Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal
Hello, and welcome back to the Talking Out of My Arsenal blog. Let me start this post off by saying that I woke up very happy yesterday. Monday morning with a smile. A win on opening day, away to United, in a game where we were not the better team. Does it get any better?
Let me elaborate. We won!! FFS, we won. We came, we saw, we took a suspiciously meaningful three points and we headed back to London, so what more do you need on day one? Well, if you were to read the reactions from a contingent of Arsenal fans online, you’d swear we’d just been walloped 8-2 again. This is the kind of carry-on that makes us such fodder for the mocking machine. It’s exasperating, but I’m not spending this blog bemoaning that nonsense. Personally, I’m delighted to win in the manner that we did. Why? The only way from here is up. We were not fit, we were not threatening, we were not fluid, but we left with three points, a clean sheet, and a city of excuses crying into their pints.
My feeling prior to the game was one of nervous excitement. Optimism and anxiety in equilibrium. I thought we would win, but when its Manchester United at Old Trafford, a delusively optimistic and noisy fanbase, and the risk of a reaction from the abysmal season they’ve just had, it was never guaranteed. Had we come away from there without the victory at that performance level, I think the media narrative would be damning. That’s the kind of pressure that can end a season before it begins. A win on the other hand, given that City, Liverpool and Chelsea (ha ha), had already played and for the most part, won, was for me, crucial. You’ve got to keep early pace, and to quote Roy Keane, lay down an early marker. We did that, of sorts.
Prior to kick-off, I mostly liked the Arsenal line-up, but funnily enough, questioned the selection of Ricci Calafiori. Woops… Other than that, I’d have picked the same starting eleven, with a coin toss between Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz. My concern was the beautifully sexy chaos that comes personified in our Italian LB, but as it turns out, not only was he our game-winner, but one of our better performers.
Set Piece FC seems to be thrown at Arsenal as an insult. I don’t get that… I love it. Yes, I’d prefer we scored more goals from open play, but how is it an insult to be the best in the country at scoring from a set piece? There’s not a team in England who wouldn’t give a bollock to have a player who can put a ball in like Declan Rice, (or for that matter, the other bollock for the likes of a Gabriel to be on the end of it).
This time round, Gabriel wasn’t needed. Frankly, Calafiori probably wasn’t needed either as that ball was going in directly, one way or another. What a corner kick, and whilst I can understand United fans complaining about the League Two level of their goalkeeper, I do not accept any complaints that it was a foul. Still frames can tell any story you want but in real time, Bayindir just wasn’t commanding enough. If the De Ligt / Raya corner had yielded the same result, there would be no mention of it. Thankfully our goalkeeper isn’t a lil’ bitty bitch.
On the topic of Raya, SKY Sports gave him MOTM. I probably wouldn’t have, and gone with either Saliba or a more divisive choice in Martin Odegaard, but the moments that mattered it’s clear that Raya rose to the challenge. Saliba looks as good as ever, I thought he was top, and Martin Odegaard despite a mixed performance on the ball really led that team like a captain should.
How’d ya like me now, Tony?
More seriously though, he pressed all game long, martialled his players into position, and had more completed passes than anyone in the Arsenal team. He also had the most misplaced passes, but I liked what I saw from him on Sunday. I won’t shy away from the fact that I was critical of him last year. This weekend, he looked a bit braver, a bit hungrier and a bit more instinctive. Like the Arsenal team, I feel he will go from strength to strength over the next weeks. It makes sense, he’s often the heartbeat of that team in all they do well and vice versa.
Our stars of last season (when fit), Saka and Rice did look someway off the pace. Martinelli also frustrated, but I am not going to stick the boot in on any of them. The desired fluidity and dynamism is simply not there yet. If it’s the same in 3 weeks’ time, then I think there will be a real cause for concern, but not on game week 1. We also shouldn’t deny that Manchester United did look good. I don’t want to be overly glowing in my praise of them, our passing was shite and we didn’t do enough to frustrate them, but they certainly look like they’ve levelled up this season. Perhaps a top half finish is on the cards for them this year.
A last note reserved for the new signings. Gyokeres did struggle, and the concerns that I spoke of previously, still exist with me. Despite that and despite the performance, there are things he does that I like. When his teammates start finding his runs, we will be very dangerous. He’s clearly not fit, and we are not yet able to play with him as he needs but it will come. I’m calling it here, I see him scoring twice against Leeds on Saturday.
Zubimendi started at the base of the midfield, and I felt for him a little bit. I didn’t think he was bad, but the way United played the ball to the wings and utilized the trio of Mbuemo, Cunha and Mount, coupled with the forward pressing of our full backs left Martin a bit exposed. He is another that will adjust to the demands of the Premier League and I reiterate – I believe we’ve a gem on our hands. Just wait.
In summary, I think we have a ways to go, but winners win even when they’re not playing well. We did that on Sunday, and it’s a criticism that has been levelled at us repeatedly in years gone by. We will improve every week, game on game, and I think Leeds is the perfect next opponent. I went to see them against AC Milan in their final preseason friendly in Dublin. They’re not at the level of Arsenal and they’re also quite open particularly on the right. I’m expecting a strong performance and result from the Gunners on the weekend, and that’s it; Here’s to a bright week ahead, Gooners.
Thanks for your time, and as always, if you think I’m just talking out of my arse, tell me why.
TL;DR – a start, a win, and a lot to build on. Set Piece again, Set piece again ole ole! Fitness and cohesion need to be worked on, but bring on Saturday and the first home game of the season. Gyokeres to score at least twice, Zubimendi to dominate, and Martinelli to grab an assist.
Oh, and another clean sheet.
Still TL;DR – boohoo’s from Manchester Fans get me aroused.