Good morning Positive friends,
The roar was truly ripped in last night’s contest. If Friday night football is like this then I want more of it. I cannot remember opening league game that has had as much action, so much DRAMA, as we endured enjoyed in the course of collecting our three points against the Foxes. Much is often made in the Mainstream media of players somehow not being quite fit or ready for the start of the PL season. Last night I thought the game started at 100 miles and hour and rarely slackened off. A real ‘edge-of-the-seat’ performance the moment Lacazette headed his tidy opener after a minute to the final shrill of Deano’s whistle 94 minutes later.
Why was the action so electric ? Did anyone here really expect quite such a struggle against a Leicester side who last season scuffled away from relegation only in the final weeks of the season ? Not me.
Let me examine what happened.
- After the hour had passed, and when we were 2-3 behind, we tore the arse out of Leicester ( to use the technical coaching term). From the 60th minute on we passed with precision and moved with speed. The visitors finally could not cope and cracked, twice in the final eight minutes. Ignominiously falling behind for the second time in the evening we needed to switch to Wengerball and my goodness when the lever was pulled we had the players to put it into action. I thought until that point Mesut had been peripheral. In the final 20-30 minutes the German moved from the edge of the engagement to the pivot of all that decisive in our play. Aaron’s swift control and accurate finish levelled it, Larry’s strength finished the battle off. That final half hour was very, very good and no team in the PL, perhaps none but two or three in Europe, could have lived with us. It was not just that substitutions were made. The power was turned up, in my opinion. The performance bodes well.
- Leicester were a dangerous opponent. Fair play to them and the sharpness of Vardy and Okazaki stood out every time during that first hour. What possession they had going forward they used well and forced Cech to save and our defenders to scurry. Four chances, three goals. I salute Leicester for their contribution to the evening’s entertainment.
- Much has been made, by me among others, about the strength of our squad this season which is the best for many years, and I stand by the analysis. Nevertheless fate had conspired to forced us to take our first PL steps with not quote the first 11 we would have chosen, and with a back three made up of our new Bosnian tank, Nacho in the middle, and young Rob on the right side. To lose three goals at home is more than misfortune. Their lack of experience of playing together I am afraid caused the first Leicester goal. The second Vardy goal I thought was taken well so I will accept that. The third Leicester goal the defending was execrable ( a much under-used word I am trying to push back into circulation). Vardy had a free header, not an red shirt in five paces of him. Now I do not blame only the three central defenders for that abomination as I saw almost the same against West Brom in February. But if we want challenge for the PLM then ‘it’ needs sorting out.
That will do me nicely this Saturday morning. Enjoy your weekend one and all.
Positively Arsenal 
Considering the side we put out, that was a great three points.
The defence looked ropey, yes, but that was without Kos and Mustafi, who surely are our first choice.
Far from our strongest side, and opening day to boot, so I would not worry if I were you.
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Nice write up A5, we got what we wanted and Le Grand Moans got what they wanted too.
Really glad that we won, as much as anything just to take a bit of bite out of their narc negativity, although they fester on!
Does gf60 have any memories of Billy Mculloch who came on at HT? Cheers to you gf60 for all the memories this summer that you posted up.
A great game of football though, made sweet by AW’s super subs.
Joke City next,
Cheers again Andrew.
COYG!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPmruHc4S9Q
*Arsene*
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Fair point Harry and I would expect us to be stronger with Kosc and Mustafi available but it perhaps not the full answer. We had a full back four at the Hawthorns, inc those two, and it was the same standing off at a corner and Dawson scored from free headers X2. We need to defend corners better as a team.
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Look at this shit that didn’t get past the door staff
“Haha – bodes really REALLY well for the season. Basically chaos. Celebrating that win like it’s hugely important for the season. Same every time guys – false dawn after false dawn but you lap it up. Can’t wait to see the back of the old fraud, and judging by tonight nor can the majority of the stadium. HAHA I CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!”
These people do not like Arsenal of football. CUNTS is a nasty word, but oh so fitting.
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I think we will see more of Per this season than most people anticipated.
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I was more concerned with the frequent loss of possession (especially in the first half) in front of the makeshift back three. It put them under unnecessary pressure and served to bring about corners (and long throws) from which we suffered. But we are unlikely to ever see that defensive line up again so I’m not so worried in the longer term.
A switch from ‘attack is the best form of defense’ to ‘all out attack is the best form of defense’ in the last half hour was a masterstroke but even Wenger must have been surprised how well it worked.
