The Chickens Have Come Home To Roost

With apologies for completely overdoing a metaphor, here's my latest piece...

Can you hear that sound? The sound of squawking; of the chickens coming home to roost. Because the dream is over for another season.

Like turkeys dreaming of Christmas we had hoped, following the win over Leicester, that perhaps Arsenal could get away with it. That maybe, by some good fortune, Arteta had stumbled on the answer. But it is quite clear that this is simply not the case. We also had hope that perhaps some cracks were starting to show up in Liverpool. But as it turns out, Leicester are terrible, and the fact that it took 80 minutes to break them down turns out to be more indicative of where Arsenal are at the moment. And Liverpool can now absolutely relax. It's done. 

Crack the eggshell open, and what we're left with is no joke (or yolk, even) at all. A paltry (poultry, one might almost say) performance on Saturday, with little or nothing of merit on show; Arsenal's chances of a trophy this season have flown the coop. And I'm afraid that I, along with many others, am going to have to roast the club over the situation. Stuff the powers that be within the club hierarchy for chickening out of their responsibilities. 

Anyway, that's quite enough of that... 

I ought to have calmed down by now, shouldn't I? BUT Saturday was abysmal. From almost the moment the game kicked off there felt like there was a lack of energy and purpose in the team. Why that was, only those in or close to the team can answer, but the motivation should have been there, with Liverpool having dropped points in the week and having to go to The Etihad the day after. It was no surprise to see Merino start in place of Sterling, but I guess we were all a little surprised - although probably not that concerned - to see Califiori in for MLS. 

Whilst Arsenal dominated early on, they had little or nothing to show for it. West Ham, to be fair, were extremely well organised - specifically doubling up on Nwaneri - and sat in the type of low block that Arsenal have often found difficult to penetrate over the years. A couple of beautiful 'kills' of floated balls out to his wing by Nwaneri got the crowd going somewhat, but there was little or nothing about which to get excited. Nwaneri himself left the game early; Arteta blamed it on fatigue, but I suspect a calf injury. Odegaard was poor once more; he has not been the player he was since he got injured, and looks worn down by the responsibility he feels to carry the creative side of the team in the absence of Saka. Rice bizarrely seemed overwhelmed by being up against his old club. Partey; quiet. Trossard; more down than up. Merino; not at the levels he needed to be - although I can excuse him that in his unfamiliar role. Califiori; is he really a left back? Sterling… well…

I'll come back to low blocks soon...

It took Arsenal 22 minutes to have a shot on target; the rest either going wide or, more often being blocked by the massed ranks of defenders. Califiori's effort was straight at Areola, however. And, whilst dominating possession, the home team had frankly very little of note to show for it. Indeed, by the end of the game they'd had 21 shots, but only two of them made Areola work. No shots on target after a Trossard effort in the 63rd minute, in fact. A lack of guile, of energy, of urgency were laid bare in front of our eyes. In short, the paucity of all three ingredients had been masked by Nwaneri's performance, and Merino's 15 minute cameo, at the King Power. But we had chosen to believe, hadn’t we? - and it's the hope that kills. In this game the team hit the basement, with not one single player having anything over a 5/10 game. And that's of great concern with so much of the season left.

Now, those who read my last piece would have possibly been drawn into the narrative that everything was going to be OK; because that was what we all wanted to believe. But, having seen and digested what was put in front of me on Saturday I have very quickly changed my mind. I suspect that many will have done the same. And I reiterate; there is no coming back from this.

And so West Ham sat and waited for their opportunity to break. And got it late in the first half when they broke up play 20 yards from goal. The ball reached Wan-Bissaka on the right, and he was allowed to drive for fully 60 yards without being challenged as Califiori, struggling to keep up with him, instead chose to shepherd him wide. The cross came in, nonetheless, and between them Gabriel and Rice then contrived to leave it to each other to deal with; leaving them as mere spectators as Bowen's diving header beat the helpless Raya easily. Rice had tracked Bowen for all but the last 5 yards, when he inexplicably let the forward run off his back into empty space. It's worth noting that Arsenal had had an earlier warning of this very tactic when Bowen failed to connect properly with a Wan-Bissaka cross that had followed another lung-busting drive.

I, for one, put my head in my hands. I could already see no way back. I reminded myself of all the times this season when I had sat in my seat shouting at Arsenal players to not let opposition runners travel long distances with the ball. It happens in almost every home game, and this time they paid the price.

And so to low blocks... and a point made on commentary during the City/Liverpool game yesterday. Now, City absolutely dominated possession; but rarely looked like doing anything with it. It looked to me that Liverpool were comfortable throughout - and especially after they'd gone ahead. They held City at bay comfortably. And when did Liverpool look at their most dangerous? At the very moment when they won the ball back... 

It feels to me like the age of possession being key is coming to an end. It worked for Barcelona for years. It has worked for Manchester City. Both sides would stifle the opposition to death. Arteta is a Guardiola disciple, and has seen at first hand how keeping possession worked out for them in their glory years. But these days - and I've felt it coming and have alluded to it more than once - the buzzword is 'transition'; it's what you do with the ball in the moments straight after you win it back. It's how you expose the opposition by turning them round. The arch-exponent of this tactic was, of course, Jose Mourinho.

