Petrified Forest, A Star Is Born, And Are City Finished?

Far be it from me to labour a point, but... 

When I proclaimed publicly - on The Arsenal Opinion podcast (listen here 7:30 mins in for proof - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tuesday-debrief-legal-wars-getting-spursy/id498781996?i=1000672317140) - at the beginning of October that Arsenal were missing Martin Odegaard far more than people realised, many were disagreeing. Results were going ok, and people were daring to suggest that his goal/assist stats - lagging well behind Bukayo Saka's - meant that Arsenal didn't actually need him. I think that I can safely say that I nailed it, and those people have been shown to have been very, very wrong!

As we know, Arsenal soon started to struggle without the skipper in the side. Arteta had to change the formation - specifically how he used Havertz - and that upset the attacking balance of the team. Additionally, opponents could concentrate more on stopping Saka; by far the biggest threat in a team stripped of the Norwegian. 

We saw a big change in the dynamic in the pre-Interlull game against Chelsea - Odegaard’s first game back, of course. A fluidity had automatically returned to the side, even if he himself looked a little rusty at times; and Arsenal deserved on balance to win that game. On Saturday, with Odegaard since having had a full fortnight to get up to speed, we could see the difference he makes. Chalk and cheese. 

All of a sudden, the movement and fluidity that have made this Arsenal group so good was back. Judicious pressing. Nimble footwork, Vision. Passes that had the crowd on their feet (reminiscent of Bergkamp; of Fabregas; of Ozil). An increased urgency going forward. Shape. And more freedom for Starboy now that the opposition had somebody else to think about. Exactly what was required. Keep Odegaard fit and it's back on, baby!

Arteta, unusually, made numerous changes to the side. With Ben White unavailable - and likely to be for several months now - it was fortunate that Riccardo Califiori was fit enough to come back into the XI, and Jurrien Timber was switched to right back. Declan Rice's toe injury saw Jorginho drafted in for his first PL start of the season alongside Mikel Merino; meaning that Thomas Partey was also benched. Up front, Gabriel Jesus was preferred to Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard to Gabriel Martinelli. Pretty wholesale alterations compared to last time, and quite surprising knowing Arteta's general conservatism as regards personnel changes. Whether the Manager is looking one game at a time, or if he had the Champions League trip to Lisbon on his mind, I don't know. I guess we'll find out when we see the team on Tuesday evening.

Forest were disappointing, in truth. They'd been hyped up variously as high-flying conquerors of Liverpool at Anfield. As difficult to score against. As electric on the break. Yet Arsenal barely allowed them a sniff; and we should give the home team credit for that. From very early on it was mostly one-way traffic, with the rapid Elanga (not sure why Manchester United let him go) on the right hand side the only real threat. And, frankly, Arsenal dominated throughout; from pretty much the first minute the result was in no doubt.

Timber had the ball in the net - following up a Merino header from an Odegaard free kick, but the Spaniard had strayed a few inches offside. Why it took almost three minutes for VAR to sort that out - to a crescendo of boos - I'm really not sure. Where are the semi-automated offsides that we were promised months ago?

It took until just the 15th minute for Arsenal to take the lead; Odegaard instrumental in creating space for Saka with a no look return pass inside the penalty area (greeted by 50,000 gasps of delight), but there was still plenty for Starboy to do. Which he did with aplomb; waltzing past several Forest defenders before firing a shot against the grain and into the top of the net. Gorgeous.

Further intricate interplay saw Jesus almost double the lead, with dual man mountains Murillo and Milenkovic unable to cope with the movement of the Arsenal attackers who were swarming all over them. Saka himself had two more opportunities - one smartly saved by Sels; as did Trossard whose shot was also beaten out by his international team-mate. One wonders what Edu - soon to become a Forest Director - was making of it all. 1-0 at half time, and very relaxed in the crowd.

Partey replaced Jorginho (who had been booked in the first half; one of three Arsenal players booked by referee Hooper from 4 fouls committed; including Saka for having the temerity to have his boot headed by a Forest defender - but there's no agenda...), and soon found himself on the score sheet. Set free in acres of space (vacated by Odegaard who dragged a defender with him deep into the penalty area) by Saka, the Ghanaian side stepped the referee before firing in a trademark curler into the far corner. Beautiful.

