COMPLETE DOMINANCE, AGAIN

ARSENAL GOING BLOW FOR BLOW AGAINST CITY

The Premier League could very well go to the final game of the season after Arsenal and City kept their near-perfect records for 2024 going in games against Bournemouth and Wolves.

If we don’t win the league this season, there can be no complaints of bottling it. There can be no finger-wagging or cries of ‘failure.’ It’ll be a narrow miss from a young team that’s gearing up for at least five years of dominance.

Let’s not beat around the bush: Bournemouth is a top-6 team flapping around in 10th because it had a terrible start. Iraola has them absolutely humming. They are organized, their players know their roles really well, and they are capable of causing problems for any team in the league.

Two seasons ago, that game is a draw. In 2024, it’s a largely dominant win.

Arsenal was sensational in the first half. They managed some threatening transition moments from the opposition, but they were really limited. Arsenal battered them. We danced in their box to disrespectful levels. Our shooting boots let us down. We were blazing over the bar like it was Kolo Toure appreciation night. 16 shots, 5 on target, 3 big chances. Their output? 0 shots.

Arteta knew they were dangerous in transition, but he had plans for all eventualities. Raya pushed up really high to snuff out balls over the top. There was one moment when Solanke rattled Gabriel, but the coverage from Saliba stopped anything dangerous. It was some serious tranquilo stuff out there.

Our goal, just before halftime, came from a penalty. Now, I don’t want to be partisan here, so here goes: it was really soft. Kai sought out the touch from Travers, the ref fell for it, and VAR didn’t re-ref the decision. Liverpool and City get those all the time. But it felt dirty… until Saka sent the keeper the wrong way. Then it felt sexy.

You might also say that the VAR crew was making up for letting Bournemouth off without a red card when Christie went studs up on Saka and drew blood… and didn’t even get a booking.

The second half was very different, at least for the opening 15 minutes or so. The boys were fried. You know they came out at halftime unsure whether to kill them or sit back. We landed on a ‘split the difference’ decision, and it was a bit messy. You have to remember that our boys haven't done this before – the pressure is real, especially when you’ve never won a big trophy. We let Bournemouth turn the game into a slugfest, and it didn’t need to be. They were doing us in transition, and we let them get in behind us on a few occasions. Nothing wild – 5 shots, 2 on target. But it felt painful because we’re not used to that sort of output these days.

The game eased up after that – and who made it feel safe like your dad checking there are no monsters under the bed? Leandro Trossard. Tross the Process. Luther Van Tross. Declan Rice dropped a wild assist with a pirouette the greatest ballet dancers would be proud of. Trossard ate it up. Like he always does. One selfie video to Anne Hathaway, and he’s acting like peak Freddie. Can’t fault him.

The drama wasn't over yet. David Raya was nudged by Solanke while claiming a cross. The ball went out of play, was struck back in, then back out again. Somehow, on the third attempt, it ended up in the top corner. VAR intervened once more, siding with the referee and disallowing the goal – the correct decision. Solanke clearly impeded Raya, even admitting it afterwards with his arm flap of innocence. Would Arsenal have landed that call in November? No. Being a vicious bitch in the media about PGMOL paid dividends, I suspect.

We weren't done with Bournemouth, though. The final goal came from Declan Rice, who lashed the ball in from a tight angle. We weren’t finished with Bournemouth. The final goal came from Declan Vieira when he lashed it from a tight angle. Probably his hardest chance of the game, but a great finish all the same. Tavers was brilliant in goal. Not sure he showered himself in glory there.

The win was nailed. The fans were dreaming. The boys kept the dream alive for another game.

Concluding Thoughts:

Concluding thoughts? Another Arteta tactical masterclass. Another example of his ability to motivate tired players to imagine they are, in fact, not tired. Arsenal created 4.23 xG. Bournemouth, 0.39. And we felt like they had a good game. That’s the standard these days. That’s why he’s a generational coach with extra spicy special sauce.

Kai Havertz didn’t score but my word he looked like a £100m striker out there. His movement, the runs, the strikes out of nowhere, the way he pulls defenders out, and his disgustingly delicate touches from any ball. What a player. His progress this season means we can move on a Sesko or an Evan Ferguson because we have our 20-goal-a-season striker locked.

Declan Rice is the new Patrick Vieira, but he’ll have more goal threat. He was superb again. Robust, clever, and impactful… in every game. He’s a difference-maker at the highest level. His stamina and availability make him world class. This guy is winning a Balon d’Or. What an impact he’s having. The man is pure joy and the fans LOVE him.

Bill Saliba. What are you doing? Playing as a false #4? Rolling into the Bournemouth penalty area like you’re Tony Adams taking liberties in 1998? Outrageous. Gabriel is buying him a beer this weekend, his awareness kept the game alive after a few ‘I’m rattled’ moments from the Brazilian. We have the best centre back in the world right now. Enjoy him. You don’t get to see these sorts of players regularly. Incredible.

Those three players I just mentioned are there reason we’re still in this. They are the guts of this side. We are lucky to have them. Keep them together, and we’re winning the Premier League numerous times and bringing home the first-ever Arsenal Champions League. That’s where we are as a club. Enjoy it my friends, we deserve it more than any fan base. x

P.S. If you want the podcasts, here’s the video and here’s audio. Big love to all the people who signed up for the paid Le Grove this weekend and sent nice messages. x