A Michelle For Rampant Gunners
Oct 7th, 2018 by 'holic
It would appear the 5000 mile round trip to Azerbaijan had an impact on the squad with the attacking midfield trio changing in it’s entirety and Sokratis not making the starting eleven. Danny Welbeck, Henrikh Mkhytarian, and Alex Iwobi started behind Alexandre Lacazette while Rob Holding and Skhodran Mustafi started in the centre of defence.
The match was barely a minute old before the first attempt on goal. Welbeck played a ball from the left flank to Mkhitaryan in the centre and he fired wide of Bettinelli’s left hand post. Fulham responded with a deflected Mitrovic shot that Bernd Leno saved superbly with his left hand having started to his right. The same player was denied by an excellent Mustafi block in the seventh minute as the match swung from end to end.
The same Mitrovic avoided punishment for stamping on Lacazette’s ankle right in front of the referee, one Paul Tierney. He then clattered into Nacho Monreal before smashing a volley high over the bar. In the autumn sunshine an intriguing game of cat and mouse was unfolding with neither side able to claim being in the ascendency.
The Arsenal came close to an opener when Iwobi and Welbeck combined down the left, and the latters cut the ball back for Lacazette was cleared by Le Marchand at full stretch. Vietto’s attempt to reply sailed high and wide as an open contest continued. Schurlle drew a comfortable save from Leno while Bettinelli acted as a sweeper to deny Mkhitaryan an opportunity.
We grabbed the lead with a sensational turn and shot by Lacazette after Fulham’s right flank had been exposed by Iwobi and Monreal. Guess who had played the original pass to Iwobi? Yes. Lacazette. The celebrations on and off the pitch were full and raucous. “One nil to The Arsenal” rang around the Cottage.
Fulham 0-1 The Arsenal
Iwobi’s deflected effort in the following minute followed some sparkling footwork. The Nigerian is enjoying a rich vein of form right now. Let’s hope he can maintain it. Somehow Bettinelli denied Mkhitaryan following another smart Iwobi prompt. The Armenian then fired over the bar from twenty yards as the Gunners started to turn the screw.
As the end of the half neared we slipped into dozy mode. Leno had to be quick off his line to grab the ball when Mitrovic threatened and Schurrle fired another drive over the crossbar. Fulham were level when Vietto put Schurrle in for a simple finish. The collective defensive slumber had been fully punished.
Fulham 1-1 The Arsenal
Again we made a lively start and Hector Bellerin drew a full-length diving save from Bettinelli before the outstanding Lacazette lashed a tremendous strike inside the new England goalkeeper’s near post from the edge of the box. For the second match running the ‘holic pound was on too early. “Unai Emery’s red and white army”, the travelling faithful were in full voice.
Fulham 1-2 The Arsenal
Fulham sent on Kamara for Ream in a bid to increase their attacking threat, converting from a back five to a four. Vietto drew a soft first yellow card of the match when he pulled Lacazette back. Kamara got on the end of a Christie cross but shouldered the ball wide.
A second substitute for Fulham saw McDonald replace Anguissa while the Gunners responded with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on for Danny Welbeck. Minutes later the excellent Iwobi was withdrawn to a standing ovation with Aaron Ramsey entering the fray. The result was the team goal to beat all team goals. A flowing move started with Bellerin, Lacazette, and Ramsey, and including Bellerin again, Ramsey again, Mkhitaryan, and Aubameyang before Ramsey’s third touch found the net. “We’ve got our Arsenal back!” roared the visitors.
Fulham 1-3 The Arsenal
Leno, virtually a spectator, was called on to pouch a gentle head down from Mitrovic. The Hammersmith air was filled with a new chant proclaiming that Torreira “comes from Uruguay, he’s only five foot high.” (Thanks TTG) Once again this was proving to be the most enjoyable of away days for the lucky ones.
Three became four with another spectacular finish from Aubameyang, spinning and sweeping a left foot volley inside the near post after great approach work from Mkhitaryan and Bellerin. “Come to see The Arsenal. You’ve only come to see The Arsenal!” How true was that chant. We were looking the real deal again today. Will it last?
