We’re at our fourth game of the Champions League, and I cannot believe how quickly the season is going. I want it to slow down, to savour the moments, and I want it to speed up, to see the season’s outcome, for The Arsenal.
It’s quite the conundrum.
We need to be commended for our pragmatism, and talk of being pragmatic, should NEVER be spoken of, in a negative light.
Arsenal have submitted a solution, for EVERY problem, we’ve been presented with.
The fixture list, the injuries, incomprehensible officiating… and the negative narratives, surrounding us. Arsenal have powered through, not allowing tumultuous train of thought, to derail us.
We’ve closed the window, on ALL outside noise.
With already nine points on the board, I’m hoping Arteta makes changes for this game. We’re not in a “Must Win” position, thanks to all our previous hard work… so that gives Arteta, a little flexibility.
By the way, all the naysayers, and Arsenal haters…that tune in to our games, hoping we lose… You’re just fans at this point… because we haven’t been losing. It’s ok to embrace your love for Arsenal… because the whole “Hate Watch” thing, isn’t working out for you. (HAHAHA!!)
Ok, so the lineup…
Raya in goal… Hincapie started at left-back, Gabriel, and Saliba, central…and Timber at right-back.
Rice, Norgaard, and Nwaneri, in the midfield.
I was surprised Rice started, as a booking would mean he’d miss the game against Bayern Munich. (I trust Arteta though, and I trust the process)
The front three was, Trossard on the left… Merino through the middle, in for the injured Viktor Gyokeres… and Saka on the right.
Slavia Prague haven’t lost a game at home, since December 2024, and they started the game confidently, and looked ready to protect their excellent home record.
They were pressing high up the pitch, and made it difficult for us to build an attack of substance,
Saka forced a save from the keeper, after a shot from long range… but this didn’t happen until the 20th minute. We were struggling to create, but were warming into the game.
We earned a corner in the 29th minute, that at first glance… looked to be headed clear by the Slavia Prague defender, but upon closer inspection from VAR, there was a suspected handball. The referee was advised to review the incident on the screen, and while said review took place… I prayed for an Arsenal penalty.
Prayers were answered swiftly, and the referee pointed to the spot. PENALTY FOR ARSENAL!
Admittedly, it was a harsh decision, but Arsenal have had waaaaay too many of those, for me to feel sorry for Slavia Prague.
Saka placed the ball down… it’s the 32nd minute now… he looked the keeper in the eye, and without words… he let the keeper know, he’s NOT saving it. The Starboy did a quick jog on the spot, took a short run-up, and emphatically dispatched his penalty to the keeper’s left. An excellent penalty! So calm, so composed, so dependable, so Saka.
1-0 to the Arsenal!!
That’s how the first half finished too… 1-0 to the Arsenal. It was an ok first half, but I’m sure Arteta will be demanding more, in the second half, as we were playing within ourselves… and we allowed Prague to make the game scrappy, ugly, and devoid of all fluidity.
Mikel Arteta’s team talk, must’ve been nothing short of spectacular, because it only took 1 minute into the second half, for us to double our lead.
The ball was passed out to Trossard on the left, and he carried the ball to the edge of the Prague box, and put in a perfect cross for our makeshift striker, Merino… and he adjusted his body, to side-foot the ball in, from close range. A well worked goal, a much needed second goal, and… an OPEN PLAY goal. The Arsenal haters, must’ve been incandescent with rage! (HAHAHAAA!)
No Gyokeres, no problem. I love it! 2-0 to the Arsenal!!!
After the second goal went in, you could hear the air leaving the Slavia Prague sails.
Their ship was sinking, and nothing they tried, helped them to stay afloat. The Arsenal, were just too… Praguematic… and, unapologetically so.
Eze came on for Nwaneri in the 65th minute, and personally… I would’ve rested Eze for the whole game… simply because I just feel he’s played A LOT of football, in a short space of time.
He was never playing 2-3 games in a week, for Palace. He needs time for his body to adjust to the demanding schedule. But anyway, he was on.
It just felt like the game was over, and the Arsenal faithful, received confirmation of this… in the 68th minute, when Timber passed the ball to Rice, and he chipped the ball over a bewildered Slavia Prague defence… that caused the keeper to nervously rush off his line, and miss the ball completely. Merino, with a defender in close proximity… managed to head the ball goal-wards, and off the back of his head… the ball nestled in the back of the net. A glorious ball from Declan Rice. A deft headed finish. A potentially new record broken, for this Arsenal team.
A brace for Mikel Merino. 3-0 to the Arsenal!!!!
With Arsenal now 3-0 up, Arteta made changes.
In the 72nd minute, Trossard made way for Max Dowman… and Max became the youngest player EVER, to play in the Champions League, at 15 years old.
Another good performance from Trossard, and yet ANOTHER assist.
Myles Lewis-Skelly replaced Hincapie. Hincapie had a solid game, and I can see why we signed him. It was a battling performance, from a player who looks like he relishes the fight, and LOVES defending.
Benny Blanco… AKA… Ben White, came on for Timber. Jurrien Timber had another flawless game, and in case I haven’t said it in a while… HE’S THE BEST RIGHT-BACK IN THE WORLD!!!
We were cruising to victory, and another clean sheet… until the referee decided to try and give me a heart-attack, by awarding Slavia Prague a penalty. WHAT?!?!?!! WHAAAAAAAT?!
Ben White’s foot was high, but so was the Prague player’s foot. Both were also going for the ball… and no contact was made by Ben White.
Is this how we lose our clean sheet record… to a dubious, refereeing decision?
It didn’t seem right, it didn’t feel right… and thankfully, after checking the monitor, the referee realised his initial decision…WASN’T, right. Decision reversed… NO PENALTY!!
PHEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWW!!!! Clean sheet, very much intact.
Declan Rice made way for Andre Harriman-Annous. A Champions League Debut, for the 17 year old striker.
An excellent performance from Rice, and another assist for him too. He also DIDN’T get booked, so he’ll be available to face Bayern Munich. YEAH-HEH-EH-EEESSSS!!!
It finished 3-0, and it was a well deserved win for The Arsenal.
That’s now 4 wins from 4, in the Champions League… 12 points on the board, 11 goals scored, and 0 conceded.
My fellow Arsenal fans, don’t let ANYONE, try to play this down. We’ve been magnificent!!
Also, Bukayo Saka became the first player in Arsenal’s history, to score in 4 consecutive, Champions League away games. (SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!!)
Our Starboy, just doing Starboy things.
That’s 10 wins in-a-row for Arsenal, in all competitions. We’ve kept a clean sheet, for the 8th game in-a-row… which something we haven’t done, for 122 years!!
Like I said… DON’T LET ANYONE PLAY THIS DOWN! We’re playing at a level, that’ll make you doubt, your very eyes. There aren’t yet adequate superlatives in the English language, capable of describing our current form.
By the way, we’ve been without key players, for large parts of the season.
Martin Zubimendi was suspended today… but injury wise… Jesus is still out, so is Madueke, No Kai Havertz, no Odegaard, no Martinelli, and most recently… no Gyokeres.
We’re an injury ravaged team, still competing at the very highest level. I’m in awe of what Arteta, his coaching staff, and the players, are doing.
Sunderland away next… Let’s ensure The Black Cats, lose some lives. Lets disturb their agility, and prevent them from landing on their feet. Let us be the laser pen, that confuses The Black Cats, and forever remains elusive, regardless of how hard they try to catch it.
Let’s keep this Prrrrrfect form going. GOYG!!
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