Three hard-earned points at home to Newcastle. And it's clear that we're going to be put through the wringer for another full month. That last couple of percent for professional sportsmen that is in the head, not the body, is kicking in - for Arsenal and also for Manchester City. Let's hope it's worth the mental anguish come May 24th.
Before I give my thoughts on the game - and a few other things - a Disclaimer: I always write my weekly piece BEFORE I read, watch or listen to any punditry, articles and podcasts. I want my thoughts to be mine alone; not influenced by the opinions of others. Because what would be the point? - I'd be wasting mine and everyone else's time if I just regurgitated other peoples' views.
This was brought home to me after I'd written last week's post and when I started devouring the press and social media, as successive podcasts (from people closer to the club, and with arguably better credentials than I have) echoed many of my views almost to the letter. I feel vindicated, of course, that my opinions match those of others; but I don't want you to think that I'm plagiarising anyone else's work. This page is ALL my own. I hope that clears that up.
And so to Saturday evening. Made doubly difficult for me, as I could not be there in person and had to watch the game on the television (Gary Neville warts and all...). My wife and I had a long-standing arrangement to attend the 60th birthday party of one of our closest friends, with a 7.45pm start, so as soon as the game was moved to 5.30pm that was that. Annoying, to say the least. And it's not the same at home; privileged as I know I am to possess a season ticket. But anyway...
Team as expected, I guess. Still no Timber or Calafiori, and so frankly I think that the eleven picked itself. It's the one I'd have chosen, anyway. But with the added frisson of excitement at seeing the name of Bukayo Saka finally back in the squad. This contrary, of course, to some nefarious rumours about him possibly being out until the start of next season. Thank goodness that those were wrong.
And so to the game. And there's very little action to discuss. Decent chances for Newcastle very early on as they pressed Arsenal high (for Osula and the returning Guimares), and some bizarre action at the other end. We have, of course, to give massive credit the Nicolas Jover for doing his homework on the opposition, but at the time the crowd were utterly bemused that a team so well-known for its set-piece goals were persisting on a short corner routine.
A sequence of three corners from the right in the first 8 minutes. From the first, Odegaard's pass in search of Eze was cut out. Cue puzzlement from the terraces. From the second, he found Eze, whose left foot shot went wide of the near post. Muted booing for not getting the ball into the box. A slightly different routine for the third, as (amidst crowd frustration) Madueke found Havertz instead of Odegaard, and presented a different angle for the lay-off to the lurking Eze. Whose thunderbolt found the far top corner of Pope's net. All forgiven, and relief all round at the early lead. Eze's 10th goal of the season, by the way - and every one a cracker.
And after that? Well, very little indeed from Arsenal, as Newcastle dominated possession. Look, I know that the first objective is to ensure the three points, but a second goal would/could have, in these circumstances, changed the entire complexion of the game. However, the team looked fraught with nerves as it reverted to its pre-Etihad funk, and that transmitted itself to the crowd and got bounced to and fro from pitch to terrace. For me, the team cannot go on like this. If, as it appears, they are mentally incapable of imposing themselves upon what will be essentially inferior opponents between now and the end of the season, then they will surely pay the price. Something in the mentality needs to change, and I believe that it needs to come from a change in the pattern of play.
Arsenal are too intricate in playing out from the back. The midfield thence ends up too deep, with a disconnect to the front line. All of which leads to turnovers, and an inability to keep hold of the ball. Thus piling the pressure back on. A self-fulfilling prophecy. Arteta surely needs to get them playing more quickly and positively - as they were doing so successfully in the autumn and going on a long winning run. But if they carry on in this passive manner then - mark my words - they will not win the title. And the maddest part of all this is that the one game in which they looked like the Arsenal of the autumn for whom I desperately hanker was away to Manchester City. The madness of the hive mind...
Of course, it will not have helped that they lost Havertz on 33 minutes with what looked like a groin issue, and then Eze early in the second half with what must be another muscular problem. Just what the doctor did not order. But despite the loss of two of their most skilful and intelligent players, they should have been aware that they still have more than enough for the likes of a struggling and out of form Newcastle.
