What a goal from Lacazette! The equalizer from Barnes took a bit of luck, but I can't say Burnley didn't earn it. They could have had more. I thought we made it way too easy for them to lump it into good areas. We were dominant in the second half, though, and were good value for the win. Auba's strike for his second winner in two games was lovely.
I'm developing a healthy dislike for Ashley Barnes. If Troy Deeney is a 10 on the Jerk Scale, Barnes is a solid 6. I think he was the one who kneed Guendouzi in the back, but i guess it could have been the other jerk up front, Wood.
It was nice to see Torreira in there, but he doesn't seem quite 100% yet. Yes, we got three points in a convincing performance, but I expected more defensive bite in midfield. When we did press, it seemed to work pretty well. Burnley's press was stifling in the first half, and our guys are faster and more technical.
The buzz is about Ceballos, and it was merited. He just thinks faster than most players. Pepe displayed his talent too, and it won't be long before his final ball becomes as lethal in the EPL as it was in Ligue 1. Luiz did his job alongside Sokratis. I've seen Leno look sharper, but he did enough.
All in all, a satisfying three points at home.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Newcastle 0 - 1 Arsenal
Our first meaningful game of the season, and it's one nil to the Arsenal! An away win, an away clean sheet, decent performances all around. We even got to see a little Pepe and Ceballos in the second half. Yes, it was Newcastle, who looked a bit shaky in midfield, but the hosts gave a very good account of themselves with a disciplined defensive effort and a lot of hustle. To this anxious Gunner, the Magpies seemed to get to more second balls. Joelinton looked very very good with his holdup play and work rate.
But enough about them. Leno was quite good, the back line solid enough. I was delighted to see Chambers play so well, though his distribution was a disappointment. AMN made the goal, really, with a tremendous steal and a fine pass to a wide open PEA, who finished beautifully. Auba had a good game, I thought. Mkhi had a strange game, being involved in a lot of good offensive moves that seemed to go nowhere, but staying anonymous for stretches. I don't think he gave AMN enough help defensively, but fortunately he and Chambers were up to the task on the right side of defense. Reiss Nelson worked hard but doesn't look quite ready for the Premier League. He tired in the second half, leading to turnovers. Willock played his heart out, and it would be churlish to ask him to be brilliant too. Xhaka seems insufficiently mobile for a central mid, but Guendouzi covered a lot of ground. Still, the space we afforded Newcastle makes me uneasy about facing a more creative side. When Ceballos came in, it didn't change much, but then it didn't have to, because we were in the lead. Pepe and Martinelli had little to do. I thought it odd that all three subs were brought in when we were one goal up and they were offensive. I half expected Luiz to be added to the midfield in place of Willock, and Xhaka moved a little higher up.
We didn't learn much today, except that we have a couple of academy graduates who can help us this season. I hope Chambers has earned Emery's confidence. Nacho was pretty damned good, I thought.
Results elsewhere were as expected, it seems to me. Spuds left it late again; I was hoping for the smash-and-grab by Villa, lots of red cards, and a sewer backup in the new stadium. Damn.
But enough about them. Leno was quite good, the back line solid enough. I was delighted to see Chambers play so well, though his distribution was a disappointment. AMN made the goal, really, with a tremendous steal and a fine pass to a wide open PEA, who finished beautifully. Auba had a good game, I thought. Mkhi had a strange game, being involved in a lot of good offensive moves that seemed to go nowhere, but staying anonymous for stretches. I don't think he gave AMN enough help defensively, but fortunately he and Chambers were up to the task on the right side of defense. Reiss Nelson worked hard but doesn't look quite ready for the Premier League. He tired in the second half, leading to turnovers. Willock played his heart out, and it would be churlish to ask him to be brilliant too. Xhaka seems insufficiently mobile for a central mid, but Guendouzi covered a lot of ground. Still, the space we afforded Newcastle makes me uneasy about facing a more creative side. When Ceballos came in, it didn't change much, but then it didn't have to, because we were in the lead. Pepe and Martinelli had little to do. I thought it odd that all three subs were brought in when we were one goal up and they were offensive. I half expected Luiz to be added to the midfield in place of Willock, and Xhaka moved a little higher up.
We didn't learn much today, except that we have a couple of academy graduates who can help us this season. I hope Chambers has earned Emery's confidence. Nacho was pretty damned good, I thought.
Results elsewhere were as expected, it seems to me. Spuds left it late again; I was hoping for the smash-and-grab by Villa, lots of red cards, and a sewer backup in the new stadium. Damn.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
What Have They Done With Stan Kroenke?
I assume he's been kidnapped and forced to spend money on players, because the signings this summer can't be of his own free will, at least the paying for them part. And all this is without unloading our wage bill problem children Ozil and Mustafi and Mkhitaryan (and Kolasinac). This is a serious bid at leapfrogging Chelsea and maybe Tottenham into a Champions' League slot. Our offensive firepower is awesome, but out defensive prowess is not nearly at that level. Expect some rough seas early in the season, until Tierney, Holding, and Bellerin get fit, and Ceballos and Pepe start to click with our dynamic duo up front.
We're so stacked with offensive talent that it would not surprise me to see Iwobi sold to Everton. Of course, I'd rather see Ozil and/or Mkhitaryan out the door, but that's not going to happen. Torreira and Guendouzi are going to be solid, Xhaka is still a force, and how about the academy graduates for backup? I'm pumped.
We're so stacked with offensive talent that it would not surprise me to see Iwobi sold to Everton. Of course, I'd rather see Ozil and/or Mkhitaryan out the door, but that's not going to happen. Torreira and Guendouzi are going to be solid, Xhaka is still a force, and how about the academy graduates for backup? I'm pumped.
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