The opening day of the season hasn't disappointed so far, with Arsenal dominating the early exchanges and going ahead from a set piece.
Zinchenko's looping header from a right-wing corner was nodded home by Martinelli to give the Gunners a first-half lead.
The only other chance of significance for Arsenal fell to Martinelli earlier in the game, but the Brazilian screwed his shot wide.
Half-time ratings:
Ramsdale 7 - Made a good save to keep out Edouard, after a couple of poor clearances.
White 8 - Zaha is in his pocket so far.
Saliba 8 - Good blocks when needed and looking comfortable so far.
Gabriel 8 - Strong performance.
Zinchenko 8 - A couple of early mistakes followed by an assist and some intelligent play.
Saka 7 - Worked hard defensively.
Odegaard 7 - Busy as always.
Partey 9 - Majestic and influential.
Xhaka 6 - Picked up a silly yellow card for a dive, but didn't offer much aside from a good block just before half time.
Martinelli 8 - A real handful and a goal.
Gabriel 7 - Being marked tightly, but making an impact here and there: dragging players out of position for the first goal and setting up Martinelli for the first chance of the game.
Showing posts with label martin odegaard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label martin odegaard. Show all posts
Friday, 5 August 2022
Fantasy Premier League tips and a quick Crystal Palace preview
Leading up to the opening game of the season, the excitement is almost palpable. Palace away on paper looks harder than Brentford last season, but the Eagles are missing Gallagher, whose now returned to his parent club, Chelsea.
However, they still have Zaha, and though I'm loath to admit it, he's been a tricky customer in the past. It looks like miracles have happened in sick bay and Tomiyasu may be fit to face him, but I think Arteta will stick with White and tell new skipper, Odegaard, to double-up on the Ivorian.
Zaha's been scoring for fun in the pre-season, so he'll be full of confidence, while Edouard's finishing is as good as virtually anybody in this league, so expect him to get on the end of crosses. He's so lethal, I've put him in my fantasy team, but more on that later.
As well as that, it could be a physical battle if Benteke plays, so Arsenal will definitely have a fight on their hands.
Nevertheless, if the Arsenal team come out fully focussed, they should be able to achieve a favourable result: a win preferably, but a draw would be acceptable.
Although Tierney is supposedly fit too, I'm guessing Arteta will stick with the starting eleven that annihilated Sevilla 6-0. I know some pundits will say Tomiyasu and Tierney should be in the first eleven, but they've missed most of the pre-season, so I think they should be eased back gently. In a strange way, the scenario is reminiscent of Tavares versus Tierney last season, which was covered on 'All or Nothing'. Results were poor that time around, but I'm not expecting the same again.
Jesus has been on fire this pre-season, which is why I'm back Arsenal to triumph, whereas this time last year, the first-choice strikers were out with Covid.
No prizes for guessing most people's favourite fantasy football pick: Jesus has got an insane amount of people picking him and with good reason too.
However, my tip for fantasy football managers is to buy the two Leicester keepers: Iversen and Ward. They're only £4m each, so are a good value.
Ward's not offering much of a differential, though, as 22 percent of managers have picked him. Iversen's on the two percent mark and started the last Leicester games.
Other bargains include Chukwuemeka for £4.5m, the same price as Tarkowski, while Neco Williams is just £4m.
Buying players like the aforementioned frees up funds to bring in 'premium players', so it's well worth doing, in my opinion.
Saliba and White are also undervalued at £4.5m apiece, so as long as Arsenal blow Palace away, I'll be 'points in'!
However, they still have Zaha, and though I'm loath to admit it, he's been a tricky customer in the past. It looks like miracles have happened in sick bay and Tomiyasu may be fit to face him, but I think Arteta will stick with White and tell new skipper, Odegaard, to double-up on the Ivorian.
Zaha's been scoring for fun in the pre-season, so he'll be full of confidence, while Edouard's finishing is as good as virtually anybody in this league, so expect him to get on the end of crosses. He's so lethal, I've put him in my fantasy team, but more on that later.