We've seen Arsenal's struggles with low blocks over the years. It's often painful to watch, as the ball gets moved from side to side and back again, whilst diligent defenders do their job. Umbrella football; boring as hell. And so it was on Saturday, as neither of the most creative players in the side, Odegaard and  - and forgive me for heaping pressure on a 17-year-old - Nwaneri could do enough in those congested areas right on the edge of the penalty area. West Ham doubled up on Nwaneri. And blocked shot after shot after shot. They also had - in Kudus and Bowen - two dangerous forwards who are capable of damaging any opposition. And it worked. 

Why did it work? And why is Arsenal's season as good as over? Because the team have been stripped of pretty much every attacking outlet they have. And how this has come about is something I want to examine. And to be brutally honest, I put it down to negligence at Management/Board level.

Yes, Arsenal have suffered some injuries this season. Odegaard missing throughout the autumn. Saka for the past two months, with no sign of a return. Jesus out for the best part of a year. Martinelli for over a month. On top of that, losing Havertz for the season has been a hammer blow. All these injuries in the top half of the pitch, following a summer when everyone knew that the club had left themselves short by failing to buy; whilst at the same time letting ESR, Vieira, Nketiah and Nelson leave. With the only replacement forward being the abject disaster that Raheem Sterling has been (the fact that they had used up both of their permitted PL loans on the ageing goalkeeper Neto, and Sterling, only made life even more difficult as the likes of Rashford and Evan Ferguson were immediately unobtainable last month). 

Yes, they had gone in for Sesko early in the summer; but when they couldn't get him failed to revert to a second or third choice. To top that by failing to act in January is frankly inexcusable. And it has taken just two matches for the negligence to be laid bare. So how do you feel? Is it easier to come to terms with matters 10 weeks before the end of the season, or do you prefer to cling to hope - against hope - until the final day? All I know is that the club have taken it out of our hands.

Other clubs have loads of injuries. Bournemouth, Spurs and Manchester United being the three that spring easiest to mind. But the former are coping well with it, and Spurs' season is about to take a turn for the better as players begin to return. I see little or no hope for a diabolical Man Utd squad; but I digress... Some may argue that Arsenal are in second place DESPITE all the injuries; but second is not first and it looks to me that the decision-makers have washed their hands of this season. It makes me wonder if we should too; perhaps we should treat the club with the same disdain with which we have been treated.

Compare and contrast to Liverpool, the team they are (or were) vainly chasing. Yes, Liverpool appear to have had all the luck with injuries - and other things (like getting to face a Haaland-less City this week), but that's irrelevant - but they have Salah, Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Curtis Jones and even Darwin Nunez to call on up top. Add Szoboszlai and MacAllister to the mix. Harvey Elliott barely gets a kick. 

Thus Slot has been able to manage the load on his most important players. Keeping Salah fit has obviously been crucial. But against that Arteta has been over-playing Saka for years now; keeping him on until the end in long-won league and Champions League matches, and using him in the Carabao Cup and other dead cup ties when he had no need to. Arteta had singularly failed to do a comparative job, and the decimation - no wait; decimation literally means losing 10 per cent of your forces; but this has been considerably more than that! - of his forward line is down to him. And to the Board for not supplying back-ups.

Before I go on I just want to cover the latest sending-off. Poor MLS had a yellow upgraded to red by VAR, and having seen it I can understand why. Arsenal have had misfortune (to say the least) with red cards already this season, as we all know. Rice vs Brighton - later rescinded. Trossard at City - again rescinded. Saliba's harshly and unnecessarily upgraded at Bournemouth. MLS's previous red at Wolves - laughable. But this one? It doesn't look good. He certainly brought Kudus down. But... he had received an arm to the head a split second prior to the tackle. And I would frankly doubt that even the most gifted of footballers are going to pop more than 5 or 6 shots into even an unguarded net at full speed from fully 50 yards out. Thankfully, I understand that yellow cards upgraded to red by VAR only suffer a single match ban. But going down to 10 men was the absolute final nail in the coffin on Saturday; not even the welcome return of Ben White could cheer us up sufficiently.

Now onto West Ham's supporters. I'm not sure what kind of mentality would cause them to gleefully sing: 'Second again - allez allez' at our stadium. These are supporters of a club who never had a team finish higher than third in any top division, for goodness sake! Still, as long as they - and their small-time mentality - had a good time... I also can't get my head round attempts at taunting me by one or  two Spurs fans this week? I think it's because an Arsenal defeat is such a rare thing (it may not be by the time May comes around) that people like to make an event out of it.

What have Arsenal got to play for now? Assuming that they are capable of scoring any goals in the remaining matches, they need to ensure Champions League football for next season. At my most pessimistic, I can see them slipping away, and battling out for 4th or 5th with Chelsea and Villa if they're not careful. As for the Champions League itself, PSV suddenly looks like a much bigger obstacle that it did before the weekend. After that, should they negotiate that obstacle safely, it's one of the Madrid sides. And that'll be the end. 

It's a question of hanging in until first Martinelli, and second Saka, come back into the side. I said last week that I suspected that watching Arsenal was going to be hard work for the rest of the season. It now feels like hard labour. But I will do it; because despite all the criticism I love my club. Let's get behind them, because getting on their backs will only do harm. Fingers crossed, and COYG!

Nwaneri Shines - And Has Arteta Found His Kai Replacement?

Let's set the scene...

Last season, the Arsenal squad came back from Dubai fit and rejuvenated, and put together a fantastic run that all but took them to the Premier League title. Following FA Cup elimination, the opportunity came up to repeat the trick, but this time it was different. With Saka, Jesus and White already out injured, and Martinelli suffering a hamstring issue just prior to the flight out, we were hoping for better news than what we got from the camp. But it was actually catastrophic.

