Ahhh. There used to be a time I hated the Super Sunday 4.30pm kick off. As it turns out – I could live with this. I’ve decided to go with this post pretty raw rather than wait til the Monday. Who needs composed thoughts when you have the thoughts of a guy after a few beers and whiskies?
You can thank my brother for that!
What made me smile?
Captain Martin Odegaard. What a well struck goal. I have some thoughts about our forward line that I’m glad I don’t need to dwell over this week – but if we have our captain playing like this, that’s already an advantage over last season.
Speaking of advantages over last season – let’s talk about Kai Havertz. I think it was Elliott of ArsenalVision that said something about loving how Kai hates Chelsea – and I second that. Funnily enough, it was just before the equaliser there was a chance I felt Kai should have taken rather than leave for Odegaard. The OddNephew and I both felt the same. But Kai sure as hell made up for it!
That Konsa tackle on Rogers. A very FIFA (or FC these days) gaming tackle if you ever saw one. The fact it was on a former team mate who turned out to be a complete asshole, *chefs kiss*.
Tzolis was also a complete handful against Chelsea today. I was worried after the Villa game, but he came back into the team – surprisingly ahead of Eze – and showed he’s not just a one hit wonder.
David Raya! My player of the season last season. Yes, he made that fantastic save at the end of the game, but he’s just so assured on getting the ball from crosses. It’s like he has glue on his hands.
Safe hands indeed.
I’ve written half my article just talking about what made me smile! More of this please! I do like that we have shown complete dominance over Chelsea in recent history.
What pissed me off?
Morgan Rogers. Just before kick off I was saying to my brother and OddNephew that I just don’t want this knob to score. And he does just that.
In the end we had the last laugh, but I’d still much prefer Rogers go to hell.
What surprised me?
I really thought Eze would have started this game. I’m intrigued by the LW position. I figured Tzolis would be our second choice and we’d have brought a more established LW option. Then I thought Eze would be our first choice LW after we didn’t manage to get that world-class LW.
But it seems Tzolis keeps his place for first-choice (for now). One to keep an eye on for development. Either way, I believe we’d need to get some pretty good additional forward options in January for us to make the latter stages of the Champions League.
Speaking of which, I’ve just got completely blind-sided by the fact we’re going away to Napoli on Wednesday. Is this just the new format UCL starting earlier?
What worries me?
In the end we deserved to beat Chelsea. But I just have this horrible feeling in my gut that Chelsea are going to end up as our main rivals over the coming years. Don’t write off Man City of course, but the Arteta-Alonso narrative is set.
I was looking for the Rocky-Apollo simultaneous punch from the end of Rocky III but got the above beauty instead.
For now, London CONTINUES to remain red.
What am I thinking now?
I’m still feeling confident Arsenal will retain the title this season. Maybe that’s cockiness on my part? You can’t take anything for granted of course.
With so much transition in the rest of the league we surely have to capitalise.
But I do feel we currently do not have enough firepower to win the Champions League. Maybe that’s something that’ll change in January. Till then we just have to make do with what we have.
Song at the whistle
London Calling by The Clash.
A bit on the nose, but when London calls, Arsenal answer.
I don’t know why I can’t embed this YouTube video – since when did YouTube become such a pain in the arse to embed videos? Either way, you know the song!
I’ll return next week with my thoughts on Sunderland away – but may also have some additional thoughts on Napoli away to talk about too.
COYG!
