Top of the League. 50 points, 19 games…
Two convincing, gritty and well-earned wins against Tottenham and then Man Utd. We can smile at the first half of the season and look at the second half with a bit of optimism. Of course, Man City have a deeper (better?) squad that is used to winning the EPL and they have a freak goal-scorer (Haaland – what a player!) but we are more than giving them a run for their money and now they have to catch us….
So against Utd, the positives:
- Zinchenko, Xhaka, Ode, Saka and Nketiah. What a difference does Zinchenko make to our team? A clever player. Xhaka is like a new player, providing assists, pressing high and not indulging in silly defending…Ode, even when not at his best, is aggressive defensively and decisive offensively. Saka hit another level this season and Nketiah has provided more than adequate cover for G.Jesus;
- The fans and Arteta’s fire.
So against Utd, the less positives:
- Ramsey’s shakiness against Utd was a bit scary;
- White and Tomyasu really struggled against Rashford and Tomyasu also at fault on Utd’s equalizer. We are looking at Fresneda, a young right back…
- Partey – at fault on first goal and then did not reassure throughout the game
- Saliba and Gabriel need to also cover Ramsdale better. A wake up call.
- Martinelli, off day at the office.
Ramsdale – 4.5
White/Tomy – 3.5
Saliba-Gabs – 5.5
Zinchenko – 8
Partey – 5.5
Xhaka – 7.5
Ode – 7.5
Saka – 8.5
Nketiah – 8.5
Martinelli – 6
Was a nice game to start for Trossard. COYG! Keep going strong.
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Thanks for the read RC, bit harsh on Partey again I feel, not the best first half as you rightly point out but was back to his absolute best in the second or at least that is how it looked from my seat in the ground.
Hi LB – I expect so much of him so it s true I may be a bit harsh…
Yea rhe 2 mistake we made dey scored from, really glad we didn’t lose the game cause of an tomi ramsdale mix up
Probably cause of tomi lack od playing time that what probably cause the mix up
Ramsey/Ramsdale shakiness, really!
Did you not see him spraying passes out from the back setting up attacks or the crucial save from Rashford? Very harsh…
Don’t agree with any of your defensive ratings, RC, or Partey’s who misplaced one pass. Seem to have climbed on the “clumsiness of Partey” and “Ramsdale flapping” media bandwagon. Shame!
Good to read one of your comments LBG, out of curiosity are you totally onside with Nketiah?
LB
Totally onside and was from the start. He has improved his upper body strength, copied the “intelligent” pressing of Jesus ( who has taken him under his wing according to reports), and was ALWAYS a goal scorer and an Arsenal man.
P.S
I am also convinced that Balogun will be just as good, and hope we keep him, LB.
Stating the obvious he is improving with every game, the question that fascinates me now is: how good can he get.
Are there any others that still have their doubts about Eddie, not that there is anything wrong with that. It’s a blog and people are supposed to have different views.
Hi LB
Hope all is going well with you.
Eddie has done really well. His big area of improvement is his first touch. This is not at top PL level yet. Hopefully he will master this in the coming years.
Thank you for asking TA, I am well and enjoying very much our current success.
Yes, room must be be made for the integration of Balogun and Patino next season, both could save the club from spending in the positions next summer?
Eddie is a great finisher, no doubt and he has improved this year his overall game. Agree about his first touch though.
As for Balogun, he is having a great season in L1. We don’t need to buy J. David if we have Balogun to be honest.
As for Patino, I ve not seen him play. How is he progressing?
LBG now arsenal has rescheduled there games for March so seems like would be only able to attend Fulham game on 12th which is an away game and our europa League game will u be attending any of those
I had initially want to go the palace game but would be in Italy on that day
Feeling like such a traitor only seeing 1 arsenal game on my vacation
Fred
Don’t do away games, but yes to Europa if it is home on the Thursday.