THE BIG DAY IS HERE.
Arsenal go to war with Tottenham at The Emirates.
The first MEGA game since fans have been allowed back in the ground.
The first game of this season that truly, truly counts.
This is a cup final, there is no doubt about it, the boys have to show up.
On paper, it’s quite simple for me. Arsenal have a better team, Spurs have better individual talent.
Moura, Alli, Kane and Son are going to be problematic. Kane can kill you from anywhere, he lacks pace, but he’s one of the sharpest strikers in the game. Son is lethal on the counter, we know what a Kane ball over the top can do to Arsenal. All of those players love playing against Arsenal. You can know about their qualities and still not be able to do anything about it.
Spurs have been dreadful this season. They are still a low margins operation in big games. They had 2 shots on target against Chelsea last week despite a good run in the first half. They totally collapsed in the second half, Chelsea created 14 shots, 10 on target. They were awful against Palace, managing just 2 attempts all game. I thought they were second best against Wolves and City.
… but you know how it goes. Form doesn’t count, it’s about who shows up on the day. Today, it simply has to be us.
There are some things we’re looking for.
Granit Xhaka is weirdly splitting fans down the middle. For me, he’s out the side currently because he did two stupid things concurrently. Since he’s been absent, we’ve won all our games. I’d prefer to have Sambi starting out there. He moves the ball faster, he’s more aggressive with his passing, and he’s more mobile.
I don’t think there’s really a debate on which keeper we want out there. But this is a big one. Doing bits against Burnley was huge for him, but that’s bread and butter. What we want to know is how does he do under the bright lights of a derby game? More shots to deal with, more pressure, better oppo. This game is massive for his season.
It’s also a big game for Ben White. The ‘he gets bullied’ narrative was binned against Burnley, and made to look a little laughable as Ivan Toney dominated against Liverpool’s defenders yesterday… but he needs a complete game. We want to see elite passing, we don’t want him putting others under pressure, and we’d like to see some leadership. On the Brentford story, are we at the point now where we can say they are a bit good? Liverpool’s best team conceded 3. We lost with 9 players on the outpatient list. You always want to win, but it’s pretty clear they are no whipping boys this season.
Outside that, we have to look to our big names to bring home the bacon. Auba needs to keep running, because the goals will come. Odegaard, who is one of the best pressers in the league currently, needs to lead and show us the special sauce he has. Finally, we need our wide players to show up with shots on target today. ESR, Pepe, and Saka need to bring the levels up.
This is also a special one for the fans, who have been excellent all season. We need to tear the roof down for this one. Encourage the players, make them feel special, and make loads of noise all game. We’ll be doing out bit on the site. I honestly can’t believe I have to say it, but if you are in the comments here sniping at Arsenal on a NLD day, you’ll go in the bin. No one wants to read it. This is an Arsenal blog, if you behave like a rival fan, you’ll be moved on.
Back to some more context. If we win today, we’d be 5 points off top of the table Liverpool. United lost to Villa, Liverpool dropped points to Burnley. The MIGHTY Leicester, the team with the biggest fan club going because they make Champ Man signings… drew to Burnley. The Premier League is outrageously strong this season, it’ll be close between the teams below City and Liverpool. Let’s hope we can keep pressure on the chasing pack.
Ok, that’s me done for now. Tune in for an OTW podcast right after the game.
SEE YOU IN THE COMMENTS x
*there
Arteta’s emotion wasn’t lost on me, dude was going postal.
Some great pictures floating around the web of Tets in full flight… he knows.
We got a bit lucky on that second goal, but it has to go down as one of the goals of the season
Like a hot knife through butter
GUNNERS BABY
Best performance beginning to end that I have seen in a long time, struggling to remember a recent one that was better. Christ this team is hot and cold, just when you think they’re fucked, they come out looking like Alabama vs Southern Miss.
Sometimes I think these last two years have been an amazing troll job from Arteta and his count chocula lookin ass. All the elements are there.
Come on you GUNNERS! Spurs can suck it!
Serge,
Me too, been on the beers all day but its worth it. Nothing beats the NLD.
Rich
Yes, I wonder if Kane will claim an assist!
