Another efficient victory then. Few injuries about, but we just march on. Crucial to get the win at Sunderland this weekend before the international break. Hopefully we return with no new injuries, and a few players back. When we return, we have a tough little run with Spurs, Bayern then Chelsea, and insane fixture congestion through Dec/Jan. As fun as it all seems right now, things can go south very quickly, imagine a draw to Spurs, losing to Bayern, then falling over against Chelsea for example. Within a single week the narrative would be flipped and the pressure on.
I went from happy with our depth to pretty nervous. Gyokeres, Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus all injured is scary. We suddenly don’t have a heap of depth up top.
I keep wanting to see more of this Harriman-Annous kid, but alas with Merino's form it's hard to argue for it. The Bayern fixture is mouth watering, but I'm really nervous. I'm sure it's scar tissue from that period where either them or Barcelona would batter us. Thankfully Diaz got himself sent off. Would love to see Kane come back to the Emirates and lose without scoring.
A thought on hand balls in Europe; they’re incredibly inconsistent. Ours felt generous, especially when none of our players were appealing them. Galatsary had 2 similarly generous ones given. But then Marseille were denied on which looked much more nailed on than any of the above, but to kick them in the teeth Atalanta drove down the field and scored within the same play. Its the inconsistency that is the downfall of it, more so than the ease with which handball penalties are given.
This half has been like watching the last 15mins of last night. They are sitting in the box and we are working it around the edges with no penetration. Frustrating
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.
Boo. They had two chances at they took them. We had a few and were more wasteful. Thought Eze was particularly poor tonight. Bit gutted about how he has been playing. He has the skill to come through this funk but i wouldn't mind seeing more nwaneri to give more drive.
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.
First game we've conceeded in 10, Sunderland really shook us. 4 decent goals, so overall a good game. 6 points ahead of Chelsea currently. City to play Liverpool so someone drops points there.
Have you guys heard what's happened with Aaron Ramsey and his family? After moving to Mexico for a late career contract with his family their dog went missing, and it's never been found/returned. They've cancelled their contract and moved home heartbroken. Heart goes out to them.
Well I said if results went our way last weekend we could come out with an 8 point lead. We ended up with a 4 point lead. Shows that it's fine margins in this league! Huge games when we return from the break. Hopefully we get some of these injured players back.
On that front, was just searching for info. Sounds like we still don't have much info on the severity of Gyokeres' injury? Reports seem to suggest that Havertz, Madueke and Martinelli are very close to being fit. A bit hazy on Odegaard, some reports say his return is imminent, but quotes from the Norway coach suggest a bit longer to go. Jesus is also to return soon, but given the lengthy period he's been out I suspect he'll need more time. Calafiori has a minor niggle but sounds like he should be fine.
I'm getting really nervous, when we keep our cards close to our chest it normally means it's bad news. Even if Havertz et al are close to a return we're hitting the kind of run (Spurs, Bayern, Chelsea) where we can't afford for anything but top gear.paulm
On that front, was just searching for info. Sounds like we still don't have much info on the severity of Gyokeres' injury? Reports seem to suggest that Havertz, Madueke and Martinelli are very close to being fit. A bit hazy on Odegaard, some reports say his return is imminent, but quotes from the Norway coach suggest a bit longer to go. Jesus is also to return soon, but given the lengthy period he's been out I suspect he'll need more time. Calafiori has a minor niggle but sounds like he should be fine.
I don’t normally care for the international break but these World Cup qualifiers have thrown up some gems. I just watched former Gooner Tierney score a screamer to get the win Scotland needed to finish top of the group. Northern Ireland and Wales still in the play offs meaning all 4 members of GB could in theory make the World Cup!
Two up at the break. And we look good! Definitely the last 15 has been some of the most dominant play against another big(ish) club I've seen us put on this season.
I have an amazing ability to find my way out of mazes. I'm pathological.
Hard to believe thats the first hat trick in an arsenal-spurs game since 1978. Eze has definitely arrived now. Good luck getting back in there Odegaard!
Amazing result. And script you couldn't write with the Arsenal fan who almost went to Spurs playing his first NLD and scoring a hattrick. Someone in the middle to just take the shot from those sort of positions are something we've been missing and exactly what we paid the money for. First hattrick in a NLD since Alan Sunderland in 1978 apparently.
Have to credit Zubimendi for putting it on a plate for Richarlison too. Don't worry Jamie, 5 goals from open play, the NLD is still well and truly alive for you. And you're "European Champions" anyway.