As well as that, it could be a physical battle if Benteke plays, so Arsenal will definitely have a fight on their hands.
Nevertheless, if the Arsenal team come out fully focussed, they should be able to achieve a favourable result: a win preferably, but a draw would be acceptable.
Although Tierney is supposedly fit too, I'm guessing Arteta will stick with the starting eleven that annihilated Sevilla 6-0. I know some pundits will say Tomiyasu and Tierney should be in the first eleven, but they've missed most of the pre-season, so I think they should be eased back gently. In a strange way, the scenario is reminiscent of Tavares versus Tierney last season, which was covered on 'All or Nothing'. Results were poor that time around, but I'm not expecting the same again.
Jesus has been on fire this pre-season, which is why I'm back Arsenal to triumph, whereas this time last year, the first-choice strikers were out with Covid.
No prizes for guessing most people's favourite fantasy football pick: Jesus has got an insane amount of people picking him and with good reason too.
However, my tip for fantasy football managers is to buy the two Leicester keepers: Iversen and Ward. They're only £4m each, so are a good value.
Ward's not offering much of a differential, though, as 22 percent of managers have picked him. Iversen's on the two percent mark and started the last Leicester games.
Other bargains include Chukwuemeka for £4.5m, the same price as Tarkowski, while Neco Williams is just £4m.
Buying players like the aforementioned frees up funds to bring in 'premium players', so it's well worth doing, in my opinion.
Saliba and White are also undervalued at £4.5m apiece, so as long as Arsenal blow Palace away, I'll be 'points in'!
Thursday, 4 August 2022
All or Nothing - episode 2
To be honest, episode 1 was a hard act to follow, and I don't think the second episode had as much drama as the first one.
It begins with Aubamayeng getting his haircut with a star shape shaved into the side of his head in honour of his late grandfather. Every time, Auba appears on screen, he oozes class and superstardom. He talks about wanting to score against Spurs, which is mostly what episode 2 is about.
However, there is the little matter of a 400-odd mile trip to Burnley to negotiate first, and Odegaard comes up with a beautifully taken free kick to end the resistance of the Clarets.
Returning to the Spurs game, it was an act of genius by Arteta to bring official photographer, Stuart MacFarlane, into the dressing room to make a motivational speech to the players. Once again, love was the message and against Spurs, it was clear to see the team played with heart. Interestingly, Arteta had drawn a diagram with a brain next to the heart and the fans behind both. Quite how the players kept a straight face is beyond me, but they managed it well and the message was right. I wonder if Arteta said something similar before the Spurs away game, as Holding lost his head that time, and some fans haven't yet forgiven him for it, as it probably cost Arsenal a Champions League slot.
Nevertheless, it was good to see Holding, Tierney and loads of the players celebrating in the dressing room, after beating Spurs 3-1. It really shows the fans how much it means to them too! Although everyone was singing: 'Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe' to Status Quo's 'Rocking All Over The World', who absolutely destroyed Spurs, the real star was Stuart MacFarlane. He'll be a legend forevermore after that speech! It brought tears to the eyes, especially when Auba presented him with his shirt.
Consequently, a happy ending and nothing tragic in this episode, but Everton are in the next one, so dramatic downs are not far away!
Sent from my iPhone
It begins with Aubamayeng getting his haircut with a star shape shaved into the side of his head in honour of his late grandfather. Every time, Auba appears on screen, he oozes class and superstardom. He talks about wanting to score against Spurs, which is mostly what episode 2 is about.
However, there is the little matter of a 400-odd mile trip to Burnley to negotiate first, and Odegaard comes up with a beautifully taken free kick to end the resistance of the Clarets.
Returning to the Spurs game, it was an act of genius by Arteta to bring official photographer, Stuart MacFarlane, into the dressing room to make a motivational speech to the players. Once again, love was the message and against Spurs, it was clear to see the team played with heart. Interestingly, Arteta had drawn a diagram with a brain next to the heart and the fans behind both. Quite how the players kept a straight face is beyond me, but they managed it well and the message was right. I wonder if Arteta said something similar before the Spurs away game, as Holding lost his head that time, and some fans haven't yet forgiven him for it, as it probably cost Arsenal a Champions League slot.
