The month ends today and it has been rosy for our dear Arsenal. It is one we would love to look back at and enjoy the moments as the Gunners went undefeated within the period. The Gunners won 5 of their 6 matches in September and squeezed out a 1-1 draw in Paris against PSG in their opening UEFA Champions League game of the season.
September started at home and Arsenal needed a late penalty to secure a 2-1 win over Southampton. The first minute in Paris gave Arsenal a shocking start but Sanchez drew level towards the end of the game. That was the only game the Gunners failed to win in September.
Two consecutive away games in two different competition produced 4 goals each for the Gunners and Granit Xhaka made his marks with his left Thor Hammer. After going 2-0 up at Hull, the Gunners conceded a penalty and it seemed as if a revival was about to start at the KC stadium. The Gunners smashed any of such hope with two goals – one from Sanchez and the other from Xhaka.
The EFL Cup had the Gunners visit his royal lordship Bendtner but Nottingham Forest lost 4-0 at home with goals from Lucas Perex (x2), Chamberlain and Xhaka. Great to see our new signing open their accounts.
The presumed hardest fixture of the month came with Conte’s visit of the Emirates with his Blues. They were dismantled in the first half and kept at bay in the second half. It was a 3-0 win to mark the Manager’s 20th anniversary with the club. Goals from Walcott, Sanchez and Ozil made Chelsea’s defense look like one of an U-17 side. It was too easy. It was capped with Costa’s frustration and yellow card. Victory taste so good.
Basel wrapped Arsenal’s September up and were lucky to leave the Emirates conceding just 2 goals. The Gunners missed a lot of chances but will be happy to have 3 points and a clean sheet for their worries. It was a reunion for Mohammed Elneny and the Xhaka brothers.
So there you have it – 6 matches played, 5 won, none lost, 15 goals scored and 3 conceded. Last season, Arsenal won 3 of their 6 matches in September – 2-0 home win against Stoke, 2-0 League Cup victory at White Hart Lane and 5-2 against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. Chelsea were 2-0 winners and Arsenal had a false start in the UCL with a 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreab and a surprise 3-2 home loss to Olympiacos.
Sadly we were unable to have Ramsey back to the team, Giroud unfit, and Coquelin got injured against Chelsea. Positively, Jenkinson is back to training and Iwobi has been nominated in the Golden Boy award by Tuttosports.
Can we have another run in October? Next up is Burnley (A), Swansea City (H), Ludogorets (H), Middlesborough (H), Reading (H) and Sunderland (A). All winnable?
Enjoy your day.
SoccerGunz 