One would have hoped that the trip would be the opportunity for the players to take it a little easier in the warm weather, but training was by all accounts almost as intense. And the news soon hit that Kai Havertz had gone down with an injury 'connected to his hamstring'. How long will this be for, we wondered; and a day later the news broke that the German was out for the entire season - leaving Arsenal with no fit senior centre forward. Whilst Havertz divides opinion amongst supporters, there is little disagreement as to his importance to the way the team plays.

Now, you know all this of course. And what it did was shine a light on the decision not to go into the transfer market in January. Arsenal had taken a chance - as they had, in previous windows - on risking the fitness of current squad members and not reinforcing with any Tom, Dick or Mathys. All the eggs appear to be in the Sesko basket, and that one won't be opened until the summer.

What has horrified supporters is the news that Havertz - already clearly running on fumes over the previous couple of weeks despite Arteta's claim as to his incredible robustness - had received the injury doing a 'hard pressing' drill! And I'd like to ask Mikel why he thinks that Havertz, who along with Odegaard leads those presses in every game - would have needed to be doing that. For all that Arteta is a top tactician, the man (and load) management side of things leaves plenty to be desired still. Surely, if the squad is short on numbers, you back off them following no less than 11 matches in 36 days since the turn of the year? But no...

All this is likely to derail Arsenal's season completely, and I for one doubt that the squad can get close enough to Liverpool in the Premier League, let alone get past the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich et al in the holy grail that is the Champions League. Suddenly, Arteta needs to be creative in ways we couldn't have possibly imagined.

Yet hope springs eternal. Following the high drama of Everton's late equaliser at home to Liverpool, we wondered if a small crack had opened for Arsenal to squeeze into. Having seen how lethargic and nervous Liverpool looked in their narrow victory over Wolves yesterday, one starts to wonder if they are perhaps starting to feel some pressure. Their next three league games - all in the space of a week and meaning 5 PL games in 14 days for them - are Aston Villa away, rejuvenated Manchester City away, Newcastle (with a point to prove following last weekend, and with another clash with Liverpool in the Carabao Cup Final a few days afterwards) at home. Tough; and they will surely drop points (if they don't, I for one will concede them the title). On the other hand, perhaps - especially following Arne Slot's sending off in the aftermath of the final whistle at Goodison Park - this could be the start of what @mattkandela, on The Arsenal Opinion podcast, has dubbed the Slot Rot. You never know.

However we must bear in mind that Arsenal have enough problems of their own. So let's get back to the game at Leicester on Saturday lunchtime. And there are a number of conclusions to be drawn from it:

Firstly, if the first 80 minutes of that game are anything to go by, the rest of the season - at least until Saka returns - are going to be a hard watch for Arsenal fans. Forget entertainment, everyone; this is going to have to be a long grind. Arteta is going to have to lean strongly into his side's PL-leading defence (just 22 goals conceded in 25 matches). And if the team needs to 1-0 its way to the title, then so be it.

Secondly, following his performance on Saturday, when he finally got his chance to start and make an impact on a PL match, I never want to see Raheem Sterling in an Arsenal shirt again. Prior to the game, I tweeted the following: 'It's about time that Raheem Sterling remembered that he's a professional footballer by trade'. But he is clearly beyond redemption. He has gone at the game. He's apparently on £375k a week, so I'm going to have little sympathy for him, but since his magnificent showing for England at the Euros in 2021 his form has utterly deserted him. At the very moment when Arteta and his team-mates needed him to step up on Saturday, he stunk the place out. Sorry, mate; I've been prepared to give you every chance, but that's your lot.

Next, the shape of the team. Arteta's selection hadn't surprised me at all - I'd expected a front line of Nwaneri, Trossard, Sterling - but it was a failure. Sterling was shocking, and Trossard is far better on a wing than as a diminutive 'false 9', where it's difficult to pick him out amongst the gigantic centre-forwards he's up against. I was expecting late runs into the box from Rice, and for Odegaard to attempt to weave some magic on the edge of the penalty area, but the game plan was largely ineffective; and this was merely Leicester City! Fortunately, Arsenal have an ace up their sleeve. Or maybe two.

Odegaard himself hasn't got back to top form since his injury earlier this season. This is explained by a combination of factors. Firstly, he's missing the presence of Saka (and White) in the right side 'pod' that worked so well last season. Secondly, he is surely suffering sleepless nights since the birth of his first baby. And finally he is probably trying to do too much in his role as captain/talisman. He was much more effective in the second half than the first on Saturday; let's see that trajectory continue, please.

Next; Ethan Nwaneri. I've been telling anybody who would listen about this kid since before the beginning of the season. Although it's only circumstances that have forced Arteta to give him the game time he has had, it is quite clear that he (along with MLS) is ready. If you're good enough, you're old enough. He was once again Arsenal's best player on the day; hit both crossbar and post with shots, won most of his duels, tackles and take-ons, put a perfect cross in for the crucial first goal, and his class stood out amongst a lot of the agonisingly mundane and pedestrian play going on around him. I've not been so excited about a young footballer since I first saw Cesc Fabregas in an Arsenal shirt. 

