“Are you Tottenham? Are you Tottenham? Are you Tottenham in disguise? Are you Tottenham in disguise?” This is what the Arsenal fans inside the Emirates sang in the final ten minutes of Saturday’s match with Nottingham Forest who are led by former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou. Arsenal smashed Forest 3-0 who never threatened once in the loss. The Emirates sang in full voice in support of the home side and at times, in provocation of the visitors. The team on the field deserved the praise.
Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring with a screaming shot from outside the box on a one-touch volley. One of the purest strikes I’ve seen from a Gunner in recent memory. He added another goal that he nodded home after Trossard cleverly whipped in the cross from the top of the box directly onto the Spaniards head. Newly added Eze assisted on the second Arsenal goal scored by Gyokeres. The new lads are looking right at home, and the defense is as confident as ever led by Gabriel and Timber.
Man City are next on the Premier League schedule this upcoming Sunday at 9:30, but in the present, Arsenal are playing moments from now in Bilbao against Athletico in the Champions League. The Lineup is as follows:
ARSENAL STARTING XI
- GK Raya
- RB Timber
- CB Mosquera
- CB Gabriel
- LB Calafiori
- CM Zubimendi
- CM Rice
- CM Merino
- RW Madaeuke
- ST Gyokeres
- LW Eze
- BENCH:
- Setford
- Hincapie
- Martinelli
- Trossard
- Nwaneri
- Dowman
- Norgaard
- Saliba
- Skelly
- Kepa
Arsenal’s Champions League Group play schedule:
- 9/16 @ Athletico Club (Bilbao) 10:45a
- 10/1 vs Olympiacos 1:00p
- 10/21 vs Athletico Madrid 1:00p
- 11/4 @Slavia Prague 10:45a
- 11/26 vs Bayern Munich 1:00p
- 12/10 @Club Brugge 1:00p
- 1/20 @Inter Milan 1:00p
- 1/28 vs Kairat 1:00p
I believe every game will be shown on Paramount+ like this one that is seconds away from kicking off.
Speaking of this game, I expect Arsenal to repeat their dismantling of this Athletico side like they did in the Emirates Cup on August 9th. This game is on the road and will certainly be tougher than the preseason matchup, but Arsenal is better at every position and have the momentum moving in the right direction.
Bilbao have lost their previous two games, both at home and both 1-nil. Arsenal can pitch the shutout needed and have the firepower and pace to score 2-3 goals. I don’t expect it to be easy, but a 2 or 3-nil final score would not surprise me. Something like a goal in the first half and then tacking on two goals in the final 15 minutes sounds about right. We will find out very soon.
I’m sitting back to watch it now. COYG!
Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’
Whit W.