Arsenal v Qarabag Review – A stroll in the park for the young Gunners

We all knew that Unai Emery was going to pick lots of Arsenal youngsters for tonight’s game against Qarabag, and we certainly saw a lot of them in the starting line-up tonight. But it was one of our oldest players on the pitch (other than Koscielny lol) that scored our opening goal in Alexandre Lacazette.

There was nothing for either side to play for so it felt like a friendly really, but the Arsenal B team were totally in control all the way through. It was great to see the youngsters look good, and although Nketiah, Willock and Maitland-Niles all looked good, it was young Saka that really caught my eye. I think he is probably the most promising striker we’ve had since Nketiah!

It was a stroll to keep our unbeaten record, but Emery made doubly sure by swapping Lacazette and Koscielny for Monreal and Medley to ensure we didn’t let in any silly goals. And a good chance to assess both of them for the Southampton game on Sunday. I am thinking Koss the Boss will definitely play but who else is alongside him is a mystery at the moment.

For me it has been an interesting game, albeit a little bit slow, but it has been great to see all our youngsters looking so confident, although it is very little surprise that only 21.000 Gooners turned up watch, especially in the freezing weather!

Anyway, 22 games unbeaten, a good run out for the kids, and we have very little to complain about????

Should I just wait for the comments?

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43 Comments

    1. Yeah I thought he was MOTM. I loved his determination to keep taking players on, and his sudden change of direction. Beautiful drop of the shoulder to confuse the defender, and then a perfect cross for that disallowed goal.

  1. Admin opening goal?i thought we scored only one goal,ooh I have to watch the match again to see our other goals.

  2. Saka did impressed me again, poor thing he didn’t get that goal. Let Iwobi keep up with his poor performances??, there are kids gunning for his spot. He’ll know in a season

    1. Was that Saka with the head, could’ve sworn it was Nketiah. Missed most of the game with a crap link and no sound on top of it. Did Saka really impress, sick I missed most of it.

      1. @BOT you missed a lot, Saka’s only 17 and hell he showed the simples stuffs Iwobi could be doing.. Boy just need to keep his head low and keep improving. Ask others for their assessment, Lol I don’t want to give you sentimental statements cus I’m a fan of his

        1. Didn’t realize we he was just 17 … Definitely one to watch … Though tbh I wouldn’t want any of the younger players starting against Spurs next week … Plenty of potential but long any from finished article … Can only see a couple coming through …

  3. Saka did well nothing to complain about after all he is in his teething stage, good movement and forward play,not too impressed with element.

  4. I missed Koscielny soooooo much.
    I still miss Caz and he isn’t with us
    I hope Koscielny stays injury free.

    I’m happy that we won the group and that we are still on an unbeaten run

    Away to The Saints next…..
    Oh, when the Gunners go marching in
    Oh, when the Gunners go marching in
    Oh Lord, we want to be the Winners
    When the Gunners go marching in

  5. Sorry to go off topic but just read an article about David Elliot, the former Arsenal psychologist, apparently the guy behind the Invincibles. During the article, I think you’ll find it in tomorrows Daily Mirror, Pep Guardiola insisted that he only wants his players to be champions rather than invincibles, which the Mirror said, could be the reason they lost to Chelsea. Who is Pep trying to kidd? What a load of Bullsh*t. He’s already won the Premier League and now he’s absolutely determined to go through the season undefeated and match Arsenal’s incredible record. So determined that they keep it quiet. Believe me Guardiola was absolutely gutted over the defeat, he just wants everyone else to believe otherwise. Understandably Arsene Wenger was over the moon City lost to Chelsea as I was also. Now lets just hope that City beat Liverpool at the Etihad on January 3rd.
    WE’RE INVINCIBLE, YOU’LL NEVER DO THAT………..Wonder if the Emirates crowd can pick up on this song.

    1. Well said Kenny. We are ALL immensely proud of THAT unbeaten season in Wengeres feast years , before the famine that followed. Despite that though, PERSONALLY, as someone who always looks forward before I look back, I WANTED City to beat Chelsea , since Chelsea are our rival for fourth place, as are Spuds and possibly United, while City are out of sight to us and to all teams bar Liverpool. A great compensation though all the same that our record is safe for this season. I don’t for one moment think Liverpool can possible remain unbeaten. They have injuries piling up and I can see them POSSIBLY losing to United this weekend, though I want Pool to win for the same reason as above.

  6. Some fine Arsenal U23 talent on display, with Saka only 17. It was difficult with Qarabag setting up with 5 at the back.
    Elneny and Jenkinson were solid given their lack of game time and Arsenal will need such players with the pressure of games coming up.
    The class of Ozil and Lacazette shone through. Monreal and Koscielny came through fit and well.
    22 games unbeaten; oneard and upward. COYG!

    1. Only watched the highlights but I could tell the Saka chap looked dangerous! Funny thing is up until yesterday I didn’t even know we have him in the club. I though people were misspelling Xhaka! I’ve seen people write Mustafi as Mustaphi, Monreal as Montreal, Torreira as Torrera so I wouldn’t have been suprised by Granit Saka.

      1. Misspelling ? On here? Oh surely not! I chuckle at it sometimes but genuinely don’t mind, provided I can properly understand the point made.

  7. @ Kenny Rolfe
    Your some fan asking city to do our job for us so what’s gonna happen when we meet again kmt dude we are going to beat Liverpool square at anfield if you have not yet garnered faith in the team just take the rest of the season off please enough with the doubtful ones.

      1. Good one Kenny. That makes three of us , you , me and him too. Hilarious, some people eh? Why not ask him to write it again , in English this time!

