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Martinez And Saka destroy Frankfurt

Sep 19th, 2019 by 'holic

Unai Emery surprised a few with his selection of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. With Alexandre Lacazette ruled out until October was it a risk too many? Only time would tell if his inclusion was required for possibly our toughest fixture in the group phase of the Europa League. Could we become the first English club to win in Frankfurt?

Indeed the first clear chance of the match fell to Lucas Torreira in the fifth minute but arriving at speed in the box he could not control his first-time shot.

Emiiano Martinez was called on to save a shot straight at him and a hopeful da Costa cross. His was an impressive start. In the fifteenth minute Bukayo Saka had a great chance to either score or feed an unmarked Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Sadly both proved to be beyond him in the moment. It was an encouraging break however and a hint at what would happen later.

At the other end Silva drove through the centre and slipped it to Kostic who could only find the side netting. A warning, perhaps. The same player drew a superb save from Martinez at the mid-point of the half.

On the half hour Aubameyang presented Joe Willock with a fine opportunity but sadly the youngster was off target. His time would come. We looked a threat every time we went forward at this point. Emile Smith Rowe was denied by an excellent save from former PSG goalkeeper, Trapp. We had a deserved lead seven minutes from the break when Saka fed Willock who cut inside and fired a deflected effort in off the crossbar.

Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 The Arsenal

As the half drew to a close Martinez again showed his class with a great save from Silva. Both teams had enjoyed opportunities but The Arsenal deserved their narrow advantage for me.

Not surprisingly Frankfurt started the second-half strongly but we were defensively sound, yes really, and Martinez produced another fine save. A magnificent break from Willock and a perfect pass to Aubameyang looked like providing a second for the visitors but Hinteregger made an amazing block. Twice more in quick succession Martinez was tested by da Costa and Kostic and not found wanting.

Ten minutes in we were inches from a second when Granit Xhaka’s free-kick bounced off the bar with Trapp beaten. The atmosphere in the stadium was both impressive and hostile. As the hour approached Nicolas Pepe was sent on for Smith Rowe. I hope both have a huge future at the club. Pepe had an early chance but he was offloaded by Hasebe.

Midway through the half Frankfurt brought on their leading goalscorer, Paciencia, for Dost. It was the Gunners who had the next opportunity however and Willock was denied a second by Trapp. Back came the hosts and Kostic fired narrowly wide. Then Martinez again denied the free-scoring substitute. Could we keep up this unexpected defensive solidity?

A magnificent crossfield pass from Calum Chambers gave Aubameyang a wonderful opportunity but unusually the striker’s first touch was poor and our slender advantage remained. Chandler was introduced for da Costa as Frankfurt sought the equaliser.

Dani Ceballos replaced Willock as we looked for fresh legs in midfield. Sead Kolasinac saw a very harsh yellow card for ‘time=wasting’ at a throw in. It put him on an unnecessary tightrope for the final fifteen minutes or so.

Trapp produced another vital save when Saka seemed all set to kill the game. The end to end nature of the game made for a great watch. The hosts suffered when Kohr drew a second yellow card for bringing down Saka. Immediately we sent Ainsley Maitland-Niles on for Kolasinac in case he suffered a similar fate.

The lead was doubled in spectacular fashion when Martinez sent Xhaka racing through midfield. He passed to Pepe who cut the ball back for Saka to produce a wonderful far post drive from distance. It was no more than the youngster deserved for his evening’s efforts.

Eintracht Frankfurt 0-2 The Arsenal

Remarkably two became three courtesy of, surprise surprise, Aubameyang. Obviously the assist was provided by Saka. He deserves another crack at it on Sunday, perhaps?

Eintracht Frankfurt 0-3 The Arsenal

The final scoreline may have flattered us, but this was a memorable European away day. I’m so happy for the travelling faithful. All credit to Martinez and Saka. Well played both.

Posted in match review | 74 Drinks

74 Responses to “Martinez And Saka destroy Frankfurt”

  1. on 19 Sep 2019 at 7:55 pm1Silly Second Yella

    frankfurters and beers

  2. on 19 Sep 2019 at 7:56 pm2Martinez And Saka destroy Frankfurt – Arsenal FC News

    […] Original article: https://goonerholic.com/2019/09/martinez-and-saka-destroy-frankfurt/ […]

  3. on 19 Sep 2019 at 7:58 pm3Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    Top report H. I love how quick you are without any sacrifice of quality.

