SAKA PUNCH!

Hello world!

I have had it in mind to start a Blog for some time now, and with my personal life about to go through a major change as I move into retirement I will as a result have more time on my hands. More golf, maybe take up fishing as inspired by Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer - I must be getting old, I have even thought about trying to emulate the great Mark Knoplfer and learn to play a guitar - senile as well, and of course ramble about the mighty Arsenal.

So confidence was high for yesterday's game, the usual niggling doubt about lack of firepower up front being my only reservation. We hardly had time to blink and it was 1-0. Staring with mild shock, two things crossed my mind, have we just conceded the fastest ever goal in Premier League history, another stat that could be thrown at us for years to come, but also a mild hope that it might be disallowed. I don't know about you, but with VAR even now there is a sense of dread with every goal we score that it might be chalked off and therefore my celebration may be stilted. However on the flip side the dismay of a conceded goal is also tinted with hope for the same fate. With huge relief this is exactly what happened with it marginally being called off side.

My heart had hardly calmed down when Arsenal slipped into gear and scored a lovely goal, great work by Saka setting up Odegaard who coolly slotted the ball home. The feeling of satisfaction was very welcome, and with Arsenal now looking so comfortable I dropped my guard and started to think of how much we might boost our goal difference by before out of no-where Hernandez produced a Rooney-esque moment of sheer quality to level the score. Sometimes you just have to accept the quality of a goal conceded, and his over head kick is definitely one of these occasions.

The goal appeared to have affected the Arsenal players, although I could not help notice the pitch seemed so slow! Maybe Watford's lawnmower had broken down. My thoughts were confirmed when players stopped because the ball was going out for a goal kick only for it to come to an abrupt stop by the corner flag. Watford's prerogative I guess.

As the half time approached and dark thoughts of a frustrating second half loomed Saka showed his master class again with a stunning strike. How good is Saka? In some ways we have almost taken him for granted, even at such a young age he has become part of the furniture, we have become so used to him commanding the space around him, the way he can just run around players with such ease. And that is the point, he seems to find the game easy! And he is all ours! How fantastic is that!! The sight of Kamara who had been run ragged all game gasping for breath towards the end of the game was a joy to behold.

But the best was yet to come! A quick thinking assist by our manager allowed Saka to start a move involving deft one touch football resulting in Martinelli smashing the ball home. Wow, what a goal!!

Time to relax you may think? No, this is Arsenal remember. I'm sure very much like yourself, I take any Arsenal defeat very badly, however I am very good at bouncing back filling my mind with positive thoughts, most likely a sense of self healing. For this reason I do try and delay any tweets following a defeat, although unfortunately this is not always the case. I have often wondered if this is indeed healthy, how a sport can have such an effect on my wellbeing. But I am obviously not alone, it is indeed an obsession that has been with me since being a young kid and shows absolutely no sign of waning. So that being said, there are still two wounds that are still open and will not heal. The Champions league final where I was fortunate enough to have attended but a game I still feel sick when thinking about, and the Newcastle 4-4. I can still remember the room spinning after this game, it was such a surreal feeling and a result I still think haunts us, or maybe just me, to this day. We had years of feeling so comfortable with a 1-0 lead under George Graham, and now we could be 3-0 up with 5 minutes to go and the apprehension is there.

It was this very game I was thinking of as Watford started to knock on the door which they eventually breached to set up a very nervy last 8 minutes of a game we were so in control of. It was a reminder that whilst we are making incredible and exciting progress, we are still not quite there yet. It was of course comforting to hear that Arteta recognised that we failed to take control of the game defensively. He will know how to address this as the team continues to grow.

We are now in such a strong position, but it is still a game by game process. Our next cup final being at home to Leicester, which of course will not be easy, but is normally an eventful game so one to definitely look forward to next Sunday.

REF WATCH

Craig Pawson took control of the match, the man who famously sent Luiz off for being kicked by a striker. However he had a quiet game which is exactly how it should be but sadly is missing with many of the officiating in the Premier League. There are a couple of points to mention, when VAR checks are conducted for a possible sending off or penalty and it is as clear as day that simulation has taken place, why is this not followed by a booking? I accept there will be incidents where it is not so clear, but Hernandez was as clear as day. White with his back to him touched Hernandez by his neck, he then placed both of his hands across his face and rolled around the pitch. It was embarrassing, and I have no idea why the FA, who must be aware of the rise in players feigning head injuries since the new head injury rule has been introduced, are not acting on it.

Secondly, what does it take for Arsenal to have a serious VAR check? They seem to be over in an instant as was the case when Lacazette had his ankle kicked in the penalty area. Two free kicks were given for identical fouls against Arsenal during the match by the referee, the same referee who did not see the Lacazette kick and of which was not deemed to have been an issue for the VAR official. Thankfully the result was not affected.

Thanks for reading, and please feel free to subscribe.

Until next time - UTA!

Rob