So Arsenal kicked off Emery’s second big game, and he changed the starting line-up completely and quite surprised me by playing both Iwobi and Ozil despite having come back late from the World Cup, and even more so that he made our under-fire German our captain.
PSG started lively but after just 12 minutes Aubameyang was left in acres of space on the right wing. He easily slipped it through to Ozil running through the centre and it was an easy finish for the captain. A great way to respond to his recent problems.
Within ten minutes Iwobi nearly made it two but got denied by the keeper, and it looked like Arsenal were much too alert for this young PSG side. Guendouzi looked really composed on his second start and should be used in the first team this season. He sent another great ball to Aubameyang who was left in the box, but the Gabon hitman took just a bit to long to get his shot off and the keeper recovered to get in his way.
But the last 15 mins were all PSG as they ramped up the pressure for an equaliser, and the young Tim Weah was the big danger for the French champs and came very close a couple of times, but the Gunners go into the break with a 1-0 lead. It is nice to see us actually convert our superiority into a lead for a change!
Emery changed his keeper again at half-time but this time it is Martinez who gets his chance, Ramsey and Lacazette come on as well. PSG went into attacking mode and when Weah was brought down by Kolasinac after 5 mins (No VAR to help us!) and Nkunku converts it well. This was the trigger for Emery to make another five changes with Smith-Rowe getting his birthday wish.
The Gunners fought back with the fresh legs and Lacca put us back in front 5 mins later and then made it two straight away, although there is some dispute as to whether he actually scored either!
Arsenal make another 5 changes as do PSG, but the action keeps coming. Nketiah comes close and them Maitland-Niles misses an easy one, but from the resulting corner Holding got a fantastic looping header over the keepers head and Arsenal had put the game to bed. This one wont be going to penalties!
There was just enough time for Nketiah to put a perfectly placed shot into the corner to make it five! COYG!
So Emery remains unbeaten (in public games anyway lol)
Admin
Well done AFC ?
Looks like the finishing is starting to come back. Overall very comfortable, which you’d expect against PSG kids. Lacazette, Guendouzi, Bellerin looked good today, very fit. Only negative for me is still our defending can use some work. Under pressure we still look like we’re just a step behind the opposition.
If this is how the whole team will play this season, top 3 is certain. I’m not getting ahead of myself but no sideways passing and no delaying taking shots. Smith Rowe very very impressive, Eddie I’d certainly for the future. Emery stood up for full 90 minutes. Lovely match
Nothing is certain. Including top 4
Innit sure but I’m impressed with how the team pressed and how the players made sure they try to get the ball as soon as possible. The wat the young boys played like their lives depends on it is amazing, We had possession in the first half, but the goals in the 2nd half. Guendozi looks Luke he’ll be amazing all season, didn’t put a foot wrong.
I’m impressed, now I’d like to see what will happen when Torerria plays with him. Notice with Guendozi and Elneny in the first half, we played simple and fast passes, no flicks, no turning 360 and no slowing the ball down. Ramsey came in for Elneny, boom started trying his usual and lame flicks.
I hope Xhaka is watching and somebody should tell him if he doesn’t improve, he’ll go to the bench.
Smith Rowe should be given lots of chances in the cup games, alongside Nketiah. Those 2 seems like the ones who’d cut it the most.
Nelson looks like he still plays like a kid, tries to impress too much and he’s got a long way to go, but he was good today, he’s not first team material yet.
Can someone please tell me what’s Joseph Willock’s specialty and what he brings to the team??
Same as a Kolasinac, not a lot.
Kolasinac brings gorgeous looks to the team ?
Guendouzi wow my man of the match by far!!!
Guendouzi, Torriera was supposed to be the jigsaw piece and this lad was supposed to be cover ..is what I thought. The way everyone is talking am not sure what to think now. Will he go with two of them, or if Torriera needs time to adapt to English game would he drop him for the French kid. Then Ramsey they’re trying to get done, I think he’ll start but if it came to it he could be competition for Ozil. Torriera might have a fight on his hands, I didn’t see the game yet but the internet is bouncing.