  4. on 19 Sep 2019 at 8:00 pm4scruzgooner

    clearly you’ve found your form again, holic. class is permanent.

    saka MOTM. though you’re right, it could be shared with emi.

    willock looks really good. how’s a 3 with him, guendouzi, and torreira sound? or in a four with ceballos, and pepe/auba and saka up front? it is nice to have options.

  5. on 19 Sep 2019 at 8:08 pm5TTG

    Great report Holic I hope it provided a tonic for you in every way.
    The game didn’t surprise me. I’ve been watching Saka for eighteen months and I’ve always liked Martinez. I liked his long, accurate and decisive kicking.He is a very solid keeper.
    How do you sum this game up?
    We played ourselves. Frankfurt played defensively just like we did on Sunday and against Tottenham and were as open as we are. This is a great result because they are probably our biggest rivals in the group and we should be able to rest players up until Christmas now although we showed that we have a lot of talent bubbling under. The lad most affected by this result is Reiss Nelson, I think he now has Pepe, Saka and Martinelli ahead of him.
    To be fair Mustafi was very solid tonight ( much stronger than Luiz) . Chambers did well after a tough first twenty minutes against a really quick winger and of course Martinez was excellent.
    It’s good to be able to blood the youngsters and I think we will see a similar team against Forest next week with John- Jules coming in for Auba . If only we had defenders or defensive midfielders coming through too. Despite a plucky performance we still allowed them 24 goal attempts. That is way too open and if they had been a CL side we would have suffered grievously.

  6. on 19 Sep 2019 at 8:19 pm6OsakaMatt

    Great report Guvnor to go
    with a great result.
    Rode our luck at times but
    our finishing was better than
    theirs and we deserved to
    win.

    Lot of good performances
    already mentioned, a good
    lift after Watford for all of
    us.

  7. on 19 Sep 2019 at 8:39 pm7North Bank Ned

    Glad to see you back on form, ‘Holic.

    As TTG says, this is a great result because Frankfurt is probably our biggest rival in the group.

    And good to see the youngsters doing well.

  8. on 19 Sep 2019 at 8:54 pm8TTG

    The team we could field if everyone was fit might be quite strong and only really lacks a dynamic midfielder to win the ball and drive through midfield. Doucouré made that terrific run in the last minute on Sunday which reminded me of Vieira ( and praise comes no higher from me than that) . We need that sort of player and a tighter more compact midfield. Ceballos immediately tightened up midfield today when he came on. We have pace to burn upfront and two good full-backs to come in with Holding to add as well.
    Leaving the issue of the coach aside ( Apart from that Mrs Lincoln how was the play!) this squad gives us a lot of options .

  9. on 19 Sep 2019 at 9:25 pm9arsenicDaemon

    Good ebening and thanks Guvnor for the report. Great to see the team come off tops. Our defensive woes still continues but a lot of positives today.

    If we don’t win the Europa, finish top 4 then we shouldn’t be having good ebening at the Emirates.

  10. on 19 Sep 2019 at 10:08 pm10Countryman100

    I really think we have a golden generation to match that of the mid 80s when Adams, Rocky, Paul Davis et al all came through together. Truly there is nothing more thrilling than kids from the Academy becoming the men of the 1st XI. So many good young Londoners in the side (and as a Londoner that really matters to me). I think Freddie is key here.

    There will be ups and downs but let’s keep supporting and not getting diverted by agenda against the manager.

    There are still very cheap seats available for the Carabao next Tuesday against Forest which may well feature Bellerin and Tierney after their game for the U23s as well as tonight’s heroes and John-Jules. Come on guys let’s fill the place!

    Find a settled back four and this may become a really good team, as TTG says.

  11. on 19 Sep 2019 at 10:10 pm11Arthur Dobrzanski

    Quick and precise report Holic top man!

    Consider our defensive woes we did really well, hopefully we can build on that in the league this coming weekend!

    Young lads played well and deserve praise, our midfield worries me because they don’t provide enough protection, our defence and midfield is completely out of sync. I trust Mr Good Ebening will sort it out! 😀

  12. on 19 Sep 2019 at 10:31 pm12Countryman100

    The Guardian’s match report tonight describes the Arsenal as perplexing, maddening and utterly compelling at the moment.

    I think they got it about right!

