4am. I am sat in my living room watching the Arsenal. I can hear something different in the crowd from my tv audio. The crowd is chanting. Not just chanting though becuase the Emirates faithful are always in good voice. No. Through a 10 min spell in the second half I heard constant noise. Literally constant. THe crowd urging the boys on
We finally got to see the Arsenal put a dominant performance together. How good does it feel. A clean sheet and 3 goals. Pleasing on the eye, and a big confidence boost for the lads. So good to see us not drop off after scoring the opener.
I must admit after our start, I was sitting there thinking this would be a long afternoon. Not to be however. Odegaard popping up for 3 goals in 3 matches. Gabriel with another set piece goal, and how about that team move, and a sublime finish from Lacazette.
There are certainly things to work on even after this match, but I think we got a really good taster of what we can expect if the boys start to find consistency.
There was a 5-10 minute spell in the second half where Arsenal were bombarding the Southampton penalty area. Wave after wave of attack. Both Martinelli and Saka hit the upright. It really was scintillating stuff, just a shame that there was no goal at the end of it.
That passage of play really did remind me of the Wenger years when we dominated football matches. That great thing about today’s second half performance is that we stayed solid at the back. Too many times during Wenger’s latter years we would dominate like that, only to throw too many players forward and concede sloppy counter attacks.
If Arteta can keep our defensive discipline, whilst adding these kind of controlled dominating phases we can really excel this season. The difference between the possession we had today vs in most other matches was the area of the pitch. Particularly during that phase it was in the final third. We moved the ball quickly and created overloads.
Credit where credits due. The players and Arteta stood up tall in this one. The mentality was right, and we reaped the rewards of a confident and bold approach.
For the first time in a while I noticed a lot more verticality to play. Odegaard got himself into some really nice positions and was found consistently. That is when we look most dangerous.
West Ham mid week. That’ll be an interesting one. Emile Smith Rowe should be full fit for that one. He has been our best attacking player this season, so does he come straight in. I must admit I’m enjoying seeing Martinelli thrive with a few games in a row, and his pace is certainly an important outlet. The biggest thing for Gabi today was that he looked after the ball well.
I see it as a choice of two between ESR, Lacazette and Gabi. They all have their merits. I thihnk Odegaard deserves his place after this performance, so it will be a difficult question. Maybe rotation comes into the thoughts, although West Ham being in the top 4 this one turns into a key fixture.
Big one for sure coming up. Every game is a big game to be fair. The pressure always feels so on. It’s like a tap that is stuck and the water is ever flowing with Arsenal. The expectation is always there. Just like it’ll be there still come kick off next match.
This result has got me excited though. I saw something that I hadn’t seen in a long time. That sustained pressure is now the new bar we have set. I will expect it. But I will also love to watch it too.
A statement performance against a top side would be the perfect response after our losses to United and Liverpool. Let’s see how it goes.
Enjoy the weekend.
Kia Kaha.
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