shame not many kids.

Balogun scores


but not ours

NUNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO goal

Next Carlos?

1-1

Auba could have had a hat-trick this half.

It's been a much better showing than the 1st half vs Hibs.

Jay29 wrote:Auba could have had a hat-trick this half.

It's been a much better showing than the 1st half vs Hibs.

It's obvious we can't rely on him for goals anymore. Lacazette either needs to have an amazing season if he is staying or we need to get another goal scorer.

Not sure about Balogun on the left

Rangers are using this as an exercise for their European games. They're playing mostly without the ball and have been trying long balls over our defence, which hasn't worked very well.

It's a good test for us to play against a team defending with a narrow front three and midfield. Mari, Elneny and Partey have circulated the ball well despite how tight the centre is. A few loose passes aside, the build-up play has been nice.

You can see what Tavares is about already. He's playing high on that left flank, has been positive on the ball with his passes and take-on attempts, and scored a well-taken goal. On the flip side, he totally looks like someone who will be caught out of position, chase back and clumsily give a pen away. He has that vibe.

Like the Smith Rowe/Pepe link-up on the right. Auba's movement has been good, but he's been poor in front of goal. Balogun has struggled with his touch all game.

Another corner goal conceded. Starting to think this might be an issue.

We've dominated the game btw. Really should be out of sight.

Nketiah makes it 2-2.

Jay29 wrote:Another corner goal conceded. Starting to think this might be an issue.

We've dominated the game btw. Really should be out of sight.

Bellerin the clown trying to push away a player instead of defending the corner

Arsenal will no longer participate in the Florida Cup due to Covid cases in the travelling party. So no games out in the States.

London Colney was closed after some U23s tested positive. As far as we know, none of the first team have it but they'll be training in a controlled environment.

The plan is to have two behind closed doors games before the Mind Series against Spurs and Chelsea.

ESR wears No 10 now

worthy successor to Ozil and William Gallas

Arsenal played a behind-closed-doors friendly vs Millwall today. Apparently Arsenal won 4-1 but I've not seen confirmation of the scoreline.

You can watch the game for free on Arsenal.com from 16:00 BST.

Goals from Chambers, Lacazette, Pepe and Balogun. Balogun's goal was a great one-touch-passing move involving Laca and Willian. Tavares and Sambi played the second half.

Arsenal pressed/counter-pressed a lot. Tierney/Tavares joined the press early to give us numbers.

In possession, Elneny/Sambi dropped into the left back position when Tierney/Tavares went up. Chambers/Cedric took up a narrow position in the build-up then joined the attack late (Chambers got an assist this way). Smith Rowe went to either touchline depending on if Pepe or Auba/Nketiah came inside. The striker came short. Was plenty of movement going on in the final third.

Seems they've been working on firing the ball into the feet of the striker for a first-time wall pass out to the flank. Sambi and Partey were both good at playing those progressive passes.

Arsenal played Watford in a behind-closed-doors game earlier today. Won 4-1 again. Goals from Nketiah, Lacazette, Tierney and Azeez.

Some goal by Azeez

Miguel Azeez, remember the name. pic.twitter.com/RbI3sac2m5

— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) July 28, 2021

Game vs Chelsea has kicked off. Emirates looks about half full.

The team:

Leno; Chambers, Holding, Mari, Tierney; Partey, Elneny; Pepe, Smith Rowe, Aubameyang; Lacazette

White on the bench.

Chelsea team:

Mendy; Rudiger, Chalobah, Zouma; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Kovacic, Hudson-Odoi; Havertz, Werner, Ziyech

1-0 Chelsea. Havertz scores on the break.

Somehow Chelsea got a 2v1 on Mari on the break from an Arsenal attack.

Jay29 wrote:1-0 Chelsea. Havertz scores on the break.

Somehow Chelsea got a 2v1 on Mari on the break from an Arsenal attack.

and not for the first time

you're lucky Werner's so technically limited and poor at finishing

Arsenal with a great chance resulting in a shot on the post, because the ref blocked Loftus-Cheek's pass opening for a second or two who then delayed his pass

Imagine leaving an injured player on the pitch in a preseason game

WTF

It's coming from over-zealous counter-pressing. Chambers is joining the press if the ball is on the right but so is Holding or Mari when their man drops short. Good if they can win the ball but they have to be perfect. The moment they miss it they're way out of position and everyone else is committed to the press.

I'm not a fan of us retreating 11 men behind the ball when the first line of pressure is broken. Removes any threat we have on the counter.

Creating chances is still hard work. Expected against a good team like Chelsea but the front four play like strangers.

The defensive transition has been a mixed bag. Won the ball in high areas at times but Holding following Ziyech out all the time has given Chelsea constant outs.

Xhaka is in a bad mood lmao