  13. on 19 Sep 2019 at 11:31 pm13Silly Second Yella

    we feel – we think – we sing

    mustard brigade!

  14. on 19 Sep 2019 at 11:35 pm14can't be arsed

    dorset M
    ha
    it’s a fuckin killer int it

    all
    the tonic water he requires barkeep

    menkle
    ?

  15. on 20 Sep 2019 at 12:51 am15can't be arsed

    and
    in many ways my dear people
    aren’t we all

    (something rousing)

  16. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:16 am16can't be arsed

    fuckin think i’m done
    life been getting tiresome anyway
    if my lego insides hold up
    there will be strong looks from me

    the rest of them
    ye know

    getting fed up too probly
    “hey how come his liver , ya cunt”

  17. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:16 am17bt8

    Hmm. This result does not fit with the anti-Unai narrative. What shall we do?

  18. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:31 am18can't be arsed

    Dave
    How are your travails
    made more difficult by my bollocks I’m sure
    I mean no harm
    My good looks are something I have no control over

    except polishing me creepers

    got bought new creepers
    she bought one
    i bought the other two

  19. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:36 am19bt8

    Good looks on the internet are solely dependent on writing ability whereas good looks on the radio are quite voice dependent. Just an observation.

  20. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:39 am20can't be arsed

    it’s generally accepted I’m gorgeous
    so
    billy big bollocks – you saying i am’nt

  21. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:43 am21can't be arsed

    d’yeee know who am are !

  22. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:48 am22can't be arsed

    disrespectful to
    quite possibly the most handsome man
    ever to faff an shite on the internet
    ever

  23. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:54 am23can't be arsed

    honestly
    it’s situations like this
    HONESTLY !

    fuckin
    Stewart Grangering the fuck out of it today

    but
    what response from the gooner grass roots
    .
    i could posit a scenario

    .
    .
    .
    Yay

  24. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:57 am24can't be arsed

    .
    .
    polite responses only
    lest i stand on your throat

  25. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:58 am25can't be arsed

    nope

  26. on 20 Sep 2019 at 2:00 am26can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .

    “Pfttttt ….. throat people”

    A G A I N !

  27. on 20 Sep 2019 at 2:02 am27can't be arsed

    .
    .
    .
    .
    “Pfttttt ….. throat people”

    A G A I N !

  28. on 20 Sep 2019 at 2:09 am28can't be arsed

    .

    i’d fuckin love a beer

  29. on 20 Sep 2019 at 2:22 am29can't be arsed

    6month aged treacle stout
    shits like a cunt over guinness

    i suppose
    mind
    that’s a chunk of the reason
    i’m in the pickle i am in now
    ??

  30. on 20 Sep 2019 at 2:34 am30can't be arsed

    I’d be a useless cunt to drag around schools
    “This is what happens to you children when …”
    cos
    All things considered I haven’t looked better
    and
    saying near four dozen odd years of swally damaged me
    would be both
    a lie
    and
    a monumental one
    .
    .

    it killed me

    .
    “now children , when ye’ve stopped crying did you hear what Mr Arsed said “

  31. on 20 Sep 2019 at 2:44 am31can't be arsed

    .
    .
    “Yeah .. and he’s too old for them shoes”

  32. on 20 Sep 2019 at 2:50 am32OsakaMatt

    Hello cba

    Posting in vain? Or is it
    vainly posting? All is vanity
    or so I read once

  33. on 20 Sep 2019 at 2:54 am33OsakaMatt

    @17 bt8 ,

    we were lucky tonight.
    course when we don’t win
    we are not unlucky, then
    the manager is incompetent

    It is oddly reminiscent of
    AW’s last couple of seasons.

  34. on 20 Sep 2019 at 3:06 am34can't be arsed

    osaka M
    you are a proper clever fucker

    i’m knackered and awake

    (handsome however during both)

  35. on 20 Sep 2019 at 3:10 am35OsakaMatt

    2 things from the game….

    Frankfurt sold their strikers who
    did well last season and the new
    ones haven’t found their finishing
    boots yet. That was handy for us.

    The kids who came in did well and
    won the game for us really. Saka
    killed it with his second. We’ve
    found some good potential and
    developed it well so far over
    several years. That was great to see.

