Match report – Participant rankings – Arteta response – Video
That is the twenty third yr of Arseblog’s existence. Somebody (thanks JBoz) emailed me yesterday, within the midst of their pre-game nerves, to say: “Enjoyable reality, I’m positive I learn you want numbers. Simply on day by day weblog posts, you have got written between 6-9 million phrases. Which is between 2×3 occasions greater than Tolstoy, the unique lengthy kind writing king. That’s fairly f*cking nuts.”
It’s. And but I’m sitting right here this morning and I don’t actually know the place to start out. I really feel sort of emotional a few sport of soccer than completed hours in the past, however then I believe that’s all proper. Isn’t that what it’s imagined to do, for higher or worse? Final night time felt like uncovering a uncommon gem or one thing, as a result of even in my wildest goals I didn’t count on that.
Mikel Arteta picked the staff I assumed he would, with Jakub Kiwior in for Gabriel, and Bukayo Saka beginning for the primary time since his damage. Contained in the opening 5 minutes, each of these gamers made errors which handed taking pictures probabilities to Actual Madrid. One resulted in a straightforward save for David Raya, the opposite blocked off by the sensible William Saliba whose coolness in defensive conditions like that is as elementary to this staff as any of our different finest qualities.
However then Actual Madrid seemed a bit nervy too. Rudiger cleared a cross off his personal man which went simply large; Courtois needed to slap a Saka nook from beneath his crossbar; Mikel Merino arrange Thomas Partey for an opportunity which the keeper saved, and that got here after one the midfielder’s headers from one other nook didn’t go in as a result of it hit Saliba on the road. All that within the opening 13 minutes.
There was a VAR examine for a penalty for us however it could have been a travesty of a call if it had been given. We have been taking part in nicely and with confidence, however the pace with which Actual make can issues occur was scary. A slight lapse on our half and a superb Bellingham go despatched Mbappe by means of on aim, however the end wasn’t fairly there – credit score to Raya too for making the save. That menace was at all times current in that first half as we pressed larger up the pitch.
Saka got here to life, producing a few low crosses that made you pine for that fox within the field, earlier than Jurrien Timber’s cross noticed Courtois make a incredible double save – first from Rice’s good header, then Martinelli’s close to submit observe up. It was intense, it was breathless, it was high-quality, and we have been greater than a match for them in that first half.
Mbappe had one other likelihood early within the second half, firing into the side-netting, Partey obtained booked for a foul on Camvinga, and Rice virtually obtained an ideal go from Lewis-Skelly below management of their field. Then, with 57 minutes on the clock, Saka was fouled exterior the world. Free kick to Arsenal, in a good place, however then it’s been so lengthy since we scored a direct free kick I used to be hopeful moderately than expectant.
Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard have been there. Rice, 339 video games into his skilled profession, having by no means scored a direct free kick, produced what I assumed in that second was going to be among the best free kicks I’d seen in an extended, very long time. He hit it with actual energy exterior the Actual Madrid wall, beginning it exterior the far submit and curling it simply again inside to make it 1-0. Shades of Roberto Carlos’ well-known strike for Brazil, however an unbelievable option to open the scoring.
It appeared to rattle Madrid. We had a flurry of probabilities after that with Martinelli’s shot saved, Merino’s observe up blocked on the road, after which Courtois producing one other excellent cease because the Spaniard leathered it again at aim. Then Bellingham stopped a Rice effort on the road, and also you questioned how we hadn’t scored a second. Seems we simply wanted one other free kick, which Saka duly received simply exterior the D, this time to the left of it moderately than the proper from the place the primary one was taken.
Rice, imbued with all the arrogance on the earth after his earlier effort, stood over it once more. He couldn’t certainly? There was no approach after ready so lengthy for a aim from a free kick that we’d rating two in a single sport. Anyway, from this distance, with a keeper like Courtois, it’d require one thing additional particular to beat him. Which, my buddies, is strictly what we obtained.
When folks say ‘prime nook’, they often imply one thing in that neighborhood. This although, as prime nook because it will get. The toppest-corneriest aim you’ll ever see. The ability, the precision, the significance, the event. I’m even getting goosebumps writing about this morning. Odegaard put his fingers on his head like he couldn’t consider what he had simply seen. Jorginho did the identical as he ran onto the pitch to have a good time, realised he in all probability shouldn’t, did a bit nervous shuffle then mentioned ‘Sod it!’ and joined in.
Perhaps I’m nonetheless a bit excessive on that provide, however I genuinely assume these are two of the best free kicks you’ll ever see in tandem at this degree. I’m nonetheless undecided which one is the very best. It’s in all probability the second, however wait, the way in which the primary curls across the wall and in, however then once more the highest nook ingredient of the second … however the first one broke the impasse … I dunno. Perhaps we now have to view them like youngsters, you’re keen on them each precisely the identical, however only a bit in another way.