Fulham 1-4 The Arsenal
In the aftermath of that goal Fulham sent on Johansen for Vietto, while the Gunners gave a rest to man-of-the-match Lacazette and sent on Matteo Guendouzi.
An overhit pass had denied Lacazette his hat-trick as we swarmed around the Fulham goal. “Boring, boring Arsenal” roared one end with typical Gunners irony. Another Bellerin cross forced Bettinelli to scramble the ball clear off Aubameyang’s head.
As the clock ticked to ninety minutes we fashioned another goal of beauty when Grant Xhaka and Rambo sent Aubameyang clear for another superb finish. “We’re by far the greatest team the world has ever seen”. “We want six!”.
Fulham 1-5 The Arsenal
The win sent us over Chelsea (perhaps briefly) and the Middlesex Nomads (for the entirety of the international break and maybe the season) into third place in the Premier League.
A very good performance, and day!
46 Responses to “A Michelle For Rampant Gunners”
Well they can’t say we haven’t played well now !
Good Things are happening over the Arsenal and it’s fun to see ?
Up The Arse !
Thanks for another lightning fast report, Holic.
First time this season, we played great and were never put under serious pressure. Lovely goals scored and the defence played well with good pressing.
Bring on Leicester.
I would like to move that lucky charm Delia be found a ticket for every away game.
Best damn performance of the season.
Game plans and structure don’t half make a difference – Thought Bellerin was superb today and the front two will score a serious amount of goals – But the little Uruguayan has stolen my heart already – What an Engine !!
plastic surgery!
A Southampton win and draw between Liverpool and City will end the day nicely. One can only hope!
Btw, Torreira like ehat Chippy said, “what an engine!”
Lightening fast, again, ‘Holic. Left me dangling under the chevrons in the previous drinks with only bt8b for company.
Fulham were poor, especially in the second half, but we got the game under control in the first half despite some sloppy giveaways, and pushed on after going ahead in the way a top team should do against lesser fry. Special mention for Torreira, who had an excellent game, as did Iwobi, but the whole team put in a shift. Mkhitaryan showed his promise. And what a difference having top-class strikers makes.
Also a shout out for the travelling faithful, who could be heard even on these distant shores.
As heard on the TV from SW6
Torreira
Whoa whow
Torreira
Whow whow whow whow
He comes from Uraguay
He’s only 5 foot five
Thanks Guvnor, like lightning
as usual.
Great win and outstanding 2nd
half. Nine on the spin is something
I can get used to. And a few
selection headaches in a good
way for UE.
A generally very enjoyable match to watch and report to read, Guvna.
After a rather sloppy opening period where we tended to turn over possession too freely we smartened up and scored a lovely goal from Lacazette. Following that there was a period during which we threatened to do what we ultimately achieved in the excellent and thoroughly dominant second half performance.
However for 5-10 minutes before their equaliser it looked as if the dressing room kitty had been wagered on a draw at half time as several times we once again turned over possession in dangerous areas and encouraged the Cottagers to level. We really need to get that out of our system if we are going to compete at the highest level.
Nonetheless all of the surprising starting XI ultimately did their jobs with honourable mentions for Bellerin, Holding, Torreira, Lacazette, Iwobi and the later additions, PEA and Ramsey.
We will have harder tests but we ultimately passed this one with flying colours. I know that in some quarters the observation is akin to heresy but the midfield looked better balanced and scrapped harder when that was required than it has done with Mesut in the team. Food for thought.
I do like Torreira very much indeed. Top addition.
If Carlsberg did away local derbies this would be it . Fantastic day out. My two colleagues had very little experience of awaydays and had never been to Craven Cottage before . After a tough first half where we had got on top after the usual slow start where most of our problems were self- inflicted we gave away a stupid and unnecessary goal just before the break ( just like Cardiff)
In the second half we were much better initially and continued to improve throughout the half. I thought their keeper might have saved the second ( I was right behind the goal) but the last three goals were sublime .The third was wonderful , right up there with Wilshere against Norwich a few seasons ago. Aaron was very chuffed by the reaction of the fans behind the goal.