I can contribute to the Billy ‘Flint’ McCullough memories. He was playing left back in the first side I watched in 1964 and was a crowd favourite in an era when full backs were much more defensive and got their reputations by how well they coped with the winger directly against them. Crowds, by the way, were half the size they are now despite the fact that most of them were paying the equivalent of 15p to stand on the terrace – proving once again that it’s not about cost but value. And we certainly got that last night!
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Kool stuff Boss. What do u think AW needs to do to bolster our defence??
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An invaluable report.for those.who didn’t see the game. Sounds like a fantastic match and the first time for a little while that we’ve won our opening game I think. I suspect we might improve as the season develops but I do wonder whether our vulnerability at corners comes from the knowledge that any blocking tactics are almost certain to lead to penalties and cards.
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“A switch from ‘attack is the best form of defense’ to ‘all out attack is the best form of defense’ in the last half hour was a masterstroke ”
I’m pinching that for twitter.
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Very exciting game to watch, but I have to admit to some doubt that we were going to win in the first half. The team did not look switched on at all and I’ve never seen so many misplaced passes even by the usually reliable Xhaka and Ozil. But I agree they all stepped up a gear or two as the game wore on. The last 20 minutes really got the crowd going, which would be great to see on a more regular basis. I don’t know if it was the Friday night effect but the ground was practically full until the end. The guy next to me who left before Ramsey scored will probably think twice about leaving early next time.
I have to say a word on the substitutes. Arsene has to be one of the bravest football managers about. To substitute the only CB on the pitch for another striker and switch to four at the back with 3 full backs and a winger/CM, ballsy!
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I was rather proud of my body to have seen me through to the first real game of the season. Three cups and a shield is no bad interim return admittedly but this was for real.
A great debut start and happiness. Not too long later, swearing like a trooper and far from happy. And next up? Oh our glorious gooners. Thinking about it post match, it struck me that this game encapsulated my 70 years of supporting: Love, pain, exasperation, hope, many tears both of joy and sadness.
How grateful we should be that we support such a side.
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P.S. I have to say a word for the guy in the middle as that has to be one of Dean’s best performances for us. He did not reward Leicester for their usual tactics of falling over at every available opportunity or find phantom ways of penalising AFC. Keep up the good work sir.
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If Any other side would do what Arsenal does on an regular base: coming back from the brink: recently FA cup final, now this cracker, the plundits would call such a team: mentally incredibly strong, resilience of steel and they would be applauded for it and even get a good reputation for it. This is one of the false-narratives I cant grasp: Arsenals lack of spine: well they got one and its the biggest of the league! And balls too! COYG!!!
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Dean built on his previous strong performance against Stoke Pass – pretty clean game last night, bit of diving from Albrighton and Mahrez but the referee was on top of it.
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Billy McCullough…that’s a name I’ve not thought of for a long time and his wild partner Jimmy Magill. . Days of Vic Groves, Joe Baker and George Eastham. What a relief it was to see the ball at the other end where we could watch some football being played.
We weren’t overly good on defence in those days…bit like last night to be honest, but the Irish contingent were no worse!
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–
I hope Steww enjoyed the performance from Larry. Lots of options available to the gaffer up top, I’d love to see him get the start at Stoke.
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I know > I hope
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It was aggravating to hear Carragher going on and on and on about Nacho alleged deficiencies at centre back Ron. If Jamie had raised his soulful Scouse eyes he may have spotted that Wes Morgan was flat footed for two of Arsenal’s goals and he and Maguire were too busy wrestling with each other to stop Larry’s header.
Poor Wes. A man of his age expected to play football at that level – just shocking !
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Hardly cheering news Ian but I thought you’d be interested;
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Well done A5. Doing my best to big you up on twitter.
Anyone noticed whenever we had a setback during the game, rather than give Leicester credit for maximizing their opportunities (3-goals/4-shots on target) the mainstream media were busy searching for scapegoats among the Arsenal; no leadership, no spine. All the usual memes and tropes. Going by their standards, where is the credit to Nacho Monreal for keeping his head and providing guidance to the two rookies around him while playing a position that is not his. True leadership is found in time of adversity and Nacho had that in spades. Give him a medal.
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oeps I meant CS not FA final, but anyhow, in both matches against the chavs: Great mental strenght!
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Great review Andrew, and George you were out northerned! Great track.
Did anyone here really expect quite such a struggle against a Leicester side who last season scuffled away from relegation only in the final weeks of the season ? well in my comment yesterday I said it would be close and Aaron would be needed to score although I thought it would be 1-0.