Saka got here off having been damage within the problem that received the second free kick, changed by Leandro Trossard, and the Belgian was concerned within the third aim which got here simply minutes later. Rice carried it ahead, Trossard performed it to the unbelievable Lewis-Skelly who noticed good motion from Merino to step away from his marker. He swung his left foot at it first time, producing a wise end which nestled superbly into the underside nook to make it 3-0.
Three targets in 17 minutes. 3-0 to the Arsenal. Actual Madrid completely shell-shocked. Bellingham and Mbappe in TV close-ups trying like they couldn’t perceive what was taking place. A yellow card for Camavinga dominated him out of the second leg, a second one simply earlier than the top noticed him despatched off. The specter of a late aim for Madrid was at all times there, however nothing was going to spoil this night, and on the closing whistle Arsenal had finished one thing exceptional, one thing very, very particular.
A number of days in the past there was frustration, verging on indifference to a 1-1 with Everton. Now this. Soccer, bloody hell. A sport that will get you down, however can raise you to the very best highs. Requested afterwards the place these free kicks had been till now, Rice mentioned:
It’s been within the locker! I’ve hit the wall too many occasions the place it’s gone over the bar, and initially I used to be going to cross it, after which I simply noticed the wall, and the goalkeeper’s place, and I see the skin of the wall, and it went in. After which the second I simply had the arrogance, and I hit it, and yeah, it’s not going to hit me but, as a result of there’s one other leg to go, and I’m excited, I’m glad, I’m over the moon, I don’t imply to be cliche, however in just a few years’ time I believe it will hit me, what I’ve finished tonight is basically particular.
Whereas a jubilant Mikel Arteta spoke to the press and mentioned:
I’m very proud, we had a really full and massive efficiency collectively and also you want that within the organisation and what we needed to do to dominate the sport and to create Madrid issues. This night time is about all two components, one is the ambiance that we created quarter-hour earlier than kick-off is one thing I haven’t seen earlier than, so taking part in with that vitality, with that dedication along with your crowd makes an enormous distinction. After which magic moments, particular person moments that determine all matches and the primary two targets of Declan sums up the night time.
People who have been there final night time ought to really feel lucky, as a result of that was virtually actually the very best European night time at that stadium. I believe it tops the Arshavin/Barcelona sport, by advantage of the general efficiency. We have been simply so good final night time, and let’s keep in mind that this can be a staff that’s removed from full energy, with essential gamers lacking, and a few of them not at 100% health. I do know the opposition had some accidents too, however the efficiency the supervisor and people gamers produced deserves large credit score.
I do know the headlines and the highlight will likely be on Rice, for apparent causes, however I really feel it could be remiss of me to not point out Lewis-Skelly whose particular person show at 18 years of age, at this degree, towards this opposition, was nothing wanting sensational. I used to be within the Bernebeu in 2006 when Thierry Henry scored that aim, however I bear in mind clearly the Spanish press speaking a few ‘coming of age’ efficiency from Cesc Fabregas. I believe we noticed one thing comparable final night time from MLS – the extent of potential and persona it’s good to try this towards this opposition on this stage is wonderful – and he deserves each plaudit he will get this morning.
I hope that it makes folks realise that we’re witness to the emergence of a really particular expertise. After I say that, I imply folks exterior of Arsenal who’ve been too eager to speak him down and take him down for minor infractions that hardly get a point out if carried out by one other participant. I do know that inside the membership, and round him, from the followers and many others, that his expertise will likely be protected and nurtured, however any repute he has ought to be primarily based on his high quality as a footballer and what he’s producing on the pitch for Arsenal and, let’s not overlook, for England too now.
So, to conclude, I really feel like I have to go watch all the things once more. Twice. It is a sport that must be loved. It is just half-time, and there’s a second leg to take care of towards a staff whose document on this competitors is second to none. However after an evening like that, it’s important to let your self bask within the heat glow of what you’ve seen. They don’t come alongside that always, so simply be glad, be proud, be appreciative of how what this staff did makes you are feeling proper now.
Moments like this are uncommon, cherish them.
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By the way in which, that can assist you get pleasure from it additional, we’re gonna do a half an Arsecast Further for you this morning. Time constraints imply we are able to’t do the questions bit, however you possibly can be a part of me and James a bit later to go over and analyse that unbelievable sport of soccer.
For now, get all that content material into you. GROW LARGE WITH ARSENAL 3-0 REAL MADRID.
Love you all. Thanks for being right here.
❤️