Very pleased with Leno, Holding, Mustafi ( today) , Torreira ( must say I think the song is actually five foot high to rhyme with Uruguay!) , Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, Laca ( MOTM) and Auba.
The two full- backs improved especially Hector who won two great tackles at the end but yes it’s TTG moaning again but Xhaka was really poor in the first half and only looked comfortable when we were pinging the ball around at the end . Guendouzi came on with the game won but did more than Xhaka in ten minutes. But I can see how Emery is improving the rhythm and confidence of the side . Mesut would have struggled in the first half and looked brilliant in the second today . He was not missed at all as the work rate of the side was very high.
The Putney End was a very happy place today. My only regret was we didn’t visit the Bricklayer’s Arms as I was driving .
Interesting chant ‘ We’ve got our Arsenal back’. While I’m delighted we are doing so well I hope we don’t start going OTT about Arsene. He was a wonderful manager for many years and we played like this regularly throughout his tenure.
Lovely report TTG. I tried everywhere to get a ticket for today but no dice. Glad you had a great day at the most nostalgic old ground in the Prem. Also thanks for the correction on the song – that makes far more sense!
Mahrez misses penalty. Could be a costly miss in a tight title race.
Three teams on 20 points each and two on 18 points each. Hope we keep it up. November will show if we can maintain our position.
Good result for us – 2 points off
the top – and who’d have thought
that after the first two games.
Manure vs Chelski after the break
so more dropped points.
Early days still but I do believe we have ourselves a very capable manager (or head coach or whatever tf they call him…)
Big ups to UE and the players for a thoroughly enjoyable day
Cheers H as well as others above.
Saw bits of the first half and the entire second half. A very enjoyable afternoon. Fulham were not great but I think we can take some of the credit for that. We seem to have a bette shape and look organised. At times we looked fantastic, especially on the break.
There will be far tougher tests ahead but you really can’t argue with recent results. Full credit to Emery. We are nowhere near the finished article but there are more than tangible signs of improvement.
Onwards and upwards.
Five of us left King’s Lynn on the first train, the 08.26 and of course it ran late into KX and we were pressed for time getting to the ground. It couldn’t have been a better day weather wise to walk along the river but the views and the festivities in the park were swiftly passed by as we struggled to make our seats in time for the 12noon kickoff.
I was in the very back row goodness knows what happened to the other four. I lost contact with Gooner Malcolm, the securer of my ticket and failed to organise a meeting point after the game which added to the confusion at full time!
We started slowly and the lovely Hector almost put Leno in trouble after a few minutes but the keeper was alert and made an excellent save. Thereafter my hero had a great game and his flick-on which lead to the Ramsey goal will live long in the memory.
This was a match where everyone barring perhaps Granit had solid games, even Mustafi looked secure at the back and the football in the second half was comparable at times to Wengerball at it’s best. No wonder the fans were singing ” we’ve got our Arsenal Back”. Everyone was smiling , I didn’t hear a single grumble and it was the best away day I have had in years.
Craven Cottage was everything you Holics said it would be. A great pity we have another interlul, if only we can have a few more days like today.
COYR
Great report Delia!
You are our lucky away charm!
It was interesting today to see us play close to a 4-4-2 with Welbeck and Lacazette interchanging . Welbeck was very good today too and Auba came on to very good effect. We had a lot of interchanging upfront and we really have some great strikers at the club. Eddie Nketiah will show soon what he can do too. Auba has 16 in 23 which is extraordinary and Lacazette will press him close for goals this season. We’ve bought very well over the last 18 months throughout the team.
Great reports Delia and TTG. On the telly it did sound like the traveling Gooners were quite happy indeed. Torreira whoa whoa was coming through loud and clear, and rightly so!!
We got our Arsenal back, well irony is, the fans could have backed the team a bit better and we wouldn’t have lost it in the first case, never mind.
