The Arsenal are BACK! The Champions are BACK!… and we’ll have to watch our BACK, because the mainstream football media… we’ll be on our BACK, even more than they were last season, now that we’re champions, and they’ve had to throw away the “Bottlers” narrative.
They may have to resort to the truth this season, and actually give balanced, in-depth, informative, football journalism.
I won’t hold my breath, but…. Like a snitch on the Police payroll… time will tell.
Due to the World Cup, multiple players are at different stages of fitness… and though I enjoyed watching 2-3 matches per day, I’d much rather have a fully fit Arsenal squad, for this 26/27 campaign.
The Community Shield is the starter that comes, a week before the Premier League main course… and I’m licking my lips in anticipation, and opening up Arteta’s pots on the stove… to see what he has cooking, for this season.
Our opponents are Mancheatster City (Yes, I still call them that)… but the notable difference, is that for the first time in Arteta’s reign, he won’t be facing Pep Guardiola, in the opposition dugout… and I’m glad. I refuse to pretend otherwise.
All eyes will be on new signings, Christos Tzolis, and Bruno Guimaraes… and I hope they both give Enzo Maresca’s team, a torrid time.
Soooooo, the starting lineup, in our familiar 4-2-3-1 formation… was Raya in goal, Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Mosquera central, and Benny Blanco (Ben White) at right-back.
In the midfield it was Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Bruno Guimaraes next to him… handed his first start for The Arsenal, in a competitive game.
Ahead of them it was, Madueke on the right, Odegaard in the 10 role, and Christos Tzolis on the left… who was also starting his first competitive game for us.
Kai Havertz started up front.
Now, considering there was no Jurrien Timber, no Saliba, no Declan Rice, no Bukayo Saka, no Eze, etc… It was an incredibly strong starting lineup, and I was once again reminded of our strength, and depth.
Ethan Nwaneri, Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus, didn’t even make the squad! No wonder the rest of the football world hate us. (HAHAHAH!!)
We started the match at a pace that startled Mancheatster City, and it only took us 24 seconds, to open the scoring.
Lewis-Skelly received the ball in midfield, let the ball run across his body in a tight space, and then he threaded an inch-perfect, reverse pass through to Calafiori… who was bearing down on goal.
Calafiori slotted the ball home calmly, at the keeper’s near post. It was a lovely finish, that complimented the pass from Lewis-Skelly, perfectly. 1-0 to The Arsenal!!
It was a superb start for us, and like a babies toy… CITEH, were rattled.
I wondered how we’d respond to taking such an early lead, and we responded by passing the ball around the City players, with an ease that surprised us.
Our movement was sharp, inventive, and purposeful… which was pleasing, as some of our pre-season matches prior to this one, were somewhat underwhelming.
We were organised, closing down the space quickly, and were continuously catching City on the break. The Arsenal were in complete control.
In the 28th minute, Tzolis received the ball out on the left, and headed the ball back across goal, towards Kai Havertz.
Havertz headed the ball in from close range, past a calamitous looking Donnarumma… making it 2-0 to The Arsenal!
There was still a lot of football to be played, but the second goal, coupled with how well we were playing… made it feel like the game was over.
The Gunners refused to holster their weaponry, and the Sky Blues continued to be cannon fodder.
City huffed, and puffed, and had half chances… but the first half ended 2-0 to The Arsenal.
The half-time whistle did City a favour, and they received the sound gratefully, and trudged off the pitch downtrodden, and spirits broken. It was wonderful to witness.
The second half began, and we continued where we left off. Still dominant, still in control, and still outclassing, the prolific cheaters.
You know, I cannot believe we’re about to start another new season, without City being punished for their 115 charges.
They’re still operating with impunity, even though other teams have been punished for financial rule breaking.
It’s like the powers that be are hoping we just forget all about it.
The integrity of our beautiful game has been compromised, and the longer Manchester City go unpunished, the more we’ll have to scrutinise, just how “Clean” our game really is.
Anyway, I digress…. I was previously talking about how well we started the second half.
Bruno Guimaraes was replaced by Declan Rice. It was an excellent 45 minute cameo from Bruno, and it was abundantly clear that he’s added another dimension to us both attacking wise, and defensively.
As early as the 48th minute, we scored again.
Tzolis picked up the ball on the left, squared it to Odegaard, who was in the City box.
Odegaard’s first touch was exquisite, and he created space for himself.
Now, through on goal… and looking to shoot, he sold Donnarumma with a dummy so good… That upon purchase, he was sent to another realm. He sent Donnarumma for refreshments, against his will… and then tapped the ball past his comically placed, helpless figure… to make it 3-0 to The Arsenal!!
What a goal!! A goal letting everyone know that Odegaard is back to his best. It was also a second assist of the game for Tzolis… whose had an excellent pre-season, and so far… he looks quite the player.
With the game won, Arteta made changes.
In the 60th minute, Saka came on for Madueke, and Hincapie replaced Calafiori.
In the 75th minute, Gyokeres replaced Havertz, and Zubimendi came on for Lewis-Skelly.
Lewis-Skelly had an excellent game, and I was happy for him, especially as there was a lot of noise leading up to this game… regarding his Arsenal future.
Claims that he was being offered to Manchester United, and Chelsea… which was of course, nonsense.
The fact that he’s still only 19 years old, and was able to put in a performance like that, is credit to him, and his mentality.
Eze replaced Odegaard, in the 84th minute.
Odegaard won ‘Man of the Match’ and rightly so. He was magnificent!!
Hopefully he stays fit, and carries this great form throughout this season… as we’re a much better team, with Odegaard in it.
City created some chances, and David Raya made some key saves. World class saves, that he consistently made for us last season. It seems some are so used to his brilliance now, they fail to mention it… they just take it in their stride.
David Raya has won the Golden Glove award, for the last 3 seasons. He’s one of the best, if not THEE BEST, goalkeeper in the world.
How he’s not the first choice keeper for Spain’s national team, is baffling to me.
Aaaaanywhooooo… as you may of guessed, the match finished 3-0 to The Arsenal.
We didn’t just beat Mancheatster City, we dismantled them… we destroyed them, we obliterated them. We gave them a footballing lesson, and they learned that the Gunners’ school… is in session.
We look ahead now, to our first Premier League game of the season… a home game against newly promoted, Coventry City.
It’s important that we don’t take them lightly, put in a professional performance, and take all 3 points.
I’m sure Mikel Arteta won‘t allow even a hint of complacency, and I don’t think the players will either. They’ll be just as desperate as us fans, to retain the title… something we haven’t managed to do, since the 1930’s.
I’m confident, that’ll change this season.
Who do you think will be our standout performers this season?
Do you think we’ll play more attacking football this season?
Do you think we’ll retain the title?
Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!
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