Arsenal signed off for International duty with a carefully crafted win against a Burnley side I thought were very impressive. Vincent Kompany and Mikel Arteta were cut from the same Pep-G-athleisure-wear material and battled it out with two teams leaning heavily into the DNA of the great one.
It was always going to be a rough afternoon with Vincent Kompany, the gulf in class was deep and wide, he admitted as much after when he said you need to be ‘perfect’ against this Arsenal side.
Mikel Arteta went through the same phase of not having the right bodies to deliver on the vision. It’s really hard for newly promoted teams that want to entertain. They rarely have the players to sustain it in a league as Brutal as the Premier League – and once they realise that, the coach is asked to play deep block football by the masses, and the ownership group sacks them shortly after. I hope that doesn’t happen to Kompany. He simply doesn’t have the players to decide to move back to Dyche-ball.
Arteta has been given the money to get who he wants and the players are delivering the results, even in third gear. It was an odd approach that he took to bury Burnley. He decided that they don’t like looped crosses into the box, so we battered them for 90 minutes with setpieces and diagonal balls. I didn’t like it to look at, but it’s hard to deny the success of it.
Trossard scored our first, putting his body on the line after Saka nodded a deep cross at the back post. The Belgian nodded in but took a knock so nastly, even the adrenaline of a goal couldn’t get him off the floor. Luckily, nothing was broken, and he continued the game.
Our second goal came from a setpiece, but that was right after Burnley equalised. Tomiyasu wasn’t strong enough on the ball in the box, the impressive Koleosho nabbed the ball off him, cut back to Brownhill, who smashed a deflected shot in through sea of legs. Almost immediately, Arsenal equalised. Trossard found Bill Saliba for a goal in his 50th Premier League game. The man is a colossus. It was great to see him on the scoresheet.
There was time for one more goal. A loose ball from a corner kick looped up on the edge of the box, Zinchenko sniffed out the chance to do something saucy and dropped a ‘special occasions’ scissor kick into the top corner. Very, very naughty.
There was still time for a little more drama. Fabio Vieira, who replaced a drab Kai Havertz, managed to get himself a straight red with a studs up challenge. He deserved it. Shame that sort of punishment isn’t dished out consistently for fouls like that. But we can’t expect any favors from VAR or refs after Mikel led a one-man charge against the awfulness of the officials.
A comfortable afternoon, tactical perfection, and some upward movement in a Premier League that saw bad results for Newcastle and Spurs.
Kai Havertz didn’t drop the performance we were hoping for. It was a limp afternoon for him. It’s not that he’s poor, he’s just been bang average all season. What you can’t take from him is we’re doing really well with him on the side. You can’t have 10 players and do what Arsenal are doing. What you can say is he needs to find his confidence and produce more than 1 goal and 1 assist in all comps. He’ll come good, I’ve no doubt, just wish he’d go a little faster.
Jorginho has quietly been doing the business. He had a great game in the week and did another very good job against Burnley. The errors have been concerning over the past year, but it does feel like he’s finding his footing in this Arsenal team. He also landed a call-up to the Italy squad.
There’s still a bit of a feeling that our front three haven’t really clicked this season. It’s not bad, it’s just not at the level we know it can be. Again, this is good, because the fact it feels like third gear but the output is a lot of wins means there’s still more to come from the team. I am increasingly of the mindset that we’re going to have to add a forward player in January. We’re a long way from one-dimensional going forward, but we lack a killer mode. In games like yesterday, you’re kind of begging for a Haaland/Toney/Oshimen-like target man to eat up those crosses. We said something similar last year… we play with our food, City strikes like a Komodo dragon eating a baby goat. There’s only one outcome. We need some of that in our game.
Overall though, I’m very, very happy with Arsenal. We’ve had a very rough 3 months with injuries to key players and we’ve adapted really well. No Partey, no Jesus, Odegaard has been out, we’ve played HUGE games without Bukayo, Martinelli has done his hammy… but the results keep rolling in. After the international break, we’ll have Jesus, Smith Rowe, Odegaard, and hopefully Ben White all ready to go. That’s a very good set of players that’ll give us some extra bang-bang over the December period. No one has noticed that we’ve been shapeshifting and winning. That’ll come in so handy in the backend of the season when we can rotate heavily and still hit the heights with output.
Ok, great. What a lovely day. I’m going to direct you to listen to the latest podcast RIGHT NOW.
