A Bunch Of Fives; And Porto Preview

Arsenal continued their rich vein of form over the weekend with a comprehensive thrashing of hapless Burnley. 

In truth, there probably wasn’t much to worry about pre-game. Burnley are 19th, and have a horrendous home record. But there’s always something historical in the ‘this could be a tricky game’ theory when it comes to Arsenal. Our hearts maybe had us worried, even though our heads thought otherwise. But on the back of Liverpool’s win earlier on the day - it’s easier to play first, in my opinion, and put the pressure on the opposition - there was never a moment's doubt as Arsenal continued as they had left off against West Ham.

No changes to the starting XI, with the only injured player recovered enough to make the bench being ESR. And no real need to change the line-up, I guess. Arsenal are better than Burnley, and brim full of confidence. And it went to plan. More of the same, please!

Burnley tried to press from kick-off, but that was already wearing off after just 4 minutes as first Rice, then Martinelli, carried the ball long distances before the latter’s cross found its way to Martin Odegaard. One touch to control the ball, and a second to half-volley it home from the edge of the area. End of contest, frankly; and whilst it look a little while for Arsenal's domination to turn into further goals there was a total inevitability about where the points where going.

A penalty late in the first half after Trossard was brought down meant a further goal for Bukayo Saka (Trafford got close to saving it, actually), and Starboy put the game to bed early in the second half with a sublime feint and hammered right foot finish. 

Trossard finally got his reward when he slammed a left-fotoed shot into the far corner, and Havertz wrapped it all up late on (waka waka) with some quick thinking and footwork before applying the coup de grace.  By which time Arteta had rested several key players - including, much to my annoyance, both Saka and Trossard; thus costing me potential further Fantasy points. And so Arsenal march on.

A few quick points before I move on:

1,    Arsenal are brim full of confidence and new-found belief since they returned from Dubai. The break has done them a world of good; and that's what a holiday - albeit a working one - is all about. There seem to be closer connections all over the pitch, and it's up to both players and Management to keep up this mood - especially when they hit an obstacle or two (as they are sure to do) on the elongated run-in

2.    There's been loads of talk in the media about whether Bukayo Saka is 'world class'. Apparently, Phil Foden is, but Saka is not. Yet... All nonsense; except for one thing: Foden has played in a title- (indeed, treble-) winning side, but Saka has not. Yet... And in the same way that the likes of Pep and Klopp are given a free pass to 'over-celebrate' but Arteta is not, that's where we are in this debate. Winning something is what changes the perception. 

The fact that Saka's goal/assist stats are better than Cristian Ronaldo's at this stage of their careers - and, remember, Starboy started out as a full back! - probably counts for nought:

But he deserves to be in that conversation. I personally believe that Saka is one of the Top 10 players in the world, but my opinion of course counts for little. He'll become more universally recognised as such when Arsenal finally have a big trophy to show for their undoubted quality. It's within touching distance, and let's hope that Arsenal get there this season in order to put all this nonsense to bed

3.    It's funny, but I get the sense that despite a glut of goals Arsenal are being profligate in front of goal. Despite doubling their xG on Saturday, I believe that 5 goals under-played their superiority. Don't get me wrong; successive 6-0 and 5-0 away wins will do very nicely. But it's when it comes to bigger and better opposition, and finer margins, the type of chance that is still being missed needs to be put away. I'm never satisfied, am I?

And so on to Porto, and the return of the Champions League. Followed swiftly by tough opposition in the form of Newcastle United just 72 hours later. A proper test for the team and squad, with a big warning sign hanging over it. It's been one game a week for a while now. Two games in the space of three days brings an entirely different challenge; and especially with the squad remaining depleted and the possibilities for rotation similarly affected. ESR is back, and Partey and Vieira are close, but the absence of Jesus, Zinchenko and Tomiyasu (and the continued absence of Timber) means that the squad isn't fully equipped for an enlarged workload. 

It's perhaps a 'blessing' that Arsenal are fighting on just two (massive) fronts, whilst City and Liverpool have bigger workloads. But we can't worry about the opposition; Arsenal need to take care of their own business!

There were certainly more difficult potential last 16 opponents than Porto. Winning the group at least prevented Arsenal from having to go down the late Wenger era old dead end - suffered season after season - of finishing second and inevitably drawing peak Bayern or peak Barcelona in the last 16. I personally still bear some of the scars of those maulings! And Porto are eminently beatable. They're a distant third in the Portuguese league at the moment and not in the best of form. Their best known players are the Portuguese national goalkeeper, Costa, and the veteran thug of a centre back, Pepe, who hits the ripe old age of 41 between the first and second legs of this tie. 

Under normal circumstances, Arsenal should have too much for Porto. And the ideal scenario is a swift three goal lead and the ability to rest players for Saturday. I'm probably dreaming... but Arsenal are in scintillating form, so it's not out of the question. Hopefully we'll see a Partey cameo, because a fit and available Thomas Partey will be 'LANS' going into the run in. 

Saturday - Newcastle at home. At the ludicrous time of 8pm. Good of the Premier League and the television companies to think of the travelling supporter, methinks... Still, I personally haven't got far to travel. Newcastle are definitely missing Joelinton and Wilson, and probably Isak too. They're out of form - and we owe them, big time!, after their travesty of a winning goal earlier this season. And I'll think we'll give them precisely what they deserve. 

Liverpool play this evening, and City play before Arsenal too; we're last on next week as well, so the pressure will remain on, and there's no room for error. The week after, it's Liverpool vs City; and it's after that when we'll know the scale of the task ahead. But in the meantime we can - quite rightly - dream. COYG!