Echoing thoughts that I had not dared to express out loud Joe Cole, on commentary for TNT, described the boy as 'Messi-like'. Well; goodness knows if he can ever be that good, but if any young English player I've seen has a chance of achieving anything like what the Argentinian has then maybe - just maybe - Ethan Nwaneri can. Because he can already do the lot. Close control. Vision. Decision-making. Movement off the ball and with it at his feet. The ability to go either way; predominately left-footed, but did you see that shot with his right that smacked against the post? Already with a man's physique, and the ability to give full backs nightmares. Saka-esque, in fact. Surely this season's Golden Boy, and quite possibly a future Ballon D'Or winner. And he's not 18 for a few more weeks...

Still; no pressure.

Lastly, Mikel Merino. Perhaps the answer to our prayers. Well, time will tell, but I absolutely expect him to be leading the line against West Ham on Saturday. His two crucial goals on Saturday were superbly and clinically taken, and based on that 20-minute cameo looks to be a decent call as a stop gap before first Martinelli and then Saka return. And let's face facts; Arteta cannot select Sterling in a starting XI again. So for the moment he has nowhere else to turn. And Arsenal absolutely must continue to grind out win after win after win, or they will fall short again.

So let's see what the next week or so transpires. I don't expect the team to have too much difficulty with West Ham, so all eyes will be on Liverpool for the next week or so.

One game at a time. Keep the faith. COYG. ATID.

City Humbled By Arsenal In Second Half Romp

Wowser!

Well, there are loads of headlines that can be extracted from Arsenal 5-1 drubbing of a Manchester City side that is a mere shadow of what it was, and I'm going to tackle them below. But I'll also be chucking in a dose of caution, and reality; for all that this was one of the great Arsenal experiences of recent years.

Firstly, Arsenal had (at least) 11 heroes out on the field. Not a sub-par performance in sight, for all that in certain moments they could have been more decisive or clinical. And outstanding shows from Partey, Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Big Gabby and a rejuvenated Gabriel Martinelli. Everyone worth a mark of at least 8/10, and some worth more. Let's go through them, before I look at the timeline (where, to be honest, I do need to put a damper on things; but I'll come to that).

David Raya - made two superb saves at crucial times to keep Arsenal in the game. Acted like an extra outfield player at times - he's THAT good with the ball at his feet. Had no chance with Haaland's goal

Jurrien Timber - put in his usual quality showing. What a player he is! Booked by an over-zealous referee

Big Bill Saliba - helped keep the gigantic Norwegian quiet, and ensured he couldn't turn the ball home following the Raya save that looped onto the crossbar. Caught out by Haaland's clever movement for the goal; there was nothing anybody could do, to be frank

Big Gabby - was well up for it! In Haaland's face or back at every opportunity (helping restrict him to just 9 touches of the ball all game!), and still found time to make several forays up field

Miles Lewis-Skelly - another top show. Mature beyond his years, with the strength and nous to look well worth his place amongst such exalted company. Having made his name in the first match between these sides by getting himself booked before entering the field of play, and then being asked 'Who the f*ck are you?' by our big Norwegian friend, had the crowd roaring with laughter as well as appreciation as he mimicked Haaland's 'zen' celebration following his goal. That's 'chutzpah' for you

Thomas Partey - another stellar showing from a man having comfortably his best ever season in an Arsenal shirt. Popped up everywhere he was needed, and with the go-ahead goal to boot - that massive deflection made it even more beautiful - he deserves accolades all round

Declan Rice - magnificent. Back to his rampaging best, and hardly gave City a moment's rest. His two assists were only part of the influence he had on the game

Martin Odegaard - had his best game since he came back from injury. Led the press, and gave City's midfield the runaround. Booked for dissent - and I could see he why he was annoyed (I'll come back to that later)

Leandro Trossard - unselfish runner throughout, keeping the pressure on and doing precisely what he was asked to do. Set the tone by robbing Akanji to help set up the opening goal

Gabriel Martinelli - another back approaching his best. Never stopped running. Set up Havertz's goal with a long sprint following a turnover, and could have had a couple of goals himself

Kai Havertz - Oh, how we were cursing him in the first half as he missed an absolute sitter. But he never hid, ran himself into the ground, and got his reward with a stunning finish for the fourth goal. Yes, he needs too many chances to score to ever be elite, but we probably expect too much of him as he's not an out-and-out centre forward. But he consistently finds himself in the right place to have opportunities, and that's something you can't teach. As long as Arsenal make plenty of chances for him - as they do - we WILL score goals. Waka waka

Subs; Califiori, Merino, Sterling - didn't put a foot wrong. Indeed, City were so shell-shocked that made Sterling look rather tasty. But the standout here was Ethan Nwaneri, whose now trademark finish put a firm exclamation mark at the end of the game. A magnificent finish at the end of a 36 pass move and two solid minutes of possession. Glorious

As for the timeline; well, a great start as Arsenal's press forced errors from both centre backs, Trossard robbed Akanji, Rice played an instant first-time pass to Havertz who - and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt here - saw Odegaard in a better position to score and set him up. And Arsenal stayed on top up to around the 20-minute mark, but then started to withdraw and allowed City much more of the ball than felt comfortable. In my seat in Block 17, I spent a lot of the rest of the half feeling more and more uncomfortable, and shouting about the players showing City too much respect.

Raya's first save came from City's first corner, as Gvardiol's header was palmed onto the bar from almost point blank range, and Saliba shepherded the ball away from Haaland. A magnificent save, in fact; especially in the context of the way the game was starting to shift in City's favour.