Galaxy brain was at Manchester City and only got the crocks, he had no eyes to spot palmer? So much for galaxy brain
We owe those cunts a couple of pints
Pochettîno about to kill the ref lol
Did you guys see Poch go off?
Is he mad at the ref?
Damn
Diss, big result for us!
This Palmer lad has balls of steel. Chavs played quite well. Game of the season so far.
Whewww .. ok then well both teams… I can’t stand dropped points in the end..so good result.
but really wanted that City loss.
Palmer…is class
City have been very lucky. Walker should have been carded for a blatant handball. VAR didn’t even look at it. So predictable
City are not running away with anything this season
Sometimes corruption doesn’t always pay…never mind $hity.
Palmer is the player Arteta thought he was
Buying when he bought Havertz
Palmer is a great prospect. I’ve had him in my fantasy team for some time. Having said that Saka is a permanent fixture in that team.
Respect to Chelsea who took it to City incredible game
Lunch time kick off in 13 days is Liverpool vs City.
The league is heating up.
The title may come down to three teams and be settled in the last week or two of the season
The real X factor that makes City win these close games is Kevin Debruyne. When he is back, that is when to worry.
The league is wide open…
@hab.. completely agree, their a different beast when he’s playing
Yeah Midwest, but still hurts that they were gifted a point because of the long forgotten bogus penalty at the start.
Every team that goes against the middle eastern trillionaires is starting one goal down… even big money clubs like Chelsea and United have been cheated in the past few weeks. What chance do smaller clubs have?
Ref got all the decisions spot on. The penalty for city was soft though.
Poch was excellent with his decisions during the game. I wish Arteta learns to help our team in a similar way.
They’ve got the in form scousers next… another draw would be ideal
Anthony Taylor saved City. They should have lost today to be honest.
Mudryk did fuck all btw.
The extreme limited abilities by our apprentice manager in training to spot talent was on display today for all to see. How the fuck did he not see Palmer’s talent while coaching at City? Only one explanation talent spotting is just not in his toolbox, He rather spent £65 for Havertz a total dud, instead of £42.5 million on Palmer. That says it all.
Poch and the Chavs are ticking atm and will be a force to be reckoned with as we already saw in the 2:2 draw. FFS get a competent front office team in that The Arsenal deserves not this imitation one.
Murdyk is ukranian sancho. When he came on, I thought poch was sabotaging Tottenham himself
MG,
Palmer is not an #8.
We were looking for a replacement for Xhaka.
Plus the Palmer in action currently is a far cry from the one who was in the City youth ranks when Arteta was there.
Also i highly doubt City are selling us any more players
Whoever is the barber for Cole Palmer needs to be fired lol.
Lol why make the lad look like Friar Tuck?
Yikes
…there’s a fair few teams in the league playing better more attractive and aggressive football than us at the moment…we’ve improved squad wise, but are crying out for improvement up top
We didn’t need Palmer if we weren’t looking for an option for Saka. But we could have signed a much better player than Havertz. Had we done so, we would have had a much better chance.
Brentford and Villa away when we come back. We have to keep winning our games.
This Chelsea City result is fantastic for us and all Neutrals, City are no longer unbeatable I am very optimistic about our team, particularly the calm collected mature performance we are displaying albeit unwatchable football, yesterday was awful football, but one can not expect any thing better if your are fielding Jorginho and Rice in midfield, having said that we won and the three points is all that matters with more lack it could be our time this season.
What frustrates me being English born is that we have one of the deepest, if not close to the best, talent pools in the world.
The best league in terms of talent, money, excitement and quality of product.
Yet our officiating is so piss poor … absolutely shocking and unacceptable…
raptoraNovember 12, 2023 18:42:44
“Poch was excellent with his decisions during the game. I wish Arteta learns to help our team in a similar way.”
Arsenal have more goals from the subs bench than any other team this season.
There is an improvement there, Rich. Hopefully the trend continues.
I think Palmer played at RCM today, at least at the end.
Yeah let’s not get too far up Palmers arse, let’s give him half a season!! 🙄 Idiot!!
The kid has already shown more in his short time than Havertz ever has.
Put Saka at left 8. Jesus right wing when fit and buy another right winger (like Palmer) …maybe Neto from Wolves.
Trossard at 9 for now, but also buy a better starter in front of him. Sell Nketiah and Nelson.
Lol Mg42-gd4 talking to himself again… they should do a psychological. study on this guy…
But.. toggle that VPN.