Arsenal's domination in what was Arteta's 250th match in charge of the side meant that the crowd had an easy time - I spent a good 10 minutes discussing property deals with Sam the estate agent on my left - and also meant that the Manager could make some changes; Nwaneri for Odegaard being the most significant. And the 17-year-old almost scored at the end of one mazy dribble - a dropped shoulder leaving two defenders floundering - before he turned in Raheem Sterling's return pass for his first PL goal; the first of what I can safely pronounce will be many PL goals for Arsenal. I've been telling my non Arsenal-supporting friends for months now to remember the name. He's going to be a superstar.

And that was that. 3-0. As comfortable a 90 minutes as one could wish for. And then back home to catch what I could of Manchester City vs Tottenham; a contest in which I'd like the Premier League to award zero points to either side, if I had my way. And what a shocker! 

Whoever could have seen that result coming? A Spurs side who had contrived to lose at home to Ipswich in its previous game taking advantage of all of City's current frailties to thrash them 4-0; the home side's fifth defeat in a row. Unprecedented; and whilst I never, ever want to see Tottenham win a game of football at least it gave us all the opportunity to have a good laugh at what's going on at City. I'm taking nothing away from a Tottenham side who took advantage of the mental and physical frailties of that City line-up, and took their chances clinically; but they met City at a perfect time. 

But what is going on at City? Look, football success is cyclical; even for clubs with seemingly unlimited wealth and the best coach of all time. And a combination of factors have all combined to build a stifling amount of pressure on the club. 

The injury to Rodri (a player all opposing supporters covet and hate in equal measure) has been absolutely pivotal to the way the team plays. Kovacic has been an almost adequate replacement, but he's out too, and there's nobody else in the squad who can do anything close to the job required in their combined absence. The charade of a new contract for Pep - for charade it is; just a bit of happy-clappy PR in my opinion - is fooling nobody. 

And then there's the 115 charges of financial impropriety, of which the investigations are currently coming to a boil. The first shot - that regarding Associated Party Transactions - has wounded City (remember their nonsense PR about 'victory'?) and the weight of the rest of the charges - a third of which are for failing to cooperate with the investigators - a sure sign of guilt in anybody's book, surely?) - are bearing down heavily on the club as a whole. Those who took fancy odds between 33/1 at 16/1 about City being relegated may be in clover by May, and it's now looking like if the Premier League does become a two-horse race, it'll be Liverpool and Arsenal; not City and Arsenal. Couldn't happen to a nicer set of arrogant, boorish supporters if you ask me... and it's given young Haaland that chance to ‘stay humble, eh'...

Anyway, Arsenal move on to a Champions League game at Sporting Lisbon, who recently smashed Manchester City 4-1 but in the interim have lost their Manager, Amorim, who has committed professional suicide by going to Manchester United. Nonetheless, a tough ask for Arsenal, who could do with a win in order to make sure they end up in the top 8 positions of the revamped League. After that, it's West Ham away; and I'm shaking my head at their result last night. Whoever could have seen them winning at Newcastle? - not me, for sure. But West Ham are very beatable, and that's what Arsenal must do on Saturday evening.

COYG!

Odegaard's Return Sparks Uptick In Quality

In this post; my thoughts on Sunday's draw at Chelsea. Then a  personal view on the David Coote video. And finally something personal I need to share regarding the use and abuse of social media in this crazy world. So let's crack on:

The much hoped-for return of Martin Odegaard following his late cameo in Milan on Wednesday came to pass. This meant many things; firstly as regards personnel, and secondly on the shape of the team. 

With Thomas Partey currently undroppable and able to take his place in midfield, Odegaard's reinstatement at right 8 meant that Rice (despite a reported broken toe) was pushed up into the left 8 role; thus relegating both Trossard and Merino to the bench. As expected, frankly. As was the presence of Palmer in the Chelsea XI. The choice of the annoying Cucurella - comfortably in my Top 5 of most punchable PL players - over Reece James was perhaps surprising. But the Spaniard did a pretty decent job (in more ways than one) on Starboy. For Arsenal, Odegaard's return meant that Havertz could spend more time occupying the opposition centre halves; better shape than the past few games.

Expectation was clearly in the air. Chelsea are no longer a laughing stock of a team, and have begun to come together as a pretty decent and exciting outfit under Maresca; with Palmer the key. And it was Palmer who had the first chance, rifling in a missile from fully 25 yards that Raya tipped over the bar. And for the first half hour Arsenal were clearly second best , failing to get a grip on either Palmer or Chelsea's midfield shape, as the home team found gaps between the lines almost at will, and created several chances. 

White was sorely tested by Neto on several occasions (he dug out one cross that Gusto, arriving late, should have finished at the far post), and both Odegaard and Saka were on the wrong side of some robust challenges whenever they did see the ball. No surprise to see Colwill booked for one assault on the Norwegian.

