FLAWLESS OPENING RUN GOES ON
While browsing social media for Monday’s talking points, attention was drawn to the mockery aimed at a large group of black-clad men, many wearing balaclavas. Known as the Ashburton Army, the group was created to generate a livelier matchday atmosphere around the Emirates Stadium. Their attempt to imitate continental ultra culture has earned plenty of ridicule from fellow supporters. Yet, with another similarly dressed but much older crowd marching through Portsmouth that same day to threaten asylum seekers arriving by boat, critics might have found a more deserving target than a band of overenthusiastic fans.
The meeting between Arsenal and Chelsea brought plenty of noise to the Emirates, with the visitors considered among the few sides capable of mounting a serious title challenge. Xabi Alonso’s team struck early after unusually poor defending from Arsenal at a set piece, but the reigning champions recovered to secure victory. Martin Ødegaard played a major role, producing the kind of polished display that was rarely seen during an injury-disrupted previous campaign. “I think he is enjoying his football,” Mikel Arteta said while praising his captain after the match. “His personal life is settled. He is available. He is training. He has his routine and if he is intelligent, he can take a lot of benefits from the players around him. I think he was outstanding today.”
Arsenal have now played three league matches, won all three and scored each of their six goals from open play. That record has forced those who criticised their dependence on set pieces last season to search for different faults. Gabriel Magalhães became the centre of debate on Sunday after avoiding a red card despite catching the Chelsea goalkeeper in the head with his boot. “Martínez has got the ball in his hands and he boots him in the head,” Wayne Rooney said with a laugh during the post-match analysis. “I think he’s extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.” Although such contact should never be taken lightly, the decision to keep the defender on the field appeared reasonable because Gabriel was challenging for the ball, showed no deliberate intent and did not use excessive force. This Arsenal side already looks different from last season’s title-winning team—and potentially even stronger.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Two months after the events, we note that our questions remain unanswered to date. Given the importance of transparency and clarity for all parties involved, we request the necessary explanations and, at the same time, wish to explore where improvements to the current processes are possible, so that similar cases can be handled in a clear, consistent and efficient manner in the future” – Pascale Van Damme, president of the Royal Belgian Football Association. Belgium is currently unwilling to endorse Gianni Infantino for another term as Fifa president after receiving no satisfactory explanation for why Folarin Balogun became eligible to face them at the World Cup despite having been shown a red card.
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