Arsenal returned to the top of the league table after securing a narrow 1,0 victory over Everton, with the decisive moment coming from a first-half penalty. While the performance may not have been flawless, the result was exactly what the Gunners required following a run of underwhelming league displays.
Arsenal Do What Was Required
This fixture represented a must-win situation for Arsenal, particularly given recent criticism surrounding their form. Everton, playing at home, was expected to provide stern resistance, and the match unfolded in that manner. Arsenal began with clear intent, showing determination to reassert their authority and translate confidence into tangible control on the pitch.
Despite their positive start, Everton remained organised and disciplined, making it difficult for Arsenal to create clear opportunities. The breakthrough eventually arrived when the home side conceded a penalty, which Viktor Gyokeres calmly converted. Once again, Arsenal’s goal did not arrive from open play, but it gave them a crucial advantage with ample time remaining to extend their lead.
Defensive Resolve Secures the Points
Everton were not prepared to collapse after conceding and continued to defend resolutely. Their resistance was evident throughout the second half, as Arsenal searched for a second goal to provide greater security. Several promising efforts were denied, with the crossbar repeatedly coming to Everton’s aid when Arsenal believed they had doubled their advantage.
Arsenal were comfortable defensively and confident in their ability to protect a slim lead, yet they continued to push forward. A 1-0 scoreline always carries an element of risk, as a single lapse can undo an entire performance. However, Everton struggled to generate a sustained attacking threat, largely due to Arsenal’s disciplined defensive structure and positional awareness.
As the match entered its closing stages, Everton increased the pressure in an attempt to salvage a result. Arsenal responded with composure and resilience, ensuring they limited their opponents’ opportunities. Their ability to manage the final moments effectively proved decisive, allowing them to see out the contest and claim three vital points that restored them to the summit of the league standings.
It was all about the 3 points today though. Lacked creativity, slow buildup Arteta needs to be bolder. Not sure why he can’t trust Nwaneri when his captain is not in form.
Nwaneri’s bold playing style is too risky for away games
I’m sure Odegaard can take high risks like that, but Arteta must’ve instructed the players to play very cautiously since they played at Goodison Park in a tough period of the season
Not at Goodison Park now. Shiny new stadium.
Why not Hill Dickson Stadium?
Because I couldn’t remember the name of it.
I don’t understand what people’s agenda against Odegaard is
Our midfield was super alive today – compared to how non-existent it was with Eze last week
Unless someone scores or assists before you’ll say they had a good game
Odegaard had a good game today
Could be better
We’ve seen him better
But compared to the trash Eze has been put up this was very very welcoming from Odegaard today
He’s our best attacking midfielder, just cut the crap
Neither have been good enough so far. Not an agenda but fact!!!!!
Can I say I am feeling underwhelmed by Zubimendi contribution? Where’s his next assist coming from? He’s not even natural at position play, tackling, marking, winning headers or defending.
Heir to balloon winner Rodri he ain’t.
You can, but Zubimendi is really not the player to be criticizing with regards to this game. He was always on the ball, passed well, was defensively solid, and even hit the post with a shot on goal.
If we’re naming names, Saliba was much less impressive today. Gave away the ball at least once in a dangerous place and could even have conceded a penalty if he was unlucky.
Gyokeres wasn’t convincing at all. Tarkovsky had his number all game, just as I predicted yesterday. He needs to stop attempting to take EPL defenders on 1 v 1, it’s not his skillset.
Babs I don’t know what you were watching, when you refer to our super alive midfield. Something is wrong there. Again if a tired Rice hadn’t been playing today a limp Everton would have got something out of this game. Either Odegaard or Zubs should be on the bench and more game time given to Nwaneri and Eze. Could they really be worse?
I agree there is an unhealthy agenda against Odegaard. It’s appropriate to indicate that he’s not played to the high levels that we have seen before but he’s been by no means as bad as some are making out.
Eze’s levels have fluctuated and sometimes seems more of a moments player rather than one to dictate the flow of the game or create multiple chances.
Odegard can play in the midfield when matches are decided by keeping midfield alive.
For now matches are decided by goals and assists, as such I would play Eze as our no 1 attacking midfielder.
In fact I’d also play Nwaneri before I consider Odegard.
But good for you, I’m not the manager.
We ain’t winning title. It’s obvious now why not. We pass it sideways and backwards letting all the minutes tick by without creating diddly , just asking to be mugged at the end. Manky City create lots of chances demolishing the divisions best defens records three nil with no chance of being mugged by them. That’s how it should be to get most from the billions your team cost. And there was Merson, worlds worse pundit, saying we have it sewd up by April as Man City in rebuilding year. Mers can whack his head on some cheese on toast, nock some sense back in, Man City are fit, in form, genius manager, unstoppable, we’ll be Holborn Viaduct by Easter.
We might win the FA Cup, though it depends on luck of draw, that’s not enough to save MA and his crab like playing style. Sideways back and more sideways. And back some more to keeper, to pass sideways – WAIT! someone passed it forward. Nah. 10 seconds standing there with ball underfoot whilst opponent inched closer and it’s gone backwards and sideways again. And now more backwards and side ways.
Just flip a longer ball into channel at least once a game for fudge sake. Please mug us. Wolves. Everton. We cost nine billions and it’s taken six years. Please mug us. We’ll keep the game alive for you right up to the final whistle.