But from half an hour in the tide began to turn as Arsenal got to grips with Chelsea's game plan; all initiated by the forcing of a mistake out of Colwill as Chelsea tried to play out from a goal kick. Saka, fed by Odegaard, cut inside and had his shot blocked, but the ball fell to Martinelli who frankly didn't do enough to really trouble Sanchez. 

Very soon after, Saka was fouled (yet again) by Cucurella and Rice took a swift free kick  that set 'Chelsea reject' Havertz in on goal. A sublime finish, but the German was, unfortunately, a few inches offside when the kick was taken. 

The Chelsea players had surrounded referee Oliver in the interim, but I simply have no idea what they had to complain about. And by this point it's worth noting that a slight tweak in Arsenal's midfield had seen Palmer's threat almost nullified, as he no longer had the space he needed to work in. Chelsea's threats were down the flanks from then on.

So 0-0 at half time, but I still expected goals. And the second half started off pretty even, with the early chances falling Chelsea's way. Give their wingers time on the ball at your peril. There was time for our friend Michael Oliver to get properly involved, however, as he decided to book Havertz - who was bleeding profusely from the wound that he suffered in Italy in midweek - for sitting down for treatment instead of leaving the field of play. All this whilst letting the likes of Colwill and Cucurella kick seven shades of sh*t out of Odegaard and Saka. It feels like referees have been told to punish technical stuff, instead of violence. Bizarre; and Arsenal have certainly suffered again and again from that this season.

But, on the hour, Arsenal went ahead. Some sublime skill from both Odegaard and Partey created space for the former, and his inch-perfect cross found Martinelli. The Brazilian beat Sanchez at his near post; frankly embarrassing for the keeper, but who cares. Oh, and do take a look at the work that Partey and Odegaard do here to create the opportunity: https://x.com/Arsenal/status/1856723377077051761

The question was then whether Arsenal could finally hold onto a lead. And, regrettably, the answer was no. It took just 8 minutes, and a switch by Maresca to send Neto to the right hand side in place of Madueke. Substitute Fernandez found himself in acres of space and fed Neto, who cut in and rifled the ball home from fully 25 yards. Nothing that Raya could have done, frankly, but Arsenal's shape was all wrong and Arteta needs to sort that out. 

At that moment there was no room for Chelsea to attack down their left, with Saka and Odegaard both covering back. But Chelsea had lured Saliba out to the left- this was 'second phase' following a corner - and both Partey and Rice had dropped back to cover for him.  All that had sucked substitute Merino further into the middle than he needed to go. The gap between him and Martinelli was almost 10 yards - something of a chasm - and neither reacted quickly enough to the yards of space afforded to the Chelsea players. The shot was unstoppable once it had eluded the dual lunges of Gabriel and Timber, but it was annoying, to say the very least...

Maybe I'm being harsh, but for me it all stemmed from Partey dropping too deep - with Saliba our of position, of course - and thereby dragging Rice back in to cover. Whilst I'm loath to criticise the Ghanaian, who has been Arsenal's best midfielder this season, he doesn't offer the levels of physicality that Rice does in the 6 role. Really good on the ball; not so good off it. And it's therefore easier for him to start deeper than chase and harry back. Thus space was left and exploited. Terrific goal from a Chelsea point of view. Poor from Arsenal's. And at some point, when everyone is up and running and at full fitness, Arteta will have a difficult decision to make with regard to Partey. For all that, as I say, he has excelled so far this season.

From then on, despite the suspicion that one felt that Chelsea may then have the momentum, Arsenal looked far more likely to win the game in the final quarter than the home side. The play was often end to end, but Chelsea created little or nothing. On the other hand... Merino almost got himself onto the end of a typical Saka drive and cross, and another sublime cross from Odegaard almost saw Merino and Havertz combine for the go-ahead goal. By this time Saka had been forced off by yet another sneaky thump from Cucurella, and his replacement Jesus fed Merino (arriving late again); his shot was saved by Sanchez and Trossard (on for Martinelli) blasted the ball over the bar from close range. And then with the final kicks of the game Odegaard found Saliba (overlapping at left back) and his cross was diverted across goal by the Belgian where, had he left it, Havertz would have been left with an absolute sitter. Agonising...

In all that time, Chelsea had fashioned a single chance; Jackson running on to a through ball and slotting past Raya - but literally two yards offside when he received the ball. Two things here. 1. I have no time whatsoever for Jackson; he's a literal waste of space as far as I'm concerned. He did nothing all day. And 2. Why, Mr Referee's Assistant, are you not putting your flag up? If it's tight, then fair enough. But this was not. By no means. So it's a a waste of energy... and could lead, of course, to injury. Bl**dy PGMOL (who I'll come back to shortly).

