Good morning to all that remains of you in our little community.
I find these reviews very challenging on many levels. By the time you come to read them, you have seen the game, read other blogs that published within minutes of the final whistle, watched vlogs and YouTube analysis and likely watched Match of the Day. So what the hell can I add, especially given that most of you will , at very least, understand the game as well as this old lump of coal at the keyboard.
I don’t know if my enthusiasm for the game is fading as I plod towards the finishing line of life, or weather the monotony of City’s relentless hovering up of titles has drained it but what should have been a game that filled me with joy, just left wondering if I have changed or the game has. Ok, let’s cart on……..
First of all I suppose we have to say “it was a game of two halves”? The first 45 saw us as the only team in it. It was like we had just carried on from the efficient and often entertaining football we consistently churned out in the second half of last season. The players were the same, the set up the same and the patterns of play, the same. This in itself is very is admirable for the opening game of a new season, it’s not always the case.
The second half was much less impressive. Wolves pressed more and we started looking a bit shaky. Even Saliba was misplacing passes, one of which, a simple though hurried, ball across his box, went straight to the opposition and could, and perhaps should, have cost us an equalising goal. Partey, who to be fair had been decent first half, started looking a bit of a liability, Zinchenko, who again had added much before the break, did become a liability and Mikel rightly hooked him and brought on Timber. This substitution seemed to perk us up after being second best for half an hour, it became an even contest. Soon after up stepped “Starboy” ( I’m sorry but I hate that name, it’s so cringy and overused it turns my stomach ) with a truly wonderful near post strike which 99 times out of 100 he predictable goes far post curler. At this point I should mention that it was also a magnificent “starboy” cross that Havertz made a late run onto and banged home with the confidence of a man riding a wave carried over from the second half of last season.
Martin Odegaard has reached a level, that even having a quiet game , he is magnificent and efficient. Decan Rice looks a bit jaded and Martinelli continues to flatter to deceive, for me Trossard is the better option on the left and I expect that change come about as the season progresses.
So , despite my muted enthusiasm, that was a great start to the season, 3 points and in the end a fairly routine and comfortable effort. Don’t let my miserable demeanor dampen your spirits.
See ya.
Pedantic George.
Positively Arsenal 
Morning George!
Thanks for the review, and for taking the time to do it. I mostly like listening to the games, but I couldn’t for a lot of the game yesterday for personal reasons and of course Ive seen the highlights and will catch up with the game soon, so your review was still important for those catching up later.
I was interested in your first paragraph that talked about ‘what can I add?’ -something I feel close to and have for years; people are really so clued up these days, and even a casual fan knows most elements and has theories of their own as to whats what, so to write anything is pretty tough?
Perhaps the last thing any of us have is the personal touch, a personal honesty, that will always be unique, whether we are or not in agreement-how much in a respecting world is agreement needed?
To me that’s what makes a supporter and often than not, made this blog too. Everyone has a different perspective and an different emotional reaction, seems pretty interesting rather than writing about how it should be? But then again, Im a tool and what do I know? Nix. Buts its nice to have the board up and running again, as maybe everyone needs a shed?
Thanks again.
COYG!
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Thank you George, an ember remains aglow in the old coal.
Like you my enthusiasm for football has waned in recent times. My mental health took a battering a few years ago and with it my ability to experience joy. However that’s not the only reason.
If we have to become like City in order to beat them then where is the joy? If any tiny slip can cost a title the stakes are just too high.
On to the positives. The goals both made me shout aloud, the first because I could see it coming from the shape and movement of the play and that anticipation was beautifully satisfied by the finish. The second because I just can’t believe how Saka keeps doing what he does. Astonishing. A true Arsenal great.
Unexpected sloppiness from players is never good but Raya (who is beginning to win me over) made up for it in spades with one of the best saves you’ll hope to see.
As far as this blog is concerned there is always a place for an escape from the mainstream narrative. All other blogs repeat a mantra, and no matter how well they repeat it, the tedious self serving nature is depressing.
They drool at the prospect of selling players we love, they put the boot into past players at every opportunity and they dare to criticise our greatest ever manager. Worms abusing a giant. They decide who’s out of form and relentlessly repeat it until everyone believes it. They cosy up to journalists and so become the mainstream media they used to challenge.
PA is as valuable today as it ever was.
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Excellent review George.
I said before the game, the first games are awkward and it’s just about winning and letting the performances grow with time and to that ends this was just what the doctor ordered.
It was a very professional, workman like display to bring home the three points. Brilliant in places and sheer grit in others.
Wolves are not a team you would pick as a first game and they will turn over many decent sides this season. They passed the ball well, countered quickly and were organised. All that shows what a great effort we put in
Again, as we have seen in many games under Mikel from the start of his tenure, there was a weakness in the use of subs. From the start of the second half we lost control of the game and kept our goal in tact only by the brilliance of Raya and the wastefulness of their strikers.
The side was crying out for fresh legs and Partey was once again a liability. Jorginio may not be fully fit but the game and the timing looked taylor made for him. Obviously Rice’s conversion further up the pitch has been nothing but a success but having paid over 100 million for the one of the best defensive midfielders in the league, it is absolutely ironic we are going in to this season still looking for one.
Maybe the midfield ability of Timber and Calafiori will nullify that as Stones did for city.
At the end of the end of the day we have played one, won one and come of the pitch without injury and so it’s all good.
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Nottingham Forrest have bid up to £25M for Nketiah, it seems AFC want up to £10M more
10 days or so of the transfer window left and if reports are to be believe AFC want rid of Ramsdale, Kiwior, Partey, Vieira, Nelson and Nketiah, with a few younger players wanted out too, such as Patino, Rekik etc
As for inward players the Merino deal drags on and on, Garcia is wanted as back up keeper, Gundogan is now said to be a target with the news he wants out of Barcelona, and AFC are said to want a winger and a forward if we get the sales done
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Appreciate your columns George…..don’t feel the need to post if the desire is not there. With social media we can get the immediate post game reaction from plenty of others. Post in between games with analysis and opinion when the mind and body are willing – if that is easier.
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Thanks George, Mills, Stew, and Ian. Good to read all your comments, and gooder still to think the sunshine bus may still have a few more seasons in it.
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The Smith Lives is the name of my Fantasy League team (yes, far too old to be mucking abut with that, I know, but its proved a decent point of contact with my son) and like many of you I was sad to see Emile leave The Arsenal. I only managed to go to one game last season, but it was the one that saw him start which was an added bonus. He played OK too, and I hoped it would be the start of the second part of his career. Not to be though, and it would be interesting to know the real reasons for Arteta not seeing him as a permanent fixture.
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My lads have roped me into dabbling in fantasy league as well and yes ESR is of course in my side alongside Emi. If Forrest finally sign Eddie then I’ll transfer him in as well. Basically having six Arsenal players in my team.
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New post is up.
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