When the game was moved to friday night I had to turn down tickets to the game as my Mrs had alrady got tickets for Jesus Christ superstar at regents park. My son was keeping me in tuch with all the goings on during the game but I had to hide my phone under my coat due to the light needless to say just as the audience was showing the tension of JC being sentenced to death I got the news of Aarons equaliser and I was close to standing and shouting. Just as the JC was hosted on the cross the buzz of my phone went again with the news of Oli’s winner and at that point I nearly jumped on stage shouting thank you God (it wouldn’t be the first time i’d refered Arsene as God)
As player still hasn’t got the game on i’ve only watched the goals and like the Emirates cup I felt Cech wasn’t controlling his area. Once again people were blaming CBs but the midfield and wing backs were also at fault.
As again I said yesterday the 3 points was the most important thing, the fact that everyone got a show as well is credit to our wonderfull football team.
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Fair as ever A5.
Boy! That was a game to behold. I’ll admit my heart sank a bit after Leicester’s 3rd but I also knew that if I were to bet money on anyone rescuing us from that nearing cliff it had to be Ramsey and Giroud, I actually called it on twitter just a minutes before their introduction, even if it was just in hope, and boy, they didn’t disappoint.
As soon as they came on they caused panic with an already nervy Leicester defence holding on for dear life. They took their eyes off Xhaka for a split second and before anyone knew it Ramsey had the ball in the back of the net. After that Larry knew he just have to make the most of the very first chance that comes his way. What a joy to see Morgan and Maguire laying on the ground as Larry left them in his wake.
Xhaka must feel like Ramsey is a gift to him from the football gods. The 2 of them has forge quite a formidable partnership. Shades of Arteta and Ramsey.
2 points better off after 1 game than we were after 2 games last season. What a delight!
Bring on Joke City.
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RE Arsenal’s defence.
Yes it was a makeshift back line last night.
Vardy gave them a torrid time, and Rob Holding has a tough night, but this is how a youngster learns his trade, Vardy is one of the most street wise forwards in the business, Holding will need to watch last nights video several times and write down all the lessons to be learnt.
As for Arsenal attacking – no complaints.
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I see the Orns arent lying down and thinking of England!
Insider/gf- thanks for the Billy McCullough thoughts.
a or b—-cracked me up did your story from last night; laughed out loud, not good idea when mouth full of tea. Goes all over keyboard. Still laughing, brilliant.
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Cracking Tale AoB – always look on the bright side of life
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Lcfc managed to do what the champion’s could not – target the rookie CB who made all the rookie errors last night that people were worried he might make in the cup final.
This might have been by default as for most of the match when AFC had three at the back Mahrez and Simpson were both being bullied out of the game by the combo of Chambo and the Tank.
The gaffer said the record from corners last season was ok, I haven’t seen the data. I don’t think that the hero that is NM was impressed that Vardy was free for that goal (could be wrong but the impressive new striker* was picking him up but lost him on that corner)
*how about the footwork that made the chance so brilliantly saved that led to the corner which led to possibly one of the best headed goals we’ve seen? Giroud dropping two CBs to the floor as they try to pull his shirt off**, now that was indeed beautiful!
**Relieved the official didn’t give the away team the foul but then again for some strange unknown reason it seemed so obvious that *gollum gollum* was going to behave himself upon this high profile return to n5 for the first time after his fix in Fulham, obvious enough for me to write that prediction here (I think!) and elsewhere in advance of KO. To be fair to myself it was a very easy prediction to make. We know his game. IBSF.
Liverpool trying their best to copy the Arsenal. Penalties eh?
Defending in today’s PL with the quality of forwards up and down the league is not easy!
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Commentator:
“The number of headers being won by attacked in last night’s and this game…”
Given how much more fitness work must go in pre-season these days (lcfc were flagging int he final 20?), first game of the season, defences/teams are less well drilled /practiced on such routines then they will be?
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< "headers from corners being won…"
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Another goal conceded from a corner!
Thank you Watford.
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Not bad from the Orns, Liverpool blushes! Exciting first two games.
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Even super coaches, it seems , including a man many critics had wanted as wengers replacement, clearly have dodgy defending days
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Can you imagine Arsenal or is it Liverpool conceding 2 goals on corners? Jamie Carragher where are you?
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According to the Sky stattos City Utd and Liverpool all conceded more from set pieces last season.
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“I saw almost the same against West Brom in February. But if we want challenge for the PLM then ‘it’ needs sorting out.”
that’s the thing anicol, how much longer do we have to wait for it to be sorted, every time it happens Wenger says the players were not focused, or lacked concentration, well is that not unacceptable, they are basically not bothering their arse to do the dirty work side of the game. Cech did not help matters last night, he was all over the place, first goal he got completely lost on the cross, and for the third he was busy pushing an attacker instead of taking up his position, and for me he was out of position on the second goal.