And so on the whole, a satisfactory draw. Especially with City losing again; although Liverpool march on. With Odegaard back, things should be looking up now. However, news that Ben White has been under the knife this week is not so cheerful. I expect that we'll see Timber at right back in the interim. We're into another Interlull, and whilst a number of Arsenal players have been summoned by their countries key players - namely Saka, Rice, Odegaard and Partey - have stayed at home. This is good; and with the fixture list easing now Arsenal have the opportunity to make a run back into contention - because 9 points is a lot! 

Now onto PGMOL; and specifically David Coote. And maybe I'll look at this differently to other people. Firstly - and against my better judgment - I have to admit that referees are human. And if Coote has taken a dislike to Jurgen Klopp (easy to do if you ask me - he's full of charm and bonhomie for the cameras when it suits him, but just look at how he's interacted with Coote in the past. Is this normal behaviour?

Nobody should have to deal with that. And yes, people may argue that all managers behave like that. But I don't think they do. PGMOL may have been aware that Coote had a problem with Klopp and therefore Liverpool, but it's worth pondering on the fact that he failed to award two extremely good shouts for penalties in favour of Aston Villa against Liverpool just this weekend (Klopp is gone now, of course). 

Referees, like anybody else, have people they don't get along with and clubs they perhaps don't like; but it's their professional duty to put that aside. And whilst I go on here about conspiracy theories almost every other week, it's surely merely incompetence, inconsistency and general poor judgment that has given this particular set of referees the reputation they have. For whatever reason, standards are considerably higher in other parts of Europe.

I almost feel sorry for Coote. That video should never have been made, and the guy who took the video - and released it - is the real villain here for me. I'd be absolutely certain that there are plenty of referees who have similar conversations with their mates. But they do have a job to do. Although I return to saying that they often do it badly... Give Coote the rest of the season off; then bring him back. That's more than enough as far as I'm concerned. 

Finally, before I go, a bit of personal news. Historical followers of this blog may rememer that I had a 'troll' a few years ago - somebody who'd jump onto the comments every week and insult me. I know who he is/was (a Tottenham fan; and we had our run ins in person as well), but he's out of my life and living 200 miles away these days. 

However this week things have reached a different level of abuse. I made the mistake of posting a response on X to an Arsenal fan with a rabid pro-Palestinian viewpoint (mine is very much different; and backed up by history as opposed to hysteria). This 'lady' is quite well-known, and has thousands of followers; and my somewhat jokey response to one of her tweets did not go down well. I'm not going to share her name on here, by the way. She doesn't deserve the publicity.

Firstly, she tracked down my blog and commented not about football, but about me being a 'racist' (I'm not). And she's since had a number of her followers jumping on too. Got my clicks up, at least... 

It's all quite pathetic, and I'm perfectly calm about it (they've all commented anonymously, of course, like their mask-wearing mates do on their demos). I've deleted all the comments, but don't want to shut comments down if I can help it. Although I may have to if this continues. I've also, by the way, reported this harassment/abuse to Arsenal.

In case you weren't aware, social media can be a cesspit. I've no desire to go back there again, so I shall merely block and ignore from now on. It's a much safer policy. I'll let these lunatics use up their anger and energy elsewhere. 

That's it: I'm done. All that remains for me to say is COYG!

Lacklustre Arsenal Get Exactly What They Deserve

When I made my long-awaited podcast debut on The Arsenal Opinion -  

https://x.com/legrove?s=21&t=RVkTQ3uz6TV3CJ8TyJwaBg - 

(you will be able, if so inclined, to listen to my dulcet tones at  https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arsenal-opinion-by-le-grove/id498781996?i=1000672317140) a full month ago my friend and podcast co-host Matt Kandela - @mattkandela on X - asked me to start with my Hot Take of that moment; which is how The AOP always begin their recordings. 

Arsenal had just beaten Southampton (slightly unconvincingly), and my Hot Take was off on a little tangent; that the team were missing Martin Odegaard a lot more than people were aware or prepared to admit. This was quite contrary to the views of many Arsenal fans - especially on social media - at that time; people who had looked at the results since he’d been injured and felt that Arsenal weren’t missing him. Indeed, that his scoring and assist stats weren’t up to scratch, and that maybe Arsenal didn’t need him at all!