Very odd to be writing such a definitive, reactionary appraisal when the season is just coming up to the halfway point and Arsenal are still top of the PL table.
You don’t win premier league playing like that. It’s a repeat of last season, great defence and poor attack.
You summoned up my two paragraphs very well in just two sentences. But how much evidence you got our attack so poor? Statto on Sky says Gyokeres not touched ball for 940 minutes, but our gameplay don’t give attackers the ball. If Earwig Hardlands plays for Arsenal, will he get more touches off team mates?
Some of us have enough evidential evidence, but take all the time you need, the conclusion will be the same. You cost 8 billion, they cost 8 bob, but we’ll keep the match alive for them till the last kick and throw of the dice when anything can happen. No one wins titles like that in this day and age. Simples.
Let me remind you that Arsenal actually won the last two games and are top of the PL.
It is unnecessary be so negative at this stage of the season.
There are several other teams that have spent huge amounts so whilst the spending helps Arsenal it is by no means decisive and it is quite silly for people to keep repeating the amount spending as if it should be.
Simple question – in title race would you like to be the team missing 7 great chances a game, or the team missing just two great chances a game? Man City are creating ten, missing seven, winning three nil, we are creating 3, missing two, winning one nil. From currrnt leaderboard we does learn not nearly as much as from the clear direction of travel I described. So have you not been watching exactly how we play? If so you can’t possibly say it’s exactly the same as the sequence of second place finishes. We used to create enough chances and score enough goals to win 10 games in row – without getting held here or beaten there – the handbrake is on, crabball: we will not now create enough chances for winning streak. Simples.
I would like to be the team at the top of the league, which Arsenal are. That’s simples.
I’m just finding this conversation totally bizarre. We know it’s not going to work, because we patently see it’s not working very well. We have half a season worth of evidence. Watch are you actually watching? Here we are, in the White Heat of the season where titles are made with winning streaks, and far from a rebuilding year Pep has nailed it on the trading field, Man City are winning this title with aplomb – frequently going long and direct to find space and create foot races. Meanwhile Arsenal are struggling with their football, and what always follows when your football is struggle, visibly losing belief. It’s not merely the injury disrupted seasons meaning we can’t now have the best from key personnel, it’s the crabball approach – sideways and back. To put it bluntly in one sentence, for the first half of season we are not creating enough chances or scoring enough goals consistently in every game to go on the long winning streaks that will keep us in touching distance with City before the showdown at their place. Man City’s creators and scorers are facing goal when they receive the ball, but ordered to play crabball, our creators and scorers expend the game with their back to goal for risk free passing.
What are you seeing? Are you actually enjoying it?
I am seeing a context in which Arsenal are grinding out results in spite of injuries and players trying to get back to fitness during a very busy schedule.
Injuries have once again played a significant role in disrupting the season. As players return and others regain full fitness the quality of play should improve.
Man City are playing pretty well but I believe you are exaggerating their chance creation. When I have seen them they have generally been more clinical than Arsenal which is one of the main reasons they have scored so many goals. They have not been as solid as Arsenal at the back but they have sometimes benefited from the wastefulness of other PL teams.
Bit of a borefest with a lot of hoofball from both sides but 3 points, 3 very valuable points. I want to win the Carabao cup but we must rotate for Tuesday’s cup game against Palace.
Arsenal played too safe for my liking, but at least they won an away game with a clean sheet near Christmas day
Zubimendi misplaced at least two passes and Gyokeres lost most of his battles against Everton’s defenders. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gyokeres gets shipped out in July
Sounds like a good thing I missed this game. Yet another premier league defense completely bosses Gyokeres. It’s every game and it’ll keep happening because he’s not good enough. Sounds like we limp to another 3 points. Unsustainable.
His hold-up play seemed to have improved, but we still need a stronger front-line pivot with better aerial ability
What holdup play OOO
Please remind me, what hold up play
Nothing looked like an improvement from him today
He was all trash
He will not be shipped out, he is not as bad as you are portraying him. Arteta’s myopic slow sideways and back passes will always limit any striker that comes to Arsenal. If Erling Haarlan come over to Arsenal under Arteta he will never win the golden boot. There’s no way a team will win trophies playing conservative football in this dispensation. A time will in this season that points and goals will count so much so let him continue with this his boring philosophy of defense is better than attack Liverpool has found their form and are coming to join M.City. How come that our strikers can hardly shoot outside the eighteen yard box and finds it very difficult converting half chances even inside the box Saka and Trosarad wasted close range chances this night?
A time will come in this season
Remember how Haaland received the ball in a tight space of our area and passed it to one of his teammates, that led to his goal against us?
Gyokeres will never be able to do such thing, since he’s not good in tight spaces due to his lack of technical skills
Watch Thierry Henry’s analysis about the comparison of Gyokeres’ and Martinelli’s decisions when there were open spaces in front of them and only one defender to outpace
Arsenal’s attack does need to improve. However, it is rather silly of people to suggest that Haaland would not score lots of goals if he was in this Arsenal side.
A satisfactory win in a game that had so many tense and nervy moments. The boys were at one point going back to the bad habit of defending the one goal but shook out of it and began pressing Everton. These one goals aren’t going make us win the league , Arteta needs to tell his boys to start scoring more. I’m really tired of the side ways and back passes all it does is invite pressure on us, Arteta has to sort it out.