    Neither of these things is down to
    UE really. But he’s the one who
    trusted them in a tricky away game.
    That is good leadership, he was
    brave and well done him

  36. on 20 Sep 2019 at 3:13 am36can't be arsed

    i’m don’t look directly at me good looking
    yup
    yeah
    .
    .
    yup

  37. on 20 Sep 2019 at 3:15 am37can't be arsed

    i’m don’t look directly at me good looking
    yup
    yeah
    .
    .
    yup

    the coast guard need informed

  38. on 20 Sep 2019 at 3:17 am38can't be arsed

    water Etc

  39. on 20 Sep 2019 at 3:45 am39can't be arsed

    i feel like seventeen shades of shite
    but fortunately 16 is the limit for Pete
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph57IaYdEsY

    the mighty WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

  40. on 20 Sep 2019 at 3:48 am40can't be arsed

    dancing like Pete should be compulsory

  41. on 20 Sep 2019 at 3:54 am41can't be arsed

    39 and 40 were not written by me
    i said something along those lines
    and herself typed stuff

  42. on 20 Sep 2019 at 3:59 am42can't be arsed

    Head is completely POUNDING and i suspect a snooze is needed to be attempted

  43. on 20 Sep 2019 at 4:01 am43can't be arsed

    Goodnight . I miss beer
    Man can not live on the American lifestyle for ever

  44. on 20 Sep 2019 at 4:39 am44OsakaMatt

    Goodnight cba.

    I’ll see if I can stumble mumble
    through to the half ton.

  45. on 20 Sep 2019 at 4:41 am45OsakaMatt

    My first good look at Saka
    tonight. Seemed a bit
    peripheral early on but
    grew into the game.

    Does anyone know if he
    can play both wings?

  46. on 20 Sep 2019 at 4:47 am46OsakaMatt

    GSD made a good point about
    a solid CM base earlier, but
    really any combo of Guen,
    Xhaka and Torreira (who was
    quite careless today I thought)
    doesn’t look solid to me.
    With 2 FBs who aren’t the best
    defenders we are better off
    just attacking and playing
    Dani as an 8 from the start.

  47. on 20 Sep 2019 at 4:51 am47OsakaMatt

    Then again Héctor/Kieran
    will play for the U23s this
    week.
    Getting them both in really
    changes the dynamic IMO.
    A better awareness of when
    to get forward will (in theory)
    give us a stronger defence
    on both flanks and reduce
    the ridiculous number of
    shots we’re giving away.

  48. on 20 Sep 2019 at 4:54 am48OsakaMatt

    An apology to Emi

    I may have implied you were
    a serious risk as backup and
    a bit of a duffer. Tonight you
    proved me wrong ?⭐️

  49. on 20 Sep 2019 at 4:58 am49OsakaMatt

    Mus did well tonight all things
    considered – it must have been
    a tough couple of months but
    he showed some character.

    Calum too, he’s not a right
    back but he plugged away
    and finished stronger.

  50. on 20 Sep 2019 at 5:01 am50OsakaMatt

    A shout to Kola for finding a
    new way to get booked.
    And getting away with one in
    our box

    A shout to Luiz for not giving
    away a penalty

    And a shout to ESR just for
    getting back on the pitch

  51. on 20 Sep 2019 at 5:02 am51OsakaMatt

    waffle over

    but I did wonder about
    Saka @45

  52. on 20 Sep 2019 at 1:50 pm52Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    OM @45.

    I dunno how much he has played there previously. In the prem I assume Pepe has that position sewn up anyway. And Nelson may well be second choice. That is also where ESR tends to play. So if Saka is more natural on the left I guess that is where he may get more chances.

  53. on 20 Sep 2019 at 9:03 pm53can't be arsed

    have i driven people away Dave
    i will endeavour to be quiet

    sorry
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ2cy3U6D14

  54. on 20 Sep 2019 at 9:16 pm54can't be arsed

    likely i won’t succeed

    “Yay come on the football team”

    .
    .
    .
    how many fuckin times do i have to say
    i am on nodding terms
    you heard
    NODDING
    terms with Liam

