SMALL MARGINS

The final whistle blew, the Arsenal fans stood and clapped the team, singing passionately as the players walked around the pitch acknowledging them. No, this is not me describing the end of our comfortable win on Saturday against Leicester, but last nights 2-0 loss to Liverpool!

It was not too long ago when attending the Emirates was quite an uncomfortable experience. Fans frustration sometimes boiled over to physical altercations between each other, a toxic atmosphere filled the stadium as fans so used to success witnessed the latest disaster on the pitch. Many pointed out that Arsenal playing behind closed doors last season saved Arteta, bearing in mind our woeful home form. Whilst I have sympathy for this theory, I also suspect that the very fact we had no home support was a huge factor for our poor home form. The fact that Liverpool had similar challenges provides support for this.

So, if anyone needed confirmation that Arsenal were progressing last night was it. The atmosphere before during and after was loud and buzzing, I cannot remember a time post Highbury it has been this positive. There really is a sense that things are moving in the right direction, the obvious question however is, how patient will the fans be?

The match last night started with Liverpool on the front foot with Ramsdale forced into making a good save within a few minutes of the start and I was concerned. However before long I actually forgot we were playing the mighty Liverpool, we were passing the ball around like we have been accustomed to, it really was a joy to watch us take control of a game of this stature and half chances followed. However that did not prevent me from feeling secretly relieved to reach half time at 0-0, a score-line I would have taken before kick off.

Despite how well we played, it was quite evident that Liverpool were on another level to the teams we are used to playing each week. They look just so smooth in possession, Vergil Dijk a commanding figure over looking a well oiled machine. And yet small margins decided the result, goalkeeping Ramsdale will be disappointed with, and an attempted clearence by Saka which rebounded perfectly for Liverpool leading to the second. It was obviously so frustrating to see those two goals go in, the celebrations revealed the intensity of the joy the Liverpool fans and players felt. Again this is further evidence of how seriously they took our challenge. The Liverpool fans only made their presence known once they had scored. One question though, why oh why does Firmino save all his goal against us?? He even came on as a sub and scored!!!

When we failed to buy a top class striker in January, which was frustrating but I believe it was for good reasons. Panic buying would result in exactly the position Arteta has been trying to eradicate from the squad, expensive players who don’t fit into his plan. Surely long term it will be more beneficial to land a target who will slot in on a long term basis that suits us and Arteta’s plans. The concern however was we would we fall short. Of course we may still do unfortunately. I like Lacazette immensely, his attitude, leadership, and work ethic is fantastic to watch. But he is not the top class striker we need to make the next level, such a player may have made all the difference Wednesday night. However we are where we are and we live in hope that this is addressed over the Summer. The other huge conundrum is how do we fit a talent like Smith-Rowe in the team. Yet again he was absolute class when he came on for the fantastic Odegaard. It seems ludicrous that a player of his talent isn’t a first choice. As they say it’s a nice problem to have, but how long with Smith-Rowe be satisfied with this situation? Meanwhile we continue with the team we have who have performed so well, Saturday we play a very good Aston Villa team which is now a huge game. I am so confident we can bounce back from this, such is the strength on the team spirit running through this squad.

Ref Watch.

I stood in The Twelve Pins before the Leicester game watching Chelsea grab a late winner against Newcastle. I was not disappointed to see Newcastle lose, I fear what they are about to unleash onto the world of football. But it was obviously equally as disappointing to see Chelsea win 3 points, there is still that hope of us catching them. The simulation on display in this game was quite incredible. The pub was rammed, punters jostling you continually as they made their way to the bar and back. I thought to myself, if this place was filled with Premier league footballers there would be absolute mayhem with countless people rolling around the floor holding their ankles!! This is now the goto pose for footballers now after the merest touch, and its become tiresome, and there is absolutely zero evidence that those in charge have any inclination to tackle this issue - pardon the pun! Early in the Liverpool game Mane performed the most outrageous dive just outside the Arsenal penalty area. If a free kick followed it would have been in an incredibly dangerous position. It was so blatant even the referee did not fall for it. But why just wave play on? Where is the deterrent for cheating now? The game is now riddled with simulation, where are we heading? Check out footage on a match in the 90's - the difference is quite remarkable! Tackles flying in all over the place without play stopping to pander to someone rolling around.

Anyway, let’s stay positive, we still have it all to do, but we are in the driving seat, let’s continue to that chequered flag!! yes, it’s also F1 this weekend ….

Speak Soon, and thanks for reading!

Rob