Onwards we match . COYG.
I agree
The good moves were few and far between. It’s in there but with little urgency until later in the game when the nerves begin to shred on knowing a 1-0 lead is barely enough
There were times in the game I felt Everton was going to score the equaliser but thank goodness they took were poor. I think Arteta has to start coaching his boys how to play counter attacking football seeing as this style of sitting back and defending one goal leads is becoming our new reality. We play Brighton next who are having a bad spell lately and won’t have Baleba and Minteh in Thier ranks as they are of to the AFCON games.
EA, unfortately this is the style of play Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal play. It is difficult to score goals if the ball is not consistently entering the final third and not enough play is within Everton’s 18 yard area, notwithstanding arsenal hit the post twice.
“1-0 to the Arsenal” leaves us constantly on edge, if Arsenal doesn’t score a second goal. Travelling fans must be stressed out, in constant fear of heart attack!
A win is a win and still 3 points.
3 points secured. It would have been a more comfortable win if the shots from Trossard and Zubimendi did not hit the post.
Unto the next one. Crystal Palace on Tuesday for a quarter final match.
Let’s try and get another win.
Can we afford to rotate against Crystal Palace in a quarter final match?
Difficult decision for Arteta to make.
Jesus.
Martinelli. Eze. Madueke.
Merino. Norgaard.
Skelly. Hincapie. Saliba. Timber.
Kepa.
Why not play nwaneri too
Nwaneri actually deserves game time too. He should come in second half.
Definitely. I think Eze will thrive if he keeps swapping his position with Jesus or another false nine
We had 3 points today. We are top of the premier league table. We are top of the champions league table. And some fans are still complaining about our players. Let us calm down and support the team . We need that positivity. It is a tough league. There are no easy games.
But it’s the performance itself that we aren’t sure if it’s going to take us all the way to cainen
Who were these football geniuses going on and on here during this summer window about Gyorkes and how we absolutely had to have him. As someone who had not seen either he or Sessko play, I stayed out of it. My only opinion was that we needed a striker. Just sign someone. But you’d think the Gyorkes for Arsenal people had spent the previous season watching every Sporting game. If they had, they may have noticed that he is just a big lug, playing for one of the top three teams and a huge drop in standards once you get to the mid table teams. He is cumbersome, too slow, poor sense of awareness and probably not even much of a marksman should he ever find himself free in the opposition penalty area and with the ball at his feet. Great penalty taker , but fortunately in football we don’t have special teams where players are just brought on for a one minute cameo. What are we going to do about a striker though? The unconvincing Hartvetz remains injured, and Jesus looks flat. We’ll have to keep relying on Merino’s random goal contributions and hope that Eze and Dowman can also step up.
Arsenal could’ve signed a bigger CF like Woltemade or Aghehowa last summer
At least those bigger CFs would be more useful in corner/ indirect free-kick situations and they’re much younger
Should have got Isak, oh wait……
Joe.S
Might have been better use of funds to sign Calvert Lewin who has managed to stay fit at Leeds. 😁
Happy with the 3 points, not the way we got them. There are many parts of the team that is struggling and the way we play does not help. Firstly we do not play for a central striker, we play for a false 9. Zubimendi is a massive weak link and very passive to negative. Saliba had a stinker. Odergaard does not create enough, quickly enough. We go TOO long without scoring from open play and that goes back to last season, when it was a very good sticking plaster, until it ran its course. Our general play is sooooo slooooow and sooooo negative, with the aim of possession possession possession. How can a team that has possession stats of 75 and 80 % in periods in a game score so few goals from open play. It isn’t getting us goals from open play. We have loads of attacking talent and play the wrong way to utilise it. IF we do not win the league, that will be the sole reason why. Rice is covering for so much poor play around him, we will burn him out, if we are not careful. Zubimendi is struggling and Arteta is sticking with him. Norgard has to be a better fit, he can cope with the premier league hustle and bustle. Was Madueke injured? Is Nwaneri injured? Why are they not getting on? The more I watch us, the less confident I get. We are wasting good talent by the way we play.
We all have biases and I think your comment highlights your bias against Zubi. You weren’t for his signing from the beginning and I think that makes you judge him to a different standard. He’s not perfect but I don’t think he’s as bad as you claim. The guy is no Partey and I don’t think he was brought to replicate what Partey did.
They are different players with different strengths and roles. While Partey was more of a destroyer,Zubi is more of a deep lying playmaker,like Jorginho. Judge him as a DLP and not a destroyer,then you’ll see what he brings.
On the other hand,your soft spot for Gyokeres blinds you to his limitations,hence the excuses.Yes his teammates can do better but he too has a lot to work on.On one instance,Raya found him with a perfect ball yesterday ,only for an Everton player to dispossess him easily from behind. He can’t hold the ball up at the moment and his first touch needs work. His physical & technical levels need improvement and I’m sure that will come with time.
Overall,I don’t think the game was as bad as you claim. We had superior xG and Everton hardly troubled Raya. On another day, Saka & Trossard convert their chances and we win 3-0.Against Wolves we were poor. I didn’t see that yesterday.
I was told by some friends in Spain, who support Real, they hoped they didn’t get him and their reasons. Everything they said, is correct. I am not biased, why should I be? I say what I see, along with many others. He is struggling with midfield. He brings nothing to the table. I am not on my own. I do not see how you can say the opposite.