Lacazette and Torreira were joyous to watch, the 3rd goal was a thing of beauty and as ever the English media will not be eloquent about it for they have more pressing matters of finding out if the ball finally landed from the penalty kick from Maharez; Who Cares.
Is there real progress and has the team been truly tested should not even be a question for games and leagues are not decided by the answers to them, it is decided by the points and so far we have 6 wins in 8 and thats that.
Yes, the games after the international break( why again) will be tougher but we will take it as it comes, post november will be a good time to revisit the team’s performance but yes if we are in the mix, it is definitely worthy to say then that our Arsenal is there than saying it is back.
Yes it’s taken a long time but we have our Arsenal back. Same players (pretty much) ; totally different approach. Note no moaning about scheduling or fatigue with the away test in Europa last week. That’s just one example. If talking about the old manager is an elephant in a room, I couldn’t give a toss. We’re fans, we discuss, we analyse and we compare. At a micro level, looking at yesterday, Miki wide and Iwobi, Welbeck and Laca was a fairly extraordinary selection for the front four. Effectively no “10” (Miki was wide), no midfield creator. This is tactics and innovation of the highest order. It gave us incredible power and speed in our pressing and transitions up top. I’m an Ozil lover but he’s going to have to tension up and get with the programme. But you know what, maybe he can, under this coach. Early days still for sure but looking good. COYG.
Whoever we brought in was going
to be different, just as AW was
different from GG, who was different
from Don. Only 8 league games
played.
It is mostly the same players and
I’ve been optimistic about them in
October before. Let’s see where
we are come spring – be fantastic
if it’s 2 points off the leaders and
challenging for the league.
I must say that I was slightly disappointed to hear the “we’ve got our Arsenal back” song. Personally I thought it was a tad disrespectful and just unwarranted.
On a plus note I just wanted add how pleasing it is to see Iwobi playing so well. I always thought he got a bit of a rough deal in some quarters. I hope his progression continues.
More great news…..
https://mobile.twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1049222864321302528
Good riddance to POOma
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kZJK5g_OsU
I’d be very disappointed in Thierry Henry if he takes John ‘black cunt’ Terry to Villa as his assistant.
two looong weeks ahead
sniffin’ glue will do the trick, my mother said
not anymore, i’m afraid
Zen Now (redux)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyMEs2ltssA
Sorry for being off topic. Here is some news on Miguel Almiron.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2018/10/07/can-atlantas-ezequiel-barco-fill-miguel-almiron-headline?autoplay=true
You’re not off topic
I am
and Miguel
as an atypical No 10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJlME7lSE90
Adidas as the Arsenal kit supplier is great news!
I guess three is the wrong number of clubs you want to go bankrupt in one season? Let the Italians figure it out, if it can be figured out.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45754205
As a Brazilian entering a bar might be likely to ask, “Tem caipirinha?”
Klopp on the UEFA Nations League – ‘the most senseless competition in
the world of football’
I couldn’t have said it better
well, I could but…
back in the old days when they were a proper band
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTfOmfmJyKk
Absolutely adored the Sons and Fascination album. Another band that went to pot when they got commercially successful was …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2cf833c-ec
If word on the street is correct,Cynic can rest easy re the thought of the odious John Terry becoming assistant to Henry at Villa.
As TH14 has apparently accepted the offer to manage Monaco,who have just sacked their manager after an abysmal start to the season.
“Absolutely adored the Sons and Fascination album…”
me too
but Empires and Dance is masterpiece
and Vox without Foxx?
Don’t get me started………………………………
Ah, the challenge of avoiding answering one’s own questions in a public place.
TH14 to manage at Monaco? It could be quite a gamble. ???
But it does present an interesting kind of continuity as AW got his big time start there after three seasons with Nancy. Monaco seem to still be a big time club, in French terms, having defeated Arsenal recently in the Champions League and developed players like Martial and Mbappe so it could be a good place for Titi to get his start as well.
Jardim was touted by many people including one of the most strident Arsenal blogs as the successor to Wenger. Now he looks like brown bread.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>