SHOULD I YAY OR SHOULD I GROAN NOW
Missed Opportunity As Gunners Fail to Make Numerical Advantage Count
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A bit of a quick recap today, as I'm running out of time, which is unfortunate, as yesterday was such a massive clash.
OPENING THOUGHTS
I get the feeling the image further down below sums up a lot of our fans' feelings from yesterday.
Once Saliba was absent from the team sheet, and neither of the best centre back pairings in the world was available, I kind of thought, hmmm, maybe let's exit with a draw and live to fight another day. Then, Caicedo, the "Shin Kicker", turns into the "Shin Snapper", and opportunity knocked for us to take all three points.
Now, post-game, you are reading this with the same lingering frustration as I have. The thought process went from a hard point well gained to that's two points dropped quicker than you could say "leg snapper".
THE LINEUPS
As previously mentioned, our lineup had an unwelcome surprise: no Saliba due to a training injury. He will be scanned later today, but our cluster injury phenomenon seems to be a recurring theme. Next up on the treatment table should be Mosquera or Hincapie, sharpish. I was surprised Martinelli got the nod at left wing over Madueke, but called the obvious return of Calafiori at left back.
THE GAME
The match itself was chaos mixed with nastiness from the opening kick-off. Referee Anthony Taylor tried to keep a lid on it with a ton of early yellows, but it didn't help.
Chelsea reminds me a little of Newcastle when we play away. They seemed to be wound tighter than a clock spring when we come to town. Why aren't they like that every home game? Why do they reserve all their fury, especially for us? It's so weird. Caicedo, in particular, was treading a fine line pretty much from the opening whistle before he succumbed to his dumbness and nearly snapped poor Merino's leg in two.
Don't even get me started on 'Enzo' Fernandez. There cannot be a more cynical, dirtier player in the league than him. He is the type of character that if he didn't make it as a footballer, he'd be in jail. His wild boot at Madueke, then standing over him, screaming, was cringe for the ages. Maybe Noni nutmegged him too many times during the rondos? Who knows.
The game itself was similar to the Sunderland away game. All a bit too chaotic, and we never managed to gain complete control for long enough spells to impose our will. I hope a pattern isn't emerging. We lost the league last season because of drawing too many games. In our previous two away games, we've thrown away four points. Lost a late lead at the Stadium of Light and couldn't beat a ten-man Chelsea for an hour.
WHAT IT MEANS
It leaves us five points clear at the top from second-placed City, who squeaked out a narrow 3-2 late home win against Leeds. It also means the end of an exhausting week after the NLD, Bayern and Chelsea. At times, we did look a little leggy, and I know Chelsea also played three games in a week, but they had Burnley and a ten-man Barca before we came calling. Not quite the same intensity, I would argue.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
In a game that had no real standouts from our point of view (Reece James was the best player on the pitch), for once, there isn't a whole load of honourable mentions to get through. Both Mosquera and Hincapie did well, considering it was their first league start as a pairing, and these partnerships always take time.
Our Man of the Match however goes to ...
MAN OF THE MATCH
In a difficult choice of no outstanding player, we are giving the man of the match to Mikel Merino. He took a wallop for the red card and scored the equaliser. If there were ever a 'Merino' type goal, then his crashing the box and powering a header into the net would be it. He once again ploughed a lone furrow up top and worked tirelessly for the team. For us he just edged it.
LOOKING AHEAD/FINAL THOUGHTS
So next up is the surging Brentford at The Carpet on Wednesday night in what might prove a difficult evening's work. We cannot allow yesterday's disappointing outcome to linger, fester, and infect our next performance. As hard as it is we need to consign it to the history books and move on.
As it's a new week, we have our usual new Song and Film. The song is a family affair as it was chosen by my daughter, who has, let's say, some wide-ranging tastes, from Sabrina Carpenter to her chosen one by Radiohead. The movie is an old favourite of both of ours.
Sorry if the blog felt a bit rushed and unpolished. Work got in the way, and I just ran out of time.
I'll hopefully see you tomorrow for the Brentford review if work allows it.
Hopefully see you then.