    .
    .
    it’s like you people don’t listen

  55. on 20 Sep 2019 at 9:17 pm55can't be arsed

    NODDING

  56. on 20 Sep 2019 at 9:22 pm56can't be arsed

    the legend doesn’t know me

    but

    at the same time

    who knows anybody

    that night in harsleden

    ive assigned to holyfuckitude

  57. on 20 Sep 2019 at 10:27 pm57TTG

    CBA
    Her Majesty sends her regards but thinks I am better looking than you . But she likes you more than David Cameron. Hope things are ok mate.
    Bt8
    The anti-narrative around Unai won’t be reversed by one win especially one where our goalie played out of his skin and they had 24 shots. But it might be helped if we put a proper defence on the field . To this end I watched some of the U23s at Wolves. Balogun scored twice and our two full backs were taken off after an hour. Mavropanos played the full game. We conceded an equaliser right at the end. A chip over the defence to a Wolves player who had no one near him . Learning from the first team

  58. on 21 Sep 2019 at 1:45 am58OsakaMatt

    GSD,

    Thanks and agree the left looks to
    be the chance for one of Nelson,
    Saka or Martinelli to come
    through.

  59. on 21 Sep 2019 at 1:47 am59OsakaMatt

    TTG,

    How did Tierney play?

  60. on 21 Sep 2019 at 10:07 am60TTG

    OM
    He played quite conservatively not bombing on but has a great left foot and he gets stuck in. He was booked for some after son someone who had just fouled him heavily. Bellerin looked a bit nearer a return. Balogun was excellent. I see Nketiah can be recalled at Christmas and if he keeps staring on the bench it might have been better to keep him with us to come off the bench and play the Cup games . There might be a big opportunity for Balogun and John-Jules given the result on Thursday

  61. on 21 Sep 2019 at 10:34 am61OsakaMatt

    Thanks TTG. The sooner the better
    really but I suppose it’ll be a few
    weeks yet.

    Yes, we certainly didn’t loan Eddie
    out to sit on Leeds bench.

  62. on 21 Sep 2019 at 11:07 am62Cynic

    I dunno. Being sat on their bench all season will be perfect prep for sitting on ours for most of his Arsenal career 🙂

  63. on 21 Sep 2019 at 11:12 am63Goonerholic

    Apologies for the outage yesterday all. A little local difficulty, now resolved. It’s good to be back.

  64. on 21 Sep 2019 at 2:02 pm64North Bank Ned

    OM@45: Saka played once for the U-18s on the right wing in 2017-18. But for the U-23s he has consistently played on the left.

  65. on 21 Sep 2019 at 2:22 pm65OsakaMatt

    Thanks Ned.

    I read something from Jeorge
    Bird saying Nelson prefers the
    left wing but Jeorge thought he
    was better on the right.
    Laca, Auba, Pepe will be our
    first choice front 3 but we have
    so little back-up I was wondering
    where some of the kids usually
    play.

  66. on 21 Sep 2019 at 2:25 pm66Dorset Mick

    Good start to the weekend. Love Leicester and VAR!

  67. on 21 Sep 2019 at 2:26 pm67OsakaMatt

    Spuds lost. Always good to
    see 🙂

  68. on 21 Sep 2019 at 2:55 pm68North Bank Ned

    OM@65: For what it is worth, Emery has played Nelson on the left wing in his three Premiership games this season. In his three league games last season, Nelson played once on the left wing, once on the right wing and once as right midfield, while in eight Europa league games he played either right wing or right midfield. Pepe has probably had first refusal on the right-wing spot this season.

    Spurs go spurzy at Leicester. What’s not to like?

  69. on 21 Sep 2019 at 3:23 pm69Gunnersaurus Stunt Double

    Man City might look good against Watford right now. But just wait until their irresistible second half fightback. City will be lucky to hang on for a point. Ahem.

  70. on 21 Sep 2019 at 4:27 pm70OsakaMatt

    🙂
    Nice of Shitty to give us some
    perspective

  71. on 21 Sep 2019 at 5:06 pm71bt8

    Watford did Citeh’s goal differential quite a trick.

  72. on 21 Sep 2019 at 6:28 pm72OsakaMatt

    Ned@68
    what’s not to like? Yep, a Spud meltdown
    is a gift that always brings a smile.
    Leicester could be bigger rivals for a top
    4 spot as Spuds slump to 8th 🙂

    Enjoy the uncertainty of early season
    results

  73. on 21 Sep 2019 at 6:33 pm73ksn

    I preferred Spurs and Leicester to draw. Leicester is a real threat to our top four aspiration this season and their dropping two points would have been a good result for us. Anyway, nice that Spurs lost.

  74. on 21 Sep 2019 at 11:01 pm74Goonerholic

    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

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