Five Star Gunners On The Right Track
Jul 28th, 2018 by 'holic
The Arsenal produced a very impressive result against a young PSG team this afternoon in the International Champions Cup. Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Mohammed Elneny, and Mesut Ozil started the match and yet again there were wholesale changes during the second-half.
It is fair to say we started both halves on the back foot. PSG, prompted by Rabiot, kept us camped in our defending third early doors, but we slowly got the pace of the game and took the lead in the thirteenth minute. Henrikh Mkhitaryan sent Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang galloping in behind the PSG defence on the right edge of the box and he found Ozil at the far post for a tap-in. Given his difficulties in Germany of late the reception he got from a friendly crowd and team mates was heartening to see.
It was the trigger for a half an hour of Gunners domination of the football. We might have had a penalty when Diarra appeared to pull Ozil down in the box, and there were other clear opportunities to get the second goal it felt that our authority warranted and needed. The ageless Buffon acted as a magnet to efforts from Iwobi, Aubameyang, and Mkhitaryan. Aubameyang did find the net with a back heel but an offside flag cut short any celebrations.
Leno’s concentration was tested when, after a long period of inactivity, he was forced to make a full-length dive to keep out an effort from the lively Weah. That we were only a goal ahead at the half would have been foremost in Unai Emery’s mind. He sent on Emiliano Martinez, Aaron Ramsey, and Alexandre Lacazette at the start of the second-half for Leno, Elneny, and Alex Iwobi.
It disrupted our flow and the advantage was lost when Weah tormented Sead Kolasinac and drew the foul in the box. Nkunku sent Martinez the wrong way with his spot-kick, thus avenging the excellent save the goalkeeper had produced from his free-kick earlier in the half. It was the cue for Unai Emery to send on his young hopefuls, and how they grabbed their opportunity.
The five substitutions saw the introduction of Calum Chambers, Rob Holding, Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson, and Eddie Nketiah. Those off were skipper for the day Ozil, Sokratis, Skhodran Mustafi, Mkhitaryan, and Aubameyang. The reward was almost instantaneous. Smith Rowe got free on the right and crossed for Lacazette to apply a sublime finish. Rabiot’s departure shortly after that goal appeared to leave PSG rudderless and the outstanding young Guns went for the jugular.
A far post header into the melting pot saw Lacazette head in off the post with Nketiah getting a touch seemingly after the ball had crossed the line. With the match surely secure it was time for Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock to come on for Kolasinac and the impressive Matteo Guendouzi.
The fourth goal came in impressive fashion from an unlikely source. Rob Holding’s thundering header from fifteen yards out caught everyone by surprise. Even then their was no loss of desire and in the four added minutes Eddie Nketiah got his reward for a lively cameo when sent clear by Nelson.
5-1 to the Arsenal was reflective of our superiority on the day and whilst PSG were without their holy trinity of Mbappe, Cavani, and Neymar you can only beat who is in front of you. There was a lot for Unai Emery to draw from the Singapore leg of the pre-season tour, and he said as much in his post match press conference, praising the hotel and the training facility at the American School.
So to Dublin, via London, and the small matter of Chelsea to play on Wednesday evening. It will be very interesting to compare how close both teams are in preparation for the Premier League kick-off in just a fortnight.
65 Responses to “Five Star Gunners On The Right Track”
Boommmmmmmm
Entertaining game. Entertaining report. Win win!
Some encouraging stuff today and, yes, you can only beat what’s in front of you.
Singing and pouring for more 5-1 wins.
[…] Link: Five Star Gunners On The Right Track […]
Emery got you working hard, too, Guv’nor.
I wonder if Emery knows his probable starting line-up for the first league game yet. Bellerin, Ozil and Aubameyang are the only three I’d write down at this point with any confidence.
Thanks for your diligence Holic! A very useful start to the season especially in relation to the development of our young players. I’ve not seen the game but a lot of people are saying very good things about Guendouzi . There is a suggestion he was Emery’s discovery rather than Sven but we are developing some exciting young talent who may make their mark this season .