I like the fact Ben white has gone about his business silently. Making the critics eat their words
Ramsdale is having a massive effect on the team. Defenders generally look more confident with him in goal (Martinez had a similar effect) and his composure on the ball really reminds me of the city GK, makes it look easy. I think someone at the club has picked him out for his mentality and how he handles pressure – still looking like a very good signing not many would have expected. Brilliant to see Auba scoring a proper goal (he would have missed that last season) and, from the sounds of it, playing very well all-round. Hope he keeps that… Read more »
Pedro,
I think Ramsdale is a real character. Big cheerleader on the field. Astonishing save today. And should only get better. There’s the makings of a club legend there. I’m excited to see him grow. My favourite line from today ‘Rampant Gunners claim Derby spoils. Rampant Gunners. Love it
Spudnik.
I said this earlier.
What a lot of people didn’t realise was that Ramsdale was bought to be first choice ‘keeper. That may be why their was angst about the fee from people who had never seen him play. He inspires those around him. The way he high-fived Tomi for his clearance was fantastic to see.
Ramsdale and white were derided on here, they could turn out to be top signings
like I always say a player needs months to settle
League position does matter after 6 games. It’s 16% of the season and will have an impact come the end of the season.
It’s hard to see us coming close to Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool and I’m fine with that. However, there’s no reason we can’t beat a disjointed United with an average manager to a Top 4 place.
Win against spurs is golden. Even more so, when it’s been so rare recently.
Honestly think Odegaard is a catalyst for a lot of recent results and our 2nd half of last season, it’s not a coincidence we are winning when he is there. I was dubious about the Ramsdale signing but he does indeed seem to be the business. I asked a couple of Bournemouth fans about him after the signing and they said as much too. Nice to be proved wrong.
Have to think the Amazon crew got some pretty rocking footage today!
Me Serge: Agreed, but it’s a bit weird how many on here were writing them off before they’d even kicked a ball.
This Tufnel character talks absolute shite.
Getting beaten up in an Arsenal pub for stating that Xhaka is a dodgy player? lol
Tufnel is one of those that want people to say that all the Arsenal players are really good.
We wish this was the case of course.
Ramsdale is an Arsenal fan so will have extra motivation to do well, and his spirit and enthusiasm is infectious and endearing.
Odegaard is a brilliant footballer, knits everything together brilliantly
I was told I was losing the plot when I said Odegaard would be a much better signing than Maddison
I’m confident he’ll develop into one of the league’s best attacking midfielders over the next 2 seasons, his ceiling is massive
Matt
“You’re intentionally missing the point of what I am saying and trying to make me look like a prick.”
Of course.
That’s because you keep responding.
You are devouring the bait.
Well said Mr Serge
Those plonkers won’t own up and say they were badly mistaken
Rich, give us the tactical hot take so I can steal it for the blog tomorrow.
Rich
I think more than Odegaard the real key here in regards attack as others have indicated is the ditching of Pepe.
Just little tweaks here and there such as dropping a player can have big impacts as a whole.
Just watched MOTD
I can’t get enough of this shit.
THE GLORY!!! VICTORYS OURS!!!
Ishola I dislike xhaka immensely but he was good today can’t believe the guy got injured very unlike him .
He looked good because he was not pressed as ndombele and hojberg were useless today
Give xhaka space and he is good
Mr Serge
” I dislike xhaka immensely but he was good today can’t believe the guy got injured very unlike him .”
I already said he did ok today as well.
I’m just still creasing up though at the idea that you would get beaten to a pulp by Gooners in a pub for saying he is a bit dodgy.
A lean mean machine
Serge
“Ramsdale and white were derided on here, they could turn out to be top signings”
Yep, when White beat Kane in the air to start the move for our first goal, I laughed. How can a bloke who’s only 4ft 6″ jump so high? When Ramsdale somehow pushed that shot from Moura onto the bar, I laughed again, didn’t he get two teams relegated?
Sometimes things come back to bite you on the arse. They’ve all gone missing today, which probably says everything you need to know.
“I’m just still creasing up though at the idea that you would get beaten to a pulp by Gooners in a pub for saying he is a bit dodgy.”
Maybe he drinks in an Albanian pub. The slug and Eagle
Vintage Gun
“Maybe he drinks in an Albanian pub. The slug and Eagle”
lol good one.