Well, I’m sorry to say that I have been proved 100% correct. It hasn’t helped that having lost the skipper in the first Interlull, the team then lost the services of its Starboy in the second. But what is quite clear to anybody with any understanding of the way Arteta likes the team to play is that the loss of Odegaard had completely altered the balance of the entire side. Havertz has been tasked with working out to the right, and that has meant that he hasn’t been engaging opposition centre halves as previously, and the focus of the attack has shifted. 

Add the loss of Saka to that of Odegaard; plus that of White, Timber and Calafiori on various occasions, and that of Saliba for one crucial game. Then there’s the integration of Merino into the side, which has shifted the focus somewhat and, with that, the lack of creativity in midfield has made Arsenal look ponderous. With the left side still mainly dysfunctional, and midfield currently lacking in creativity, it has been easy for teams to deal with whatever threat there is. Gang up on Saka, and the current version of Arsenal is largely impotent.

And finally the clamour to play Nwaneri; and it’s a big jump up from under 21 or League Cup football for anybody, as his inability to make much impact against a Newcastle showed. And here’s where it’s easy to criticise the Manager. He thrust Nwaneri in on Saturday at a moment when he needed him to have a major impact, but the short-sightedness of not giving him time when he could have done - against the likes of Leicester and Southampton - has come back to bite him. The kid was almost invisible; just 6 successful passes in half an hour, and his performance summed up by his failure to read White’s through ball late on - a pass that Odegaard (or anyone who’s spent sufficient time on the field with White) would have been expecting.

In short, it has been impossible to gather any rhythm or momentum for weeks now. Performances, and results - one point out of the last 9 - have frankly been dire. Well below the standards we should expect. Perhaps with the exception of 20 first half minutes at home to Liverpool, with the crowd driving the team on. 

Central to that has been the loss of the man who oils the wheels and drives the pistons of the attacking engine; arguably the best passer in the side (Partey would be the other main candidate) and certainly the cleverest. It is absolutely crucial to Arsenal’s season that Odegaard comes back into the side as quickly as possible. Before it’s too late!

I’m not going to go into too much detail about the Newcastle loss. It’s too depressing. I can sum it up by saying that Arsenal started ok, but then conceded what was a very good goal - although Gordon was afforded too much time, and the failure to anticipate or pick up Isak’s run was a collective error - but the team were then simply unable to respond in any shape or form.

Where was the urgency? Where was the drive? Why didn’t they try anything different? Same old patterns. Lack of any form of movement in attack to try to draw them out of their shape. It was all so pedestrian and predictable. The sight of the smug Howe on the sideline, with his irritating grinning and perma-tanned sidekick Tindall at his side, made me sick. We owed them big time from last season, yet the team could not rouse themselves. 

Two decent chances in 90+ minutes was all that Arsenal could muster. One shot from Merino from point blank range blocked by Hall, and Rice’s inexplicable inability to head the ball on target from inside the 6-yard box in the 93rd minute - although a goal at that point was more than Arsenal deserved.

What I am seeing is that the shape and emphasis of the team is all wrong at the moment. And it shouldn’t be like this due to the loss of a single player. Odegaard has been out for weeks, and yes, we can acknowledge that the loss for a game or two here and there of Saka, White, Timber, Calafiori and Saliba hasn’t helped; but it’s clear to me - and surely you too - that the answers haven’t been found.

There’s a knock-on effect all over the field - and yes; the makeshift defence that the team ended up with at the end of the Liverpool game exaggerated the problems. But the solutions that Arteta has tried have now clearly been seen to have failed, and he must try something different. There is a more than sufficient body of evidence to show that.

What has bothered me is that the decision to pull Havertz out to the right to link with Saka has affected the whole attacking front. I wish I’d have mentioned it before on here; but the sight of the German pulling out wide beyond Saka as the latter cut inside was something I could not fathom. Of all our players, Saka is the one that needs the least help! And this has been going on for weeks!