But just a couple of minutes later Havertz missed the sort of chance that leaves Arsenal fans desperate for a more clinical striker. Ortega was forced into a rash pass to Kovacic, Rice pounced on the midfielder and the ball broke to the German, who took what felt like an eternity before dragging his shot wide from 12 yards. At least hit the target, Kai! And I'm sure that I wasn't alone in thinking that this particular miss might be very costly indeed.

It is worth noting at this point that I had spent a lot of the half reporting to my daughter next to me that I couldn't recall the last time that Haaland had touched the ball - for such a prolific goalscorer it's a bizarre anomaly that he doesn't get involved much at all in any of the build-up play, despite City hogging possession in almost every game they play. In fact - I am reliably informed - there was a period of over half an hour when he failed to have a single touch; and he only had 9 all game, apparently. Although he did score, of course, so he arguably did his job. Or part of it, anyway.

All this lack of involvement from their centre forward didn't stop City pushing Arsenal further and further back. I watched Bernardo Silva and Mattheus Nunes both go on driving 30 yard runs without being engaged by anybody, and they started to pin Arsenal further and further back as the half went on. They forced one decent chance for Savinho - Raya saved the deflected effort neatly - but on the whole I guess that the home team felt confident in being able to keep City out. But, at a mere 1-0, the crowd were certainly getting edgier. There was simply no need to sit back.

But 1-0 it was as we reached half time, and I for one was hoping that Arsenal would be a little more proactive in the second half. City are vulnerable down the centre of the pitch these days, and I was desperate to see Arsenal turn up the heat and really put it up to them. But within 10 minutes of the second half City were level. Savinho's pinpoint cross went over Gabriel's head, and Haaland's clever movement got him in front of Saliba. A towering header, and that was that. Just a really nice goal. And there was a danger of the pendulum really shifting at that point.

However, a mere 38 seconds from the restart Arsenal were in front again. Foden played a dreadful pass out of defence straight to Partey who - urged to shoot by the crowd - took a couple of paces forward and did just that. A massive deflection off of Stones' back wrong-footed Ortega, and Arsenal were back in front. And at that point is was like the air all emptied out of City's balloon. It felt to me that this time they could not come back.

Minutes later came the finest moment of the match. Arsenal were on top now; camping out on the edge of City's penalty area. Rice found no other than Miles Lewis-Skelly inside the box, and he shifted inside and past Stones before firing a shot that Ortega's frankly weak wrist could not keep out. Cue bedlam in the stands. A kid who had had his first taste of senior football at The Etihad in September, been booked before stepping over the white line onto the field of play, and who had bravely stood up to Haaland at the end only to be asked who the f*ck he was - just before Arteta was told to stay humble and Jesus was described as a 'clown'  - all by that gentleman Erling Braut Haaland, celebrating his first senior goal by taking the p*ss out of the man himself. How we laughed! And was it disrespectful? Well, who cares - Haaland had it coming after his earlier behaviour. And for MLS this was a seminal moment; one he will never forget.

And now, if I may digress... refereeing. Now you'd have thought that there'd be nothing to say about it today, but... in the space of a couple of minutes referee Bankes failed to punish Bernardo Silva for kicking Trossard whilst the Belgian was on the ground, but penalised Odegaard for what looked to me like a perfectly fair tackle and then proceeded to book our skipper for dissent. It was as far as the referee could get to influence the game, I guess; although he did seem to give City more free kicks than they deserved. He couldn't reach the depths that Taylor, Kavanagh and Oliver have sunk to this season. But he did what he could...

At 3-1, City had nothing left to offer. The introduction of De Bruyne made no difference, and it was all Arsenal. They'd upped the tempo, and City were reeling. And when they did get a little possession, Arsenal hit them on the break. In a break-out slightly reminiscent of that magical goal by Andrey Arshavin against Barcelona, Partey freed Martinelli, who galloped fully 60 yards with Havertz tracking his run. A reverse pass to the German, a chop back onto his left foot, and the ball nestled in the far corner of the net. 

The thing is this... Arsenal fans were revelling in it. This felt like some degree of revenge for all the times we've had to watch our team played off the park by majestic City sides. But this time the boot was firmly on the other foot. And Arteta's substitutions made things no easier for a demoralised City, with Nwaneri's sublime effort - his second in a week - the cherry on the icing on the top of the cake. Yes, there's a long way to go to catch Liverpool, and there is no room for error, but make no mistake this was a statement performance - especially in the second half - by a rampant Arsenal side who suddenly looked chock full of energy and confidence. Newcastle to come on Wednesday - and suddenly that doesn't seem quite as unlikely as it did a couple of weeks ago. And then 10 days off - and a bit of warm weather training. Remember the good that did the squad last year? Ben White will be back soon. Saka in a month or so. Loads to play for. It ain't over until it's over.

Just one final word before I sign off. And it's a massive shout out to the DJ at the stadium, @PeterOnSports, who trolled Haaland magnificently by playing Kendrick Lamar's 'Humble' at the final whistle. 'Tell 'em be humble. Sit down. Be humble. Sit down'. Love it! That, added to the wonderful serenading Haaland received from the Emirates Stadium crowd, made had made for a raucous atmosphere: 'Stay humble you c*nt. Stay humble you c*nt. Erling Haaland- stay humble you c*nt! Joyous.

Right... as I write there remain under 4 hours until the Transfer Window closes. And there's no sign of anything but tumbleweed outside London Colney. It would appear that Arteta and co have decided to stick to the plan, and not let any business they do now detract from what they're planning in the summer. I'm sure that we'd have all loved to see a body or two come in, but I guess that MLS and Nwaneri have taken some of the pressure off. Fingers crossed that this win over City can be the watershed the players needed to gain the energy for the work to come.

