This was the second game of our pre-season schedule. For a few such as Medley, Thompson, Olyalinka, Buron and our two goal hero Jules this was their second game. We were up against a Colorado team that’s not in great shape themselves and also own by our beloved owner Stan Kroenke.
It would seem that we went to a 433 with Nketiah playing as the right winger.
First Half
The game started swiftly as Saka dribbled through the opposition and laid it on a plate for Martenelli who fluffed his lines. Olayinka was looking dangerous and made the assist for Arsenal’s opening score. He pushed the ball into the box where Bukayo Saka found it and lifted it into the net in the 13th minute.
The midfield partnership wasn’t working cohesively which meant that Jenkinson was doing a lot of the distribution, and because of this, Nketiah had to drop deep to collect the ball. He executed a brilliant through ball to Saka who needed 2 chances to put the it in the back of the net. Following that, Olayinka produced a wonderful finish after intercepting the ball in midfield and slotting it into the top right putting Arsenal 2 nil up by half time.
Second Half
No changes were made to start the second half, the youngsters continued to look dangerous. Martenelli finally was able to take his chance to put Arsenal 3 up in the 61st minute, but looked like he didn’t know much about it.
We got to see the likes of Mesut, Laca, Aubameyang and even Mustafi as substitutes, but they didn’t make much difference and the game finished 3 nil.
Conclusion
Colorado seems like they really didn’t come to play today but Saka and Nketiah really stood out from the bunch. Seems like we have started back playing high up the pitch in order to smother Colarado, but one ball over the top allowed the team in easily.
Ratings
Macey – didn’t have much to do but when he did look commanding … 6
Carl Jenkison – Carl was shaky seem to be trying to hard … 5
Callum Chambers – wasn’t really troubled by Colarado … 6
Zech Medley – ditto … 6
Thompson – Looked solid again today but didn’t attack as much as the last game … 7
Jame Olayinka – took his chance wonderfully … 7
Burton – Wasn’t spectacular and looked lost at times … 6
Martinelli – need to work on his finishing … 6
Tyreece John-Jules – looked lost today … 6
Saka – looked brilliant, got lucky on the goal and probably should have buried it first time … 9 MOTM
Nketiah – started on the wing but had to come deep to collect, reminded me of laca … 8
Fred1266
Arsenal News 24/7
arsenalarsenal.net 
Thanks for the Post/After Match Report, Fred, I found it really interesting.
Jenko is still living the dream 😊
Really looking forward to the Bayern game – Gnabry!! He just has to score, right? Like every other former player 😳
Nice one, Fred.. (Although my thoughts on this match are on the previous thread!)
Not another 5-1 on Thursday?! Well in our favour, now that would do nicely!! 🤞
Cheers Fred
3-0 is 3-0, and plenty of youngsters! I predict much more of my protege Dominic Thompson this season.
Actual football to watch!! Although I didn’t. I’ve watched the small amount of highlights I can find so will refrain from spouting until I see the whole match on arsenal player.
From what I’ve seen though we will be playing a back four predominantly next season. I think that’s fair to say?
Good work Fred!
I’ve read a few other reports suggesting Martinelli was excellent. But that may be new player bias?
You can only beat the team infront of you and this will bring confidence for the young players. Which is always a good thing.
LBG can you tell me more about Thompson. I watch a fair bit of the academy matches but haven’t really formed an opinion. We could certainly do with a promising Left back.
The only thing I would like.. is for Kolasinac to wear short sleeves!!!
He’s a big auld unit Sue
Right said Fred, good report compadre.
I saw the goals on Arsenalist, nice composure by Saka, an element of luck for Martinelli but a lovely curling finish by Olayinka.
I see that the away kit goes on sale today.
Was that preplanned or a cynical ploy the day after the petition?
He is indeed, Els…( more for me to gaze adoringly at!)
Nice one Fred
Thanks for the read.
Yea Thompson has impressed me the 2 games he played
Impressed you Fred! His future is made!
Just saw the highlights and goals – wasn’t a bad performance from our youngsters.
One thing I can tell you is that Emery is not good at developing talents so we have to count on Ljunbgerg.
I thought Martinelli and Saka played rather well. Nketiah was also interesting up front.
Someone asked about Dani Alves at PSG – he did OK for us. I think he played with the handbreak most of the year because he was coming from an injury and he wanted to be at his top form for the Copa America. He is a good player still and can play RB, DMR and AMR and he is very good at bringing the team together and is very liked by his teammates so I would take him in without a doubt. He would be of great advice for Bellerin as well so for me, it s a no-brainer. Give him 2 years and pay him what he wants – he is coming for free.
Further PSG update:
– Abdou Diallo set to join PSG to bolster defense. PSG now has T. Silva, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Diallo and T. Kehrer that can play at CB. It may be a hint that Tuchel wants to play a back 3 more often…
– Neymar has been authorized to leave the club but the club is asking for 200 Mln Pounds cash or for 50 Mln EUR + players worth more than 180 Mln pounds. If Barcelona makes the offer, PSG would listen if Semedo, Rakitic or Arthur, Dembele or Coutinho are included in the deal. Don’t be surprised if Man Utd, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Juventus come in for Neymar if Barcelona is not able to match PSG’s valuaton of the player.