The issues for me are: 

• Havertz’s game has been affected. He’s been taken out of the role he’s been doing best at - occupying the central defenders or rolling out left to overload that side of the field
• Using a flatter midfield three of Partey, Rice and Merino has failed. There’s not enough creativity in there - and even when Partey was ostensibly selected at right back on Saturday he was consistently inverting. Alternating Havertz and Trossard as the front two, and first line of the press, has also failed as they’ve not taken up correct positions on the field
• Martinelli has been disappointing. His effort cannot be questioned, but he is currently lacking in confidence, and his decision-making is suffering as a result. There’s no sense of serenity with him; contrast that to what Saka delivers on the other side of the field (even when double- or even triple-teamed)
• The failure to give Nwaneri minutes in the Odegaard role in recent ‘easier’ home matches was frankly negligent. The kid is 17; he has massive potential, but it’s a lot to ask of him to impact a game at Newcastle coming in from ‘cold’ (it’s a gigantic step up from Bolton and Preston to Newcastle United away)
• I don’t understand Arteta’s unwillingness to trust Zinchenko any more. Sure, he has a mistake in him; but if playing him means that more players - specifically Partey - can be put in their best positions then that should be done
• Is Mikel Merino the player we hoped he would be? He lacks the necessary creativity that a number 8 requires. He feels like more of a 6 to me; and, frankly, I prefer 2022/23 Granit Xhaka to him
• Arteta was wedded to 4-1-2-3 when Odegaard was available. If he’s not willing to use Nwaneri there, then why not drop Trossard in to right 8 - and leave Havertz up top? Alternatively, get Jesus into the team!

As a result of the Newcastle defeat, Arsenal are in danger of losing touch at the top of the table. Thank goodness that City finally lost a PL game on Saturday. But it’s Chelsea - above Arsenal on goal difference now - away next. Preceded by a Champions League game against Inter at the San Siro. There is no let-up, and it’s not as if the home game with Nottingham Forest that comes up after the next effing Interlull is looking like an easy game!

Talking of Nottingham Forest, news has broken of the impending departure of Edu from his role as Sporting Director at Arsenal. Head-hunted by Forest, apparently… does he really regard that as a step up? 

More to the point, this weakens Arteta’s position at the club at a time when his reputation has dipped a bit. I for one am not advocating that he leave - far from it - but his now legendary stubbornness must surely change. With the departure of Edu - preceded by that of Jack Wilshere a couple of weeks ago - that leaves just Arteta and the BFG as the last two former players at the club. 

Between them, Arteta and Edu have neglected the forward part of the pitch over the past couple of years. What Arsenal need is a viable alternative to what they have to offer at the pointy end; neither Havertz nor Jesus is what anybody can possibly call prolific. That needs to be priority number one - and not in the summer; but in January. A goal-scoring centre forward, and probably a left winger, are vital now. My Wish List is Gyokeres and Williams - fat chance tbh!

In the meantime, Arsenal need to cling on to Liverpool’s coat tails. Somehow. They cannot afford to lose at Chelsea; indeed, they can barely afford to even draw! And  they must equally get something out of Wednesday’s trip to Milan. Otherwise the season is in danger of falling apart in November! 

Yes, I and many others are being critical. But it doesn’t mean that we don’t support or believe in the team any less. We’re criticising out of love for them. So COYG!!!

PGMOL strike again - And Ethan Excels

Arsenal 2 Liverpool 2. Firstly, I must state that from my seat in Block 17 this was an absolutely superb game of football. The best I've seen for quite a while, with two top sides battling it out. But...

...I should also add that - biased as I may be - I felt that Arsenal deserved to win (despite everything that went against them during the game), but that it's really difficult to witness the fortunes of the team I love being constantly hampered - week after week -  by playing against not only the 11 opposition players, but  also against officials who seem hell bent on perverting the course of Justice.

I'll get to my views on the officiating in a moment, but I need to say that whilst I hate suggesting that there is something funny going on, there surely is. To follow up the THREE red cards already given to Arsenal players this season with a man who is allegedly the very best referee that England has to offer performing as he did... well...

And to the team news for a start. Such a relief to hear that both Jurrien Timber and - particularly - Bukayo Saka were fit enough to take their places in the starting line-up. And which point the rest of the side picked itself, with Thomas Partey asked to cover at right back as Ben White moved across to replace the suspended Saliba. Quite how long the two of them might last, we couldn't be sure, but there was something of a sense that they'd been rushed back for this game.

In the first few minutes, Liverpool made things difficult for the home side, who couldn't get past the first line of the press. But in the 9th minute Ben White found a little bit of time and decided to go long; isolating Robertson with Saka. A foot race, which Starboy won easily, a chop back and and quick turn to finish Robertson off, and with the next touch the ball was in the back of the net. Three touches and Boom! I recall my thoughts as the ball headed over the top towards Saka. 'Go on B', I said under my breath as I sensed a big opportunity. And a second later we were on our feet. Never in doubt...

Not long after, Havertz tussled with/was assaulted by Van Dijk. I'll cover this below when I rant about the officiating, but having seen the replay I simply have no idea why the referee took no action.