Is it me or Guendouzi is really slow? He is a good potential, but EPL thrives on pace. We look sorted except one winger, and a CB may be
It is u that is slow not GuenSPESHALLLLL. ADMIN can u please put an emergency call to Zhaka to put a stop to his vacation , for, a certain Guendouzi has set his roof on fire. As for Elneni, I feel sorry for him .
I think he plays at a slow tempo but it’s his style like Ozil. But it looks slower than it is as I think he’s deceivingly quick when he wants to be. Ibra and Toure were a bit like that, but I think this lad is quicker than everyone I mentioned. Its not an easy thing to do to play relaxed when players against you are trying to rush and tackle you.
kiddo
Guendouzi should be at least on the bench in PL. We have to see how well he will cope with bullies of the PL… but wait?! No Stoke, no Sunderland this season! Hell Yeaaah
It is crazy that now Southampton with Stoke’s hero Hughes is most timberman team in PL.
guendouzi is really a gem,he really needs to be in the first team….what a player. Ozil scored but was not imposing on the game we really need a pure winger, nelson is young and 1 for the future thus a pacy winger is highly needed, kufos to Emery.Coyg……..
Guendouzi Impresive
I will say it again, as long as it is not Wenger in charger, I will enjoy watching my Arsenal. I don’t expect an instant hit from Emery, but at least I will see a manager with tactics, ambition and demanding. I will always prefer a manager who’s on the touchline to issue out instructions when the going gets tough than a manager who’ll be playing with his Kacket Zip. Will be interesting to have Torreira and Gwendouzi in front of the back 4 in a 4-2-3-1 formation. We have suffered enough in the past under Wenger, great time to be a gunner.
COYG.
COYG.
If you are good the age does not count.The arsenal young stars are really making a name for themselves,look at the second halve of the game it was a real pressing game from the young stars and it was totally different
I tell you…people tend to undermine lacazette’s abilities on this site…come on,dude was made to look like a bad player courtesy Wenger who constantly subbed him off early and still he finiahed just 2 goals behind Lukaku who started and finished more than 95% of man utd’s matches… left to me,I prefer lacazette as a striker to aubameyang…lacazette is a more natural and better finisher to me…where auba just edges him is in the area of speed…technically,lacazette is superior for me…dribbling, ball control,shooting from range,linking up with midfielders,lacazette edges auba in all these areas… Lacazette rarely misses open chances…as clinical as Auba was for us last season after he joined,he could have had more and was annoyingly wasteful at times…will still prefer Emery starting them together anyways.
totally in agreement i’ts lacaz who meant to provide the more goals – he’s our poacher, potentially an ian wright 2.0
There’s only 1 Ian Wright Wright Wright ?
@sue – so very true and same time a fantastic benchmark
I don’t remember Auba being very wasteful last season, just the opposite. I remember a couple of spells it happened to Lacazette. I love Lacazette and really enjoyed hearing what Smith Rowe said about Lacazette and Aubameyang. Aubameyang has the bigger experience with him doing it in the CL. He arrived and there was no settle in period, he showed just what a dangerous player he is and him being clinical. Lacazette was in and out, patchy, but still looked a poacher as even his misses suggested that he’s a finisher. He’s good with the ball and surprisingly good in the air. We are charmed right now compared to the barren years of trophies/strikers/CDM’s. Its a great problem to have ..as they say. Personally I believe Aubameyang is our strongest choice if I had to choose. But facing different opposition at times I can see how Lacazette could be the better option.
@Break-on-through – some useful pointers there. i don’t wish to appear in any way a detractor from anything auba brings to us – what im saying is a good poacher will provide the majority of a teams goals (usually) and this is why i expect lacazette will finish-off more chances than auba is likely to do. still i do appreciate your insight here, so thanks
Lac. and Aub both played under Wenger, Aub edged him out in terms of goals scored. Lac had his chances under Wenger, Y’all sounds as if Wenger is the worst coach ever. Aub will probably get most of Arsenal’s goals not Lac. Don’t be carried away with just a match. Walcot can do that magic too.
Let’s not forget that Lacazette was playing with a knee injury. Following his operation and one month rehabilitation he came back firing. Both looking good for this coming season.
