By Matty Sadler
August 2 2020
Sorry it's late, wasn't in a state to post this yesterday. Wow, what a win. Chelsea had the better start as we struggled to cope with their press and couldn't contain Pulisic, who opened the scoring. Arsenal then settled, grew into the game and kept finding space in behind via an excellent left side. After a couple of warnings, Aubameyang got in behind, was clearly fouled for a penalty and dispatched it perfectly. The rest of the half was ours. Second half Chelsea started off stronger but again we soon took control, with Aubameyang winning the cup after twisting Zouma and dinking the ball past Caballero excellently.
Arsenal certainly got a fair share of the luck. Azpilicueta, Pulisic and Pedro all got injured, Kovacic's second booking was very harsh and on day another day Emi coming out of his area could've been reviewed and gone against us, (Ball was on the line. But I agree. Ed) but overall we deserved the win. Hard to pick between Ceballos and Aubameyang for MOTM but the captain just edges it. Pepe looked much more like the player we signed from Lille - so much more to come from him. Tierney, Maitland-Niles and Xhaka all excellent as well. Bellerin looked much better.
What a difference Arteta has made in such a short space of Time. Amazingly he has managed to get us into Europe. Back him, get rid of the highly paid let downs, bring in the players he wants and keep Aubameyang and Ceballos.
He has raised our standards. Players like Mustafi, Tierney, Maitland-Niles, Ceballos, Xhaka and Aubameyang have stepped up and shone. Two bad apples have been completely left out, one of whom continually posts on social media and tactically releases information to try and overshadow us, while the other didn't even congratulate his team mates on social media. Can't see a way back for either of them now. Arteta has rightly stuck to his guns, whereas Emery did not.
Great to win with five Hale End lads + Bellerin and Nketiah in the squad.
RATINGS
Martinez - 7. Made a good save off Mount early on. Couldn't do much about the goal. His claiming of crosses was perfect throughout and his distribution was good. Heart-in-the-mouth moment when he nearly came out of the area. Even a heartless soul like me welled up when he started crying during the post-match. What a story his end to the season has been. Thoroughly deserved.
Holding - 6. Struggled with Chelsea's press, looked rushed and uncomfortable on the ball. Defensive work was okay generally but had a few Mertesacker-style fridge pulling moments at the start of the second half.
Luiz - 8. Those of you who follow me on Twitter will know I was expecting a Giroud salvo all week but he got absolutely nothing out of David, who didn't put a foot wrong. Centre of a back three is how you get the best out of him, and when he is good, he is very very good.
Tierney - 9. His positioning freed up Maitland-Niles and Aubameyang. First half in particular he was brilliant - his accurate balls over the top kept setting us away. A bit more conservative in the second half but never looked troubled. Excellent character and a steal at £25 million.
Bellerin - 8. A bit more like the Hector of old. More of an impact going forward. Gave Pepe more freedom. Made the winner with a breathtaking run and nutmegs on Rudiger.
Ceballos - 9. Tackled, blocked, popped up everywhere. Quality on the ball. Won the midfield battle. Our best player since the restart by a long way. Need him here for next season.
Xhaka - 8. Slow start, losing possession early on in a dangerous area as the game seemed to quick for him, but we improved as he grew into the game. Quality on the ball and made defensive actions, including an important block. Such an important player. The way he has turned things around has been great.
Maitland-Niles - 8. Chelsea had no answer to his runs in behind in the first half, and only his lack of a left foot let him down in the final third. Great understanding with Aubameyang on that side. Quality on the ball otherwise and outclassed Reece James physically. Very interesting player. Keep him.
Pepe - 9. Never doubted his quality on the ball but too often we have seen an almost 'Walcott-ish' contentment to stand out on the right and let the game pass him by. None of that yesterday. Worked harder off the ball to take pressure off the midfield. Showed his quality when he got on it. Had an excellent finish unfortunately disallowed. The standard has been set. Expecting big things next season. Exciting.
Lacazette - 8. No joy in front of goal but that isn't really why we play him, is it? Works tirelessly, drops deep to help out. Fired a free kick wide. Unlucky not to set up Aubameyang in the second half. Dead on his feet before going off.
Aubameyang - 10. Along with Tierney and AMN caused mayhem for Chelsea in the first half down our left. Headed wide early on. Won the penalty, took it excellently. Was unlucky not to score earlier in the second half before showing skill and composure to win it. Proper captain's performance. Absolutely vital he stays.
Subs:
Nketiah - 5. Provided fresh legs.
Sokratis - 5. Missed seeing him aggressively celebrating the awarding of a goal kick.
Kolasinac - N/A. Not on long.
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Quote:Boston Gooner
Good markings except for Pepe.
Way to high.
Big mention to Arteta who has done a brilliant job.
Keeping him will become a problem..
And to Martinez who must be pinching himself .
Dream come true for him.
Quote:Flava
And he assisted for the winner.
I’m glad you highlighted Bellerin’s contribution for the winner mate. The commentary team overlooked that.
Quote:Was it a foul? He had the ball so it was most likely a foul the other way. I'll have to watch it again on i player. Nobody seemed to pick up on it at the time or later.weedzQuote:Flava
And he assisted for the winner.
I’m glad you highlighted Bellerin’s contribution for the winner mate. The commentary team overlooked that.
Great run from Hector, but our biggest piece of luck in the game was him not getting the foul he make on Christensen, at the end of that run. At the time I was thinking VAR might rule the goal out.
It was definitely a late tackle.