….And its all misery and shite about Arsenal too. Real pleasant poster for legrove Pedro. Must be fun at a party.
‘Real pleasant poster for legrove Pedro. Must be fun at a party.’
The lack of self awareness is strong in this one!
Palmer to Arsenal would’ve probably been a none starter considering City vehemently said no to our Cancelo inquiries.
Saka has been average so far this season..
Saka has a goal contribution every 95 minutes this season, 6 goals + 8 assists.
Got a brilliant assist yesterday, had no right to win a header in between 2 centre half’s, also got an assist and a brilliant goal against Sevilla on Wednesday.
If this is what Saka is like when he’s not at his best… Have mercy on the souls of the rest of the league when he gets going.
And what sort of genius are you exactly Nigel, serious question?
Saka for an average season still has more goals and assists than Phil Foden the golden boy
Foden for me every day…looks dangerous every time he plays..
Foden goal contribution every 145 minutes this season, and playing with their first choice centre centre.
Saka goal contribution every 105 minutes, Jesus has started 1 PL game.
Foden might look dangerous, but Saka is more dangerous.
Outrageous
https://x.com/footballontnt/status/1723801265631539383?s=61
Habesha…
Man City play Liverpool in 2 weeks so somebody is dropping points…We need to focus on our next game, of course but….
Aston Villa after that is a battle.
We are Aston Villa’s Super Bowl….
They fancy themselves rivals and equals, and the effort they drop on us will be big. That is hard one on our fixture list.
Chelsea have a season when they are playing without fear or pressure ، meaning they will be Involved in many games similar to what we have seen this 2 week v tottenhama and city…
Pochettino is taking a different direction to Arteta’s first 2 years at Arsenal in that it looks like he has told his players to go out and enjoy themselves on the pitch and not get bogged down with tactics and systems.
Time will tell if pochettino has taken the right path.
Sterling looks back to his best، Palmer is quality but it’s Reece James staying fit over the next few seasons that could determine if they are successful or not.
Watching Caicedo today makes me thankful that we didn’t buy him ، he has a poor understanding of the game and his decision making and positioning for a defensive midfielder was abysmal at times..
Enzo Fernandes isn’t much better.
Jackson has a poor technique when striking a ball so he will be hoping for 5 yard tap ins similar to what we have seen this week ، mudryk looks like a cat caught in the headlights…
City were gifted their first goal by a ridiculous penalty award that should surely have been overturned by VAR due to Haaland’s pull on the chelsea defender.
One point behind city going into the international break is a nice position to be in، personally I am confident of Arsenal going all the way this season due to our defensive discipline and a better keeper.
Whatever you think of City’s past financial shenanigans they don’t dwarf financially their immediate competitors.
_______Yes they do…
Middy, the article you’re referencing was written before the summer TW during which Chelsea has overtaken City for the period beginning in 2008.
In any event it’s splitting hair because Chelsea, United, and City have all spent in the same ballpark on transfers and wages for the period, which is definitely not the case for Bayern vis a vis their Bundesliga competition…….which was the point.
Great comment from Pierre. Many good points!
And how perfect was Ederson against Chelsea? Not so much.
Just imagine that performance from Raya (or Ramsdale for that matter). The pitchforks would be out from gooners.
@Vickingz:
Galaxy brain was at Manchester City and only got the crocks, he had no eyes to spot palmer? So much for galaxy brain
Every bad thing in your life is conveniently blamed on “Galaxy Brain”. As if you would have done any better if you were in his shoes. SMH.
MG42 and Vikings
If both of you have half of Arteta’s brain,you guys won’t be where you are today.
Wow nice weekend for us
City Chelsea spurs and Newcastle ALL dropped points
City’s next 3 league games are liverpool city and villa
Our next 3 are brentford wolves and luton
We have to find 9 points from those 3 and if we do we stand a real chance of taking another 3-5 points off City over that period. We have to make it count
Spurs over the same period have Villa city and west ham (followed by Newcastle).
So we should be forcing a gap between us by then.
Pool have city and two easier games so should be getting at least 6 of the next available 9 points. I fancy them to take something off city tho whether or not it’s a win or draw
Crazy fact
If Villa hadn’t lost at Forrest a week or two back they’d be joint top after 12 games.