@Heyzee: I agree with you perfectly on Lacazette. We have a real world class striker on our hands, but people with lack of vision don’t see it. That man is dangerous than anything I can dare imagine. Hopefully under Emery his true colors will come out for everyone to see. That guy can score goals that no one ever dreamt of.
happy i am with what must be a convincing confidence booster for our squad – but the measure of arsenals season will be how we go about becoming the pride of london and thereafter taking the points from northern-powerhouses of merseyside and manchester, this is how i choose to measure what promise we have or we are found to lack – football is about confidence and for now we’re all in a good place.
Guendouzi was all over the pitch, because he has high stamina, due to his young age
I think Bellerin should be replaced to give an opportunity for another RB, but apparently Arsenal have no other RB at the moment
We signed Lichtsteiner
Has anyone else noticed how rob holding suddenly turns in Messi in training sessions. And now today he scores from 18 yards that too from a header this is a pleasant surprise.
Hell of a header!!
Guendouzi my main man…….
Always looking up for that forward passes….
Xhaka and Elneny should not even think about getting into this team…..
This is Torreira and Guendouzi team
Surely, Guendouzi is the man of the match
he hasn’t kicked a ball in EPL yet and we’re dropping our experienced players now? And if we get thrashed by City you’ll be some of the first to get upset at Emery for starting a teenager against the best team in the league. Why is our fanbase getting carried away over preseason. Be humble, there are positives to take away, but these are friendlies and the main purpose is fitness, trying out tactics, and seeing what is working and what isn’t. When the actual season begins is when things actually get competitive. Better to Just let things play out instead of taking these friendly performances and reflecting them on what is actually going to happen in EPL. It’s fine to be excited but I worry we are starting to expect the world from this team and it’s going to lead to unrealistic expectations.
True. Valid point(s). #chillpeople
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I am absolutely with you… Torreira and Gwendouzi in front of the back 4. No doubt about that.
Only if unai can fix our owful away form last season under Wenger, we are good to go.haters watch out
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I certainly now know d true reason WILSHIRE left, some undercover dude in the know of Arsenal transfer tipped him off on GUENDOUZI coming and then straight away Wilshire got down to see GUEN’s clips and got scared and scampered to the HAMMERS. Truly, this Guendouzi boy would have put Wilshire out of relevance completely.
sorry but the young wilshere showed outstanding quality against a thriving rampaging barca side in its full strength and pomp – as it stands there’s no real comparison but i do see what you’re tryna say – but its senseless at this point to cast guendouzi in the light you have, so i wont agree.
@Fidel You’re spot on. If N’zonzi comes in, people will realize that Ramsey is not needed in that midfield.
Good work out
points to look at
Guendouzi, i had said he needed a more physical DM besides him to see the best of him, Elneny is no means physical but is very stationary so it even allows Guendouzi to move more freely, spraying passes all over the field, which can actually release a press easily. He had a great game, areas to improve strength and speed.
Aub, Mik, Ozil and Iwobi, played well in the attack and are getting sharper, wiil only get better with moe matches.
Ramsay, cannot be played as part of the 2 man midfield in front the defence, it creates problems for the individual playing with him (more work in covering), it would be best to play him closer to the forward.
The young GUNS were great, ESR, AMN, Eddie, Willock, our keepers were cool too Martinez and Leno
Defensive we still having issues Kola and Bellerin need to improve, kola gave away a penalty needlessly, Bellerin poor passing in the final third and losing is mark must be address.
Good game, let us see Lazio and Chelsea who will be stronger in defence and attack, should be entertaining
OOPs again Nsoki from PSG might just be an interesting addition for left back, if we buy him
French kid the standout … And looked far more assured than rabiot who many wanted to bring to emirates …. But this was psg b and at end c team … Personally the back four still worry me … We can sacrifice a couple of our hapless midfielders and bring in another pacey attacking option … Willian would fit perfectly but man utd have bagged him … Or a left back
Guendouzi is the real deal. We have missed someone who can deliver those over the top passes since Fabregas left. This kid is first team material already…Abt Mesut Ozil, he needs to start dominating games and apart from the goal, he was overly anonymous today. I would love to see Emile Smith given a run some time later as our no. 10. After all, even Mbappe exploded at 18 so age should not be a big issue
So with all this talk about Guendouzi and Torriera to come where does this leave Ramsey
Where does it leave Elneny? He cant shoot, tackle, cross, lob or score. He just sideway passes!