Nevertheless, it was good to see Holding, Tierney and loads of the players celebrating in the dressing room, after beating Spurs 3-1. It really shows the fans how much it means to them too! Although everyone was singing: 'Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe' to Status Quo's 'Rocking All Over The World', who absolutely destroyed Spurs, the real star was Stuart MacFarlane. He'll be a legend forevermore after that speech! It brought tears to the eyes, especially when Auba presented him with his shirt.
Consequently, a happy ending and nothing tragic in this episode, but Everton are in the next one, so dramatic downs are not far away!
Sent from my iPhone
Sunday, 31 July 2022
Jesus Makes Marmalade Out Of The Seville Oranges!
The super striker roadshow finally came to the Emirates, as Gabriel Jesus nailed his goalscoring credentials to the Arsenal mast, or should it be corner flags?
I feel a song coming on:
'Jesus Gabs
Superstar
Wears number 9
Faster than a car'.
Well, I'm not sure he's the fastest at the club, but he can certainly accelerate.
Maybe the last line should be: 'And he sets the bar' because he has certainly set the bar high by scoring so many goals in Arsenal's best pre-season in recent memory.
Quite honestly, I've never seen Arsenal hitting this kind of pre-season form against strong opposition in my life before. Of course, it may not translate into league form, but when players perform badly before the season kicks off in earnest, you can usually read something into it.
For example, when Fabianski first arrived, he dropped the ball when coming out to claim it against Barnet. It was one of the most nervous Arsenal debuts I'd ever seen and I had second thoughts about him. Obviously, he's gone on to have a decent career at Swansea and West Ham, but it never filled me with confidence to see him between the sticks.
Even Almunia was a safer option, in my opinion, and the then-manager Arsene Wenger must have agreed, as he drafted in 'the Spanish waiter' and, personally, I thought the defence was marginally better. In other words, this is an example of how a poor pre-season can make the forthcoming campaign something to dread and, if that's so, why can't the reverse be the case?
Without further ado, let's hit the first-eleven ratings versus Sevilla, a team that don't generally concede many. I still can't believe Arsenal hit them for six!
Ramsdale 7 - looked confident, but wasn't really tested.
White 7 - has fitted in well at right back, but will be tested on Friday against Palace's Zaha. Over-ran the ball a couple of times.
Saliba 8 - a faultless display and some amazing trickery when he needed to get out of jail.
Gabriel 7 - generally comfortable.
Zinchenko 8 - raking, diagonal passes, perfect positioning and has proved he is a 'plug-and-play' signing.
Saka 8 - two goals and always with a trick up his sleeve. A cool penalty-taker.
Odegaard 8 - finally confirmed as the new club captain. Another solid performance with measured passing and incredible workrate. Arsenal couldn't ask for more from a skipper, who leads by example.
Partey 7 - an essential lynchpin in the side, who keeps everything ticking over in the middle. However, he was guilty of a couple of stray passes.
Xhaka 6 - very vocal in the team huddle, more so than Odegaard. However, he had a relatively quiet game.
Martinelli 8 - a proper team player, setting up sub Nketiah for a goal at the end. He caused the opponents no end of problems.
Jesus 9 - a hat trick on his home debut. How do you top that? Sharp as a brand new razor blade, he cut Sevilla to shreds, turning those oranges into marmalade.
I feel a song coming on:
'Jesus Gabs
Superstar
Wears number 9
Faster than a car'.
Well, I'm not sure he's the fastest at the club, but he can certainly accelerate.
Maybe the last line should be: 'And he sets the bar' because he has certainly set the bar high by scoring so many goals in Arsenal's best pre-season in recent memory.
Quite honestly, I've never seen Arsenal hitting this kind of pre-season form against strong opposition in my life before. Of course, it may not translate into league form, but when players perform badly before the season kicks off in earnest, you can usually read something into it.
