Hello one and all.
It looks like I’ll be doing the post game blogs this year, so I’m going to assume that everyone has seen the game, therefore I wont be going through the action because who am I to te
ll you what you have seen. So I will just let you know my thinking and in the comments you can all put me right.
There is much to be happy about and some to be less so happy about.
5-0 and top of the league after game day 2 is about as good as the numbers get. No complaints there then.
Gyokeres scored his first goal and it looked like a typical Gyokeres goal. He made a run into the left channel, cut in, kept good close control and slotted in through a now quit crowded box, into .the near post. The lad looks vey quick, strong and composed. Once his team mate learn to put early ball into the spaces, he could be just the ticket. He also lashed a penalty in with a confidence built on successfully scoring 28 of 29 previous attempts. I hope he take on, and is given, the responsibility of spot kick going forward.
Noni Madueke had a decent game on the left, for me doing better than Martinelli normally does, but the little spell when he moved to the right, he looked much more comfortable and dangerous. Which is good news because with the Saka injury that’s where he will be playing. The Saka injury is a worry, because if it’s the same Hammy, it migh indicate things to come. Let’s hope not, because he’s a bobby dazzler, the goal he lashed in yesterday, with his right foot no less, was a thing to behold.
Timber got MOTM for a good glancing header, a scruffy poke in and a great little through ball assits, on top of a very competent defending display. He’s quite the player too, Ben White has a job on to disloge him.
Max Dowman made his ELP debut and my wood, what a talent. There is no “over hype” with this lad, he’s incredible. 15 years old, hasn’t had his first shave, a year away from his GCSEs and playing like he owns the gaff. He won the penalty too. He’s my new favourite Arsenal player. I’ve never seen a lad anywhere near his level at that age. So exciting.
The defence and Raya look so good and with Zubimendi sitting in front of them, I can’t imagine there is a better defence in world football. Zubimendi looks quck and composed, gets passes away under pressure and I’m sure he will soon me more adventurous once he feels establish in the team.
Right, now the less good stuff. 3 of the 5 goal were from set pieces, so although they count exactly the same as open play goals, and are hugely important, it does indicate that we were not as free flowing and dominate as the 5-0 suggests. In fact until injury time in the first half, it was a tiresome game to watch. We scored of ever attempt on target, that is totally unsustainable. So I don’t think all is rosy on the carpet. But the early signs are encouraging.
Pedantic George.