- VAR officials arrested, while Arsenal not thiniking straight
- How an Arsenal start that gives the same results as last season will be a disaster
Two years ago Leverkusen came sixth in the German league 21 points and 35 goals behind the winners, Bayer Munich. Last season they came top 15 points and 11 goals more than the club in second place, Stuttgart.
Bayer Munich were third, and their demise was easy to understand – they really shouldn’t go around buying a player from Tottenham Hotspur. That can always be disastrous. Indeed we could have told them that, if only they had bothered to ask.
So what Leverkusen would we see – the top four contenders of recent years, or the champions of last season? As it turned out we soon knew: we didn’t see either.
The Arsenal start XI was
Raya,
White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko,
Odegaard, Jorginho, Havertz,
Vieira, Jesus, Trossard
… which gives us a fair clue of what might be the basis of the team this season, although of course our latest signing was not yet ready to start nor were those just back from the ill-organised international nonsense. But…
On the beach having a relaxing time were Ramsdale, Setford, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly, Nichols, Partey, Rice, Nelson, Nwaneri, Saka, Martinelli, and Nketiah. Leverkusen had a player called Frimpong, but not that Frimpong.
And of course this being Arsenal, Zinchenko, playing at full back scored on eight minutes – having started the move by getting Havertz going. Odegaard let it go knowing exactly how the move was playing out.
There was no time to sit down before Arsenal showed the difference between putting out a ready-to-roll first team, rather than the juniors seeking to ensure their places in the back-up squad. Trossard scored a minute later from close range, rolling the ball in.
As a result of not putting out their full first team, while noticing that that was what Arsenal was pretty much doing, the opposition did not look settled and full of the confidence winning the league normally brings. One excuse is that their league starts a week later than ours so they are where Arsenal were a week ago. Another is they are not used to being champions and playing this sort of opposition.
Of course there was a lot of attention on Xhaka who much of the time looked a shadow of the player who left Arsenal, while Gabriel looked like he wanted to show that Arsenal were not the dilettante side that the media have occasionally suggested.
Indeed the Bayer players looked like a team ill-prepared at this level, and quite probably should have done what Arsenal have done and had a series of less formidable games in the States, as Arsenal just kept rolling forward as if to say, we’ve had our overseas tour, got the mainstream players back (at least on the bench), and now we’re off again.
There were of course a few negatives – Havertz took a nasty knock in the first half – but mostly it was fun with the crowd going bonkers when Saka took a little jog up and down the touchline, and it was all very jolly especially when Gabriel Jesus got the third before the 40th minute.
Indeed that third goal made it obvious it was all over, which was a bit disappointing with a second half still to play.
In the second half Havertz got the fourth and showed that what was on display was Kai Havertz II who scored a significant number of goals in the second half of last season. And everyone was reminded this was Arsenal playing last season’s German champions!
So maybe the excuse from the German team really was that their league doesn’t start for a while and Arsenal were firing on all cylinders – and that thought makes Arsenal’s planning of low-level games in the USA a clever idea, wherein the teams that were being played were either at the same stage of preparation or from a lesser league. But maybe Leverkusen simply don’t have the experience to know how to prepare for a new season having won the league unexpectedly last time around.
So the next game is Lyon on Sunday at 2pm, and all those people who were not able to get tickets for matches during 2023/24 will presumably be there once again.
That match is also on Arsenal.com which presumably means paying for it. The days of simply watching pre-season games on Sky now seem to be a thing of the past. The Wolverhampton game that kicks off the season however isn’t on TV at all – except for the highlights in the evening. Thank goodness I renewed my season ticket..
“The Wolverhampton game that kicks off the season however isn’t on TV at all – except for the highlights in the evening.”
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s my own fault for not having a season ticket, (although I have been on the waiting list for 10years) but I must admit I am disappointed, not to say somewhat amazed, that our opening match isn’t live on TV in the UK, at least somewhere.
We did after all finish second just 2 points behind Man City, but 7 points ahead of Liverpool in 3rd and a massive 21 points ahead of 4th placed Aston Villa.
Surely, seeing how the 2 teams that slugged it out till the final day last season have emerged from the summer recess, is the most intriguing aspect of the first day of this season, even from a neutral fans point of view?
But no.
But of course seeing 8th placed Man Utd is essential. The first match no less.
Then of course seeing Liverpool, Villa, Tottenham and Chelsea is a must. All obviously more important than seeing last years runners up and this seasons second favourites?
As it seems is seeing Brentford v Crystal Palace.
So of last years top 6 they decide not to show Arsenal.
Just saying.
As for last night. Very good.
Good to see the spread of goals in the team alreday.
Walter
Indeed.
We easily have enough goals within the current squad to score enough to win the Premier League. These are figures for 22/23 and 23/24
SAKA
Just needs to maintain the levels of the last 2 seasons: 14 and 16
TROSSARD
Just needs to maintain last seasons level: 12
HAVERTZ
Just needs to continue as he finished last season: 4 in 23 matches went up to 9 in 15 matches. At that rate that is 23 for the season.
ODEGAARD
Scoring 8 last season isn’t at all shabby, but if he could achieve the 15 of 22/23 that would be fantastic.
MARTINELLI
Although his performances were decent, scoring just 6 times was a long way short of 22/23’s return of 15. A repeat of that is well within his reach, and I think he knows he will have to get somewhere near that if he wants to get more starts.
JESUS
For our ‘main’ striker the 4 of last year wasn’t great but it was very much an injury affected season. A return to the 11 of 22/23 would be very welcome, and given his massive all-round contribution, an acceptable return. A fit again Jesus should easily achieve this.
RICE
A repeat of last years 7 would be very welcome, and I cant see why not.
