The Premier League is officially back, and we have our first game of the season… our first home game of the season… and the first time we’ll run out at the Emirates, as CHAMPIONS!!
The first champions, of the Emirates era… and this is where our arduous journey begins, as we try to retain the title, and finish first, AGAIN.
We’d be the first Arsenal team to retain the title, since the 1930’s… when we actually won three consecutive league titles, under Herbert Chapman.
The Three-Peat, took place in the 1932-33 season, the 1933-34 season, and then in the 1934-35.
Mainstream football media won’t tell you that, as it doesn’t fit their “They’ve never gone back-to-back” narrative.
Trophies don’t expire, which means achievements don’t expire either… so I’ll never allow them to cheapen what The Arsenal have accomplished, simply because it was a long time ago.
Fast forward to the current day, and we face Frank Lampard’s Coventry City.
Lampard will I’m sure, get a warm reception… him being ex-Chelsa and all. (HAHAHA)
This Coventry team won the Championship last season, so it’ll be champions versus champions.
The Championship is a difficult league to win, so I expect the Sky Blues to arrive at the Emirates confident, and ready to do battle.
A professional approach from The Gunners, is paramount… and as long as we play to our level, we should have too much in our Arsenal for them. (Don’t pardon the pun)
I was really excited to see our first Premier League teamsheet, and the wait is finally over.
Obviously, the best goalkeeper in the world starts, in-between the sticks.(Raya)
Calafiori at left-back, Gabriel and Mosquera, central… and Benny Blanco (Ben White) at right-back.
In midfield… Guimaraes took a knock in the dismantling of Mancheatster City, in the Community Shield… so he was unavailable. Arteta assures us all, that the injury isn’t at all serious.
Declan Rice stepped in, and played alongside Lewis-Skelly, and Odegaard.
The front three was Tzolis on the left, Havertz through the middle, and Bukayo Saka, on the right.
The Arsenal faithful created a raucous atmosphere. The Emirates was rocking, and the players looked ready to roll.
We started the game in dominant fashion, as most expected. We kept possession well, passed, and probed… searching for openings to exploit.
It paid dividends in the 15th minute, when Tzolis regained possession deep in the Coventry half. He laid it off to Calafiori, who threaded a wonderful pass through a crowd of players… to Kai Havertz in the box, and Havertz stroked the ball home. 1-0 to The Arsenal!!
It was a lovely finish to a silky Arsenal move, and credit must go to Tzolis, because his harrying, high press, and his refusal to let the Coventy right-back Van Ewijk, make a clearance… is what made the chance even possible.
A sigh of relief could be felt around the Emirates stadium, and not because we thought we’d lose this game, but more because there were so many games last season that were A LOT closer than they needed to be, due to NOT taking early chances… and I think this has traumatised us (HAHAH) so the early goal was welcomed, and embraced… like a favourite long lost relative, that has come to visit.
The football was flowing, and there was a calmness, and an assurance, about our play. We looked like champions, who were determined to remind everyone, WE wear the crown, while at the same time… out to give Coventry, a horrible welcome back, to top flight football.
In the 23rd minute, The Arsenal doubled their lead… after Declan Rice picked up the ball, in the middle of the park, and played a nice one-two with Odegaard… then continued to drive forward.
He passed it to Tzolis, who squared it towards Saka at the back post. The Coventry keeper rudely interrupted the pass, by getting a touch on the ball… but it still spilled into Saka’s path, and he tapped the ball in from close range. 2-0 to The Arsenal!! It was another impressive, sweeping, footballing move… and we were in no mood to let up. Our proverbial foot, remained on Coventry necks.
The first half ended in an exceedingly comfortable 2-0 lead to us, and you’d be a brave person to bet against more Arsenal goals, in the second half.
It only took 4 minutes into the second half, for the Arsenal attacking clouds to form, and darken the Sky Blues.
In the 49th minute, Rice played a disguised pass through to Odegaard in space… and he laid it off to Saka on the right. The Starboy held the ball up, waiting for Benny Blanco to overlap… then picked him out.
White cut the ball back to Odegaard, who managed to scuff his first time shot… but our skipper is so good, that even when he scuffs a shot, the ball does what it’s told, and it still went in… and it thanked Odegaard, for allowing it to connect with his boot. 3-0 to The Arsenal!! Game well, and truly, over.
With 3 points deep in the bag, Arteta sensibly rang the changes.
Madueke came on for Saka, and Zubimendi replaced Rice and Peas, in the 68th minute.
It’s great to see Saka looking so sharp, and injury free. I predicted in my last two videos, that he, and Odegaard, will be magnificent for us this season… so I wasn’t surprised that they both scored.
Now I don’t want to say that I know what I’m talking about… but… ah, who am I kidding… I KNOW, what I’m talking about!! (HAHAH)
Further changes were made in the 76th minute, when World Cup winner Merino, replaced Odegaard… and Eze came on for Tzolis.
Christos Tzolis had an excellent game. He’s become an instant fan favourite, because he works hard defensively… and he’s brilliant going forward.
He gives us balance down that left side, and he’s developing the type of understanding with Calafiori, that Saka has with Ben White… and this will be a huge problem for opposing teams to try and solve.
In the 81st minute, Hincapie replaced Calafiori… who also had an exceptional game.
Aside from his assist on the Havertz goal, his ability to pop up in key areas in the final third, and the unpredictability in his all-round play… makes him invaluable to this Arsenal team. We look better going forward, with him in it… even though he’s a defender.
Myles Lewis-Skelly had another faultless game in the midfield. He’s ignored all the noise, and has let his football do the talking.
What a player this young man is!! He can pass, he can tackle, he can receive the ball in tight spaces, he can go on a surging run, to help relieve pressure on the team… and he can shoot too! His curling dipping shot, from the edge of the box, that was just tipped over by the Coventry keeper… is testament to that.
The full-time whistle blew, and I think Arsenal would’ve been ever so slightly disappointed not to get more goals, and Coventry would’ve felt fortunate to not of conceded more goals.
3 points, 3 goals, and a clean sheet. I’ve got no complaints.
Oh, by the way… that’s 6 goals in our last 2 games, if you include the Community Shield… and all 6 goals came from open play. Not bad for “Set-Piece FC” is it?! Funny how that hasn’t been mentioned by the football media. (HAHAHAH)
We can now look forward to our next victims… I mean match. I meant match, honestly. That was the autocorrect… being correct. I mean… never-mind.
We face Aston Villa next, at Villa Park. A ground where we don’t have a great record. We lost there last season, after conceding a late wonder strike, from Buendia. (I just threw up in my mouth a little)
This season is a little different, as Villa have lost Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, we took their best defender. Welcome to The Arsenal, Ezri Konsa!!
In addition to all that, it looks as though Ollie Watkins wants to leave.
The Villains are very much, a club in disarray, and we HAVE TO capitalise on that, and take all 3 points.
With the transfer window closing in just over a week… who would you like to see us sign next?
Should Max Dowman be starting, over Madueke?
Would you put Konsa straight into the team to Face Villa?
Let me know in the comments, as usual… and thanks for reading. COYG!!
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