Good morning.
First up, congrats to Arsenal Ladies who demolished Hacken 4-0 final evening within the second leg of the Champions League qualifier. Having misplaced the primary leg 1-0, there was some actual strain going into this one, however the group got here up with the products and go into the draw which takes place at midday immediately. You’ll be able to see the targets within the match report, and skim Jonas Eidevall’s response over on Arseblog Information.
At this time, Mikel Arteta will meet the press forward of our recreation in opposition to Leicester tomorrow, and I actually hope there aren’t extra questions concerning the ‘darkish arts’. As I mentioned earlier within the week, we should always take it as a form of praise that persons are making such a fuss out of it, nevertheless it’s all very boring now. Certain, make it your speaking level after an enormous recreation with Man Metropolis so you possibly can wring each click on out of it together with your engagement-bait protection, however can we come again all the way down to earth now please?
Each group does it, each supervisor does it, each participant does it. Making an attempt to gaslight individuals into considering that is one thing distinctive to Arsenal is each tedious and patronising. Everybody is aware of higher. There have been numerous individuals in glass homes this week throwing numerous stones. The absurdity of some ex-pros sticking the knife into our second half show on Sunday when you think about a number of the stuff they received as much as of their taking part in days is off the charts.
I really assume it’s one thing Mikel Arteta will quietly take pleasure in as a method of additional fostering an ‘us in opposition to them’ mentality inside his squad. He’s a person who retains receipts, as we all know. Ivan Toney’s ‘good kick about with the boys’ Tweet festered with him till we subsequent performed Brentford, at which level he used as motivation for his group. I’m positive there are numerous different examples which have by no means been made public, and this might properly be certainly one of them.
He would possibly fear about how these things being relentlessly regurgitated within the media means we play beneath a form of highlight which isn’t at all times useful, however these things tends to fade away as soon as there’s one thing else for them to get their tooth into. Additionally, it’s exhausting to not assume numerous that is linked to the schedule. Three actually robust away video games in per week, and by the tip of the final one we have been digging in with 10 males in opposition to certainly one of most tough sides to play in opposition to in world soccer, making an attempt to carry them out with every part we had left within the tank. Each group would have accomplished precisely the identical as we did.
I think the supervisor will probably be hoping {that a} comparatively kinder schedule within the weeks forward will permit us to only play video games, rating targets, and take factors, with out all of the fuss. Which is to take nothing without any consideration, however some intervals of the season are tougher than others, and we’ve come by a very tough one. We have now three dwelling video games earlier than the subsequent Interlull, two within the Premier League (Leicester and Southampton) and one within the Champions League (PSG). Domestically, at the very least, it’s important to assume these are very winnable fixtures, and whereas PSG will definitely be a problem, that dwelling benefit could possibly be crucial on an enormous European evening.
I’m additionally positive {that a} matter of dialog on the coaching floor this week will probably be about self-discipline. I don’t have to say once more how ridiculous I feel it’s that Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have been despatched off and suspended for one thing as trivial as ‘delaying the restart’, however Arteta will probably be ensuring his gamers perceive they’ll’t give referees even a sniff of an opportunity to do what they appear to like doing most – making themselves the centre of consideration. To date this season there have been 263 yellow playing cards and 6 pink playing cards within the opening 5 video games. I don’t know the way that stacks up in opposition to final season, or earlier seasons, nevertheless it looks like quite a bit, and all we will management is what we do – which is a message I feel Arteta will probably be eager to impress upon his gamers.
For some additional studying this morning, Tim’s column takes a take a look at how Arteta would possibly tweak issues now that the three robust away video games are accomplished. There’s a brand new Arsecast for you under, chatting concerning the Bolton win when you haven’t had an opportunity to pay attention already, and you may be a part of us a bit in a while Patreon as we sit up for Leicester tomorrow.
Bye for now.