For example, when Fabianski first arrived, he dropped the ball when coming out to claim it against Barnet. It was one of the most nervous Arsenal debuts I'd ever seen and I had second thoughts about him. Obviously, he's gone on to have a decent career at Swansea and West Ham, but it never filled me with confidence to see him between the sticks.
Even Almunia was a safer option, in my opinion, and the then-manager Arsene Wenger must have agreed, as he drafted in 'the Spanish waiter' and, personally, I thought the defence was marginally better. In other words, this is an example of how a poor pre-season can make the forthcoming campaign something to dread and, if that's so, why can't the reverse be the case?
Without further ado, let's hit the first-eleven ratings versus Sevilla, a team that don't generally concede many. I still can't believe Arsenal hit them for six!
Ramsdale 7 - looked confident, but wasn't really tested.
White 7 - has fitted in well at right back, but will be tested on Friday against Palace's Zaha. Over-ran the ball a couple of times.
Saliba 8 - a faultless display and some amazing trickery when he needed to get out of jail.
Gabriel 7 - generally comfortable.
Zinchenko 8 - raking, diagonal passes, perfect positioning and has proved he is a 'plug-and-play' signing.
Saka 8 - two goals and always with a trick up his sleeve. A cool penalty-taker.
Odegaard 8 - finally confirmed as the new club captain. Another solid performance with measured passing and incredible workrate. Arsenal couldn't ask for more from a skipper, who leads by example.
Partey 7 - an essential lynchpin in the side, who keeps everything ticking over in the middle. However, he was guilty of a couple of stray passes.
Xhaka 6 - very vocal in the team huddle, more so than Odegaard. However, he had a relatively quiet game.
Martinelli 8 - a proper team player, setting up sub Nketiah for a goal at the end. He caused the opponents no end of problems.
Jesus 9 - a hat trick on his home debut. How do you top that? Sharp as a brand new razor blade, he cut Sevilla to shreds, turning those oranges into marmalade.
Transfer news
Nuno Tavares is off to Marseille for the season. Good luck, Nuno!
Obituaries:
Terry Neill
I was a big fan of Terry, even though he'd managed Spurs previously. He brought the excitement back to Arsenal, making the Gunners a cup team.
I never met him, but he seemed to have a bubbly personality, which is suggested by the some of the big names he brought to the club like Malcolm Macdonald and Charlie Nicholas.
Maria Petri
I was lucky enough to meet Maria on Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia in 2013 in Japan.
Although I didn't really know her well, she seemed such a positive person and was always smiling, enjoying following her favourite team over land and sea.
My thoughts are with both her family and Terry Neill's, at what must be a difficult time.
Obituaries:
Terry Neill
I was a big fan of Terry, even though he'd managed Spurs previously. He brought the excitement back to Arsenal, making the Gunners a cup team.
I never met him, but he seemed to have a bubbly personality, which is suggested by the some of the big names he brought to the club like Malcolm Macdonald and Charlie Nicholas.
Maria Petri
I was lucky enough to meet Maria on Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia in 2013 in Japan.
Although I didn't really know her well, she seemed such a positive person and was always smiling, enjoying following her favourite team over land and sea.
My thoughts are with both her family and Terry Neill's, at what must be a difficult time.
Sunday, 24 July 2022
Arsenal pre-season Q&A with TLC's editor
Thank you so much for sending in so many questions. Here are the questions that made it to the starting XI, plus one sub!
1. Will Gabriel go to Juve?
Probably not - unless silly money is offered
2. Will Jesus propel Arsenal into the top four?
Yes, there’s a chance. Look how many goals Arsenal have scored in the pre-season: 5 v Ipswich & 5 v Nurnberg, 2 v Everton and 3 v Orlando.
3. Will Tierney & Tomiyasu ever be ever-presents?
Tomiyasu had more chance, as you’d like to think muscular problems heal. Tierney must be getting the best medical help available, so maybe there’s hope. He’s determination is there, but can his body keep recovering? I’m not sure.
4. Do pre-seasons mean anything?
Yes and no. No points, of course, but if you’re getting hammered in pre-season, it probably means the tin tack for the manager eg Frank Lampard.