A couple of moments of note late on to report, nonetheless. On 74 minutes, the otherwise almost invisible Gyokeres burst into space down the right channel (found beautifully by Odegaard's excellent clipped ball into space), where he was brought down by the onrushing Pope. Fully 35 yards from goal, and with a defender covering. I - like everyone in the crowd - was up on my feet screaming for a red card; but deep down I didn't expect it to be given. Yes, it was reckless from the goalkeeper, who lost his balance in trying to clear and hauled the Swede to the floor as he tried to recover his feet. But it was simply too far out - especially with Thiaw between Gyokeres and the goal - to expect the ultimate punishment. Reckless? For sure. But DOGSO? Nah...
To be fair to Gyokeres's apparent inability to influence matches, we saw in one single moment what the issue is with him. That he isn't trusted by his team-mates. This photgraph shows that Odegaard could and should have passed to him in the left hand channel, but instead choose to cut back inside and play a square pass. Yes, Big Vik is not the silkiest of players. But he ought to be trusted to try to do what he is best at. And he would surely have tested Pope there, had he been fed the ball. And that is a microcosm of his season.
As was the moment when he burst into the left channel, 30 yards from goal, with two team-mates on his inside and just one defender between he and they. The pass was shoddy and cut out, where a better one would surely have led to the decisive second goal. Infuriating is the word I'd use.
Not long after came Newcastle's best opportunity of the game, as two substitutes (Woltemarde and Wissa) combined for the latter to blast his shot over the bar from a mere 8 yards. Fine margins - and Wissa could/should have done better; thus displaying the inherent risk in trying to merely sit on a lead.
And then the moment we've been waiting for for a number of weeks now. The return of the prodigal son. Arsenal's best and star player, Bukayo Saka, back on the pitch for the first time since the March Interlull. And instantly into the action and making a difference, with his presence changing the mood within the ground. The team looks different with Saka in it; crisper passing and movement was immediately evident. An immediate chance for himself, and then a set up for Odegaard to fire in a low effort. Such a massive upgrade on Madueke - what a lift to the group his return could be!
And so Arsenal held on, and the mental strain showed as the final whistle went and several red-shirted players sunk to the ground. They're going to make us suffer, aren't they?
One down. Four to go. Nip and tuck. Would I take 4 more 1-0 wins? Possibly... although we should reasonably expect to do better than that against Burnley. But will that be enough? But now thoughts need to turn to Madrid on Wednesday - and to be honest I'd willingly sacrifice a place in the Champions League final if that would guarantee the league title. But one game at a time it has to be.
Injury news is unclear at the moment. Eze's issue is apparently not serious, and we can only hope that Havertz's withdrawal was more precautionary than anything else. Great to have Starboy back, obviously, and Calafiori looks close. Jurrien Timber - about whom there appears to be radio silence - is nonetheless key for me. I guess that is a chance, however, that the squad will all be available over the next month. And that could be vitally important.
What the manager and his staff need to work on just as much as any physical issues, however, is the state of the players' minds. They need to release the metaphorical handbrake; because if they don't do it now - if they don't go out and take what they deserve, instead of waiting for it to come to them - when will they ever do so?
Other matters now. Tottenham. Chelsea. Manchester City.
Aren't we fortunate not to be Spurs fans? Just think about the agony they went through between 4.30 and 4.50pm on Saturday. At 0-0 with Wolves, and with West Ham leading in their game. They finally take the lead, and then the news filters through of an Everton equaliser. Only for the Hammers to snatch an injury time winner. They simply had to win that game, but will it be enough? I certainly don't fancy their run in - starting at Villa Park next weekend. With Simons ruled out for the season now, they task has become even more difficult. And here's a dilemma for them; when Arsenal go to West Ham in a fortnight, what result do they want? - the one that puts them further into the mire. and the one that helps Arsenal win the title? Oooph...
Chelsea, eh. Who'd be a Chelsea fan? The inevitability of Rosenior's sacking in the wake of the abject defeat at Brighton was followed by them reaching the FA Cup final. Scant consolation for supporters of a club who can see how badly the owners' strategy is failing. And it couldn't happen to a nicer club... for it was Chelsea - and Abramovich - who first really polluted the financial waters of English football and who then paved the way for the sewage of the nation states to make their filthy mark on the Premier League.
Which brings me on to Manchester City, who Chelsea will meet in the FA Cup final. And there's a match that there is no danger of me watching. The two clubs that I hold in the most contempt facing off for a trophy. Talk about filthy lucre. But City do appear to be suffering a hiccough or two. Failure to beat Burnley by more than one goal may well bite them very hard in the bum. The loss of Rodri certainly had an impact on that, so we can but hope that he's out for a little longer. He is absolutely key for them.
All to play for. COYG!
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