Zinchenko mistake! | Saka & Jesus BACK! | Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal Reaction

I get pissed right back Charlie, that's what I do. And breathe Arsenal fans, as you can see above my head, Arsenal 2, Nottingham Forest 1, Nottingham Forest 1, Arsenal 2, that's two wins from two in the January fixture calendar list that is upon us. We've won two games, we've got six points on the board, we get somewhat of an insurance policy going into the Liverpool game and starting February with a bang in a game like that. So yeah people, obviously it was a nervy finish towards the end, they had a, you know, it was 2-1, they had a little look at VAR for potential handballs where two Nottingham Forest players looked like they crashed into each other. Yeah man, but we got what we needed to, we left Nottingham Forest with three points and it's not really a happy ground for us. Now give credit to our opposition, best game I've ever seen Matt Turner play really and truly, just a shame it's not in our shirt. Maybe if we had more than three shots on target for the 19 shots we had at the end of the game, we could have done something. But give credit to Nottingham Forest man, it was more of an open game in the second half, I feel their striker substitution where they took Ward out, and put in, I can't remember his name, but they put in that striker, it was a bit more of an open game in that regards. I think they absorbed a lot of pressure defensively in the first half, the first half was really just played in the area and I think they had good defensive structure, they were narrow, they were compact, their defenders were clearing everything, there was a couple of nervy moments. But yeah, obviously our issue of converting and creating chances, it kind of varies from game to game, but it's still there. Now on one hand, we've had three shots on target and scored two goals, which was enough today. But some games we create a lot of clear-cut chances and that final action isn't quite there. I actually think we played quite well, apart from the goal being conceded and stuff like that. But I think it was a good game from us in many regards, I think there was a lot of options on the ball, I think it's a bit of a shame Zinchenko, Saint-Libre could have done better for the goal, but I think it's a bit of a shame that Zinchenko's taken the gloss of what I think is a great performance from him in playing people onside and that, and making it a nervy ending. But he was getting on the ball, Smith-Rowe was in the pockets, Odegaard with some cute touches. I feel on another day, I want to see Martinelli and Saka more aggressive and take on those full-backs because anytime they were on it, you know, they were asking questions, even though they could have been a bit more quality. I think Jesus had a great game, you know, he's still getting caught offside, still not interested in being in the box, but he got a goal and this is for his troubles. But I don't think for large periods of that game, he really asked any question of Matt Turner. I don't think Matt Turner had to pop up any great saves. I think he did well, you know, Nottingham Forest played out from the back and was street smart. He collected from a lot of corners where we scored the most corners from set pieces and where we scored the most goals from set pieces. They've conceded the most from set pieces. Again, I'm not trying to find, be picky, but it would have been nice to test Matt Turner in certain regards, really. And today was more of a game of just creating clear-cut chances. Like you look at West Ham at the Emirates, we just, and Liverpool in the first half of the FA Cup, we just need to put the ball in the back of the net. Today, it was cute, it was clever, maybe one touch too many, maybe a bit too intricate, maybe a bit too much foreplay and lacking in penetration. And I thought it would have ended 1-0, really, you know, really. It looked like, as the game went on, it's like one goal, either is going to open up this game of football. This game is either going to open up greatly or it's 1-0 kind of does it. It was shades of Luton, which Luton, in a way, is not an easy game. I was checking mid-game while this game was going on. They were winning 3-0 last time against Brighton, bringing them to their place. So that's not even an easy game. But yeah, man, I think the pressing was good from us for the large parts of the first half, especially the first 10. I think we looked promising. I think, you know, again, the only issue I really have is now after the game being done, conceding unnecessarily and making it a nervy ending to the game and probably, you know, creating more clear-cut chances and converting and maybe being a bit more trigger-happy because I know we scored two goals, you know. Big up to Kyle Saka for getting on the score sheet and also shout out to Kai Havertz, Odegaard and Jesus for the build-up to that. Obviously, the first goal with Jesus, we'll have that, we'll take that any day of the week. But for a large part, it felt like the most significant effort we actually had that goal where I can't remember who set him up, but Jesus hit the post really and truly. So in many ways, it was a good performance, but it shows that to go to that next level, we need to smell blood, create a bit more and score some more goals and also keep them out the back of our nets because with the greatest of respect to Nottingham Forest, probably on the balance of things, second half was a bit more of an even contest. It was a bit more open. They probably deserved their goal and take nothing away from Forest, but I don't think it was necessary to concede in a game like that if I'm completely honest with you. If I'm honest, I did like Smith-Rowe. I don't think anyone was... Well, anyone, including Smith-Rowe, was amazing, but I do like him in the pockets, wanted to get onto the ball. I think everybody was there. First half, it was just us in their half, really and truly. As I said, you just wanted to see us score if I'm honest with you. And that was kind of how my thinking was at half-time. I have to give credit to Nottingham Forest because I felt they made committed defending. I feel the