Arsenal (1.52) 2 - 1 (0.64) Brentford
Anyone else starting to get that confidence of if a game is home at the Emirates then surely the Arsenal are gonna have a good day? The trend continued this Saturday as Arsenal won comfortably 2-1 over London foes, Brentford. I think by definition that first half was how you control and suffocate a team. Granted, we didn't get on the scoresheet and at the end of the day that is really all that matters in sport, I certainly did not have that sinking feeling in my stomach like I did when we played Burnley. Maybe it is a subconscious thing of dreading Burnley and always feeling like we can never break them down, but I like to think there was just something different about the team's performance over the weekend. We seemed lively and I knew we would eventually get the crucial goal. 16 shots, 80% of the ball, and an opponent that looked to have no answer on how to win the game in the first half? It was only a matter of time.
Naturally, since this is Arsenal, we are guaranteed controversy in every match we have. It has gotten to the point where I don't even care who the ref is and I can't be arsed to look up the appointments each week - they are all abysmal. Today happened it early, the 11th minute actually, when we had TWO shouts for a PK. Ben White and Lacazette clearly being kicked in quick succession, as Brentford defenders tried to make plays on the ball, but alas no penalty awarded for either. Now I kinda feel for Jonathon Moss. Yes, I think all were penalties and I know the professionally paid ref should probably do a better job at I don't know, doing his job, but I get these two incidents were in hella traffic and he might have not got a good look at them. Fine. But you know who has all the views in the world and in slow motion? VAR. I quite literally do not understand how someone can watch these incidents and be like "yep, no pen, on ya go." Thank God the Premier League recently announced they are going to be doing an overhaul of the refeering. Hopefully something comes of that, but let's not hold our breath. Fast forward to the 38th minute where the next penalty claim comes and you are thinking right, ok this SURELY has to be given... I probably don't need to tell you the outcome, but I will anyway. No pen. Cedric was just inside the 18yd box and riffled a shot toward goal when Wissa came sliding in, back turned, and arm up and away from his body when the shot struck him. This was clear cut, black and white in my opinion. Arm in an unnatural position, away from his body, and altered the play on goal. What irritated me the most about this one was I watched the Barca v Napoli game this Thursday and Barca was awarded a pen for something similar, in the sense of the ball struck the arm of the defender "away from his body." The defender's arm, yes was away, but was down and not raised like Wissa's and while watching I was like ehhhh. So that fresh in my mind there was zero chance our claim would be passed over. Ha!
It is just so frustrating. Luckily on the day we won the match and ultimately it was comfortable, but I can't get past how awful the officiating has been. The level of inconsistency is so apparent and these refs get all of the protection in the world. Refs and weather-people have the most secure jobs in the workforce I swear. They get paid to be wrong all of the time. I watched the United v Leeds game today and somehow McTominay managed to stay on the pitch the entire 90' and was able to rack up 84 fouls or so before getting his first yellow. And even after his booking he made challenges that were surely grounds for a sending off. The man actually made as many fouls (6) as Martinelli, Gabriel, and Partey combined - all who received double yellows - and somehow stayed on. There was a fourth penalty shout later on in the match via Pepe. Maybe I was just deflated by the other 3 non-calls that I didn't even care to work up any sort of opinion, but just goes to show our luck. When this stuff happens consistently how can people not raise an eyebrow? Is it really bad luck or players being ill-disciplined?
Rant over.
To get us back on track - how lucky are we to have Smith Rowe and Saka? Those boys just are different class. Both on the scoresheet again today. The former broke the dead lock early in the second half by cutting inside and sneaking it past the keeper far post and the latter sealing the deal in the 79' in a rare counter attack fed by Partey. With ESR having performed as well as he has been filling in for suspended Martinelli, surely Mikel has to be thinking I have to get these boys on the pitch at the same time. For me, Martinelli at CF is a must in my opinion. There is nothing to lose from it and a front four of Martinelli-Saka-Ødegaard-ESR is scary. Laca for me does good at holding up play and linking it all up, but I just feel we need a scoring threat there and he has proven recently that he just can't do that consistently. With his and Nketiah's contracts up in the summer why not give Gabi a go?
Because I didn't give these guys much love, what a player Ødegaard is man. That dummy to Saka? So silky man. All of those Arteta outter's heads are exploding as he is starting to come into form. Thank the highest of heavens we got him over Buendia. And for £30m? Steal. Pepe looked good in his cameo and from what the boys has said about him recently, I am very excited to see how he shapes up during our run in to end the season. Lastly, I gotta admit, seeing Cedric's name on the team sheet really had me wondering why we sold Chambers and loaned out AMN. He has put in two solid shifts while Tomiyasu gets back up to full speed and I thought he is due his praise.
Wolves next at home on Thursday. Should be a spicy one given the celebration-gate a few days ago. I warned you Wolves are dangerous and even more so when they get healthy. Hwang + Neto played parts in their win over Leicester today. Something to keep your eye on, but it should be another great match.
Until then, come on you Gunners!
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