That’s the second pre season game of the season done in the early hours of the morning my time and it was a 2-1 win for our lads against Erik “I AM FURIOUS ABOUT ARSENAL AND OFFSIDES” Ten Haag’s Man United. You love to see it.
He was apparently unhappy about our equaliser, which game at the feet of Gabby Jesus and delivered by an increasingly impressive Ethan Nwaneri, but the fact that there was a question mark about the offside makes it all the more ‘LOL’-esque. We all know the history from last season and him moaning about an offside United goal that the technology clearly showed was offside, but had him bemoaning that the technology didn’t work. It’s not like an old Ford Cortina whose choke has gone mate, if the system says he’s offside, he’s offside.
Anyway, the important thing about yesterday was that he was annoyed and we went on to win a game which both managers talked of being quite ‘intense’. I guess that’s the important thing about these matches; you want an intensity to get the players up and running for the new season, but at the same time you also want to avoid injury, which it looks like United didn’t do in having Hojland and Yoro going off injured, the former a hammy tweak by the look of reports. And I think that serves as a warning to us really; the last thing we want is for players to go down so early before the season has already started, with us also missing Tomiyasu at the moment because of a tweak he had. The balance between intensity and the benefits of that, and pushing your body too far so you don’t load up carefully enough before it all kicks off in a few weeks time, can’t be underestimated I don’t think.
On their goal I think Heaven will be a little disappointed that he got turned so easily, but he’s a young lad, still developing and he’s up against a Danish bloke who cost north of £60million a year ago. So I don’t think we can put too much blame or pressure on him and afterwards it sounded like Arteta felt the same too, talking up how he recovered in that game. Heaven, Nwaneri and Leis-Kelly seem to be the main guys who are getting the airtime this summer. That always happens most summers i.e. you get one youngster who shines and this summer it’s looking liuke Nwaneri is taking up that mantle. I mentioned it already, but it was his low cross for Jesus to tap in which got us level. I though the ball was absolutely perfect and speaking as a former ‘keeper and centre half myself, I know how bloody difficult those balls are to defend. If you don’t get it right you end up with egg on your face, but as an attacker if you put it in the right spot, it makes the striker’s job the easiest in the world.
I haven’t been able to watch the game in full yet, but from what I’m reading Gabby Jesus did well, which will be music to all of our ears because we need him to have a good pre season and hit the ground running. The games will very soon be coming thick and fast and we need the bodies of sufficient quality across the squad to handle it. Arteta was talking up how he’s come back in the perfect condition and you have to say from some of the pictures doing the rounds earlier in the season, it does look as though he is ready to get back going this season. He’s been beset with injury niggles for about 18 months, so it’s time now that we got him back and firing.
Havertz was deployed in a deeper midfield position when he came on, with Arteta saying that it was because of numbers. But as players start to come back, I wonder whether we will see Havertz deployed there more? It felt like Arteta had settled on Havertz as the striker at the end of last season, but the manager has spoken about the need to be more unpredictable and I wonder if he’s thinking about that Havertz left eight role as one of the clubs in his bag when he thinks about making us more unpredictable next season?
Again, I’ve only seen a few of the highlights, but it also looked like Trossard was lively too. He played a part in the first goal playing the ball to Nwaneri, plus he forced Onana in to a good save in the second half and I wonder whether he will have that left forward role when it all kicks off properly in mid August? He’ll have to fight for it – which is exactly what Arteta will want – with Martinelli and Gabby did a good job of putting his hand up and showing the manager what he is capable of with his finish to win the game for us. I thought it was a very tidy goal and really shows you exactly what Martinelli is all about; a quick turn of pace over five yards to beat his man, then to nip the shot away just before the defender got there to wrong-foot Onana. We need to be seeing much more of that next season and I’m sure Arteta will be pleased to see that he’s got players in a few positions who look like they are ready to fight tooth and nail to get a starting spot.
So all in all it seems like it was a good outing, winning is always fun even if it doesn’t really mean anything, there were some impressive performances and the team now head to Philly to line up against Liverpool on Wednesday. I wonder if there will be a certain handsome Italian in our ranks by then?
Catch you wonderful humans tomorrow. Have yourselves a good’un.
Never do a match report on a game you haven’t seen.
Always nice to beat those c** ts.No matter what.And a Bonus that slap head TenHag waspissed off as per usual.Wonderful.p.s their injuries were a bonus.
I bought the Early Bird ticket for four games and was looking forward to this first outing.
The game had a proper competitive edge. It was clear both managers were sending out their teams to win.
Although GJ nearly scored in the second minute – courtesy of a mistake by Man Utd’s £60m signing – I felt Utd had the better start. Ten Hag is obviously building a counterattacking team; and when they broke an impressive Arsenal press, they were quick to move up the field and menace our young defence.
That said, Arsenal had periods of quick incisive passing which Man Utd couldn’t match. I thought our midfield didn’t click as a unit but Nwaneri was exceptional.
Perhaps the greatest compliment I can pay to the team was that despite the plethora of young talent, it was easy to forget Rayes, Saliba, Tomiyasu, Rice, Saka were absent; and that the introduction of Havertz, Martinelli, and Gaby at the back didn’t come until quite late.
Nelson had a few good moves but with little end product. It was strange not having ESR run out in Red and White, but perhaps it is time for Nelson, Nketiah and Partey to be moved on.
Nketiah will do well as ‘the’ dedicated number 9 at a smaller club but I remain unconvinced about his ability to consistently convert the number of chances our midfield and forwards would create for him.
I will miss Partey (if he goes). On his day he is simply magnificent but unfortunately he has become too injury prone. I wouldn’t be disappointed if he stays but we need a new creative enforcer to work in tandem with Rice. I’m not sure if Merino would be the answer.
GJ looked sharp and tricky, but all too often he lost control of the ball at the last moment. Almost impossible to defend against but continues to falter in front of goal. I think he should be kept in the squad but accept he is either going to be an ‘impact’ substitute or a backup on the wing.
We need a striker. We need a top quality finisher. Watkins would be my choice if he was available. He is young, quick, works hard and can be a good part of a hard press. Most of all he can run the channels and he can finish.
If not Watkins – then perhaps we should splash out on Gyökeres and accept he may need a season to come up to Premiership physicality and pace. I don’t think Osimhen is the answer. There is no doubt he is good but I do not believe he would fit into the spirit in the club that had been generated by Arteta.
Anyway, next game is Liverpool. It will be tougher than Man Utd – who look better than last season but are still a season away from being a consistent threat.
Liverpool against a reinforced Arsenal team should be entertaining!