They would actually f*cking kill you in the Slug And Eagle for any word out of turn about Xhaka.
Terminate you.
Ishola70September 26, 2021 22:55:57 Mr Serge ” I dislike xhaka immensely but he was good today can’t believe the guy got injured very unlike him .”I already said he did ok today as well.I’m just still creasing up though at the idea that you would get beaten to a pulp by Gooners in a pub for saying he is a bit dodgy. Was stating my opinion did not know what you said about him No way you get beaten up in an arsenal pub as an arsenal fan that’s crap lol I slag him off all the time and no… Read more »
Pedro I love that you were using “Hot Takes” as a segment on the pod tonight, also nice to see Johnny smiling for a change…. My “Hot Take” on the game is, it wasn’t as comfy as it seemed overall, it was fine margins Spurs can feel aggrieved on the second goal, Xhaka didn’t play the ball, we got lucky We did get screwed on the 2 goals against Brentford, and the Saka penalty decision that went against us against Chelsea, so swings and roundabouts….. Kane should have had a clear penalty, his header in the first half was close,… Read more »
I like to watch the pod live is it always on after a game ?
An excellent win, excellent performance, just an exquisite Spurs thumping.
Pedro
The most important point about today’s result was how the “supporters/fans” who attended
today’s game reacted.
Emirates Stadium has been described in the past as a “library”. If you had been at today’s game you would have been impressed by the noise level.
Ishola70 says ….’September 26, 2021 22:46:23 “This Tufnel character talks absolute shite.Getting beaten up in an Arsenal pub for stating that Xhaka is a dodgy player? lolTufnel is one of those that want people to say that all the Arsenal players are really good.” Neat little media style trick their using a dishonest example, then basing your still negative comment about Arsenal on it. To do it on the day of the best win since the FA cup shows your ” love” for the club. The whole lie in one word. DODGY. If that were the type of critical comment… Read more »
Ødegaard is class, cracks me up he gets a rough ride on here.
If you saw any bit Øde at Sociedad, that’s where it became apparent he was more than just kid phenom with potential. Just dream-weaving balls to Oyarzabal, Isak and Jose with Merino and Illaramendi in support.
Thankfully we’re just beginning to see what he’s got on offer, our best signing this summer for me considering need.
Rich, Xhakas wasn’t a foul you can see Hojberg dive a couple of seconds later. You are allowed to turn a player We cut Spurs open too easily and because we went in three up, psychologically that has an affect. As such the players tended to drop deep as the game went on, which encouraged Spurs onto us, as they had to. They had a punchers chance. . They didn’t deserve anything out of the game, we controlled mist of it As the players mature they will manage those games better but ultimately we was at least two goals better… Read more »
LOL
Now ishola edits again to just…
Xhaka is just ” A bit dodgy”
Later it will become a teeney, tiny bit dodgy.
Everyone who comes here sees the abuse that’s hurled at our own guys, every day, all day long.. A hundred times worse than dodgy.
So the only person you’re convincing is yourself.
The rest of us just see a dishonest little man, who probably has some underlying unhappiness driving that vitriol.
Well said sal
*Spurs weren’t
The Odegaard/ESR/Saka combo are really exciting to watch and would also work with Laca or Eddie as strikers. Lots of creativity and quick and intelligent interplay.
Pep and Martinelli as impact subs.
Emirates. I was at the Norwich game and I couldn’t remember noise like it. I said at the time there seemed an excitement about the place an expectation even. Over the years there are times when the crowd can sense something happening. Hard to describe but when you see desire and effort from young players it does something.
A few of my favourite lesser noticed things in the match:
1) Auba challenged for and actually won quite a few headers. He also (gulp) did a fair bit of pretty good hold up play. Can’t remember seeing that for a while (if ever).
2) Son did not have his usual irritating choir boy beaming smile on his face.
3) Kane didn’t buy his usual quota of fouls for nonexistent fouls. Also I’ve never seen the C-nt look so miserable.
4) We actually had a solid and functioning midfield which dominated the centre of the pitch.
Tufnel really lowering the tone on here with his kiddie inputs.
Well done Tuffers.
Nigel,
What’s your point here? That Xhaka is a great player? Very few people would agree with that considering we have 5 years worth of proof that he’s anything but.