Emery has begun his spell in charge very positively
Thanks for the good words.
Guendouzi very interesting TTG. Got caught in possession a fair bit v Atleti, which I’m told is his biggest issue, but today he had clearly resolved to be alert throughout. Very impressive.
If Emery wants to play Ramsey, Ozil, and Mkhitaryan in his first team then the lad is in competition with Torreira, Xhaka, Elneny, and Maitland-Niles for one position.
I do think he will make a big name for himself eventually, hopefully with us.
His name is already big 😉
The decision to give Xakha a new contract just looks even more odd to me.
I’ve now watched the highlights and endorse what my fellow Holics have said. Guendouzi looks very promising , Smith Rowe has a great touch , Leno looked to be athletic and effective and Kolasinac who was not named and shamed by IBtm made a terrible error of judgement. If Nacho can’t play as often this season then AMN looks a much better defensive left back than the Tank.
I think Emery’s first choice is likely to be
Leno
Bellerin Sokratis Mustafi Monreal
Torreira Xhaka
Mkhitaryan Ramsey Ozil
Aubameyang
Alternatively he could play Ramsey in the double pivot and Auba out wide with Lacazette upfront .
Guendouzi can expect a lot of midweek action in the Europa as can Eddie,Nelson and Smith Rowe .
This could be our Europa team
Cech
Lichtsteiner Chambers Holding Kolasinac
Guendouzi Xhaka
Nelson Smith Rowe Iwobi or Perez
Nketiah .
I’m suspecting Welbeck and Campbell will be sold
Fine report Guvna.
I like the look of this squad and the way they are playing.
Bring on the Chavs to check the domestic barometer.
Thanks for the report Guvnor.
TTG’s starting XI looks pretty close I think.
TTG,
That 1st XI looks pretty close I think.
I’m guessing you meant to put AMN or Elneny
in place of Xhaka in the Ropey League XI ?
I think it depends a bit on how seriously Emery
commits to the Europa – it seems he certainly did
at Sevilla and that might mean a few more of the
1st XI playing.
I hope making Ozil one of the captains works out.
Shows some support for him at an opportune moment,
but also shows he is expected to take some responsibility.
There are various opinions on Ozil but regardless
of any of them, Ozil at his best greatly improves
our chances of winning and who wouldn’t want that.
OM
I was surmising on whether Xhaka would play in the EL if he didn’t play in the first team but as you rightly say AMN or Elneny are more likely to play. As is well known on here I’m not a big fan of Xhaka and Emery has quite rightly put him under pressure after renewing his contract ( which gives us tge chance of a better sale price!).The emergence of Guendouzi is a real bonus as was tge emergence of Mavropanos at the end of last season. We seem to be able to find uncut gems ready for first team action. I wonder if the two Greek CBs might not start as an alternative. Sokratis is not the quickest and might need a quicker partner.
Whatever, the great thing is that we have options
TTG@8: Good on you for being the only one so far to take up the challenge of naming Emery’s first league team. I would agree with your back five. I wonder, though, if the Man City game will come too soon for Torreira to start, so Emery will go with your Ramsey in the double pivot option, with Lacazette coming in. That would also mean Ozil would play in the middle, which, I think, is his most effective position.
TTG@12
Yes, you’re right, the options are better with the new
players. We look well-stocked up front and now in midfield.
Good options too. Fine at the full backs as well – as long as
Nacho lasts.
We have plenty of options in goal and
at CB too, just personally I have no great faith
in any of them. Kos seems to be coming
to the end of the road, Cech has reached it
and Ospina crashed at the 1st corner.
Sokratis and Mustafi in front of Leno ?
We’d better get 2 or 3 goals a game.
We have good players, decent defenders who will now have a coach who takes defending and organising seriously.