COYG!

Just When You Think It Can't Get Any Worse...

There's only one place to start, isn't there? The red card for MLS, and the fallout therefrom. We're all venting about it, I'm sure; and here's my take (it's a bit of a rant tbh).

Firstly, it's a cynical and somewhat desperate challenge. Which he probably didn't have to make. But it simply doesn't reach the threshold for 'serious foul play', as classed by PGMOL themselves. Their definition is: 'a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent, or uses excessive force or brutality'. The other question may have been whether it denied a clear goal-scoring opportunity, but as the foul was committed 75 yards from the Arsenal goal that's somewhat far-fetched to say the least.

At the time, our friend Michael Oliver must have felt that it reached one of those thresholds. Otherwise the card would have been yellow - as it deserved to be. But the reaction to the decision - from the players and coaching staff, from the crowd, from those watching on television including in the Sky studio and from journalists alike - was almost unanimously one of disbelief. Yes, it was made out of (perhaps misplaced) desperation, and yes, it was extremely cynical; but that doesn't make it a red card offence (although whether it should remains a question for another day).

But now we get to the second layer of madness. The VAR, Darren England, upheld the decision despite having access to around a dozen angles. This makes no sense to me. Yes, the VAR's remit is to interfere only in the case of a 'clear and obvious error', and perhaps he felt that the red card was justified (although he'd be in a very small percentage minority). But there was every justification for sending Oliver to the screen for another look. Yet no - none of that; merely a 'check complete'.

And you really have to ask yourself why, seeing as this was in fact a 'clear and obvious error', Oliver was not invited to review the incident. 

Pat Nevin, on Radio 5 Live, described the current standards of officiating in England (and I couldn't have stated it better myself) as 'a bar so low that even a limbo dancing snake couldn't get under it'. However, that's no reason to send the referee death threats; that's going just a teeny weeny bit far.

And here's where the conspiracy theories start.

• Was England, bearing in mind his position in the PGMOL hierarchy compared to Oliver, afraid to recommend that he go to the screen? And, if so, what does this say about how PGMOL is run?

• Did England actually agree with Oliver? In which case, they're in a gigantic minority

• Is there, in fact, some sort of vendetta or conspiracy against Arsenal? By PGMOL, and by Oliver in particular? As I - amongst others - have been suggesting for years now. And it's this final point that I want to look at a bit more closely (I'll mark those incidents when Oliver was referee or VAR with an asterisk - * -as I go along)

Also, why was a far worse challenge by Joao Gomes penalised by a mere yellow card (second yellow, and therefore sent off)? In the same match! Thus meaning that real violent conduct is rewarded by a one-match ban, but MLS gets a three match holiday. Oliver can't even show consistency over the course of a single match!

This is the latest in a series of 'never to be repeated' events/injustices suffered by Arsenal this season. The Rice sending-off. The Trossard sending-off*. Even the Saliba sending off (compared to an almost identical incident involving a Chelsea defender that very same weekend). And now this. Plus as regards the first two on this list, there have been other occasional yellow cards given for 'delaying a restart', but none given as a second yellow.

But this isn't the only 'never to be repeated' event from which Arsenal have suffered over the years. Martinelli sent off for two minor infringements within 5 seconds of each other*. David Luiz sent off when the opposing forward's heel made accidental contact with his knee. Two sendings off for Granit Xhaka; one against Manchester City when he made no contact with the attacker, and another against Liverpool when he had no idea that the attacker was behind him as he attempted to clear a ball dropping over his shoulder*. A failure to send off Matteo Kovacic for a studs up tackle from behind on Martin Odegaard last season* - because, according to PGMOL supremo Howard Webb (meet the new boss; same as the old boss), he 'didn't want to ruin the spectacle of a big game'. But had no compunction with sending Trossard off for a (debatable) technical offence a season later - violent conduct is apparently OK, though. Here are a few unhappy picture memories...

Oliver has also sent off Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Fabio Vieira, and Francis Coquelin in decisions where a yellow may well have sufficed. A total of 8 Arsenal players sent off by Oliver over the years; more than any other club. And precisely 8 more than the number of Manchester City players he has sent off. 

This graphic says it all, really: More red cards than any other side given to Arsenal players. Also more yellow cards btw. More penalties per game awarded too. Contrast that to his treatment of Manchester City, where everything is at the low end, (zero sendings off) and then recall his relationship with Qatar (invited to referee matches in the UAE, and being paid £20,000 a match to do so).

I've been suggesting that there's a conspiracy for more than a short while now; because there are plenty of other incidents I could cite (off the top of my head, we've had Tomiyasu sent off for delaying the taking of a throw in, then a slight tug on an opponent’s jersey 60 yards from goal; Tomiyasu getting a boot in the head from Everton defender Godfrey; no award of a penalty when he was dragged to the ground by Harry Maguire (that's a remarkable number of controversial moments for a player who's so rarely fit, I must add). A goal awarded to Brentford because the VAR 'forgot' to draw the lines. The Newcastle goal that could have been ruled out for the ball being off the field, the goal scorer being offside, but most importantly for a blatant foul by Joelinton on Gabriel. I could go on by citing a penalty area assault by McCarthur of Palace on Saka, or mention the 'winning' goal against Liverpool in injury time earlier this season, which wasn't awarded as referee Taylor had already blown up for a non-existent foul by Kivior... but as you may be asleep already... nonetheless, here are some more cheerful photographs.