I wished that he impressed me like Mosquera and Madueke who have come in and impressed. But he hasn’t at all.
Well, I agree with Onyango regarding Zubimendi. I would suggest that you outline what your friends at Real have said rather than these vague comments.
Saying that they have said what you agree with is completely meaningless.
Zubimendi’s influence on Arsenal’s game is quite different to that of the likes of Partey and he provides pretty good balance to the midfield. This is one of the best midfields in the world.
Anyone saying that Zubimendi brings nothing to the table really does not understand football.
I did David, in the summer, keep up.
Why not highlight them here? It seems you are quite happy to repeat things when focusing on prevailing negative agendas such as “Liverpool find a way” when it is convenient. Now you are describing the team as being “negative ” whilst providing little of substance.
Zubimendi is great positionally, has very good passing and reads the game well. In these he shares some attributes with Jorginho but he is quicker, and more athletic. Zubi is better than the likes of Norgaard who you people are now calling for. Zubimendi’s presence helps to ensure that Arsenal are very press resistant. This is why we control the games so much.
He is not as good at tackling as the likes of Partey or elite tacklers like Caicedo but he makes up for this in his other attributes.
Zubimendi’s presence in MF allows Arsenal to control games better than even when we had Partey. He is a key reason Arsenal currently have one of the best midfields in world football.
The type of football you people are craving for would turn many games into ones with high numbers of transitions. Without the right profile of players and against the teams Arsenal play in the PL the team would end up with a new set of issues. As for Real Madrid you should remember that they have regularly been dominated in MF by PL teams.
There are certainly improvements that Arsenal can make but not based on the silly agenda ridden nonsense that some of you are harping on about.
For you? Forget it. I’m not bothered to even attempt to explain anything to you.
I know it’s your opinion, but please, stop their hatred about Zubimendi. If he had gone to Real Madrid or Liverpool and shone, some of you would have blamed Arteta for not signing him
1. Diego Simeon is on record saying he changed tactics because of Zubi
2. Zubi is the same guy who dominated an English midfield that included Rice and Bellingham in the Euros final. Spain didn’t even feel the absence of Rodri in the second half of that final. They still don’t feel it even now
3. Zubi is the main reason why Rice has shone this season
4. Zubi is one of the major reason why Arsenal have only conceded less goals so far
Reggie
Stop *your
Hatred? What a stupid thing to say!!!!!
I do not think he has been good enough ( and i am not on my own) he has struggled. Theres no hatred🙄
Reggie 👍
Zubimendi is not coping well with the Hussle and ruggedity of the epl.
Arteta needs to rotate him with Norgaard more frequently.
Norgaard is becoming rusty on the bench. He has more premier league experience with his long spell with Brentford.
Its a real strange one. Zubimendi is not the player, some thought we were buying. Norgard is an experienced premier league midfielder.
I think Zubi is doing alright. He was brought to be a deep lying playmaker, like Jorginho and not a destroyer like Partey. He has been mis profiled by some fans as something he’s not. If you judge an elephant by its ability to fly or an eagle by its ability to swim, you’ll be underwhelmed.
The issue we have at the moment is that we are missing Rice further forward. Because our CB pairing isn’t as trusted without Gabriel, Rice is being asked to drop into the back line most of the time,from what I’ve observed.Hopefully Gabriel is closer now. Getting him back will allow us to get Rice back where he can hurt teams.
I agree that Norgaard should have played more, but he doesn’t offer us the security on the ball we get from Zubimendi.
Security on the ball? You mean, passing to Saliba, Raya, Calafiori and Timber in preference to pushing the game on. Norgard could do that and give us more “Security” off the ball.
I didn’t see partey as a destroyer – he was also a deep lying playmaker, but what made him *so* good (when at his best) was that he was *also* physically robust and could screen the defence very well. It’s what made him better than jorginho and most other deep playmakers I’ve seen, and why replacing him like for like was always going to be impossible.
Thankfully rice is about as good a destroyer-type midfielder as you could hope for, so can pair well with a less robust playmaker like zubimendi (who I agree has not been anywhere near as bad as many are saying, from what I’ve seen – definitely an improvement on the version of partey we had for most of the previous season or two, but not as good as partey was at his peak – which for us was unfortunately a very brief period due to his injuries, imo).
I didn’t really see Partey as a true DLP(regista). What defines a DPL is that ability to read the game and anticipate the next play before it even happens. It’s more about positioning than aggression.Their first instinct is to pass, unlike Partey whose first instinct is to dribble and carry the ball. They spray passes without taking many touches.
Think of Pirlo,Jorginho,Kroos and Alonso. These guys virtually never lose the ball. Partey,on the other hand wasn’t as secure on the ball. Lots of times he lost the ball because of trying to be too vertical/incisive,which isn’t a bad thing, but you don’t want it closer to goal.That’s the opposite of what defines a DLP.
And I thought our best performances under Arteta came when Jorginho partnered Rice. That second part of the 2023/24 season when Partey was out injured, we won 16 out of 18, after the famous Dubai trip.
Btw I thin Rodri is special because he’s both a DLP and an enforcer.
Partey for me, would be a proper box to box player,at his best, but his physical attributes meant he was often used as a screening 6 most of his career.