We started the game missing at least 4 first choice starters, and I’m not including Cazorla in that 4, Mustafi, Koscielny, Ramsey and Alexis. And in the case of the CB’s we were also missing the 2 first choice back ups to the 2 missing men, Per and Gabriel. As others stated earlier we moved up a gear or two in the last half an hour, is that really a surprise, after all Ramsey and Grioud came on, In both cases these two give us things that no one else in the squad comes even close to giving us. Ramsey is the finest box to box midfielder in the league, and is the one midfielder we have who is always looking at overloading the attack, getting in where it hurts, it may have passed people by, but last nights goal was his 3rd goal in his last 3 competitive games for us, last league game of last season v Everton, the FA Cup final winner, and now first league game of this season. We all know what a fit and sharp Ramsey gives us, its his 13/14 form.
As for Giroud, what other striker could have Maguire and Morgan hanging out of him and still manage to power such a headed goal as he did last night, also his one touch lay offs is so much help to Wengerball, Danny Welbeck with his speed and dribbling might be easier on the eye but we have a few of that type, but there is only one Oliver Giroud.
Also must say is it any wonder that once Ramsey and Giroud came on that our Mesut seemed to go to another level too, he had Ramsey making runs beyond the attackers, instead of Elneny running into his way and over crowding his space, and then we had Giroud, a man mountain who needed both CB’s to mark him, leaving those gaps. The LCFC manager said that he brought on one of his subs in an attempt to block up the area Ozil was finding in the last half an hour. But as we know, when Ramsey is on form and taking up the positions he likes to, blocking one passing lane only means there is another one somewhere else.
One thing I found odd, was that Bellerin was so much better at LB than he was as a RWB, what other manager would when taking off a CB and going from a 3 to a 4, add in the change of switching his right and left sided wing backs, when going to fullbacks, but when you think about it, the move made sense, Ox has done well as a wing back, but full back is another step to be learned, so he moved him to the right as he is right footed, and so made it a little easier for him, and although Bellerin is also right footed he is a natural full back, so better chance of him coping with being on the wrong side, so it meant both ox and hector only had one weakness to deal with, ox not experienced as a FB, and Hector not experienced on the left. How many managers in the heat of battle would think to consider that. Of course for me it very likely that the scenario had been thought about by Wenger weeks ago, maybe even pre FA Cup final. And so the idea was already there, “if we go 4 at the back I must switch ox to the right”, and so when it happened last night its added to the mix.
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oh what a nice surprise, there I was just finished writing the bullshit above, post it, and see comments about Liverpool game, what, could watford have done something late on, check the score and it finished 3-3, oh I’m smiling, and I bet Liverpool won’t get the columns, nay pages, of criticism that Arsenal got for winning last night conceding 3 goals
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Martin Keown was on BBC radio 5 earlier, and I thought the host of the show was finally making a good point about how it was unfair to compare the famous Arsenal back 5 to the defending now, as the game as utterly changed, back then there was no “interfering with play”, offside was offside, also you could go through the back of a player to get to the ball. That the only thing that they were really better at would be challenging for headers. But any actual discussion on this was by passed and a really good topic was overlooked once again.
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just noticed that the watford goal came in the 94th minute, that makes it so much sweeter.
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…wait till you see it Ed, a real scramble- it -in -goal, pants defending too. Will be glossed over though as everyone concentrates on Rob Holding.
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by the way Martin Keown’s top 4 predictions
1st Man City – by a distance
2nd Spurs – “bridesmaids for the 3rd year running”, yeah martin, 3rd year
3rd Man utd
4th Arsenal – “to scrape in”
5th and 6th chelsea and liverpool (cl football will be their undoing)
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alvy I just seen klopp go on an on about watford goal being offside,
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imagine keown and dublin said it was not a red card offense, does it have to be a broken leg
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He has to Ed, anything to relieve himself and his club of embarrassment! Wont work though! From the bits I saw Watford werent too hot,which rubs it in a bit more.Its a weird ground to play at though.
If Arsenal let in a goal like that, there would be an earthquake of criticism.
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we need a manager who is good at coaching defensive football, like Conte
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Chelsea 0-3 Burnley
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I agree with some of what you say in your post at 2.52pm Eduardo, but not all of it. The defending from corners was poor yesterday, but not surprising given the personnel available. The West Brom game last season was a low point during a period when the team were short of confidence it was not a typical performance as I also recall many games where we were strong at the back and restricted the opposition to very few opportunities. Plus the change of formation with the right personnel available has shown the team can be strong defensively when required.
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Fulham U18’s 4-1 Arsenal U18’s
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I see AFC are not the only team with defensive faillings
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