And look; I know that every club can do this. Wolves certainly can! But it's weighed far too heavily against Arsenal for it to be mere incompetence. And as for VAR itself; I have no idea why that runs so smoothly in European competition, and in international tournaments. It's either the quality of the VARs, the number of 'we know better than you' tweaks added by PGMOL, or a combination of both. The reason Arsenal are getting this all the time goes back to that Newcastle goal, and Arteta's (justifiable) post-match response.

I realise that I'm p*ssing into the wind here, but it does help to get it off my chest. If you're still reading this, it's because you agree with me. Although it wouldn't surprise me if many have given up by now...

Anyhoo... further fallout from the match was as follows.

• An already thin and depleted squad once more asked to play with 10 men for an entire half. Using up valuable energy. Havertz was visibly exhausted by the end of the game

• What a goal by Califiori! A delightful finish, and a very important one leading to a vital three points

• Back to Havertz, who missed three more than presentable headed chances. One, in particular, he will be very disappointed with. I know that it's more difficult to score with one's head than one's feet, but these were all close range headers. Havertz is essentially the only fit senior 'centre forward' Arsenal have at the moment - and it's debatable whether he should be classed as a striker tbh - but the fact that he's expected to do so much running, and is suffering for it, is as good a reason to draft somebody in as the need to find a more clinical finisher. And he's not the only player suffering physically. We saw nothing on Saturday to suggest that reinforcements are not desperately required

• And on the subject of reinforcements; I'm not sure that Mateus Cunha did much to enhance his reputation in this game. £70-80m? I'll pass, thanks

As I type, there is no news on what's going on behind the scenes regarding MLS's red card. Apart from hearing - completely unsurprisingly - that PGMOL have doubled down over it. Let's hope that the FA panel will see it differently.

We now move on to another big week. Girona away in  the Champions League; and as Arsenal have, according to OPTA, a less than one percent chance of not qualifying in the top 8 places I'd chuck some fringe players in for that one. Girona themselves have nothing to play for. Followed by a massive game at THOF on Sunday.Manchester City - an absolute Must Win. We'd better not see Michael Oliver officiating that one...

Just before I go... Tottenham lost again... and do you know what; I think that 'it' is actually on. They're in a relegation battle, St Totteringham's Day is going to be super early this year, and it's really entertaining to see it.

Let's hope for good news on MLS. COYG!

Arteta Breaks Mirror, Walks Under Ladder, Runs Over Black Cat

I can offer no other explanation as the bad luck keeps rolling in. But I shall try...

It's apparently not enough to have lost one's captain for a couple of months. This current injury crisis is almost as bad as it can get in an already thin squad. Currently Arsenal are without Saka (long term), White (long term), Calafiori, Tomiyasu (long term), Nwaneri, Jesus (extremely long term); and now Saliba (hopefully just a couple of weeks), too. Half of them starters at the very least. The rest useful off the bench. Coupled with all the 'bad luck' inflicted by VAR decisions this season, it's actually quite remarkable that Arsenal are in second spot, clinging on to Liverpool's coat tails, at the top of the table.

Pinning this down to a single factor is impossible. But what it does do is restrict the ability of Arteta to rest and rotate his players, and thus leads to further stresses and strains. Put that alongside the drop in goal/assist production compared to last year from Odegaard, Martinelli, Trossard and Havertz - plus the total disaster that the signing of Sterling has been - and it's difficult to see how Arsenal can possibly keep pace. But they are somehow managing to do so; not falling further behind, in any case, and keeping their own pursuers at arm's length at the same time.

Look, all teams get injuries. Liverpool themselves lost half their team at some stages in 2020-21, when their final points tally fell from an unprecedented 99 the season before to just 69. Manchester City have been without Rodri all season, and De Bruyne for half of that time; and fell of a cliff for two entire months. Just look at the state of Tottenham's squad (and try to do that without sniggering, if you can).

The fact is that the days are long gone when a club could use just 13 or 14 players in an entire season, as Arsenal did in winning the double in 1970-71. The game is considerably faster, players are far more athletic and therefore putting extra strains on their muscles, tendons and ligaments; and most important of all the top teams are playing twice a week, every week (and if their club sides are not, the players are flying off all round the world with their countries). It's a non-stop merry-go-round, and something has to give at some point. Talk of a players strike isn't as daft as it sounds.

The Manager has himself admitted that the squad was 'thin' before the season started. The issue was not the players with whom he chose to dispense - the quality needed an upgrade - but the failure to replace with sufficient numbers. Compare Arsenal's bench with Liverpool's and it's chalk and cheese. Chelsea have a hell of a lot more depth. Newcastle and Aston Villa too. City certainly. And the games are coming thick and fast. And each fresh injury racks up the pressure even further on the aching limbs of Arsenal's first team squad.

It's a testament, nonetheless, to the quality of the players that Arteta does have available to him that a playing eleven shorn of all those listed missing above still managed to dominate a side as useful as Aston Villa for a good deal of this game. Arsenal were, once more, unlucky not to walk away with all three points. With a few of the above players available, there would have been little doubt as to the destination of the points; plus judging by the manner of the goal concessions I think that it's safe to say that had Saliba been playing, neither goal would have been conceded.

