Monthly Archives: January 2020

Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal: Youngsters Lead the Way

Saka celebrates goal against Bournemouth

Match Report Post-Match Press Conference

Final Result: Bournemouth 1-2 Arsenal

Goal Scorers: Bournemouth (Surridge 90+4′), Arsenal (Saka 5′, Nketiah 26′)

Arsenal XI (subs) (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Bellerin (c), Mustafi (Holding 62′), Sokratis, Saka; Guendouzi, Xhaka; Martinelli, Willock (Maitland-Niles 90′), Pepe (Ceballos 69′); Nketiah

Bournemouth hosted Arsenal on a cold Monday night with the lineup I predicted not far off from what Mikel Arteta selected. Eddie Howe’s side is in a poor vein of form going into this game and Bournemouth is currently languishing in 18th, flirting with relegation. Arsenal has problems of their own but when it comes to Cup football, form goes out of the window because it’s the result on the night that matters.

It was good to see the Gunners firing from the kickoff with Bukayo Saka receiving a carefully threaded ball from Gabriel Martinelli and unleashing a surface-to-goal piledriver that smashed the underside of the bar and into the net. That was Saka’s third goal of the season, and to see him score such a brilliant goal while playing as a left back was a pleasurable sight. Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, had some good words about Saka in his post-match press conference.

Arsenal continued to pummel the Bournemouth defense with Hector Bellerin feeding Joe Willock on the edge of the area. The young midfielder used his upper body strength to shove off his marker and managed to release a shot but the angle was too tight, allowing Travers to make a decent save. That didn’t matter to the Gunners as they went two goals up thanks to Eddie Nketiah. After some intricate passing play in midfield, Saka drilled a cross into the heart of the Bournemouth defense and the ball evaded Martinelli, but Nketiah was on hand to side foot the ball home, sending Travers the wrong. It’s moments like this that shows the manager’s vision for his team as he made it clear that Nketiah was not going anywhere else following the torrid spell at Leeds.

Bournemouth was losing quite alright but they were not going to sleep over and play dead, as Liverpool loanee, Harry Wilson, was unmarked at the far post and showed off his good technique in firing the ball at the Arsenal goal first time, but Emi Martinez reacted well to make a good save. Martinez wasn’t too impressive for one of the corners as he found himself in No Man’s Land but the Bournemouth’s defenders header went wide off the mark.

Dan Gosling tried an attempt from quite some distance with the ball deflecting off Holding and over the bar. Speaking of Holding, I had expected him to start the game but Arteta opted for Skhodran Mustafi instead. Sadly, Mustafi got injured and had to be stretched out of the field, which was not a good sight. This injury adds more pressure on the club to sign a defender as the ones we have are just dropping like flies. But with reports of the Pablo Mari deal is on the brink of collapsing, it makes you wonder.

Bournemouth finally got what their efforts deserved when Simon Francis’ cross into the Arsenal box reached Sam Surridge’s feet and the young forward passed the ball into the net with Martinez flat footed. However, it was too little, too late for Bournemouth.

Arsenal’s reward for the victory against Bournemouth is a trip to Fratton Park to play League One outfit, Portsmouth in the Round of 16.

Sayonara.

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Posted in Arsenal, FA Cup, Football

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Tags: Arsenal, Bournemouth, FA Cup, Football

Bournemouth Preview: Team News, Injury Updates and Predicted Lineups

Jan 27

Posted by enigma106

Image result for Aubameyang goal bournemouth

Sadly, he will not be available

Bournemouth has struggled badly all season, finding themselves in 18th place after a series of terrible results in the Premier League. The rot ended with a 3-1 win against Brighton, but Eddie Howe’s side know that they are in for a cracker tonight against an Arsenal side under the tutelage and guidance of Mikel Arteta.

Bournemouth have only ever beaten Arsenal once in competitive action. This came in January 2018 where the home side won 2-1. However, the Gunners have won eight of their nine meetings with the latest being the slender 1-0 win from a David Luiz header in October 2019. Arsenal has shown massive improvement under Mikel Arteta but the results have been disappointing with a series of draws that saw the Gunner remain in mid-table.

Arsenal have progressed from seven of their last eight FA Cup fourth round ties, with their only failure in that run coming last season, losing 3-1 at home to Manchester United. They are still the record FA Cup holders with 13 titles.

Arsenal Team News

Following the spirited and grueling performance at Stamford Bridge, there would be some aching muscles that require some rest. David Luiz is suspended for the contest, but coincidentally Sokratis is fit again after his brief illness, so he is available for selection. There has been so much about Pablo Mari and we remain hopeful that the deal is secured before the transfer window ends on Friday, January 31, 2020.

Here are 10 things you need to know about Pablo Mari.

One big loss will be Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, that has scored three goals in four meetings with Bournemouth. Even though he will not be available for selection, he was pictured training with his teammates.