He played with Rodri at Atletico where he was the more adventurous one who carried the ball,covered ground and took risks while the Spaniard sat deeper, controlled tempo and recycled possession.Even for Ghana,Partey played higher.
Reminds me of Song who was used by Arsene as a 6 when he was more of an 8.This may be controversial but I feel like lots of black footballers are used in more conservative roles because of their physical attributes when they could offer more, technically and tactically.
“The issue we have at the moment is that we are missing Rice further forward. Because our CB pairing isn’t as trusted without Gabriel, Rice is being asked to drop into the back line most of the time,from what I’ve observed.”
I had noticed him doing that but didn’t put it together that it might have something to do with the changes in defence – assumed it was using him and zubi as more of a double-pivot or midfield partnership so neither is tied to the CDM position. If your inference is correct, I’d find it very disappointing from the manager – shows a lack of confidence in his players which would surely be picked up by them, and if it affects the team going forwards, or simply takes a lot out of rice (I’ve noticed him charging up the pitch trying to make things happen when we need him to as well!), it’s arguably more risky for the longer term than having rice play his normal game.
Rice was dropping into the back line from the beginning of the season and yes it was more of a double pivot but it’s a little different with Gabi out. At the moment it’s almost like he’s barely coming out of that back line.
It’s really not about a lack of confidence imo. It’s more an acknowledgment that there’s a gap in ability between Gabi and the next man. Hincapie is great, but I don’t think he has the ability to cover big spaces like Saliba,Gabriel and Mosquera.
Gabi can cover the left channel when Cala gets forward because of his engine and recovery speed. We’ve adapted by splitting the duty between Rice and Hincapie.
If you lose the best player in his position,you have to improvise.
Gyokeres Is not able to contribute.looks like he is bit slow so any pass over the defenders in counter attacking movements are not going to help.
Some interesting opinions on the game from Arsenal fans.
Everton were a physical side who thought they could ruffle our feathers, but we gave as good as we got in that department.
They were set up to not lose the game and, as far as I can remember, didn’t have one shot on goal in the first half.
We probed away, kept possession and got our reward with the penalty, even though the referee had to be asked to look at the var footage before he awarded one of the most obvious penalties ever!!
We should have had another penalty and the woodwork rescued Everton twice during the game.
I’m sorry, but I didn’t see us sitting back, what I saw was a team looking to score another goal.
The determination to win, lacking completely in the Wolves game, was evident and the three points see us at the top of the PL over Christmas.
For those calling for wholesale changes, take a look at what happened to Palace at Leeds today!!
I’m sure Mikel will rest players for the Tuesday night game and that shows me where his priority lies – just as, it seems, Palace see it the other way round.
OT Did anyone watch the spud game?
The performance of the official referee was so one sided, he must have been taking lessons from Mr Oliver.
I thought the referee in our game was very good and consistent (although I felt he should have awarded our penalty immediately and missed a second penalty for us) and that’s all we can ask for.
Just to balance it up, Everton thought they should have had a penalty?
Yes, but Barry has a reputation for diving (or so I’ve been reading today).
What has that got to do with it? That doesn’t make it less of a penalty shout.
Just pointing out that I think it was well justified in not awarding the penalty, and perhaps the ref & VAR saw his overreaction.
I do not see how a perseption of character can influence a decision. If it does rules are meaningless. That should not and would not be an influence in a decision.
Of course.
So ken, you are not worried by the type of football we are playing at the moment? The last two games, 2 own goals and not one open play goal? Before that, Brentford apart, we lost to Villa and couldn’t beat Chelsea with 10 men?
Well here’s the conundrum you and others have set out for yourselves Reggie.
According to you, winning trophies is the be all and end all and that’s how Mikel should be measured no matter what.
So I find it difficult to understand why your criticising the way we’re playing, when we’ve only lost two games this season, top both the PL and CL and playing in a quarter final of a domestic cup.
Surely, results are all that counts, as long as we actually win something?
I wonder if that’s why Mikel has changed his attacking play of previous seasons to the type of football we are now playing?
After all, he has got enormous criticism for finishing second three seasons in a row playing more attacking and watchable football.
One should be careful what one wishes for, especially if one then moans about the outcome of such wishes.
Me?
I would rather see the kind of football that had me standing for most of every game, even if we ended trophy less, but I’m now behind Mikel playing the way he’s decided to play, in order to placate those who judged him on trophy’s.
Last season was not attacking football. Results matter over everything. We (including yourself) have a right to criticise, or whatever people call it. And you can not say, we are playing the type of football, that will win us the league because we haven’t proved that yet. And I am criticising the way we are playing because it is not great to watch. Ultimately if we win the league by lucky goals, set pieces and playing football that isn’t exciting to watch, I will be happy to win the league. But if I didn’t enjoy watching it, I would have to deal with that as some sort of pay off. But much of my criticism is the way we play being the reason we can not win the league and we haven’t so far. The way we play is great over a season at avoiding defeats and amassing points but it has yet to prove good enough to win anything. I really can not believe you do not think winning the league is not that important when the ultimate aim of any top manager is to win the league. Finishing second is not good enough for any top sportsman. Thats for sure.
I have said ken, we have to change the way we play to win the league or CL, are you saying we dont?
Reggie, we’ve changed the way we played and your still not happy.