    1. @Jah Son-What are you Pal?7 years old?I actually take offence for a childish comment against an Arsenal Supporter who makes you very much a paid up Junior Gunner.
      Kenny has been following Arsenal for over 60 years Pal.Home.Away.Europe.For DECADES.What an absolute pathetic comment you have written and trust me from someone not far behind Kenny in years (along with many others on this site) you have no idea of the sacrifices it takes to follow our team over the years.
      You have completely mis-interpreted the whole point Kenny was making anyway.For the many of us who lived through the 2003-2004 invincible season you can have no idea of the sheer magnitude of the achievement that Arsene Wenger and his team produced that season.Of course we want to protect the Invincible Title.But If City or anyone else can do what we did in that unforgettable year then I would like to believe they would be respected for that achievement every bit as much as we still do to this day.
      Hopefully you will get some Arsenal History books along with your Lego and other toys this Xmas.Read and learn.That title is ours and I often watch the DVD of that season.(I missed one home game and two away games all season and even now regret not being there for all of them).
      For all the trophies our Club has won over the years the INVINCIBLE SEASON will always be our greatest achievement.If it is ever matched by another Club trust me that Title will be well earned and well deserved.

      1. @Kenny Rolfe-I got a bit annoyed with that Kenny.Its very easy to make a comment but not quite so easy to make one that makes sense.
        OT-you still working at this time mate?

        1. Part Time Phil, just to cover the exes. 8-10 hours a week. Thank you Phil and Jon for brilliant replies to Jah son to put him in his place. I was just being, and I’m sure Jon will appreciate it, “a realist” He’ll be back to school soon as you rightly pointed out Phil.

          1. Age discrimination is fine with you then?

            I remember being a teen and having mature football fans belittling me and my opinion back then due to my age and it sucked, I could be right and tthey would still belittle me because I was a ‘kid’ (young adult but you old farts don’t seem to show respect to the younger generation but you damn well demand it).

            It is why I will call you old farts out on it, I will lay into your age to try and show you how it feels. Do you like to be reminded you are one year closer to death? One year closer to needing a nappy again? Senile old coots like you will soon be forgetting who your family is so why should you be trusted to remember what you seen in the past? Part of the “me me me” generation and then moan about the generations after them for wanting the same.

            I do hope you have made plans with your family, I know losing a loved one can be harsh but at your age… Might happen this winter. Can you afford to keep your home heated? I know you old farts need to consider this more as your frail old bodies can’t handle it like it used to.

            Urghh… I don’t think that but I hope you see it isn’t nice having your age picked on over what was said. Sorry for offense. Also sorry to every other mature reader. Just please do not pick on younger people for being younger.

  8. That Saka impressed is an understatement. He was brilliant. Iwobi must certainly up his game. The boy is terrific. Full of confidence and energy. He is one for the present and future.

    What a versatile player we also have in AMN! Next is Southampton. Thank you Arsenal. COYG.

    1. And this from someone who recently suggested a poster on this site who had a mother working as a “Lady of the Night”.Trust me Midriff we may be getting on in age but still know more about Arsenal Football Club than you ever will.Also with the Trumpet Gob that you have what’s the betting on all of us outliving you?Quite low I would imagine.

  9. Great to get the result! We are through and now it’s time for the knock out stages that will certainly be more exciting than what we have been suffering through. Am happy and thankful we are top of the group. That being said, I really can’t take anymore Europa league football and I will literally cry if we are back in this borefest of a competition next year.

  10. @phil, I don’t think @jah disagree with @kenny, you completely misunderstood him. He was referring to @kenny last statement ‘Now lets just hope that City beat Liverpool at the Etihad on January 3rd.’ with this ‘Your some fan asking city to do our job for us so what’s gonna happen when we meet again ‘, which means ‘we don’t need to wait until 3rd of Jan for l’pool unbeaten to be undone, it will happen sooner on 29th by us, because it’s our job and we are getting it done’

    1. He started off by saying “Your some fan”.Actually Kenny is and has been for SIX DECADES.That is what I took exception to

      1. ……..kin ‘ell, I’ve started something here. Must admit, I did forget that we are playing away to Liverpool before the the 3rd of January. I’d love to win that game just like we did ’89 but we are in transition at the moment. I honestly think the best we can hope for is a draw so in my honest opinion I still think City is our best hope of ending Liverpool’s unbeaten run. That was my point. Hope that keeps everybody happy. Still, as Phil and Jon rightly pointed out to Jah son, I am a massive Arsenal fan who’s done 25 years on the terraces and 36 years a season ticket holder, home, away and in Europe and next to my family, Arsenal is the love of my life and always will be.

        1. Kenny, for what it is worth I do not believe all the young ones on here are loonies. Far from in fact. But all who are loonies are young. A distinct difference. All Jews are people; all people are not Jews type of thing!

  11. We of course want to be in the Champions League, but at least the Europa League has given some great experience for the young players. Hopefully that will be valuable in the long run.

  12. Saka has claimed some headlines but I feel Nketiah yet again shown some good football, he is a CF but played on the right and I feel he done well there, I think he could offer a fresh threat if used right in the EPL. Bring on in the last 30 mins, tell him to work himself into the ground and let the senior players around him to guide him, to help Nketiah build the experience at seeing out wins.

    I am of the opinion that we have a lot of talent in the U23 squad and some of them are too good for the U23 now, we can’t promote them all instantly as that inexperience can be harmful BUT we need to be looking at giving these players a route into the 1st team.

    Loan deals for some of them while others could be subs or even starters who are planned to get subbed so less need to conserve energy (harder press).

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