Hopefully on the transfer list – getting sick to death of all these contract (i.e. wage) negotiations.
Great game to watch. The youngsters all look so confident. feels as if someone has breathed a new life into the team! Can’t wait for the season to begin!
. Mkhi looked well off the pace though. We deserved the win vs the PSG lads. Even our lads looked better than theirs.
Btw,anyone else caught the little jig on the bench by Ozil,Musti and Auba after the second Eddie goal? What was that all about?
Loved that tho! Good to see Özil enjoying himself. h
PLEASE I need an Article wishing Emile Smith-RoweNALDO a Happy birthday. nobody seems to wish him. I hope Arsenal didn’t forget to give him a birthday cake ..????
the team is getting into shape… Good signs.
Happy Birthday for assist RoweLDO.
ROWENALDO DURRRRRH
Could be the future of AFC.
…………………..Nketiah
………..Smith R………….Nelson
…….Maitland….Torriera….Guendouzi
Lopez……Holding……..Chambers……Bellerin
………………………Leno
Bench…
Gilmour
Nwakali
Willock
Mavididi
Mavrapanos
Tutu
Bielik
I want to see that CM play, although they are all young, I do feel they could be ready sooner than some may claim. Guendouzi had a better game than the last one and I do not feel that we are seeing him at his best yet, he is still settling… Encouraging start 🙂 Really impressed with his passing so far.
We all know AMN is cool as a cucumber on the ball, tough and got good feet. Add in Torreira who looks like someone who could allow Guendouzi and AMN to press higher up, allowing our CM to dominate further and further into the oppositions half without leaving ourselves exposed.
That is one hell of a foundation. Hopefully they get opportunities to play and show their stuff. Love to see Emery let some of this youngsters challenge for playing time in upcoming season.
Why are some fans bad mouthing Elneny, he had a good game and it was because of his presence which allowed Guendouzi to deliver such a performance, both played in balance of each other (not far apart) and started slowly to control play.
Elneny is not a Cazorla, is job is to get the ball and move it forward to better technical players, a simple task, but effective
I agree – Elneny was better than usual today. Maybe the work with Unai is beginning to pay off.
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One youngster I am 100% sure will grow to world class status is Eddie Nketiah.
Case not open to discussion, its fate.
Overall , positive vibes from the team. Encouraging signs from several areas. Still have to keep in mind that these games are against B & C teams. Will be interesting to see who plays in the final tune up before the season starts, I think that will give a better idea about who ours first team will be. We still have to see how he integrates Torriera, Xhaka and Lichtsteiner. so far it looks like Guendouzi is the buy of the season.
Also forgot about Monreal, who I think will start ahead of Kolasinac
I am eager to see a CM trio of Guendouzi, Torreira and AMN.
That trio could go on and play together or a decade if they live up to the hope they bring ^.^
Bellerin looked better today, not as good going forward as he has been in the past but I think he deserves some credit for today, it was encouraging and if he keeps up the hard work then he could be that RB he promised a few years ago.
I wasn’t impressed with Sokratis and fear that the left side of our def will be all muscle and no agility if we play Kola and Sokratis… Too easy to burst through on that side so hoping that’ll improve. Monreal isn’t a spring chicken either so it’ll be interesting to see how we deal with players who have pace to burn attacking that side.
Kolasinac and Mustafi , a recipe for disaster in the Premier League.We need a top quality left back such as Tierney of Celtic..Our youngsters are doing well in midfield to the extent where Xhaka will struggle to play on a regular basis?In essence sell the three players bought by the previous Manager.
@JW_u guys keep saying B&C teams that we played against. We didn’t ask PSG or any other to send their B teams. They simply got what they expected. Come to think of it , guys like u would have come out with Nigerian Fulani’s herds men dagger to cut of the heads of our players if they had played a draw or a worse case LOST. I bet, u ar sad we won. Try being positive when positive things come ur way. We on this side ar happy and I felt d happy vibes Auba,Musta and others playing from d bench.
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Ooooh-those Nigerian Fulani’s herdsmen with their daggers sound really scary.
Lol.
is it only me? Was looking for that lil’ chap we almost bought from Psg……..he didnt play,did he now,cos i only watch d highlights