I’m very happy he played well today, considering what usually happens when he doesn’t. But let’s not pretend that playing him is some sort of sage tactical move. It’s like playing Russian roulette. Most of the time you won’t shoot yourself in the head. But there’s no point celebrating that because eventually you will. I really hope we can phase Sambi in as soon as possible.
Hey everyone, let’s be kind to each other.
Xhaka is nailed on to brain fart at least twice a season
But he’s a much more important player than many seem to think, hopefully he’s ok, because we’re definitely going to need him
Our new back 5, and a midfield trio of Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, is decent
Keep that together, and we’ll get plenty of results
Emirates, it looked immense. Pure support. Fans that were there tell me something special is brewing. How you feeling?
Hot take. Most of the negative twats on here who call themselves arsenal supporters are still thinking of a way to be negative.
Love you Arsenal
The Arsenal
Xhaka was decent (yes we need a upgrade but, stay off his back)
Ramsdale – what a save
Be fucking happy
WOB “1) Auba challenged for and actually won quite a few headers” I have a little theory on this … When Ramsdale kicked long he didn’t look for Aubameyang, he looked to aim the ball at a Tottenham defender and as the ball was in the air Aubameyang would move into the defenders space to beat him to the header. If this was a devised tactic, which i think it was , it worked well and this may be another advantage of having a keeper who kicks the ball to the right area with the right pace on the ball… Read more »
Will you all just savour a DERBY win and stop choosing the next player you’ll unfairly judge or decide to be Arsenal Enemy No 1
A win against Spurs is always a plus, talk less of an excellent performance which some of you weirdly find hard to savour
With a tired heavy head and a belly full of beer, what a great day it was today ?!! The atmosphere at and around the Emirates today was electric. Fans were up for it, the players equally up for it , it was a special NLD today… the players showed just how good they can play together. For the love of god tets, release the shackles like you did today… you almost had a perfect day but for bringing xhaka straight back in the team which could have bitten you on the Arse, thank fuck you got away with it….… Read more »
3 Hale end boys
5 Arteta signings
No way are we the finished article but damn that felt good beating the inferior club.
Rich “Our new back 5, and a midfield trio of Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, is decent. Keep that together, and we’ll get plenty of results” I concur. At last we have balance and a group of players comfortable against the press. That was never more evident than in the three goals where our movement in transition was special. With the three at the back all comfortable on the ball, we can push numbers forward and in Odegaard, ESR & Saka, we have a trio that can cause problems for anyone. The fact this team has hardly played together has to inspire… Read more »
With a tired heavy head and a belly full of beer, what a great day it was today ?!! The atmosphere at and around the Emirates today was electric. Fans were up for it, the players equally up for it , it was a special NLD today… the players showed just how good they can play together. For the love of god tets, release the shackles like you did today… you almost had a perfect day but for bringing xhaka straight back in the team which could have bitten you on the Arse, thank fuck you got away with it….… Read more »
Pierre,
Thinking back on the headers Auba won, I think your theory that this is a newly devised tactic is bang on.
Pedro
I feel excellent and thoroughly enjoyed today’s game.
It should not be forgotten that only three of today’s team are aged 24+ and it was enjoyable to
watch such a young team rip Spurs to shreds.
I think that what we are seeing at the Emirates is a new breed of supporter and it is creating a much better atmosphere at the ground.. I was a the home game v Chelsea and it was very noticeable how vocal and intense the atmosphere was despite a poor result.. Is there a reason for this …maybe . What we have seen over the past 3 or 4 years is many season ticket holders not renewing and this has allowed a new breed of fan into the ground.. The new breed haven’t experienced being at highbury or the Emirates… Read more »
Next step?
Win against Brighton.
Consistency is the name of the game now.
A lovely trip to Brighton. I love away days
Pierre
Definitely more positivity in the stadium. It could be the fact we have so many exciting young players or just the fact we’re all able to watch our team live again after the pandemic. Whatever it is, it is far better for the players and results.
Pedro the atmosphere for all the home games so far (I missed the Chelsea game ) have been immense it’s been ages since it’s been like that
I think covid has a lot to do with it not being able to support your team over the last 22 months has been hard and I think the FANS at the ground really get that and are happy to be back
Edu have taken a lot of flak for his mistakes but we have to say his purchases in this summer have been right on.