Lacazette hasn’t been on the goals lately, and he will be odds on to start against Burnley this weekend, so I see Eddie Nketiah getting a runout from the start. The club made a conscious effort to keep him, rather than loan him elsewhere, so I will expect that he play in games like these. Dani Ceballos will be another player that will get a start, especially in the wake of the stories linking him with a move away from the club. I’ve shared my thoughts on that matter.

Arsenal Predicted Lineup

Bournemouth Team News

With Bournemouth ravaged with injuries, Eddie Howe has less options to rotate with, but he has enough firepower to threaten the Gunners. Star forward, Callum Wilson was in a long goal brought, but he broke the dunk when he scored his team’s third goal. Such moments can boost a striker’s confidence and he needs it tonight in front of his home fans.

In defense, Bournemouth is boosted by the return of Steve Cook that earned a suspension when he switched from a defender to a goalkeeper in his peak against Norwich.

Bournemouth Predicted Lineup

Injury Updates

Arsenal: Kieran Tierney (shoulder), Calum Chambers (knee), Sead Kolasinac (thigh), Reiss Nelson (hamstring). More updates on Arsenal.com

Bournemouth: Chris Mepham (knee), Jack Stacey (hamstring), Charlie Daniels (knee), Arnaut Groeneveld (foot), Junior Stanislas (calf), David Brooks (ankle), Josh King (ankle)

Team Form Guide

Arsenal Form

Last Five Games: W W D W D
Last Result: Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal
Leading Goalscorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (16)

Bournemouth Form

Last Five Games: L W L L W
Last Result: Bournemouth 3-1 Brighton
Leading Goalscorer: Harry Wilson, Callum Wilson (6)

Gooner Daily predicts a 2 – 0 Arsenal win.

Kick Off – 9.00pm (GMT +1) at Vitality Stadium

Sayonara.

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Posted in Arsenal, FA Cup, Football, Match Preview

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Tags: Arsenal, Bournemouth, FA Cup, Football

Pablo Mari: 10 Things to Know About Him

Jan 26

Posted by enigma106

Pablo Mari was spotted by eagle eyed Arsenal fans and journalists when he was the airport in Brazil. I’m pretty certain that some Arsenal fans tracked him on the plane to London and probably videoed Edu Gaspar sleeping on his shoulder. The fans got a confirmation when Arsenal correspondent for Goal.com, Charles Watt, tweeted this.

Arsenal is on the spotlight in the wake of their defensive crisis with Calum Chambers injured, Sokratis and Rob Holding struggling with fitness, David Luiz currently suspended and Skhodran Mustafi synonymous with gaffes, mistakes and errors.

According to Sky Sports, Pablo Mari arrived in London yesterday for his medical as he looked set to be the Gunners first signing under Mikel Arteta. Arsenal and Flamengo have reached an agreement for loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season.

Without further ado, here are 10 things you need to know about Pablo Mari.

Pablo Mari is a Commanding Center Back

The defender is a colossus at the heart of the Flamengo defense, averaging 2.9 clearances, one tackle, one interception per game. He is a reliable outlet at the back for the Brazilian outfit and his presence instilled fears in the faces of opposition forwards.

Pablo Mari is Left Footed

Like Aymeric Laporte in Manchester City, having a left footed center back playing alongside a right footed partner gives better balance to the defense. It’s not like there’s a problem having two left footers or two right footers pair with each other but in Arsenal’s case, Pablo Mari would forge a partnership with the experienced lads like Sokratis and David Luiz.

He has Won is Fair Share of Trophies

Last season was successful for Panlo Mari as he won the Campeonato Serie A and Copa Libertadores (South American version of the Champions League) with Flamengo. Pablo Mari was an ever present at the back for his side, forging a telepathic partnership with Rogerio Caio.

Familiar with the Premier League

You would be surprised to know that Pablo Mari’s performances in La Liga second division side, Gimnastic, earned him a transfer to Manchester City, but the English giants loaned him to Girona, NAC Breda and Deportivo de la Coruna to gain experience before he was transferred to Flamengo.

Pablo Mari is a Ball Playing Defender

Like David Luiz, Pablo Mari is very comfortable with the ball at his feet. Last season, he averaged 3.7 long balls per game, 0.2 key passes and had a passing accuracy of 87.8%. This essentially means that we can build from the back with Pablo Mari just like what we have been doing with David Luiz.

He is a BFG

At 6′ 3″, Pablo Mari has an intimidating frame, which will come in handy against opposition forwards in the Premier League. That height will also be useful from attacking set pieces.

Pablo Mari is Adept in Keeping a High Line

In his time at Flamengo, Pablo Mari and his defensive partner, Rogerio Caio, kept a high line and became accustomed to playing that way. However, they transitioned to playing deep as well, like their performance in the Copa Libertadores finals against Argentine juggernauts, River Plate.