5. Will Saliba sign a new deal?
Not yet. I think he’ll make Arsenal sweat. Maybe he feels that he hasn’t been treated well by the club. After all, he missed a cup final two seasons ago. Then last season, he was going to be around, but no! Off he went to Marseille.
However, he may actually start a lot of games if he stays, so I think he’ll stay, unless a monstrous offer comes in.
6. Will Saka sign a new deal?
I’d expect so unless something terrible happens during negotiations. I can’t imagine that Arsenal will mess Saka’s deal up but, then again, you never know.
7. Who’s off then?
Torreira almost definitely, Bellerin probably, but it wouldn’t totally surprise me if stayed. Nelson probably, but it’s hard to say. I think he wants to stay and, if so, maybe he will.
8. Who’s in then?
At this stage it’s a revolving door. With Zinchenko in, it could be curtains for Tavares, some say. However, it may be that Tavares is Zin’s back-up, as Tierney is perennially crocked.
Additionally, it looks like Teilemans might come in. Not quite sure why it’s taken so long, so that makes me think it will never happen, but these days nearly all transfers are protracted sagas, so perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised.
If he comes in, there’s talk that Xhaka will leave. I can’t see it personally. He stayed when nearly everyone hated him, so why would he leave now that he feels the love. It doesn’t make sense, especially as Arteta rates him too. It’s taken most of us a long time to warm to him and his silly fouls and faux hard man approach, but in his old age he’s becoming slightly more reliable. Maybe he’s like a vintage wine, but I’m a bit worried he’ll turn into vinegar and leave us with a sour taste in our mouths. Even vinegar has its uses though: where would fish and chips be without it?
9. Is Thomas Partey good enough?
Yes, if he can steer clear of injuries. That’s a big if. So far, he’s not really managed it. On his day, he’s one of Arsenal’s best players, but have injuries wrecked him already? It’s hard to say, but I’m disappointed to see so many fans writing him off already. The end of the season will be the time to judge.
10. The captain: who will it be and will it be a good decision?
If it’s Odegaard, it’s a great decision. He’s not going to pick up silly yellow cards and he’ll lead by example. He’ll probably play every game as, dare I say it, he’s like Ozil for chance-creation, but he has Ray Parlour’s workrate. What’s not to love? At least, Arteta learned that Emery’s five captains idea was a dead duck. No more of that please!
11 Will the new Vieira thrive or will his match-stick frame splinter under the pressure of the Premier League.
Well, I’m not saying he’s fragile, but arriving with a foot cast is not a good sign. I’m sure he’s got technical prowess, but we haven’t seen it yet. Stick insects can thrive in the Premier League, but if he has physical fragility, it’s going to get tested in the England, that’s for sure. No one takes prisoners: ask Eduardo!
Anyway, let’s hope Vieira is more of a praying mantis than a stick insect!
12 Do Arsenal get enough protection from referees?
Have you got any more jokes? No! The red shirts cover the blood. If Arsenal changed to white or whiter than white or pure white, everyone would connote that with innocence. Maybe then Arsenal would get away with murder like a certain team that plays in white and not be considered a bunch of murderers, who deserve every foul they get. And Arsenal get fouled a lot, let’s face it! Even in friendlies!
Friday, 15 July 2022
Attacking or wide midfielders - who’s in, who’s out @ Arsenal FC?
Arsenal seem extremely well-stocked in this department, but let's look at the contractual situation of each player, provided by journalist Art de Roche of The Athletic (theathletic.com).
Bukayo Saka (2024)
This mainstay of the first-team needs to be tied down to a new contract, as soon as possible. The situation isn't urgent, but will be soon, especially if he continues in the same rich vein of form he's been ever since making his debut.
The shocking thing is he's still 20-years-old and yet he still has the nerve to take penalties, despite missing a crucial one in a penalty shoot-out for England in the Euro 2020 final on 11th July 2021.
Verdict: STAY
Martin Odegaard (2025)
The Norwegian is a cool, calm and collected captain, who is still only 23-year-old, so has the best years ahead of him.
