Very beautiful of Mikel Arteta to dedicate his opening question to legendary club exec and lifetime President, Ken Friar.
Before we start, I would like to say a few words about Ken Friar, our life president. It's a really sad day for everybody that loves Arsenal Football Club, anybody who loves football, and anybody who has come across him. I had the privilege, the honour, to meet him and to spend time with him, to learn from him. There are people at football clubs who have a role and fulfil it, and others who create an identity, values, and they have a vision to create that future for the football club. The legacy Ken is going to leave, to all of us, to our football club, to everybody that has been close to him, is going to be forever. I want to pass on all our love to his relatives, his family, so they know that the way we feel about him cannot be anything but extraordinary.
Beautiful that he got to see Arteta win a Premier League before his passing, you have to say, even more special that the boys won in his honor yesterday evening.
Onto the report…
Not often you get all the things you want out of an Arsenal game, but my word, I think I got the things.
Heavy rotation
Introduction of impactors
Mostly good performances
Saka and Eze goals
Myles covering for Calafiori rest
Brilliant goal from Jurriën Timber
3-0 in our first ever game against Lille in the Champions League, Olivier Giroud, at 40, sitting on the bench and getting a warm welcome when he landed on the pitch. Just a nice Champions League evening out.
Arsenal still feel like they have to work harder than most on the finishing, but overall, that was the sort of evening out we’ve come to expect from Arteta in the competition this team finds easy in the group stages. No drama, despite it taking until the 64th minute to score our first goal. Near total control outside that. I keep seeing people say we’re a dull watch… if that’s how people react to a team at the peak of its powers winning games, so be it. I don’t want to know what’s ‘exciting’ is to these bores, I alraedy know. They’re Fast & Furious 7 fans; they like having their birthday parties at TGI Fridays; they cheer when a waitress smashes a plate… ‘that’s what she said’ at work, ad nauseam. Do we really care what these folk think counts for entertainment while we’re out here mainlining decadence in the form of brutalist artistry as an ironic counterpoint to the trivialities of the banter era? We don’t.
There were some points of frustration. Noni Madueke returned to the right and showcased some of that excruciatingly frustrating form we’re all quite irritated by… disappointing because we really were a lot better than Lille who lacked power and physicality. But, as is the standard, Noni overran the touchline; he was lashing at crosses, and things just weren’t clicking. There was a moment where Arteta turned to Saka on the bench and started ranting, presumably about winger things… but just before Noni was about to get yanked on 65 minutes, he found Jurriën Timber’s run into the box with the perfect pass, the Dutchman adjusted his feet and floated his shot above the keeper in a goal normally only the best strikers score.
Noni with a poor outing, but an A to his name…
It was also notable on the replay back that the goal Timber scored was clearly part of a routine that Arteta felt Noni was messing up, because there were 3 occasions prior to the goal where the same pattern was activated. An odd choice, considering part of the pitch was clogged with 4-5 players every time, but it worked in the end, and it was pleasant, like Jack Daniels Whiskey Glazed Wings and a side of Tuscan Spinach Dip at my brother’s recent birthday party.
Saka showed almost instantly why he’s so valuable… he’s just more thoughtful and measured in everything he does. There’s heavy metal playing in Noni’s head when the ball lands at his feet, it’s Max Richter Dream 1 live from the Seychelles when it’s Saka. His cross into Eze’s run after Odegaard and Bruno teamed up was sensational… but so was Eze’s first-time finish into the bottom right. He looked extremely pleased with himself, almost defiant in his celebration. You do wonder if the easy attitude of Eze gets in the way of his minutes with Mikel who is far more rigid in attitude.
Saka capped the night with a great little finish… Odegaard found a Havertz run on the right side of the penalty area, the German cut back to Saka, Saka took a touch and swept his shot into the bottom corner across goal.
Come on man, it’s so professional. Arsenal just get the job done, like Dom, in that final scene against Shaw… I knew he’d keep the crew safe, I just knew it.
The major gripe of a very easy night out was that our number 14 once again managed to have a total blowout. No shots on target, no shots off target, against a team we had 16 shots against. We’re slamming Noni, but at least he’s in the ring, slinging crosses into a striker who doesn’t even challenge for the ball in the box.
Kai was on for 25 minutes and created two chances, exiting with one assist. Max Dowman came on for 5 minutes at the end and managed a shot on target. Gyokeres didn’t create a chance, had a total of 12 touches, had 75% pass completion of 8 total, and he managed one duel win… that is diabolical.
BRUNO HAD 5 SHOTS!
Sometimes, I just think about those that called me the enemy of the people last year because I expected more from my £55m striker. It’s crazy to me. We all got gassed up after he skinned that 34-year-old Romanian full-back last week, now it turns out that wasn’t a good barometer for future success.
It is what it is, but my word, we need to address this in January.
But… to be postive:
Saka, after his slow start, now has 5 G&A to his name in 9 appearances. Pretty good.
Eze looks like he’s motivated and prepared to show Mikel the error of his ways.
Dowman is getting minutes in Champions League games and moving Saka out of position.
Bruno is a world class menace and he’s definitely got the memo after his meek game against Brighton.
Mikel Arteta is now properly rotating players to keep them fresh for longer.
This start to the season, including Community Shield, has Arsenal with 21 goals in 10 games. That seems… pretty good to me? Still plenty of work to be done, but the defence is mean, we’re averaging 2 goals a game, and we’re winning loads of games comfortably.
Not a lot to be angry about, bar injuries in warm-downs. Ok, check out the members On The Whistle with Matt, Johnny, and Jacob. x
Podcast## LILLE (H) | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | LIVE ON THE WHISTLE | MEMBERS UNLOCK 🔓
LILLE (H) | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | LIVE ON THE WHISTLE | MEMBERS UNLOCK 🔓
Johnny is joined by Jacob Hawley and Matt Kandela straight after Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Lille. The Hottest Takes go all in on Jurrien Timber, with a heated debate over whether he deserves a new contract or is already the best player at the club.