Let's have a look at how the game went, with attention first placed on how Arteta decided to deal with the loss of Big Willy. I'm always of the opinion that one should look to keep as many players in their best position as possible, but Mikel chose to shift Timber to centre half, and then Partey to right back; two men moved when if he'd have selected Kivior he'd have had to move just one, and leave Partey where he is most effective. This season's results show that Partey at right back is a mere stop gap, that doesn't really work. Just one win in the now 7 matches that he has started there. 

What were the alternatives, one may ask, with White out? There were two others. I can see why he would choose not to go with Kivior, as Ollie Watkins could well have been too hot for him to handle. The Pole isn't quite of the grade needed to be an Arsenal defender, unfortunately; plus we know that Arteta favours playing one right-footed and one left-footed centre back at all times and Kivior plus Gabriel is - literally - two left feet! The other was to drop Rice back in there, as Dec was a centre-half in his very young days. Not a terrible idea as a stop gap; and especially as it would have meant keeping Timber and Partey in their best positions. But he did what he did; and it came back to bite him as both goals can be attributed to Partey to a greater or lesser extent.

However, there were plusses in this performance. Especially going forward. Trossard has been off the boil for a few weeks now and has been rotated in and out of the side as a result, but in this game he looked to be coming back to his best. Two assists; plus he did everything but score himself on no less than four occasions. Martinelli had Matsen on toast in the first half - so much that Emery was forced to take him off at half time. Plus his goal came as a result of poaching off the right, as every winger should look to do when the ball is on the other side of the field (it was of course good to see Martinez fluffing the save and conceding as a result). Havertz's goal was a proper centre forward's goal, and his link up play was excellent in this game - for all that I'd prefer him not to wander outside the width of the penalty area as often as he does, as the team needs a focal point to play off in my humble opinion.

Rice had another solid 8/10 game. And MLS was superb yet again; showing his customary strength, as well as vision and ability to make decisive runs and passes. With the national side short of left backs at the moment, he will surely be in the next England squad at his current rate of progress.

Nonetheless, despite a two goal lead - and I cannot recall an Arteta side giving one up before - Arsenal failed to see the game out. Because of two moments of defensive indecision. For the first Villa goal, Partey was too slow out to Digne, and Merino fractionally too slow to react to the run of the irritating Tielemans. The second goal saw Partey step out when he needed to step back in with Watkins. The finish was excellent.

Which brings me on to the need for reinforcement. A player like Watkins would transform this Arsenal side. Quick, strong and with a definite eye for goal, he worked Timber and Gabriel really hard throughout. He's obviously unobtainable in January, but would be on my list of additions who could help elevate Arsenal to the level that they are currently unable to quite reach. Yes, they need depth as well as quality, but a new centre forward looks absolutely key at this stage. Havertz simply doesn't have it in him to be a 20 goal a season striker, but has many excellent other qualities (although I sometimes wonder about his body language). And a focal point to the Arsenal attack would be extremely useful.

We know that Arteta wanted Sesko in the summer; despite him not currently being the finished article. Personally, I'd prefer Gyokeres. There is some talk of Ohsimen (currently, bizarrely, on loan from Napoli at Galatasaray). Which ever way things fall, Arsenal must surely find a way to do some business in the next week or so; if they do not, it would be a sign that the hierarchy are giving up the ghost on this season so as not to upset the summer's plans. And that, for me, would be a mistake. Liverpool are not out of sight, Arsenal also remain one of the favourites for the Champions League, and a shot in the arm that a top class centre forward would bring could be exactly what the squad need. If they could bring that forward to this window, and then pick up the two players (a central midfielder - Zubimendi, apparently - and wing cover for Saka) they need in the summer then the squad would be pretty much complete. Despite the need for extra depth. We shall see.

As for the denouement of the Villa game... there was a moment of massive controversy as Merino's shot - almost certainly not goal-bound - hit Havertz and was deflected into the net. Handball? For me, probably inconclusive. From where the referee and one camera were situated, it didn't look like it. From the reverse angle, the ball perhaps grazed Havertz's hand; but the major and critical deflection was off of his torso. By the Law as it's written, if the ball touched his hand or arm on the way in then the goal must be disallowed. However, what is certain is that if a defender had had such a miniscule contact with the ball, with his arms and hands at his side, a penalty would NOT have been awarded. Therefore in conclusion a) the Law is an ass and b) VAR was once again extremely quick to rule against Arsenal; no suggestion of sending the referee - who had awarded the goal after all - to the screen. Just an instruction to disallow it. But there's no conspiracy...

Arsenal  were at that stage bombarding the Villa goal, but couldn't quite get it done. Two frustratingly dropped points, but I for one am not giving up. But please, Arsenal, sign attacking reinforcements. Please don't write the season off by not doing so.

On to the Champions League now, when victory over a Dinamo Zagreb side who are on the verge of elimination, and who haven't played a competitive game in a month due to their winter break, will almost certainly see Arsenal guaranteed a top 8 spot with a game to spare. Let's get behind the lads one more time. COYG!

Finally, before I go, I'd like to return to something I mentioned in my last piece; that of the yellow balloons that appeared at the Tottenham game, which were to highlight the plight of British/Israeli hostage Emily Damari, who was kidnapped by terrorists on October 7th 2023. The wonderful news is that she was literally the first name on the list of hostages to be freed as a result of the ceasefire agreement, and is now safe at home in Israel. Welcome home, Emily - may you be the first of ALL 93 to be allowed home. People have been campaigning all over the world for the return of the hostages since the day they were taken - the day of the massacre - and I'd like to think that those yellow balloons helped just a tiny bit.