gunnersayit.com

For those who may of forgotten, The Gunners still sit top of the Champions League table, and we’re 3 points above second placed, Bayern Munich.

With only 2 games remaining in the group stage, and a guaranteed top 2 finish, Arteta can afford to rest players. Now whether he does, or not… is a different thing entirely.

We’re hosted by Inter Milan, at the San Siro… and even though we don’t have to win the game, I want to win the game, to banish all thoughts of the Forest performance, completely from memory.

I want us to beat them convincingly. I want us to give them a good kicking. The type of kicking, that Bruce Lee would be proud of.  Inter The Dragon! (HAHAHA)

Let’s be interstellar!! Let’s be so otherworldly, that interstellar… is the only suitable description of our performance.

I need every shot, to intermingle, with the back of the Inter Milan net.

Ok, ok, I’m done playing with the Inter name… for now.

Let’s get down to business.

Arsenal are on the back of a 0-0 draw, away to Nottingham Forest, and Inter Milan are on the back of a 1-0 win… away to Udinese.

There were changes to the Arsenal lineup, as suspected.

David Raya, started in goal.

Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, Mosquera, and Saliba, in central defence… and, Timber at right-back.

In midfield, it was Eze, Zubimendi, and Merino.

The front three was, Trossard on the left, Gabriel Jesus through the middle, and Saka on the right.

It was sensible to rest players, but to still field a team strong enough to compete with Inter Milan… and Arteta’s done exactly that.

Hopefully we won’t look too disjointed, because of all the changes… and we’ll still be interconnected, in our play. (I snuck another one in there, and I’m not sorry)

We started the game significantly better, than we did against Nottingham Forest, and it warmed my football shaped heart.

The Gunners brandished all their firearms, pointed them at Inter, and let the football world know, we’re prepared to use them.

We were fearless, we were ruthless, and we were unrelenting, in our direct play.

Inter had no time on the ball, and when we had possession… our passing was precise, intelligent, and we looked hungry for goals.

Inter Milan had no choice, but to prepare a table for us… because it was clear we would only accept a serving of goals, and we were immovable, on our will to dine.

In the 10^th minute, some sustained possession , took us to the edge of their box. A scuffed shot from Timber, fell into the path of Jesus… and he instinctively stretched out a leg, and slid the ball home. 1-0 to The Arsenal!!… and it was Gabriel Jesus’ first goal in the Champions League, for 2 years.

It was also our 400^th goal in Europe… and It was fitting that it was scored by Gabriel Jesus, because he’s been so unlucky with injuries. I imagine that even people who DON’T support Arsenal, are happy for him.

Inter responded to our goal well, and they started seeing more of the ball.

In the 18^th minute, the brilliant Mosquera, blocked a couple of shots, in quick succession… but unfortunately, the loose ball fell to the Inter midfielder, Petar Sucic… and he absolutely, BURIED IT! He hit a thunderous strike, from outside the box. There was no chance for David Raya, it was just a great goal.

Sickeningly, the scoreline was 1-1.

It was our turn to respond well to conceding a goal, and we did it, by regaining control of the game.

We kept possession, we stroked the ball around, and quietened down the inter crowd, and tried to take the sting out of the game.

We created a couple of half-chances, with Eze’s shot being the most memorable, as he should’ve done a lot better with it.

Inter though, were putting up more of a resistance. How very dare they!!

We earned a corner in the 31^st minute, that was taken by Bukayo Saka… and he swung in a deep corner, that Trossard headed back across goal. The ball seemed to pick out Jesus, after clipping the crossbar, and he headed the ball in from close range. A second goal for Jesus, and 2-1 to The Arsenal!!

The set-piece kings once again,  forced the football world… to pay reluctant homage, to our dead-ball greatness.

A shot from Saka in the 37^th minute, should’ve been passed to Jesus, who made a great run into the box.

Saka tormented Inter Milan down their right side, for the whole first half though, so he’s allowed a few wayward shots, I suppose.

The first half finished 2-1 to the Gunners, and it was a quite brilliant performance form us.

Inter came out in the second half, almost looking offended, that we dared to be much better than them, on their own ground.

We dealt with their attacking threat well, and limited them to hopeful longshots, or just snuffed out their build-up play in the midfield.

Once again, The Arsenal frustrated their opponents, by keeping the ball.

Inter Milan had  some passages of play, but said passages, led to nowhere.

Arteta decided to freshen things up in the 64^th minute, when he brought on Benny Blanco for Timber, and Declan Rice, for Eberechi Eze.

I get the substitutions, as it was Arteta just trying to sure things up, and ensuring that players get minutes in their legs, so they stay sharp for upcoming fixtures.

The 75^th minute, saw the introduction of Gyokeres , for Jesus… and Gabriel Magalhaes, replacing Mosquera.

Now considering this was Mosquera’s first start, since returning from injury… I have to say, he was nothing short of spectacular. He had great composure on the ball, he was brave, he made key tackles, and blocks… and just wasn’t fazed in any way, by the occasion.

He showed a defensive maturity, way beyond his years… as he often does. Again, he’s been a great acquisition, to this Arsenal squad.

In the 79^th minute, Trossard made way for Martinelli.

As Marinelli has been so good in the Champions League this season, I expected a moment of magic from him… and I wasn’t disappointed.

As the clock displayed 84 minutes, Martinelli spotted a great run from Gyokeres… and from deep inside his own half, Martinelli played a sumptuous ball, with the outside of his right boot… that fell perfectly for Gyokeres.

Gyokeres controlled the ball brilliantly, and laid it off to Saka.

Saka miss-kicked the ball, and it still went to Gyokeres… who dispatched the ball expertly, from the outside of the box. It was a wonderful strike!! 3-1 to The Arsenal!!… and an accidental assist, from Bukayo Saka. He’s THAT good, he provides assists, accidentally! A generational talent!

I’m so happy that Gyokeres not only scored, but he scored a GREAT goal. He’s muted his critics, and I love it!!

Another player who muted their critics, is Myles Lewis-Skelly. He was excellent, and looked back to his best, after a nervous start.

His passing was good, his tackling was good, he was assured on the ball, and he was in-tune with the players around him.

I told the cynics, that all Lewis-Skelly needed was a run of games, and I was right. I’m extremely happy for him.

The match finished 3-1 to us, and what a result!! What a performance!! What a statement, to the rest of Europe!!

That was our 7^th Champions League win, in 7 games… which is a new club record. We’ve scored 20 goals in that time, and have only conceded 2 goals, and it was our first win in Italy, since 2008.

This team constantly surpasses expectations, and casually sets new club records. I must say, I’ve been smiling like a proud father, for most of this season… and I know that there’s A LOT more greater moments to come.

Do you have anything to add to my match analysis?

Is our European dominance, being played down by the football media?

As both strikers scored against Inter, who should start the next game?

Let me know in the comments people, as usual.

We now turn our attention to Manchester United, who we host at the Emirates Stadium, on Sunday.

A HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE, GAAAAAAME!!!!

There’s no love lost between The Arsenal, and YANITED… and I’m sure the history between the two clubs, will resurface, leading up to the game.

Nothing less than 3 points please Gunners. Let’s shoot the Red Devils down. COYG!!