Good day from Dublin, it’s Andrew M right here once more.
First up, large due to Andrew A, Lewis, and Tim for maintaining issues ticking right here on the weblog. Arseblog was mainly my major connection to Arsenal whereas I used to be away. I attempted to remain ‘offline’ as a lot as potential, with solely temporary checks right here and there of different retailers, so the every day round-up was very helpful.
I arrived again dwelling yesterday and spent the day in a jet-lagged daze. It felt as if I had been away for a really very long time, and I believe I’m nonetheless discovering my bearings a bit. As ever it was nice to fulfill so many Arsenal followers throughout the US, and attention-grabbing to see how the staff’s preparations had been coming alongside.
Clearly you may’t study an excessive amount of from the earliest a part of pre-season, significantly when there are such a lot of senior gamers absent, however that additionally did present a possibility for a few of youthful gamers to make a mark. The lads have talked about them of their blogs whereas I used to be away, however Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly had been very spectacular, and look closest to giving Mikel Arteta some pondering to do with regards their involvement within the season forward.
I additionally thought Ayden Heaven stood out enjoying at centre-half, and I used to be most impressed by his response to the aim we conceded towards Man Utd. It’s clear that he can play, however that he additionally has the form of persona that would give him an opportunity. For the time being although, with Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and new boy Riccardo Calafiori forward of him within the pecking order, his possibilities of first staff soccer appear a bit slim, so it’s about persevering with his growth and dealing onerous to make the form of progress required.
This week ought to inform us a bit extra about the place we’re, with our ultimate two pre-season fixtures. First, Bayer Leverkusen (with former Gunner Granit Xhaka) are on the town for a sport on Wednesday, earlier than Lyon (with former Gunners Alexandre Lacazette and Ainsley Maitland-Niles), rock up for a Sunday kickabout. After that, it’s Wolves on the opening day, so these two video games are fairly vital by way of our preparations.
The squad has been bolstered by the returns of William Saliba, David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, however it stays to be seen how a lot they’ll be concerned after their prolonged holidays. Little question we’ll hear from Mikel Arteta forward of every sport, however I think they is perhaps earmarked for Sunday motion quite than Wednesday. Then once more, it wouldn’t shock me an excessive amount of in the event that they obtained minutes towards the Bundesliga champions.
As for additional arrivals, the chat appears to be that Mikel Merino will likely be a midfield addition, however past that it appears to be quiet. I suppose a bit relies upon available on the market itself, and what occurs with Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah. Each have been strongly linked with strikes elsewhere, and may each of them depart, there’s little doubt in my thoughts that we’ll herald some form of ahead. Striker? Winger? Some form of hybrid? Your guess is pretty much as good as mine however you may’t enable two forwards to go and never signal anybody, so let’s see how issues go over the following few weeks.
In pre-season, we’ve seen Fabio Vieira play on the precise of the entrance three a few occasions, however regardless of a pleasant end towards Bournemouth, I don’t essentially discover him a very convincing choice there. The long-standing dialogue about how we procure or present back-up for Bukayo Saka is perhaps one we hear loads of earlier than the top of the switch window, and I believe within the short-term, the best choice we now have is Gabriel Jesus – who has seemed sharp in pre-season.
That then requires Kai Havertz to play as your striker, in order that in flip opens up discussions about midfield. May it’s a case that Declan Rice and Mikel Merino are the 6/8 combo? I’ve some worries in regards to the bodily limitations of our present choices at 6 (not Rice), and including one other 6’2 man into the staff (Merino) looks like a really Arteta factor to do. Our set-piece coach will definitely thank him for it, at the very least. As I stated, that’s why I believe this week might be very attention-grabbing in relation to seeing what approach the supervisor is considering his staff for subsequent season, and whether or not any form of tactical tweak is on the playing cards.
Proper, I’m gonna go away it there for now. It’s good to be again and I’m trying ahead to settling again right into a work-routine. The excessive jinks had been enjoyable, however the critical enterprise begins once more very quickly.
We’ll have an Arsecast Further for you later this afternoon as a result of James continues to be within the US. Preserve an eye fixed out for the decision for questions on Twitter @gunnerblog and @arseblog on Twitter with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or in the event you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, go away your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod ought to be out by 4pm or thereabouts. For now, have an excellent one.