– Milinko-Savic still being monitored by PSG.
– Potential line up for next year:
Areola – Diallo, Silva, Marquinhos – Semedo, Verratti, Herrera, Bernat – Mbappe, Sarabia – Cavani
I think my issue with Martinelli was missing the sitter and it passing to Nketiah while dragging the shot wide the getting lucky on his goal, also je played in midfield so he was adjusting to it and probably a expected a bit to much from him in his first game
The only thing I would like Kolasinac to wear is another team Jersey
Fred… 😂😂😂😂 hilarious!!
PSG really selling him wonder if he can take him and give them a long payment plan can even threw in Xhaka and mustafi
Fred – we already have our slow midfielder in Paredes, no need for Xhaka at Psg.
Sue – am still so upset about Fed losing.
How do you all like the new away kit? Personally, am not a fan of yellow jerseys…
rc78 think I asked you already but can’t remember the answer are tickets for psg games easy to be
Not a fan either
The petition is up to 88,000…
RC… still upset?! Aww! I would say there’s always next year, but will he compete at 38?
I like the away kit… I won’t be buying one though, as have my heart set on the home kit. Take a look at City’s third kit.. now wouldn’t you rather wear our away kit, than that hideous thing?!! 😆
I haven’t bought and arsenal kit in 4 years and it would be the same this season
That another think those kos so bloody expensive imagine I pay cheaper if I ordered from us than if I buy directly from arsenal store
Mustafi got booed. Well that’s helpful on so many levels. Idiotic.
For those who signed the round robin letter to the Kroenks family, here’s their reply. Daily Mirror.
—- “Josh Kroenke has given a passionate response after Arsenal fans demanded better leadership.
Gunners director Kroenke spoke out after 16 supporter groups signed a letter and launched a petition urging the ownership show they care by rebuilding the club on and off the pitch.
It comes with Arsenal facing a third successive season in the Europa League and only having £45million to spend in the transfer market to leave them in serious danger of falling further behind.
But the 39-year-old, son of the club’s owner Stan Kroenke, insisted he cares deeply and is determined to win trophies again, and revealed how he respects the “passion” of the fans despite their protests.
“For me, on a personal level, I’m not sure how to address my passion. Anyone that knows me knows how passionate I am about Arsenal Football Club,” said Josh Kroenke, who admitted he was “hurt” when he read the letter and had real emotion in his voice as he spoke.
“Absolutely. Is it hard to take? Absolutely. But I’m not in this business to make friends, I’m in it to win. If anyone is ever going to question anything about our ownership – which I view as a custodianship, the supporters trust us to be a custodian of the values — that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to win whilst also respecting the values and traditions of the club.
“I was there in Baku [as the Gunners lost to Chelsea in May’s Europa League Final, so missing out on Champions League football in the new season] on behalf of KSE [Kroenke Sports & Entertainment], my father and family. I was down there on the sidelines, on the medal podium handing out second-place medals.
“I saw the look on our coach’s face, our players and all our staff. I felt and I saw what they felt. I felt the same way.
“The most important thing about being down on the pitch is understanding that there is a resolve there. There are some people who are also pretty pissed off that we had dropped that last match. That resolve should serve us well.
“I’ve sat down with supporters’ groups. I’ve not been afraid to sit down to have tough conversations with people because I’m transparent, we’re transparent, we don’t have anything to hide. We all want the same thing and we’re all trying aggressively to make it happen. It’s just sometimes our timeline might not be as aggressive as others would like to see.
“But we’re not going to compromise the values that have kept Arsenal Football Club the way it is for over 130 years.”
One key part of the letter was an insistence that if the Kroenkes are not at every game then they should have a board and football structuring, and a call for “new and dynamic appointments.”
Josh Kroenke responded that Edu – Arsenal’s former midfielder who has now rejoined as their newly appointed technical director – is the latest in a long line of people brought in to get the club back on the right lines.
“The final piece of the puzzle, as Raul [Sanllehi, Arsenal’s head of football] said so elegantly in the release a few weeks ago, was our technical director in Edu. I’m really excited about his appointment,” he said.
“He brings not only Arsenal DNA but also a mentality that was instilled in him during the Invincible year. That championship, that Invincibles mentality, is going to serve us well now and in the future.”
Kroenke also addressed head on why they cannot just plough money into the club and also why the budget for transfers is so small this summer, with Arsenal under particular pressure to address the sky-high wage bill.
He added: “If we’re going into the finer points I’d have to defer to these guys [managing director Vinai Venkatesham and Sanllehi]. I’ve always told them we need to be as aggressive as possible.
“It’s no secret that we have a Champions League wage bill on a Europa League budget right now. That’s a fact. And one that we’re figuring out how to face internally at the moment.
“That doesn’t mean that my father or I have ever said anything about any restrictions on spending. We know where we need to be and we know the areas we need to address on the pitch.
