had 6 British players on the pitch, just throw in Holding instead of Gabriel etc

Radio Raheem

The goal wasn’t offside because it rebounded off their goalie to Auba who was onside at the time. Initially, Auba was offside but that was considered another phase of play.

I know it’s the same phase of play for most reasonable people but dem are da rules!

RecycledOldSock

The usual suspects lauding a drab narrow 1 nil win against cannon fodder.

The nightmare continues.

Chris

Pedro

I didn’t mean necessarily only playing one of Odegaard or ESR, I feel they both do their best work through the middle. So can we play them both there? A double AMC formation as such probably means leaving out one of Saka or Pepe. We undoubtedly have a lot of options now, its whether they will deliver and how best use them all efficiently

Dissenter

Danny
‘ I’m still trying to work out how the goal wasn’t offside. It’s worrying because if it had been cancelled then a nil nil drew with Norwich is beyond useless.
Hopefully now we’ve won and we’re off the bottom, psychologically things can only get better but I still want Arteta and of course Edu out of our club.“

I’ve looked at it too, many time, I’m now convinced it was offside
I hope the resident refereeing conspiracy theorists use that freebie goal to challenge their theories.

I would be peeved if that goal was given against us.

RecycledOldSock

Can anyone explain the offside rule.

Dissenter

Radio
The only contact their keeper had was when he pushed the ball to the bar for the initial Pepe shot,,
Auba was offside …and stayed offside.all through.

Danny

Radio Raheem
September 12, 2021 12:31:36
———–
I’ve just looked at it again and Auba wasn’t onside after the rebound:

https://hohofot.elhighlights.com/embed/5g0muFSdjeN5R

SurferX

@Danny
I’m still trying to work out how the goal wasn’t offside.

Auba only becomes active after the ball cannons off the post then off Pepe as he falls (he was offisde before that, but inactive as he wasnt interfering with play). At that point, he is behind the ball- you cant be offside behind the ball.

Radio Raheem

The only contact their keeper had was when he pushed the ball to the bar for the initial Pepe shot,,
Auba was offside …and stayed offside.all through.
———

Who did the ball rebound off when a couple of players where on the ground before it fell into Auba’s path? I thought it came off the goalie or one of their players. I might be mistaken.

Dissenter

Radio
I thought it did initially, but when you go back and view it again…it didn’t.
We got a freebie yesterday, or we created our our own luck.

Receding Hairline

“The goal wasn’t offside because it rebounded off their goalie to Auba”

Ball came off Pepe to Auba, the second phase argument is probably why it stood

Radio Raheem

Danny and Dissenter,

Just watched the vid again and the second contact by Pepe after it came off the post played Auba onside. It’s like SurferX said above. Auba was behind the ball at the time.

Radio Raheem

Yep I thought it came off the goalie it was in fact off Pepe.

andy1886

Simple answer, play 433 with Partey as a ‘6’ and Ode and ESR as ‘8’s.

Pedro, I spent ten minutes or so talking to a group of Norwich fans in the queue for the tube and in their opinion their side didn’t turn up today. Cantwell didn’t start and Gilmour was rested from their best XI.

Happy with a win, fans certainly support the team in the pitch but opinions on the manager are ‘mixed’ to put it politely.

UTarse

Let’s see if I can give a balanced view….the positives : we scored a goal, we won the game, we created chances…..the negatives : at best we were disjointed, at worst we were haphazard ,almost scatty in our approach play. We struggled against a very poor team, the worst in the league.

This isn’t early days anymore, he’s had ample opportunity to in-still his style or system, there isn’t one.

#CONTEIN

Danny

At that point, he is behind the ball
———-
Sorry, I’m just not seeing it, I don’t see Auba “behind” the ball but all’s good!

Captain Tierney

Since his introduction, ESR has been our best player, by FAR.
Only benched because he was sick.

When he adds final product he’ll ne starting for England

James wood.

Good to get some points on the table.
“But labelling Arteta a risk taker by playing
the new guys.”?.?.?.?.
WELL . -“WHERE ELSE DID HE HAVE TO GO”.

Danny

They say all bad decisions balance up over a season, well both Brentford goals were iffy (plus the match shouldn’t have been played at all!), for Man C’s 2nd Chambers got thumped in the face etc etc

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