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Photo from Arsenal.com
I’ve just recently started watching the Amazon series covering Arsenal’s 2021/22 season again and it’s quite illuminating to remember where we came from and where we currently are now. I think that series, despite some reservations within the club, was beneficial and helped in creating a closer bond between the fans, Arteta and the players. But one thing struck me and that was when Man City visited Ashburton Grove, the Gunners were in a decent run of form despite Arteta testing positive for Covid (remember that) and having to stay at home.
We actually played really well in that game where it was probably the first time under Arteta when we matched them across the pitch and at half-time we were leading 1-0. Then in the 2nd half we had Gabriel sent off for absolutely nothing and looking back now, you kind of wondered if the officials were really as honest as we’d like to think they were? How can you not wonder, given the recent revelations or not have serious doubts now about the integrity of the referee and VAR because it only takes those two of them to corrupt a Premier League game.
Of course City equalised against Arsenal and then in added time super-snide Bernardo Silva fell over the legs of an Arsenal defender and the 114 cheaters got a penalty. It really wasn’t a penalty but It’s impossible not to wonder now if the officials had actually been ‘got at’…
Anyway onto yesterday’s game. Eze kept his place on the left wing, Calafiori returned, Bruno started and Meslier got a seat on the bench instead of Kepa. Was Kepa injured or has Meslier taken over as No.2..? With the 114 cheaters winning 3-2 at home to Ipswich the Gunners needed a positive result to keep up the pressure and to remain ahead of surprise pacesetters Brighton. Gibbs-White missed the game through injury but we had the suspect Michael Oliver as the referee so a bit up and a bit down.
Nottingham Forest had not scored at the City Ground all season and with the pressure mounting on their manager Glaisner they went full low block, probably the lowest of low blocks we’ve seen this campaign. The Gunners were not at their best either, I know it takes two teams to make an entertaining match but we really struggled to grt any momentum going.
After a soporific opening spell of 19 minutes Calafiori almost gifted Forest a goal, the chance was smothered and the following corner cleared but it showed that even when you’re camped in your opponents half that you cannot switch off.
After 26 minutes there was a goalmouth scramble but the ‘red wall’ held and then on 41 Rice found Odegaard who didn’t take his customary 3 or 4 touches but he moved it on rapidly to Havertz but his attempt on goal lacked conviction. It was probably one of Kai’s least effective games since he returned from his long term injury last spring. With Arsenal unable to find any answers to the negative tactics employed by Forest the half petered out. H/T 0-0
Noni Madueke replaced the peripheral Eze at half-time and he added some urgency to the Gunners who still found it difficult to open up the home team. Rice probably should have scored but it was the injection of creativity on 66 minutes when Timber, Merino and Gyokeres replaced White, Bruno and Havertz which saw the visitors start to make some headway.
Our corners were still not hitting their target and Odegaard was still not moving the ball on quickly enough but the yellows started to open up the home team.
Then on 80 minutes the lively Madueke jinked inside and then went outside his marker before hitting a blistering drive which was going in across goal despite taking a slight touch on the way. The Forest keeper had no chance. It released the pressure cooker and the Gunners started knocking it around.
Forest made changes and came close a couple of times themselves as the visitors attempted to manage the game, or tried to. Murillo did well to escape and fire just over and Konsa, who else, stopped Delap in added time. From the following corner Raya was fouled and Oliver amazingly gave the free kick and that was that!
People will moan, of course they will, I also did at times, but Arsenal can’t be totally blamed if every opponent we seem to face nowadays doesn’t want to play, despite Brighton showing them the way.
Anyway it’s 3 points, a clean sheet and everyone else can do one…
We March On.
**By Kev.**