The squad has been augmented and strengthened. A winger would be top, but if we don’t sign one, there are a few options within the squad: Perez, Nelson, Nketiah, and We have some really promising young players.
I am really excited about the new season and feel there’s genuine reason for optimism. The more I see and hear of the manager, the more I like him.
If we can make a good start and get points on the board, especially our 1st 2 games, that would be amazing. But if we don’t make the best of starts, then I won’t be overly worried as I believe we have a top class coach and a great squad.
Sokratis and Mustafi could make a perfectly decent centre half pairing for the coming season given their experience and credentials. Mustafi’s problem last season was that he was inconsistent and mistake prone. There were times he looked like a world-class defender and others when he looked like a Sunday league hoofer, often in the same game. If Emery can fix that, and with Sokratis giving physical presence, we could be solid at the back. Not Sol/Kolo quality let alone Adams/Bould/Keown but serviceable. We conceded 51 goals in the league last season, our worst performance in the Premiership era and only five fewer than WBA and Swansea, both of whom were relegated. We need to get the goals against number back down into the thirties if we are to have a chance of a high finish in the table.
TTG @12. But how will the rest of the players be able to understand our defensive strategy if both of our central defenders are speaking Greek?
?
Greeks, you say, bt8b. That has to another excuse for this: https://youtu.be/-2gJamguN04.
Someone’s favourite player/s will not be part of the preferred starting eleven this season. Fortunately injuries and suspensions will get our best players a lot of action. If Auba and Laca steer clear clear clear of either they have to both start in every significant fixture we have. These are both world class.
The Guvna knows.
*breaks cover*
ANYONE HEARD FROM CHRIS ?
messaged him no response
(fuck off I understand the joy of disregard)
but
blaaa
or balsa
as it autocorrects
“Sokratis and Mustafi could make a perfectly decent centre half pairing for the coming season”
I certainly hope you’re right Ned.
Their playing styles are a good fit, but both are right footed
and seem to prefer the right hand side. I think they’ll start
the season but both are error-prone or rash at times and I’m
worried it will be a season of transitions at CB as we try out
various pairings due to mistakes, suspensions / injuries.
I think Calum is closest of the Calum/ Rob / Mavro
trio but he seems more comfortable on the right too.
Anyway, I hope one of them comes through or Kos somehow
retains his mojo because otherwise keeping the GA down to
the 30s will be a struggle.
hey Japan , how’s Japan by you
hey cba,
Japan swelters and I spend my time
worshipping at the altar of Daikin Inc.
Plenty of Pocari Sweat, too, OM?
Morning everyone.
Nice stuff H. I’ve only seen the goals and briefest of highlights from both games so thanks for your updates.
I’m never too sure what to read into these games, more of just a workout for me. Let’s hope it’s good progress and we are heading in the right direction?
On to Wednesday and The Chavs.
Even after 20 odd years I haven’t adapted
to Pocari Sweat Ned 🙂
Can’t say I blame you. Stick to the Calpis.
I’ve gone with ice cold beers
instead of Calpis 🙂
Asahi super dry is the thirst-
quencher of choice
Japanese beverage puns would be a bit too obscure for the punmeister, surely.
But I would try it, just for the sake o’ sake.
Ospina is unsellable ! He is going on loan to Besiktas. We get a loan fee and hopefully save his salary. But he only has a year left. He obviously wants a free next year. It’s a poor return and reflects his status as a keeper. Macey has been loaned to Plymouth today so Emi Martinez may be our no.3 keeper. I think he is way superior to Ospina
PSG sniffing arpund Ozil? Sell please, if only to get that obscene wage off our books.
TTG, Ospina is a £3 million value. If there is any truth to the rumour that we were asking £7 million for him, then it is no wonder we couldn’t sell him. But at a sensible valuation, it is not going to make or break the books either way if we sell him now or he goes on a free in a year. Meanwhile, a loan gets £2 million a year in salary off the books plus whatever loan fee we get.
Cynic: would it not be madness to sell our main chance maker now we have forwards who could actually put those chances in the net?