Yet here we are sitting on top of both the PL and and CL.
What, exactly, do you want? T
Trophies?
Then wait and see if he delivers, as he’s not doing too badly so far is he?
Finishing second should spur any sportsman/woman on and, as there can only be one winner, there will be lots of them trying to be number one and…. following on from my logical thinking, there will be, once again, be those who finish second.
Should they give up, or try again and again?
Last season ken we were the set pice kings. And slow build up. And again for the third time, you didn’t answer the question?
Is that the question will we win the PL or CL?
I have answered that one, let’s wait until the end of the season.
My personal opinion is that we have a very good chance of wining the PL.
The CL depends on the draw, as all cup competitions are.
You haven’t answered my question – he’s not doing to badly this season, regarding results and positions is he?
No ken, ARE YOU HAPPY WITH THE WAY WE ARE PLAYING?
DO YOU THINK WE CAN WIN THE LEAGUE PLAYING THE WAY WE ARE PLAYING?
And I have said i previous posts, we are gathering points as usual but thats not EVER been the ultimate problem
Reggie
You are saying we are not playing well to win a trophy. Does that include matches against Bayern Munich, Spurs, Atletico Madrid, Leeds, Brugge?
What do you mean by saying we are not playing well? The last time I checked, we only played not well against Chelsea and Wolves. Even against Wolves, we missed chances especially Martinelli. Not forgetting they packed the bus the whole match. Against Aston Villa, we played well, and we could have won the match or drawn
Even City have struggled against Aston Villa, Newcastle, Spurs and against us too. So, can you say they will not win a trophy too?
I remember when we were playing beautiful football under Wenger, and we would be thrashed 8-2. And Arsenal fans criticised Wenger for not defending well. Now, we are doing the opposite and getting results, yet you people are still not happy
Let me give you a secret: Arsenal are top of EPL and UCL table without hitting the next gear and with the most injuries. In the second leg, you will see Arsenal playing the beautiful football you want. Also remember, Arsenal have favourable away matches in the second leg compared to Man City and Aston Villa
Isn’t that what I said? These last 5 or so games have been worrying. And I have always said, the way we play, doesn’t/ hasn’t held up under pressure at the pointy end.
Yeah I thought that was allot better then the Wolves game
Ken, I have been busy watching the “poor Austlian cricket team” on TV winning in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, against the overhyped English touring team. Piers Morgan (an embarrassing Arsenal fan) and many other pundits eat humble pie
I look forward to going to a Test or two with you, if you ever manage to come to Ausralia for an Ashes Tour. Not only are the matchday tickets affordable, but UK citizens get reciprocal treatment!
We were absolute rubbish OG and deserved to be humiliated by a much better squad.
My only consolation, is that we didn’t resort to cheating by sandpaper ing the ball in order to win.
I’ve never been down under, but if all Aussies are as genuine and likeable as you mate, it would be worth a visit.
Ken, I recommend you read the biographies of some English cricketers. Including Treskothic the current batting coach and Monty Panisar, where ball tampering involving mint sweets was discussed. Mike Atherton was the captain involved. Steve Smith the then captain and Warner of “sandpaper gate” were severely penalised with suspension by the Australian Cricket Board, when the ICB issued minimal sanctions. By comparison Atherton et al were given OBE’s! Unfortunately some people have short memories.
Still doesn’t take away the fact that the Aussies were caught cheating, while the other was discussed but never actioned OG, at least as far as I know.
Ken, so its alright to cheat, provided you dont get caught?
You do the crime, you pay the consequences and that is how the ACB handled it. However Smith paid the penalty as captain, even though there is no evidence he was aware it was happening.
Many believe it is the height of hypocrisy for England supporters to harp on about it. People in glass houses.
Ken, when I used the word “discussed” by Trescothick and Panasar, I should have said “admitted” to ball tampering by using saliva laced with mint sugar, so t was “actioned”.
Ozziegunner,
Just to put my two bobs worth in. It’s the same regards Carey’s stumping of Bairstow, when a certain man named Broad came in to bat he was seen having words with Carey regards what he did to Bairstow.
Talk about cheek, this from a man who in the past had a massive edge not given out by the umpire, but everyone could hear around the stadium. And he blatantly just stood there. Now people can state that he was only applying the rules regards standing his ground and abides by the Umpires decision. But I think it paints a picture of a cheat.
So if you are dishonest in the past, you’re certainly in no position to question decisions that go against you. 🤷♂️👍
Despite the clear penalty, the referee can be forgiven, it’s one of the better games have seen from a referee.
That’s not a penalty for Everton, please watch the Newcastle vs Spuds game.
Am please with the results, we weren’t exactly fluid, but a tough away game yet we created quite a few chances
I love the decision by Odegaard letting Gyokers taking the penalty, hopefully he continues
I thought Raya was impressive. His passing was crisp and the distribution from him was spot on every time. Claimed every cross calmly,not giving Everton a sniff.
We all saw what we saw., however it’s a matter of interpretation how we react Was it a bore fest? Certainly, Three or four of our starting eleven with question marks regarding how much they can help the team, the managers tactics, brilliant or lucky, Three valuable points, definitely, Crooked refereeing officials conspiring against us. Ha Ha. One thing is for certain. If we continue to play like this into February and March, will we still be league leaders? I guess that’s the million dollar question.
