It's been a productive couple of matches for the Gunners, picking up six points while some of our close competitors dropped two points. (Spuds dropped five!) West Ham offered very little resistance, getting a pen from a breakaway but otherwise getting pulled around until we popped three past our former GK Fabianski in the second half. Brighton was more dangerous, fighting all the way to the end, scoring twice and having a goal disallowed for a ridiculous offside. Unfortunately for them, they did not defend as well as they attacked and Arteta's men scored four very nice goals. Nketieh got the eventual winner, poaching as he does so well. Our wingers were fabulous, each scoring, and MOTM Odegaard got one too. Tomiyasu and Tierney both got minutes and seem fine. I am very happy.
You have every reason to be pleased. Arsenal looks strong in almost every category.
ReplyDeleteWe're thin in a couple of areas. We're coping brilliantly with the absence of Gabriel Jesus so far, but it is a loss. Like every other club, injuries could derail our season. Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Saka, and Martinelli are all key players, and with all the fixtures coming up in three competitions (we were knocked out of the League Cup), we can't play them in every game anyway. So I'm not complacent.
DeleteBut I am encouraged that every team knows exactly what we're going to do before we show up, and prepare as they may, they still can't stop us. With one or two reinforcements, we might even get better. Of course, all the rich clubs will strengthen in this window. Next year, we may recall Folarin Balogun from his loan at Reims, where he's scoring lots of goals. We won't be lacking in firepower with him, Jesus, Saka, Martinelli, and Nketieh rotating up front. We may still be the Premiership's youngest team, so Arsenal has a bright future.