And that’s not to forget our defenders contributed 14 goals as well.
We have goals coming from everywhere.
If last seasons high rollers continue in the same vein and a couple of the others recapture 22/23’s goals scoring form, we have a massive number of goals in this team. I have no worries at all on the goal scoring front.
If Arteta WANTS a new striker I have no issue with that. I think he knows what he’s doing. But, contrary to much of the media, and some other Arsenal ‘outlets’, we certainly don’t NEED one.
Bayer Munich were third, and their demise was easy to understand – they really shouldn’t go around buying a player from Tottenham Hotspur. That can always be disastrous. Indeed we could have told them that, if only they had bothered to ask.
Your comment rather belittles the former Totenham player who went on to manager Arsenal and win 2 league championships and a second and the FA Cup and a runners up.
Compared to three former Arsenal players eho managed totenham and won between them 1 League cup.
Arsene Wenger found Glern Hoddle once a spud a key player in his Monaco winning team. Followed that up at Arsemal stealing their key defrnder for his Iinvincible team.
Your Donald Trump like bash isn’t you is it? It might be Okay on other sites but surely not here.
@ Charles Veritie
What???
Charles Veritie
To be fair, like Mikey I’m not really sure what your point is, so it may be valid it may not, but surely you realised that Tony’s comment was very tongue in cheek, and not meant to be taken either literally or seriously?
I mean, any opportunity to have a sarcastic dig at Spurs has to be taken. Doesn’t it? Or is that just me being childish?
I’m sure it is, but hey, this is Spursy we are talking about!!!
I have never looked at Spuds website, so I don’t know Harry Kane’s goal scoring record at Spuds.
I do know he is the England captain
As for his first season playing in another league for the country’s top club he played 45 games scored 44 goals and 12 assists Bayen website.
That surely cannot be sniffed at and in my opinion deserves respect.
As for the ex Totenham player who went on to manage Arsenal. He is Herbert Chapman.
I understand it is easy to get carried away when enjoying our superiority of the spuds but I give credit where credit is due.
One other reason for respecting HK is this. He started his career at Leyton Orient*.
He sponsored the club’s shirt for a season.
* for those who are not followers of the lower leagues.
the ‘Ós play in League 1 and are the nearest club to Arsenal.
@ Charles Veritie
I’m honestly not trying to be pedantic here, your claim that Orient was closer to the Emirates than the Spuds ground just surprised me. Having been born and brought up in the area, I knew it was close and therefore had to check. Both google (not the most reliable source in the world I admit) and AA route finder have Spurs being about a mile closer. There may be other sources that say otherwise.
I accept your point about Herbert Chapman but I’m not really sure it bears much relevance to the article or Harry Kane imho.
Charles Veritie
As I said, I don’t think Tony’s comments were meant to be taken seriously. (I’m sure he will correct me if I’m wrong). Surely the assertion from Tony that “…..we could have told them that, if only they had bothered to ask”, is a bit of a giveaway?
Everybody with half a brain (and that includes Tony I suspect, though I might be wrong, he probably has a whole one!!) knows how good Kane has been over the years.
But you have to admit it is funny, that following 11 consecutive years of winning the Bundesliga, Kane arrives, and they not only fail to win it but come 3rd, and have their first trophy less season for 12 years. Oh come on, it’s got to be worth a little giggle???
“I don’t know Harry Kane’s goal scoring record at Spuds”. Really?
For Mikey and Nitram.
Thanks for your replies.
For Mikey.
When it comes to Arsenal then we are two of a kind.
My route to the ‘Os’ was a short ride on the 208 to Hackney Wick.
Then the 236 passing Eton Manor boys club and getting off at the Leyton end of Hackney Marshes, Then a short walk to Brisbane Road.
Back then When the ‘Os’ played away, Arsenal played at home. So it happened that one Saturday by myself I took the 236 ‘going in the wrong direction’. Arriving at Highbury it was love at first sight.
Getting to WHL meant 208 to Clapton Pond and another bus to I think Totenham High Road. Miles away from me. So from my view of the distance between us and them is from the south. I have never thought to memasure. If you have measured the distances then your view is more valid than mine.
I look at the map of that part of London when I was a kid and compare it with today’s map where the Tax Players, paid for by the tax payers I am almost certain I would sometimes play where the stadium stands.
Hello Nitram
If as you say the comment is meant as a joke, then it is an ‘in joke’, not an open joke . This is an open page.
As for moving to Bayer Munich. in order to rise up the league to the dizzy heights of 3rd place. It is funny but you have to feel for the man.
“As for moving to Bayer Munich. in order to rise up the league to the dizzy heights of 3rd place. It is funny but you have to feel for the man”.
Well, I am not without compassion, and as such on a human level it is a bit sad for him.
But lets be honest, if it was an Arsenal player I’m sure the reaction from Spurs fans would be just the same.
And in any case, I have had a word with Mystic Meg and she says that normal service will be resumed in the Bundesliga this season and his long long long long long long long wait for silverware will be over.
She thought the omens were similarly good for Spurs, until I pointed out to her that the season finishes in May and not in November.
Only once in my life have I taken an interest in the machinations of the totty botties across the park and that was when Glen Hoddle having played in their losing Cup Final to Coventry decided to go on show at Monaco
As you know back then in ‘Little England’ news of the sea beyond the seas was difficult to come by. Eventually I discovered the name of the manager of Monaco. Arsene Wenger. Wow! An Arsenal fan in the heart of French football ( his taking spuds best player from them, (in my book) made him an Arsenal fan and me a fan of Arsene Wenger.
Last season was Harry Kane’s highest-placed league finish for 6 years, and so should be treated as a moderate success.