“It’s not who you buy, it’s how you buy. There’s multiple statements to say how to skin that cat.
“While we’re not going to be in the market for some of the top players in the world at the moment whilst they are the top players, we’re actively scouting the globe to find the next big thing to become great at Arsenal Football Club. And not only will we bring them to the club, we’ll be able to retain them in the fold going forward.”
What does all that mean? Hokus Pokus?
Sue,
You have me wondering. You said, “The only thing I would like.. is for Kolasinac to wear short sleeves!!!”
Did you mean you want Kola to wear ‘shirt sleeves’? – or do you prefer that he wears shorts with sleeves?
If it’s the latter — does he have a spare pair of very long arms that need accommodating?
You are very knowledgeable about these things!! 😳
Hello RA.. how are you? 😊
You are possibly the only person I know who could come out with something like that 😂
Well you know me – no top at all would do!! I was actually called a perv earlier. shocking haha!! I can’t help it if I find a few footballers very attractive!! 😄
Your other comment – not read all of it yet – as it was rather long 😜 – I caught the hocus pocus part at the end – now I was under the impression, that coming from Wichita, like you do, you’d be an expert in it 😉😝
Lol that harsh
Josh sounding rather perplexed at the way things have gone. To be fair a lot of what has riled people could be put down to pure paper talk, and as we know that’s usually bollocks.
Let’s hope that they are trying their best.
Hi Susie Q, 😜
The long spiel earlier was not me of course, it was the report from the Mirror.
Sounds like a load of horse feathers to me!
Been to the hospital today — all good, so far — but got to go back again on the morrow!
As to Kola, let me help you out;
1. Sleeves in shorts
2. Sleeves in shirts
3. Shirts in shorts
4. Shorts in shirt sleeves
5. Shirts in short sleeves
6. No shirts
7. No sleeves
8.No shorts
And I can go no further for the sake of decorum — but it must be said, you are not a perv – obviously – you are just like all the girls I’ve known before —
Like all the girls I’ve known before
Who travelled in and out my door
I’m glad they came along
I dedicate this song
To all the girls I’ve known before
What can I say? Oh, yes
To all the girls I once caressed
And may I say I’ve held the best
For helping me to grow
I owe a lot I know
To all the girls I’ve known before
Oh, wowsie!!! 😎
What did I just read there
Firstly.. thank you, RA – I’ve just watched the transfer news show on Sky Sports (& wished I hadn’t) as I feel thoroughly depressed, after listening to Josh (what you reported)
and everything else to do with Arsenal. Now where’s that nearest bridge??
But then I read your comment – which is why i thank you, as I’m sat here crying with laughter! Funny guy, ain’t ya?!
Yet another song you’re singing to me? This is becoming a regular occurrence! I believe it’s loved not known (only because I googled it 🤣)
And then to top it off, seeing Fred’s comment “What did I just read there” brilliant 😂
I’m glad the hospital went well & all is good so far.. hopefully tomorrow will be too! 👍
Fred – tickets are not so hard to get for PSG games, especially Cup Games.
Red, you’re on one tonight…
Regarding Kroenke, the fact that he’s responded so quickly is positive, let’s see where we are when the window closes and is all his fine words mean anything?
Fred, there’s plenty of tickets for the Emirates Cup.
Julio………….
Are there any transfer pros on here that want to tell me when the Ceballos rumours look legit, please?
Ok thanks will probably attend one of there champions league games then
Wish I could have attended that also
Are u going allez
No rumours with us are legit mate
Well tell me when it gets to the point that Martinelli was at for that last week.
Fred – thank you for writing up your thoughts on the game, your post has received 2,931 views!!!!! That’s a pretty good haul, well done.
Any recommendations for improvement?
Je was 1 in a100
No Fred, I was actually gonna go to Hitchin for the U23’s but work is on top of me atm…
Mesut blonde??!! 😳
Just have a feeling all the so called experts predicting “no team to threaten Manshitty/Dippers at top, Totteringham to be only pushing them but supreme in third, Lampard to use successfully all his use yoof, and Manure and the Arse in big trouble with threat from Leicester, Wolves and Everton”.
We might as well give up now folks! Bollox!
I think much will be different this season and I BELIEVE in the mighty Arsenal revival.
Question?
Will Sarriball, together with the topping up of the Juventus squad with some real quality, put paid to Aaron’s first season? On top of that, he has got to recover completely from his hamstring first.
Dont wish it on him, but I think he might soon have regrets (but of course the money will be a consolation!)
I was just thinking about Ramsey.. after seeing De Ligt jetting in to Turin for his medical. That really is some team they’ll have next season, I will certainly be watching a lot more of Juve than I normally would! I’d forgotten about Sarri.. until you mentioned him, LBG.. urgh..
Yes 450k a week & living in Italy will certainly help if he does go on to have any regrets!
Still gonna be weird not seeing him in an Arsenal kit though 🥺
Morning all. I’ve stolen FGG’s comment from last night for today’s post … to be published shortly …
Morning all
We have a New Post …………..