That club fits Emery like a glove. No expectations of a trophy combined with few egos and an upper mid table quality squad is a perfect equivalent for the teams he’s done great with in the past, like Sevilla and villareal. 13 home wins in a row now and I think only a couple of teams have collected more points than Villa since Emery’s arrival last Oct
We play them in 4 games time and we need to do whatever it takes because that’s a real banana skin match. Last season we beat them with the crazy late Jorginho and Martinelli goals. Hoping we can find a way to make it more routine this time, but I’d take it any which way
MG, you need to pick up the behavior. You’re on an Arsenal blog, shitting on a manager who has us top of our CL group and 2 points off City in the Premier League.
This is not a space for trolls.
Guys, gonna start implementing time outs for people trolling, name calling, or starting fights for no reason.
Arsenal are doing so well and it reads like we’re in 2018 after getting battered by Watford.
Can’t have the few spoiling it for the many.
Can’t be better positioned before yet another interlull…. that said, had more consistent standard been applied in the Newcastle game, we’d be joint top.
I re-watched the City penalty and wondered if we’d ever get one similar. … the ease with which the hull fell was funny! Saka got more push/pull every game in the box and he needs to time the fall better…
Interesting mix of next 3 to 6 games for us and direct title competitors. Per eye test, we still can up our level another 20, 30% and it’s not beyond imagination we’d be top at Xmas / into 2024!
Somehow, we need keep White, Jesus, Partey, Odegaard and ESR relatively injury free going into 2H of the season and we will be in for a good title fight, especially if 1 or 2 coming in/out in the Jan TW…
Habour no expectations on Havertz this season. He’s not Pirès who needed time to get used to the EPL… if however Havertz suddenly snaps into actions, will take it a bonus.
From X:
City won last season conceding 33 goals.
Arsenal conceded 43 in 22/23.
This season, Arsenal is on track to concede 32.
This is why the attack seems more dull than last season. It’s about control. The next modification sees the attack click more while control is maintained.
@pedro, you don’t expect everyone to have same perspective as you. Your scope or lens through which you view success may be short-sighted while another person’s is long-sighted. It’s like trading stocks, forex or crypto, there are different trading techniques depending on your personality. Two people can be trading same pair, having two different perspectives, using two different techniques and both ends up winning depending on what they set out to achieve. There’s unity in diversity. Arsenal is playing well according to you but not to everyone on the blog or on the planet earth. Can’t force your opinion/perspective/narratives down peoples throat
Control IN FRONT of our excellent defenders and keeper…
Declan Rice, of course.
Havertz doing a much better midfield job than most give him credit for..
And Ødegaard doing more midfield work and defending than last season.
More 8 than 10.
Partey hasn’t barely played. So it’s these 3 guys along with our forwards tracking back. Martinelli energy, and Saka much improved in tackling of late, knocking balls loose.
Would be even better if Jesus the master presser was part of it, even though Eddie tries hard.
This populat village whatever is already shifting goal post, just look for whatever fits the narrative, so this season isn’t about winning but about conceding lesser than last season and next season will be about building our attacks. When then are we going to compete to win? Vision 2030??
@kpankulu, stick to what is below you, my comments are above you.
@Vickingz: You are a bitter human. Pity.
Kpankulu,
that sort isn’t worth the effort. Don’t let them drag you down.
Something positive. In 2 weeks we see either or both City and Pool drop points. Two great teams that now respect us.
Things lining up to keep us in the thick of it if we focus match by match… Hopefully all season.
1.trolling
2.name calling
3.starting fights
Unacceptable
Calls himself vickingz and moans all day, everyday. Why do people respond to this hero?
Last season my biggest concern was that Arsenal looked way too dependent on emotional state in matches. Great to see this is been addressed this time around, we are playing slower, calmer, controlled football.
1. Top of CL group
2. Two points off city
Telling you for free
Lol @pedro
This blog constantly shit on wenger and emery for achieving the same. The hypocrisy is unreal. We all enjoy arsenal now, but this is just too much. Smacks of superiority complex of a huge amount.
From mocking untold, to being the new untold, le-grove has come a long way.
@Nigel: I have a good feeling about this season 🙂
A big feature of our play last season is happening again in this one.
Through 12 games, 15 of our players have scored goals. The only regular squad members not to have scored are Jorginho, Partey, Nelson, Gabriel M, Kiwior and Smith-Rowe. Wouldn’t bet against nearly all of them scoring before the season is over.
Our next 3 league fixtures will be 9 points but the 3 fixtures after that are really tough, Villa away, Brighton home and Liverpool away. I’d take 5 points from those quite happily.
Anyone else notice you can now surround the ref unless you are Arsenal of course