Tomi, White, Odegaard and Ramsdale were excellent, in my mind their best games in our colours.
Sambi and Tavares have been excellent in the games in which they have played.
Six solid signings.
£150m well spent. When’s the last we could say that?
Let’s hope he can follow up with solid sales out in January… so that we can spend smartly again summer.
I was too tired to watch the second half. Only had 1 hour sleep on Sat night and worked 10 hours on Sunday as well so I was dead.
Haven’t checked anything about the second half other than the score, but assuming it was much worse than the first half great job to everyone at the club on a fantastic day
Pierre, not sure I can have that. You are just writing for your own agenda there. Same fans were hounding Emery out 18 months ago. What you are seeing is fans reacting to a plan, a group of very likable young players, as well as countering the rep that we’re shit supporters. A bit of siege mentality.
There’s hope in the system for the first time in a long while and fans can sense it.
Assuming it wasn’t much worse*
Brilliant day! The usual suspects don’t post on here when we win?
Loco
Leeds, damn right.
Crimson, I cleared out a group of them this morning before the game due to unacceptable preNLD behavior.
*last time
*their best game in our colours
*spent smartly next summer…
Pedro
I’ll settle for a bit of both …a new breed of fan and a siege mentality. from the regular fans which provides a great atmosphere.
Xhaka had a good game
This does not make him a good player. Good players are good the vast majority of the time, not just occasionally
But therein lies the revisionism with Xhaka. He has been present and poor in 80-90% of all of our bad games (including all of our bad games this season). But come into the team after a few games out and have a good game and none of that matters because he’s now good. Forget the hundred average and poor games – he’s had a good game so he’s now good.
Pierre, whatever it is, I love it. Hearing that Eddie is massively impressing everyone behind the scenes. Think there might be a charm offensive occurring to get him to a deal.
China, Xhaka is a good player. That’s why he gets picked. He was great today and it was fairly predictable he’d be great.
Was he great in the first 3 games of the season?
China, when we had 9 players missing and played the European Cup Finalists back to back? Ask this… was he a top performer during our post-Christmas Run? Yes. Was he a top performer during the Euros? Yes. Picking on Xhaka after today is a bit boring.
I’m sorry but if we had other players missing and if the opposition is good has absolutely no bearing on if he should be good
Good players normally play well. He didn’t do well against newly promoted brentford. He didn’t do well against Chelsea and he contributed to costing us the game against city. He started the season horribly. He’s played very well yesterday which is nice – but the whitewashing of his level every time he has one good game is why he’s been allowed to drink out the place for so many years without recourse
Also being good at the euros doesn’t help us. It’s a different team playing a small handful of matches (mostly at a slower tempo) at a different team
You can be Messi for your national team but if you’re Chamakh for arsenal it doesn’t matter to me
China, trying to pick a battle over Xhaka after he started both goals is a bit meek… especially after you’ve spent the last 3 months slating this Arsenal side.
Leeds
“Six solid signings.£150m well spent. When’s the last we could say that?Let’s hope he can follow up with solid sales out in January… so that we can spend smartly again summer”
Agree. Summer will depend a lot on where we finish, in terms of identifying what we need and the calibre we can attract. There’ll be a number of outgoings that’s for sure.
China1
Two things can be true.
1. Xhaka isn’t good enough which is why he will be moved on
2. It isn’t the best timing to lay onto someone who just played well and played himself to the ground
My tactical hot take is this.. What is Pep known for.. ? Counter pressing.. as soon as his teams lose the ball they immediately swarm to the ball and try to get it back so they can spring the counter attack. He did at Barca to perfection and Bayern and City… Well today Teta finally took a page from his book and had the team doing the same things.. we had 10 interceptions and 22 tackles.. Thats high. Auba had 3 tackles.. When is the last time you saw Auba tackle anyone? And when we got the ball back we… Read more »
The match summary from who scored.. Arsenal.. Stole the ball often, Were effective in creating goalscoring opportunites from counter attacks and finshed strong Thats not fine margins. That s creating your own hgh margin opportunities.