Soon, Liverpool were level. Arsenal had had an earlier warning when Van Dijk flicked on a TAA free kick at the near post, and this time some clever movement from Diaz gave him the space to beat Havertz to the ball at the near post, and Van Dijk bundled the ball in from close range. Annoying; and more worryingly that this was the second week in a row that the set piece masters had been beaten at their own game. Perhaps Mr Jover needs to pay some attention to defending at set pieces over the next week or so?

However, the equaliser appeared to kick Arsenal into a gear that we frankly hadn't seen from them all season. It was as if a switch had finally been turned on, as up until half time they played their best football for months. And Liverpool responded by some Dark Arts of their own - against Dark Arts FC (I'm taking the mickey here; any suggestion of Arsenal being Dark Arts masters is shallow punditry). Diaz kicked the ball away; ignored by the referee. MacAllister spent a minute rolling around on the floor whilst Arsenal played on, and then miraculously got to his feet and started running. Liverpool challenges all around the pitch, intended to slow Arsenal down, went unpunished. 

Merino nearly scored from a beautifully weighted Rice free kick. Martinelli - who had TAA on toast all afternoon, but who couldn't deal with Konate at all - fired in a cross that neither Havertz nor Saka could quite reach. Saka curled a shot wide. And then Martinelli went down under a double challenge from TAA and Konate. It looked like at least one of the defenders had caught him - Konate went right through him - but Taylor gave nothing. Stonewall penalty, if you ask me; see my rant below... To be fair, that could all have been rendered moot had Havertz, to whom the ball broke, not knocked the ball over the bar instead of hitting the target.

MacAllister was finally booked for yet another assault on Starboy; it's the only way anyone can stop him. Martinelli shot over from a decent opportunity following a piece of skill from Merino reminiscent of Dennis Bergkamp's statue on the concourse (the great man was in attendance, by the way; greeted by rapturous applause by the faithful). Havertz failed to react to a cross that Van Dijk failed to clear, and the Dutchman cleared another away. Then it was Nunez's turn to assault Starboy. It was frantic - and Arsenal needed to take advantage of their superiority.

Which they finally did. Partey was fouled 30 yards out on the right, and yet another sublime Rice delivery was headed home powerfully by Merino. It looked tight for offside, and it took almost 5 minutes for the VAR to finally give in - despite concerted attempts to rule the goal out, I'm sure - and the goal was awarded. Still, we got to celebrate twice, I guess. And so the first half ended with Arsenal firmly on top; although we expected a reaction from Liverpool in the second half.

Early in the second half, things started to go wrong. Gabriel was pushed in the back by Nunez as they chased down a long ball, and the King of Brazil went down holding his knee. He struggled back on, but could not continue, and the makeshift look of the Arsenal defence became even more rickety as he was replaced by Kivior. 

No Saliba or Gabriel for the first time in the Premier League for over a year. A central midfielder at right back. The right centre half playing in a position he had barely played for two years. The fourth choice left centre back now on. And a half-fit Timber soldiering on at left back. Against a front line of Diaz, Nunez and Salah. Trepidation in the stands... and the team started to ease back too; what we have, we hold...

But Liverpool were now on top. And the nonsense punditry later on  about time-wasting and feigning injury was pure drivel. There's a fine line between Game Management and time-wasting; and it would appear that it's only Arsenal who ever cross it...

And so Raya was booked as early as the 66th minute. Taylor couldn't wait to do it. Soon after, Timber went down with what was hopefully only cramp (remember, he has barely trained for two weeks) and finally had to leave the field. To my eyes, he'd done a marvellous job at keeping Salah quiet, but it was now the turn of teenager Miles Lewis-Skelly. Partey, White, Kivior, MLS - could they possibly hold on? And was the choice of MLS over Zinchenko the right one? We'll never know, I guess, but I do have bad memories of the Salah/Zinchenko match-up from previous encounters. At that point Liverpool's triple substitution was already having an effect on the other side of the pitch.

And the answer was No. MLS fed Martinelli, who  naively ran into the man mountain Konate for the umpteenth time. In the blink of an eye, TAA sent a missile over the retreating left hand side of Arsenal's defence (both of whom who had been caught slightly ahead of safety by the speed of the pass). Nunez beat MLS t the ball, and Salah criss-crossed with him in front of the struggling Kivior to crack home the equaliser. To be frank, a superb goal, but could Arsenal (particularly Martinelli) have done better?