second half kind of kicked off to a degree how the first half went for us, but then it kind of opened, really, because the striker, Chris Wood, he's going to knock it down and bring players in. He's not really going to run behind. The striker they brought on can work the channels, can start his runs out wide and be central or be a physical handful, as you saw when Sychenko's played people onside and he's absolutely barred Saliba, if I'm honest. There was a couple of times where Saliba... I'm nitpicking at a quality player, but even him, it was a bit too calm at times. But other than that, I think it was decent. It was decent from us, really. I'd like the second goal because as much as I'm praising Nottingham Forest, their players giving it away very cheaply and Odegaard and Cole and Odegaard and Jesus has made it happen. Also, shout out to Zinni for his quick free, his quick throwing, sorry, to find Jesus. And it's a bit of a shame for Sychenko because I think he had a really, really good game and a second strong game in a row. But obviously, you know, you're going to, to a degree, become a scapegoat. You saw Mikel Arteta. It looked like he was coaching him. I don't know what Zinchenko... I don't know if Zinchenko was appealing for offside or not or any of that. But that sums up Zinchenko. He's never going to be great 1v1. He's never going to be switched on. You know, the whole of the backline has stepped up. He's played my man onside, whether a toenail was onside or not. I think we was all hoping VAR would allow us for this, but it wasn't to be really and truly. At halftime, for what it's worth, we had eight shots, none on target and five corners. We need to work on creating, working goalkeepers and converting because I know we find issues around that at this moment in time. But whatever you have to say about Saka, Trossart, Afizon, Martinelli, Odegaard, Smith-Rowe, Gabriel, Jesus, this really shouldn't be an issue of our football club. But as I always say, the main thing is the three points. We've got the three points. We dissect the performance later, really, and we run away with it. We probably have to do better at creating more clear-cut chances and asking questions of a keeper when a team is... I don't want to say Norton Forest were negative because they just played in a way to try and nullify us. Naturally, if you give Arsenal players space, they can exploit. If you know that they've got cute and very technical footballers, you're going to limit the space and make them have to play in pockets and stuff like that. It was clear in that game that we probably have to have a degree of patience before scoring. But yeah, my only biggest criticism is that we should have worked Matt Turner a bit more for all the possession and all of that sort of stuff. Really, it's now the conceding of the dumb goal in the second half, really, for 80-odd minutes of play, really. 80, 89 minutes. We've made it unnecessary, nervy. You could see the ref was trying his best to create some drama because we played like a minute and a half over the time. But it is what it is. Two wins in January, three points on the board. We keep it moving, really and truly. We do need to be a lot better and reaching a bit. But that mistake can't happen against Liverpool. We saw it in the FA Cup as well. If we have all this possession and all this sort of stuff, we need to ask questions of Alisson. Now, we all know, respectfully to Nottingham Forest, it's going to be a completely different game on Sunday, but we'll have to deal with that then, really and truly. So yeah, folks, man, let me know your thoughts on the game, on the individual performances. I think Trossart looked good off the bench as well. Nice to see Saka gets back to scoring ways. You know, Jesus doesn't score too many, but when he does, they seem to be important. And that finish sums him up, really. He scores some difficult goals. The easy ones, the bread and butter for strikers, the tappings and just standing in the box, he doesn't do. So yeah, man, as I said, I think Zinchenko, for me, had a really strong performance, but he's probably taken a bit of the gloss off it with his another one where he's gone to sleep. And we said it in Big Up Eulog, that was part of my watch along. Naturally, you know, Zinchenko, it's harsh to say he's a weak spot, but if you're a manager, that's the area of the whole team you're looking to exploit with that starting XI that's out there or Arsenal's strongest XI if Zinchenko is in that. You're going to pop it over his head. You're going to know that he's not the best one beat one. You're going to know he's probably going to switch off defensively and play people on side. There's also elements where he's done well defensively, but fundamentally it's another talking point. So I'm happy with the three points. Disappointed about the lack of clean sheet. Would have loved more goals. Happy to see Smith-Rowe start. I think it was very encouraging cameo from Trossart. Nice to see Jesus and Sakho get some goals and assists are being spread around. Lovely football at times from some of us, some of our players, and we keep it moving really and truly. So yeah, man, we just focus on what we can do good and make it great. Areas of improvement that are prevalent. We need to do a lot better against Liverpool and let's go on a winning run or attempt to and change the narrative around our football club at the moment and try and salvage what is left of our season. I personally think it's an impossible job of sorts to win the Premier League or the Champs. I don't want the players or the manager to have that sort of mentality because until it's mathematically impossible, you can try a thing in it. So yeah, people, don't forget to subscribe if you haven't. Comment. Let me know your thoughts on who you think played well, what you think this game, what you saw in the game. You know, would you play Smith Rowe against Liverpool? All of that sort of stuff. Most importantly, turn on your notification bells, hit the like button, subscribe. Word has rolled better yet to 70,000. And yeah, man, you and your loved ones stay blessed, stay safe, stay in great health and we'll link up again, man. Peace.