He still has a lot to prove, since arriving from Real Madrid, initially on loan, but many Arsenal fans believe in his ability to thread through final passes for team-mates and to slam in the occasional direct free kick.
Verdict: STAY
Emile Smith Rowe (2026)
'The Smith' as Nunes calls him reminds me so much of Paul Mersin in his pomp that he's always going to start or at least be used from the bench.
He's still only 21-years-old, so the best is yet to come, as long as he steers clear of injuries.
Verdict: STAY
Gabriel Martinelli (2024)
Apparently the club can extend the Brazil international's deal by one more year, so Arsenal fans can rest easily for now.
On his day, the 21-year-old is unplayable, but injuries and his inconsistency makes me wonder if he'll live up to his superstar potential.
He seems more effective as a left winger than he is as a striker, although many fans have called for him to play centrally in the past.
Verdict: STAY
Nicolas Pepe (2024)
The 27-year-old certainly seems surplus to requirements now, but quite how much of the £72m that Arsenal forked out for him can be recovered remains a moot point.
Personally, I think Pepe can offer something to the team, if he gets a run of games, but that seems unlikely under Arteta, who clearly is unimpressed by the Ivorian's work rate and tackling back.
Verdict: GO
Reiss Nelson (2023)
Apparently, this Hale Ender is about to get another chance to deliver for Arsenal's first team, but I can't see it myself.
Although the 22-year-old performed well at Feyenoord on loan by all accounts, playing in the Dutch league for one of the top sides is not as challenging as Premier League football, with all due respect.
Verdict: GO
Fabio Vieira (2027)
With a surname like that, the Portugal U21 international captain has a lot to live up to!
However, we can't expect him to deliver much in his first season abroad, so the question is will he be loaned out? My guess is: 'no'.
Verdict: STAY
Bukayo Saka (2024)
This mainstay of the first-team needs to be tied down to a new contract, as soon as possible. The situation isn't urgent, but will be soon, especially if he continues in the same rich vein of form he's been ever since making his debut.
The shocking thing is he's still 20-years-old and yet he still has the nerve to take penalties, despite missing a crucial one in a penalty shoot-out for England in the Euro 2020 final on 11th July 2021.
Verdict: STAY
Martin Odegaard (2025)
The Norwegian is a cool, calm and collected captain, who is still only 23-year-old, so has the best years ahead of him.
He still has a lot to prove, since arriving from Real Madrid, initially on loan, but many Arsenal fans believe in his ability to thread through final passes for team-mates and to slam in the occasional direct free kick.
Verdict: STAY
Emile Smith Rowe (2026)
'The Smith' as Nunes calls him reminds me so much of Paul Mersin in his pomp that he's always going to start or at least be used from the bench.
He's still only 21-years-old, so the best is yet to come, as long as he steers clear of injuries.
Verdict: STAY
Gabriel Martinelli (2024)
Apparently the club can extend the Brazil international's deal by one more year, so Arsenal fans can rest easily for now.
On his day, the 21-year-old is unplayable, but injuries and his inconsistency makes me wonder if he'll live up to his superstar potential.
He seems more effective as a left winger than he is as a striker, although many fans have called for him to play centrally in the past.
Verdict: STAY
Nicolas Pepe (2024)
The 27-year-old certainly seems surplus to requirements now, but quite how much of the £72m that Arsenal forked out for him can be recovered remains a moot point.
Personally, I think Pepe can offer something to the team, if he gets a run of games, but that seems unlikely under Arteta, who clearly is unimpressed by the Ivorian's work rate and tackling back.
Verdict: GO
Reiss Nelson (2023)
Apparently, this Hale Ender is about to get another chance to deliver for Arsenal's first team, but I can't see it myself.
Although the 22-year-old performed well at Feyenoord on loan by all accounts, playing in the Dutch league for one of the top sides is not as challenging as Premier League football, with all due respect.
Verdict: GO
Fabio Vieira (2027)
With a surname like that, the Portugal U21 international captain has a lot to live up to!
However, we can't expect him to deliver much in his first season abroad, so the question is will he be loaned out? My guess is: 'no'.
Verdict: STAY
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