The Longest Game

It has all been pretty much plain sailing for Arsenal this season. 8 PL wins out of 9, and 3 from 3 in the Europa League. Difficult to ask for too much more, and there's been little doubt that Arsenal have been the better side in every one of those games... at least up to this week, that is.

However, a trip to play on an artificial pitch in the Arctic Circle on Thursday - which ended in a somewhat unimpressive 1-0 win - was followed by quite a battle at a frantic and hostile Elland Road on Sunday. Victory, ultimately, but the jury should possibly remain out for the moment at what the nature of the two wins this week mean going forward. Are Arsenal starting to show some cracks at the start of this hectic 5 week schedule, and again suffering from lack of squad depth, or are these two hard fought victories a sign that this team can win ugly as well as beautiful? The jury may have to stay out for the moment; at least to my mind.

No changes in team selection from the win over Liverpool. But extra miles had gone into quite a few legs in Norway. Particularly those of White, Odegaard and Saka - who all started on Thursday. Plus there remained concerns as to the fitness of Gabriel Jesus. Arsenal have done well at Elland Road recently, so there was nonetheless plenty of cause for optimism. 

And so to the game itself. It kicked off at 2pm, and as we know finished at around 4.30! It actually turned out to be critical to the result that the loss of communication between the referee and Stockley Park was fixed during the 38-minute break between the match being stopped - after just over a minute - and it being restarted. Because for once VAR did its job properly and on-field decisions/errors were rectified by (of all people!) Paul Tierney as VAR. Without VAR, Arsenal would have lost his game comfortably.

The first half was fairly even, with Leeds pressing Arsenal really hard, stopping them from getting into any real rhythm, and thereby ensuring that the league leaders looked just a bit off the pace. An early Leeds chance, following a free kick, saw the first of several crucial saves by Man of the Match Aaron Ramsdale. In response, Odegaard scuffed a shot having been set up by Xhaka's dummy, the ball fell to Jesus and his chip failed to hit the target when he should have done better. 

But soon after Arsenal got their noses in front when Rodrigo's outrageous attempt at a crossfield pass only found Saka, and he exchanged passes with Odegaard whose exquisite through ball - the second similar assist in successive PL games - relocated Saka on the left of Leeds' penalty area. Starboy put his right (wrong) foot right through the ball to lash it over Meslier's head and into the net. That's 4 goals (three of them match-winners) in three matches, in the space of 8 days, for everyone's favourite player. 

It had already like the first goal was going to be critical, and so it proved. Because the second half was almost all one way traffic - in the wrong direction! - as Leeds upped the pace further. The half-time introduction of Patrick Bamford was a real catalyst for this, as it gave Leeds a focal point in attack that they had been missing in the first half. On reflection, it was all a bit frantic - a case of trying just a bit too hard and displaying a lack of composure. But there were plenty of scares on the way.

Almost as soon as the second half had started, Leeds had the ball in the Arsenal net as Bamford clipped home Harrison's cross. But he was penalised - slightly harshly if you ask me - for easing Gabriel off the ball. First let-off.

Second let-off minutes later, as Saliba's handball - he got a nudge from the man he was marking but the mistake was all his - was referred to the referee by VAR and a penalty rightly awarded. Some handy shithousery from Arsenal delayed the taking of the kick and then Bamford - still awaiting his 100th League goal having been stuck on 99 for 18 months now (he'd been out with a long-term injury) - failed to hit the target.

And so it went on. Arsenal barely able to keep the ball at all, and wave after wave of Leeds attacks the feature of the entire half. Arsenal were unable to exhibit any control whatsoever, with Jesus looking well off the pace up front (Arteta should have brought him off long before he finally did, and given Eddie a runout), our two star wingers and all of our midfield having to work overtime keeping the marauders at bay, and our defence coming under concerted pressure. Saliba had his least impressive game of the season, and must adapt quickly to the sort of pressure he was put under. Still, he’s very young, and I have every confidence that he will do so going forward.

However Gabriel was magnificent. 90% passing success, won 8 duels, made three successful tackles, three interceptions, 4 clearances and blocked 4 shots. Now that's eventful - and also an indication of how hard he had to work!

In addition, Ramsdale made three further vital saves - one very painfully indeed! - as Arsenal rode their luck on their way to a crucial three points. The final piece of luck being the penalty/no penalty - red card/no red card injury time set-to between Gabriel and Bamford which saw VAR once more intervene - rightfully - in Arsenal's favour. Bamford committed the first offence, Gabriel lashed out when he shouldn't have done, and Bamford reacted as if shot. All's well that ends well, although it's certainly not good for the old ticker...

The longest game... a 38 minute first half delay, and almost 10 minutes of second half injury time... it meant that we missed the start of the Liverpool/City game - a match that we could relax a little watching, knowing that we were 4 points clear. And that reminds me - Happy Invincibles Day everyone! 

I once more cannot finish up without mentioning Tottenham, I'm afraid. Another penalty, won in dubious fashion by Kane (people are really starting to notice now), and they won again. In their traditional boring manner. But they’re right up there with City as a result. Some Spurs fans are saying 'Wait until we start playing well', but my response to that is that this is as good as they are, and they WILL get found out sooner rather than later. Big game for them on Wednesday; away to United. I shall be writing to the Premier League, asking them to award zero points irrespective of the result...

But let's get back to more important matters. Arteta is almost certain to go pretty strong on Thursday, as victory over PSV will mean an almost certain top place group finish. And then it's on to one of our bogey grounds, St Mary's, to face Southampton on Sunday. Expect more from them as we got from Leeds.

The time to rotate may then well be the return with PSV, and definitely Forest at home? Of more concern is if these under par performances turn out to be more than a blip. And that does concern me. Meantime, let’s bask in the glory. Sunday was a great day, as it turned out. Three points. City lost. 4 points clear. Invincibles Day in October. What more can one wish for?

COYG!