Middy, Auba won a lot of aerial duels as well
What a result. Xhaka really messes with me. I don’t rate him but clearly he’s good. I just don’t get why he’s so inconsistent. Maybe the system or the players he’s had around him before. IMO, if he can maintain form in this system with this new group of players his experience will be invaluable for all the young players. I just hope he doesn’t let us down again
Yep Auba .. was best Ive seen him in about a year. In his intervoew after the game he said he didnt want to let ESR and Saka down becuase they wanted to win the derby so badly. And that Henry throwback celebration he did with theh kneeslide.. and the pumped fist.. he knew Th14 was watching clearly… Love that.
That’s was a legendary victory yesterday. It’s great to feel the passion and the support again. The difference for me on the pitch is the chasing, the heart, and the quick turnover as much as anything else. In previous seasons we’ve shown that kind of desire on rare occasions but failed to keep it up. With the lack of European football and our youngish team we should really be able to keep that energy up all season and take it into every game. If we do, there’s no reason why we can’t be pushing for a top four spot. Xhaka… Read more »
What a game! I loved the intensity and directness of our attack. Though I wish the players showed this win at all cost mentality in other games too. I feel the club places too much importance on the NLD for newer players that it’s the only must win game of the season. I mean, I would love to see this intensity against chelsea and city, because when we get going, our attack is very strong. Even if we lose 2-1 then, the fans wouldn’t feel so bad. Sorry for complaining after that giant performance but I do feel we don’t… Read more »
The ctriticism of Arteta’s style of play… and to be honest rightly so is playing donut football.. passing sideways and backwards endlessly around.avoiding the middle of the pitch. . None of that on display today. That gives me tons of hope going forward. Im actually encouraged that Ode and Partey were allowed to make errors in possession trying to make things happen in the center of the park. It almost cost us once but Ramsdale cleaned up Ode’s error with a good save.
Steg, he’s actually really consistent… but he has mega fucks ups when they land. Super dim. So they stand out. He played like today from December onwards. You just don’t notice because you are always waiting for the inevitable
Midwest,
Agreed, playing through the middle was the difference today. And the Spuds only had Hojbjerg in front of the back line so they clearly didn’t expect it. They probably thought it would be the same old with Tierney swinging in crosses. We need to keep doing it – with Ode, ESR etc we have the players to pull it off.
I think Im going to rewatch the first half again, tomorrow morning to get my week started off right… It was that good. Like watching a motivational video.
Love Sausage…
Yep… Nuno.. said the game plan was wrong and thats on him.., but then he threw the players under the bus and said they didnt execute it right even though it was wrong. Hahaha dude made no sense at all.
Xhaka is not a brilliant player, but he is not half as bad as is portrayed on Le Grove.
The reason that he played well yesterday is that Partey is now making an impact in games
and the other players in midfield and defence provide the required energy and skill, which has
been lacking in the team in recent years.
Gonsterous, I honestly cannot fathom how you watched the Norwich and Burnley games and thought we were tame.
Midwest
Excellent comment on our counter-pressing. This is the perfect season to ramp up the high defensive pressure. No midweek games and plenty of rest for key players.
We should be looking to run other teams off the pitch.
When Wenger was at his best, we would just surround the opposition in their own half, win the ball back quickly and go to work with one touch passes and great off the ball movement. The F.A Cup win over Aston Villa was perhaps the embodiment of this (and yes Pierre, Ozil was in the side for that one!)
Great win… time to build on this.
take it one game at a time… but the more our CM’s are doing well, its clear to see the net effect on the whole team
North London is red!!!
That is the lineup that should start every premier league game if health allows.
With one game a week they should be able to really develop chemistry and grow together.
The new signings are great but smith Rowe and saka are the present and future of Arsenal.
Let’s keep this snow ball rolling so it keeps growing and start really rolling over teams.
Up the Arse!
China is one of two things. He is either a child pretending to be an adult or has never kicked a ball in his life. (his demand of perfection in every single game, or stupid pronouncements of Xhaka being poor in 90% of our bad games is more than a bit child-like), 90%, very realistic 2ven though at least 5 professional managers have relied on him for years now.. his German Mgr, Swiss, Wenger, Emery, now Arteta. Either way, we are finding out a lot about many of the posters here since last summer. Many of us are tired of… Read more »