We definitely need to improve our overall play. I believe we will improve when Gabriel and Havertz return and hopefully we don’t get any new injuries from now henceforth.
Man City have picked up form so we need to be better to maintain the lead.
According to many everyone had a bad game, Saliba, Zubi, Ode but people forget they played according to instructions. We kept possession, gave Everton zero chances at Raya, yes we’re boring and there’s bound to be misplaced passes at times but we were solid today. People have to accept this how Mikel wants to play, I think he would have made changes and brought on Eze, Madueke if wanted Arsenal to be adventurous, proof he brought on Merino for Odegaard and his changes were very late in the game. We can cry all we want, but Arteta seems to be content with how Arsenal play backed by the fact he didn’t want to make substitutions.
Our football has become really frustrating to watch. The passing and movement are slow, tiresome and robotic. We need to switch to fast flowing football, pass quicker.. take one touch and you pass foward! Our wingers as well need to operate more centrally, positioning themselves around the box, ready to shoot or support the CF. I don’t like the fact that Saka and Trossard are always positioned wide, hugging the touchline. No one will pass to Gyokeres when he is isolated with no support nearby. Even on PS5, you never score anything when your wingers are positioned wide.. it NEVER WORKS!
Speaking of too many touches… it’s unfortunately hard to rocket one in to a 9 in the box when he’s not actually making the runs, instead trying (and failing) to beat defenders 1 v 1 somewhere in a forward midfield area.
My opinion on that is. He was making runs, earlier in his Arsenal career and nobody was looking for him. Is Arteta trying to change his natural game, or is he? We are not set up for a no9 and we do not play for a number 9. Aubas game went under Arteta and so did Lacazette. We do not play to our “strikers” strengths. Arteta wants his strikers to play deeper and be more of a false 9. When was the last time we had a striker, who played like a striker and we played for a striker?
Regge, Mikel Arteta doesnt know how to play to CF’s strengths, as shown by your examples. Aubamyang, Lacazette and Gyokeres are no mugs.
Correct!!!!!
Agreed… You’re right on the money in that we’re not currently setting up to play to the strengths of a big 9. We know Ødegaard knows how to play that way with Haaland, Saka with Kane and Trossard with Lukaku.
Arteta definitely prefers a false 9 approach with his forwards trying resolutely to cut off any counterattacks before they get going, yep. The likes of Jesus, Havertz, Trossard and Merino are all in this category. Maybe it comes from his success at City with Pep, before Haaland joined, but you’d imagine he is smart enough to change/adapt too. It took Pep a little while to adapt also. I will add, it seems that when we have Gabriel in the backline, we’re more confident about allowing counters. So maybe we’ll see progress later in the season. He’s obviously a very good manager overall, but this might be a weak area for him at the moment, and so maybe it just is what it is.
If you look at how Gyokeres played for Sporting though, it’s essentially what he’s doing currently. Of course, in that league he played many more open teams with poorer defenders, and could achieve more. It’s yet to be seen if he is all he was predicted to be by his promoters.
So it’s probably a combination of Arteta and Gyokeres both doing what comes naturally to them. Hopefully they can course correct!
Very few top level teams play with a traditional number 9 setup for various reasons, primarily because of the desire to dominate possession.
As you have said Gyokeres is actually playing a similar role at Arsenal as he did at Sporting. This is normally a DLF rather than what is normally considered a false 9. However, he is up against much better setups than he was in Portugal. His teammates have also not been finding as consistently as they might and he has actually not been holding the ball ups well enough for the level of football he is now playing.
You also need to remember that Gyokeres did not have much of a preseason with the team and he has been out with injury himself.
I am not entirely convinced about the idea that Arteta simply prefers a false 9. Arsenal actually only play with a false 9 system occasionally and in certain game states. Much depends on the quality and attributes of the players that you have.
Haaland- City Kane- Bayern Barcelona- Levondoski Mbappe- Real they are the biggest teams in Europe recently?????
Do you really think that all these teams play with a traditional number 9 setup?
Yes, its obvious
All i can say is
Both partey and xhaka never made error passes like Zubi..they never failed to mark their men..they never failed an aerial duel when they went for it..they alway made clean tackles and pocket their men. Zubimendi isn’t doing none of that. He brings tempo and control? You mean by playing sideways and back passes instead of forward? How is that brining tempo bro! Rodri is the best at single pivot ,reading the game and seeing a pass way out of the pitch and making it, Zubimendi wants to be close passing, and when an opportunity to make a long pass to pick Saka or Trossard or Gyok he would rather pass to Rice or calafiori and let them do the hustle! How is it that we relying on his defense and distributions when Rice seems to be the one orchestrating how our attack from the middle moves? And then also has to go back and play false LCB and LB? Haha 😂 it’s amazing how Rice is doing all this week in week out and hasn’t dropped dead yet! But Zubimendi is looking more n more of a player likely to pick a knock before him lol.