85 minutes gone, and finally the ineffective Martinelli (who'd spent the second half running down blind alleys when he wasn't supporting Timber) and the exhausted Saka were replaced by Jesus and - at last! - Ethan Nwaneri. The latter had little time to impose himself, but Jesus had two difficult half-chances (the guy was desperate for a goal!). 

Yet the excitement wasn't over. And nor was the influence of Anthony Taylor. A bouncing ball was won cleanly by Kivior as he jumped over the top of a static Szoboszlai. The ball broke to Havertz, whose shoulder deflected the ball over Konate and, as he prepared to lob Kelleher, Taylor blew his whistle. Literally. At the very second that he realised that Arsenal might score. Forget the instruction to allow these moments to play out; he blew the play dead, long before the ball hit the back of the net. No chance of it going to VAR... and people want to know why Arsenal supporters think that there's something dodgy going on. 

And as if that wasn't enough he failed to give an obvious corner in the final minute of extra time.

Before I complete my rant, a few thoughts on how the players performed:

• Partey - sensational at right back. Dealt with Diaz really well. Man of the Match. He is having a remarkable season
• White - super reliable as usual
• Gabriel - noticeable by his absence when he went off. Say no more
• Kivior - not up to the level, unfortunately. Found out at a crucial moment
• Timber - a beast! Dealt with Salah superbly. He can do it all; and bearing in mind his lack of fitness that was an immense performance
• MLS - he's young. He is therefore forgiven for any transgressions
• Rice - his best game of the season so far
• Merino - apart from one horrible moment in the first half, extremely solid
• Trossard - decent
• Havertz - everywhere as usual. Really needs to brush up his finishing!
• Saka - excellent first half. Faded as the game went on due to lack of fitness
• Martinelli - must improve his decision-making and final ball. His growth is stagnating, and if it wasn't for his defensive work he'd find himself out of the team
• Nwaneri - not on long enough to rate, tbh
• Jesus - did enough in the short time he was on to suggest that he's on his way back

And now for more of the promised rant about Anthony Taylor - and PGMOL:

I have a mate who was a Sunday League referee for the best part of 30 years, and who advised me just after the game ended yesterday that 'overall, Anthony Taylor had a good game and there was nothing in the slightest bit controversial'. I should add at this point that he is also a Liverpool supporter... 

But personally, I - and those around me - thought that Taylor had a shocker. 

There was the Van Dijk assault on Havertz.   https://x.com/Mo_Arsenal9/status/1850831280125993083 (apologies for the Arabic commentary)

Constant fouling by MacAllister and particularly Diaz (who also showed petulance and threw the ball into the ground at one point, and at another point kicked the ball away a good 10 yards from the scene of a free kick). Nunez? - all elbows; pushed Gabriel in the back early in the second half, leading to the latter's knee injury. Salah had one nastily-timed push in Timber's back while he was in the air. Little or nothing given.

The penalty incident. https://x.com/EminentGooner/status/1850627194524983749 

Blowing up for a foul after almost every Arsenal tackle in the second half - a guy behind me shouted out: 'That's it. Keep giving them everything... until they equalise!' 

And then the icing on the cake of blowing up in the 90th minute when he could see that Arsenal were about to score the wining goal. https://x.com/EGTVEgal/status/1850643031479013399

This guy and Michael Oliver (architect of an even bigger farce than any of the above earlier in the day at West Ham) are supposed to be the best we've got in England. So what the hell is going on? 

Yes, I know that it's ludicrous to suggest that there's an anti-Arsenal agenda - and I'm sure that every club can do the same (with the exception of Manchester City, of course) - but these first 9 games have taken things to a new level of... well, let's call it incompetence, shall we? In the circumstances, it's remarkable that Arsenal are so close to the top of the table, and these were the first points they've dropped this season whilst keeping 11 men on the pitch.

Anyway, we move on. To yet another Week From Hell, but preceded by a trip to Preston. At which Ethan Nwaneri announced himself (again) with a sublime goal; all in a performance in which Arsenal completely outclassed their Championship opposition. Into the quarter finals, and with City going out - although it's always a shame to see Tottenham fans happy, this may be an opportunity for Arsenal to win their first League Cup since 1993.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqp1ojx1DQU

The Week From Hell starts at Newcastle on Saturday morning. And we owe them one after last year's biggest slice of injustice. 

They're not in fantastic form, but it's a difficult place to go. Depending on players' fitness, I'd be tempted to give young Nwaneri a start. Give Martinelli the day off, move Trossard out to the left wing, and play the boy at right 8. Which would also give Havertz the opportunity to play more centrally than he has been able to do in the continuing absence of Odegaard.

Anyway, we'll see. COYG!