Excellent choice,OM. Yebisu is much favoured among some of the monks.
Lichtsteiner and Torreira reported back from hols today.
Probably to early for Dublin,but expect them to feature in Stockholm on Saturday.
Last 2 games for players to make an impression and seal a starting spot against City.
I wonder how many Unai has decided on already. ??
You would think the starting line up against Lazio might be the biggest clue.
Fascinating.
I just don’t want us to be sitting here in a year’s time wishing, after another dud of a season from him, that we’d taken the money when (if) it was there. After paying him around another £17m in wages.
In a year, we could be overjoyed we didn’t sell him. On the other hand, we won’t get many (if any) more opportunities to free ourselves from the financial millstone of the most ridiculous contract we’ve ever given anyone who wasn’t Amaury Bischoff 🙂
All I am saying is, weighing it all up, based on what we’ve seen from him over the years, the inconsistency, the “illnesses” AND the good matches, I’d much rather take the certainty of the money and cash in, if the interest is real, than hope the new manager will get him performing every week.
He might, he might not. I’d prefer to have the money than risk it.
If he plays great, the team clicks and we actually turn into a challenger, great. Fantastic. At this moment though, I’d snatch their hands off if they really want him.
A divine choice for monks I
suppose Ned 🙂
Guendouzi and Lacazette sharing a quasi-erotic moment halfway down the page.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6008809/Jokes-aplenty-Arsenal-training-new-boy-Lucas-Torreira-joins-new-team-mates.html
Still no sign of Chris?
I hope he is ok.
An interesting table that showscwecare using more Academy prospects than any of our rivals https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-make-more-use-of-homegrown-talent-than-any-premier-league-rival-study-shows-a3899886.html
TTG @42, no sign at all. Over the last few years he often dipped out of he bar over the summer but I would have expected him to have put in an appearance now we are looking down the barrel of a new season. Fingers crossed.
Sell Mesut and do what? with all the so-called inconsistency, illness etc, he is still our best player in the playing 11, our best creative midfielder and there is absolutely no one in that squad who can play the way he does, so sell him at your own peril. With ramsey as well unsure of his stay, imagine losing both of them and in turn run around to find replacements who may or not even come anywhere close to those 2, certainly cant think of anyone close to Mesut unless Isco decides he wants to come and even he is hit and miss on days.
Didn’t think I would ever be attending a Tottenham match but they are coming to my town to play AC Milan in the “ICC” tonight so I will provide a match report including any positive tidbits such as Tottenham injuries, red cards, internecine rancor displayed in a public way, etc. etc. etc.
Come on Milan!!
Seems we have signed up Smith Rowe to a longer contract.
A quick decision after a good performance. Best of luck to
him.
Sending Ospina to Besiktas is good business I
think, although I was beginning to think he’d go
anywhere but Turkey as he was linked so often to
one Turkish club or another. Anyway, the best of luck
to him too.
Matt Macey to Plymouth for a season seems ok, League
One level and a chance to impress.
Rumours that Akpom is off to the Greek League.
Enemy Scout- enjoy.
We once played a tournament in pre-season against Sp**s , AC Milanand Bayern Munich, held at Wembley over two days.
My mate and I had no great desire to watch the Totts Against Milan especially after we’d stuffed them the day before so we took our time in getting to Wembley. As we made our way up Olympic Way we heard two huge cheers within two minutes and surmised that the Totts were two up.
However the noise came from Arsenal fans cheering zmilan and we entered to watch a dispirited Tottenham getting outclassed. That was fun!
We beat Bayern 3-0!
You can now vote on the bbc website on how long morimho will last as manager of Man United. But don’t everybody rush to vote at the same time. 😉
You can get 5/1 on Mourinho being the next Premiership manager to be sacked.
Gone before Christmas bt8.
