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Photo from Freepik
Morning all.
As the casualty list continues to grow we may see Arteta left with no alternative but to lean into the Mikel Merino option this side of the international break. Following on from the recent Gabriel Martinelli muscular issue we now have to add a Viktor Gyokeres muscle twinge (possible hamstring) into the equation. Mikel Arteta didn’t look at all happy in yesterday’s pre-match presser when he was asked about Viktor – and that’s a worry.
Arsenal showed last season that even under such duress the Gunners can still, in most cases, get the job done and that was very much on the agenda in Prague yesterday evening as Mikel Arteta was forced into being imaginative against an obdurate opponent who raison d’etre is the low low block and a physical approach. With a vital Premier League game on the horizon next weekend, Arteta had to manage his resources thoughtfully – and that’s exactly what he did.
Eze was rested and Nwaneri came into the starting XI, Hincapie replaced Calafiori and Nordgaard took over the Zubimendi role. Merino as expected started up front but the biggest change was the Arsenal bench which looked a lot less exciting without the big stars on it. 5 Hale End graduates filled the spots on the bench for those now in the treatment room back home in Blighty.
The Slavia fans made for a raucous atmosphere in the stadium and kept up their support until the final whistle, but it didn’t bother this Arsenal team, after all many of them had been part of the team that had won in Madrid last season.
Gabriel almost pulled off a Gilberto Silva after kick off, Slavia attacked and Arsenal responded and from a long throw Big Gabby had a shot that beat the keeper but came off of the angle of post and bar. For the next 30 minutes Arsenal traded blows with the Czech champions who’d not lost on this ground for 11 months.
Slavia’s early enthusiasm, energy and robust approach gradually began to wane as Arsenal started to squeeze them like a boa constrictor. Then we enjoyed our first large slice of good fortune as VAR spotted a handball from one of our many corners. The referee went to the screen and we all know what that means – penalty! It was clear, the Slavia player had headed the ball onto his hand but why was his hand up in the air? No matter, Bakayo stepped up and boom, 1-0. Howard Webb, are you watching?
Arsenal continued to contain their hosts and the game reached half-time with the Gunners leading 1-0.
Merino isn’t Gyokeres, he doesn’t run in behind defenders, it’s not his style but this team just adapted because the coaching staff and players have the requisite football intelligence to figure it out. So many of our players had been doing a great job but Timber and Rice were absolutely peerless.
The 2nd 45 began with Arsenal making it 2-0 with their first attack, the ball reached the impressive Trossard who sent in a lovely cross and Merino beat the off-side trap with consummate ease to side foot home. Everyone was stunned, even me. It was so simple and so effective, this team just oozes ability and class.
From then on it was just game management, with so many matches to come this team has to coast through periods to conserve energy and not risk injury and at this point in time the team is doing just that despite some wretched fitness misfortune. Slavia did have some promising moments but Gabriel and Saliba shut them down.
On the hour a smart pass from Rice put Saka in on goal and despite having a Slavia defender all over him got off his shot but the keeper saved. 2 minutes later it was goodnight nurse. Timber cruised forward like a Roll Royce and exchanged passes with Saka before our cultured Dutch master found Declan Rice. He in turn chipped the perfect ball into the Slavia box, it was from the boot of Dec so it had to have the perfect trajectory and velocity on it and as it fell to Earth the Slavia goalkeeper and a Slavia defender looked favourites to clear it, but Merino got the slightest of touches with the back of his head and bingo, it was 3-0. Slavia just looked crestfallen…
Arteta then went full rotational, on 65 Eze replaced the fading Nwaneri then on 72 he sent on White (Timber), Myles (Hincapie) and Dowman (Trossard). On 81 Andre Harriman Annous replace Rice and chased every lost cause against a tired Slavia defence, he’s going to catch a goalkeeper out very soon that lad.
On 85 Arsenal enjoyed their second slice of UEFA VAR fortune when Ben White was penalised for a non foul in the box. The initially awarded penalty was overturned and quite rightly too. Special mention has to go to Hincapie and Nordgaard who after spending long periods idle on the bench came into the team and did a sterling job. They won’t catch the eye but they’re as solid as a rock.
Max Dowman became the first 15 year old to play in the Champions League, Arsenal made it 10 wins on the trot and 8 successive clean sheets equalling a club record from 1903 when we were still playing in South London at the Manor Ground in front of English footballs original Spion Kop.
And so we march on….
**By Kev**.