I won’t even start on gyokeres , i watched all Sporting matches with him starting them and honestly he was underwhelming then! He the type of player to go in games invincible, and only show life when defense is caught napping (which in the Portuguese leage all defenders and paper boxes) one simple turn an run from a through pass and he is gone! But more importantly at Sporting he would often play wide on the left and putting crosses in the box and has a good pass in him at that..playing him as the focal 9 at arsenal will not work out, he needs another consistent goal scoring partner next to him to ease the pressure offa defenders so he can make those simple yet effective runs from through passes…but if y’all think passing balls over defender to find him lol good luck, Sporting didn’t do that because they knew he isn’t good in the air or dealing with such balls. Until Eze plays consistently, gyokeres will starve and he’ll be a waste of money because odegaad only has 👀 for Saka that’s it!
I had no doubts on Arsenal win primarily Everton play without its key players. Moreover Arsenal had to respond immediately after City’s win and the anomaly at Wolves. My regret still is the margin should have been bigger by at least 3 more goals.
Today Man Utd do exceptional things when they’re disregarded so Utd will at least snatch a point from Villa.
Top by Christmas. Kudos to Gooners! Onwards and upwards!!! 3 home matches follow vs Palace, Brighton and Villa.
My only comment: I have never voted for Gy’okers. I talked about signing Victor Osemhin or Tony. Gyökeres has had his chances. I lost patience with Gyökeres. I want to ship him out asap. We need a consistent goalscorer who scores goals no matter what league he plays in. Such goalscorers are Victor Osimhen and Ivan Tony. I know Arteta didn’t like Tonys attitude. But that’s the managers job to solve this.
Delighted with the win and to be top of table at Christmas. Still don’t think we’ve looked particularly great at any point, which is arguably a positive. Some of the new signings continue to underwhelm, but Madueke been a highlight for me – surprised he didn’t get on the pitch today.
May is gonna be such a good time laughing at the naysayers who have already declared we won’t win the title already lmao. We’ve already played 5 of the top 7 teams away already with only the showdown at Etihad remaining. City have played only 2, yes they have huge momentum right now but we already saw how they are more vulnerable than the past City teams.
100%. The naysayers always declare esp when Arsenal blip that so long as there is a team called Man City and a great manager by the name Pep, Arsenal will not win the title.
Just like the Wolves game, the only real positive I can take from this game is the three points.
Yes we hit the post twice, but you don’t get goals for that, so it is of little relevance really. How the Ref never gave the penalty on first viewing is beyond me, he was looking right at it. But thankfully on second viewing he came to the right decision.
For me Everton should have had a penalty, the Everton player clearly gets the ball and Saliba kicks his foot, that’s not subjective that’s fact. I beg to differ with anyone on this forum who wouldn’t be shouting penalty if that had been our player.
It’s nice to be top at Christmas, but that’s all it is. We’ve been here before, and we’ve seen how it’s ended. For me, we need to start being more clinical in front of goal and making it easier on ourselves.
The games against Chelsea, Villa, Wolves and now Everton have not been to convincing, we may have won the last two games, but in my view we got lucky.
That will not hold for long, and if they don’t start to be more convincing soon they could go into the new year in second. Just saying.
I forgot to mention Sunderland regards our poor recent form.
DEREK
We created way more chances than the Wolvesg ame , and I would say quality chances.
In that, we got multiple chances to put the game to bed on a tuff away fixture.
The back four seems a little more assured, and the Big Swede break the drought.
And we are top of the tree on Christmas, hardly much more we could ask from the outfit under the circumstances
Gunsmoke,
They can create as many chances as they like, not being clinical will catch up with them in the end.
It’s nice to be top, of course it is. But we’ve been here before, so for me it’s not really anything to get excited about. Now come May if their up there then happy days.
Here’s hoping that they can finally get over the line. 👍
Both of you are correct.
Despite being far from convincing lately, and suffering from ongoing injuries to key players we are still top of our domestic League and European Championship competition.To me this augers well for 2026 as i expect us to regain the energy and fluidity we showed earlier in the season.Villa and City have recovered after stuttering and i don’t see why we cannot do likewise as i feel our squad is at least as strong as theirsWishing all at JA a very happy Xmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year.
I’m with you Grandad. There is just the assumption that Arsenal will go to pieces because they don’t know how to win the important stuff. Wishing you and yours all the best for the Christmas and New Year holidays
Lets hope they do not go the way of previous seasons. And actually achieve what has been in is totally possible.
What has been and is totally possible.
Oh I agree
I just try not to look for potholes to fall into
DEREK,
Yes your remarks are positive. This season has a marked feature of inconsistencies of top teams which is not confined to Arsenal. Our arch rival Man City for instance also had off days and could have lost to lesser teams such as Fulham which they somehow managed to win 5-4 (yes 5-4) and also v Leeds 3-2 conceding lots of goals having best goalie Donnarumma. Similar situation exists with Chelsea Liverpool Utd Spurs etc.
Arsenal have a much heralded problem of injuries and given that they’re faring fine though we had squandered few chances to runaway. Top top top in 3 tables incl injuries. Second round hopefully the injured return and have the advantage of facing the top teams at home starting with a team that have the ‘most wanted’ tag Aston Villa in a fortnight.
Ambachew,
The one League I hope we don’t finish top in is the injury League. 🤦♂️
It seems there’s a lot of negativity going around.
Yes the last two games have been touch and go, but we need to understand that sometimes when a team is not playing their best and have some key players sidelined, we have to consolidate a bit and win ugly.
My view is, let’s reserve comment for the end of the season. If we end up losing shape and not winning the Prem, then fair enough, have a go at the players/manager.
Until then, lets back the boys!