Now to see if I can vote again 🙂
Tottenham v. Milan impressions
The train car I rode tonight from St. Paul to Minneapolis was surprisingly filled with as many Tottenham fans as Minnesota Twins fans. The one exception was wearing the red and black stripes of AC Milan, with “Seedorf” printed on the back.
At the stadium many more people were wearing both clubs’ shirts, probably about two Tottenham shirts for every Milanese, but my most striking impression, attending my first event there, was the majestic two year old stadium where the NFL Vikings play their home games. A feeling of airiness is conveyed by the massive glass roof and huge vertical glass windows at north and south ends. My seat in the south upper stand had a panoramic view of downtown Minneapolis to the north, beyond the pitch. A beautifully maintained natural grass field is able to flourish due to its placement at the center of this massive greenhouse.
By game time, the 70,000-odd capacity stadium was less than half full, and the attendance was announced at just over 31,000, but the atmosphere was filled with excitement nonetheless. I partook of bratwurst and beer having arrived 45 minutes early but the setting sun continued to shine into my eyes until halfway through the first half on this delightful summer evening.
Tottenham’s team included the recognizably tall Davinson Sanchez in central defence and several players with very high shirt numbers. Tottenham were attacking the goal away from me, so it was easier to spot their defensive players in the first half. Also in the team were Vorm in goal, replaced at the half by Mazzaniga – great name but an Argentine not an Italian it turns out); Walker-Peters at right back; with Nkoudou on the left but he switched to the right wing in the second half when he was a menace to the Milan defenders.
More so than AC Milan, who had several recognizable names on the pitch from the off, Spurs were clearly a team composed of youngsters, and many more than I expected.
There were no clear chances until Milan went over the crossbar making the crowd groan after 21 minutes. Did I mention yet that those Milan shirts are a lot more handsome?
A Milan keeper error almost allowed Spurs to score in the 26th minute before a nice parlay of passes almost did the same for Milan a minute later. A bit of liveliness at last.
Milan came close just after the half hour with two successive efforts before a left foot effort amazingly got nearly half as high as my seat. Milan came close again with a drive from the right wing past the far post.
Spurs defence was looking a bit suspect when this scenario was repeated on 42 minutes, and Milan probably should have scored but the striker missed a lofted ball he tried to deflect into the net with his foot. The half ended 0-0 but with a clear sense that Milan enjoyed the better chances.
Nkoudou scored the game’s only goal for Spurs just after halftime which I heard from the bathroom after circling the entire concourse seeing nothing but long lines. Appropriately, I flushed the toilet in disgust. After getting back to my seat just afterward I saw Milan almost get a quick leveller on a left footed drive before Nkoudou nearly got his second in the goal right in front of me.
At 63 minutes the Spurs fans let out a large roar as their heroes Son and Eriksen entered the fray. A few minutes later Aurier and Davies came on for a few minutes of competition, and Carter-Vickers replaced Davinson shortly before the end. Spurs had completely controlled posession in the second half, so gave the feeling of having won the game deservedly.
Unfortunately, no Spurs red cards, injuries, or cases of public internecine rancour to report, despite my efforts to conjure them from my seat in the third row of the upper section, as Spurs’ preseason appears to be ticking along. Hopefully appearances will turn out to have been deceiving.
And TTG, thanks for your story about Milan and then preseason friendlies of yore. 🙂
Bt8
Great report , many thanks. I could almost be there. .
It is always painful to see the Totts win even when it’s not against us.
I do hope the fans felt they had value and it is good to see fans in far-flung places getting a chance to see their idols . I have a friend Hank who lives in that neck of the woods but supports Green Bay. He dies not know what proper football is!
Not good
Penalty from a header spot
?
no aaron at all?
Cech!
He’s on the roll
hector beaten for pace? never thought i’d see that before i hit 70 (i’m just 54).
…on A roll
Ha!
“Skullcap” Peter
oh brother
Alvaro Inamorata
Nice
we looked much livelier with the second unit on. and we certainly did not give up. nice cross from reiss.
Woohoo! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>