Morning. It’s Friday.
Prepare for info overload. That’s proper, the supervisor will meet the press at this time forward of our sport in opposition to Nottingham Forest tomorrow, and we’ll get some info. Which is able to nonetheless really feel like an overload as a result of we’ve had nothing for weeks now.
It appears like a very long time has handed since that Chelsea sport. Maybe that’s a superb factor. I’m no fan of the Interlull, however this one may need simply allowed us to attract a line below the primary a part of the season (solely 11 Premier League video games, 27 to go!), and get centered once more. What little margin for error there’s all through a season might nicely have been used up in that opening interval, so it’s essential that the supervisor elicits outcomes and performances when issues kick off once more tomorrow.
One factor I’m hoping to see because the weeks go on as an Arsenal crew that feels extra balanced than the one we’ve seen up to now. I believe there are apparent causes as to why we’ve struggled. Towards Brighton we performed many of the second half with 10 males; in opposition to Man Metropolis we performed all the second half (and a shitload of harm time with 10 males); and in opposition to Bournemouth it was over an hour with 10 males. We’ve had points with accidents too, which have impacted consistency of choice, and I don’t suppose it’s unreasonable to suppose there’s been a bodily affect from taking part in these video games a person mild.
As Lewis identified this week, the return of Martin Odegaard is essential for our enchancment (and I believe between now and January, Arteta and those that are filling in for Edu proper now must suppose very strongly about our lack of depth in his absence), however I’m curious to see if midfield may begin to form up otherwise going ahead. When it grew to become clear through the summer time that Mikel Merino was a switch goal, I puzzled if we’d see the ‘first selection’ trio change into Declan Rice, Merino, and Odegaard.
Rice anchoring, Merino because the ‘left 8‘, and the captain doing the stuff we all know he can do, with the peace of mind of these two behind/alongside him. If that was the plan, it was derailed instantly as Merino picked up an harm shortly after arriving, and it’s apparent that has delayed his integration into the crew. He’s had a barely inconsistent begin to life at Arsenal, however has carried out so in a crew which has collectively inconsistent too, so it’s to not pin all of it on him as a person. I don’t suppose it’s coincidence that his most eye-catching look got here when he performed with Odegaard outdoors him within the ultimate a part of the 1-1 draw with Chelsea. That’s the midfield I’d prefer to see extra of within the coming weeks and months.
The opposite facet of that’s that it permits us to play Kai Havertz because the 9, and I believe this crew operates extra effectively when he’s the focus. The ‘job share’ bit with Leandro Trossard final season labored okay, however the Belgian isn’t in good kind proper now, so I’d prefer to Havertz performed primarily because the centre-forward, flanked by a totally match Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
These 6 weeks or so earlier than the brand new 12 months are additionally essential for each Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling. If Arteta has to consider how we now have an enormous reliance on Odegaard, he’s additionally received to consider the dearth of finish product from these two gamers. I don’t suppose it’s sustainable if we actually need to problem for trophies this season, so there’s some strain on these two, and possibly some ruthlessness required. Sure, their minutes have been scant thus far, however they’re senior gamers with tons of expertise, they know the drill and what’s anticipated.
So, let’s hope we discover the steadiness, let’s hope those that have under-performed to now can discover some kind, as a result of the underside line for me is that we’re able to lots higher than we’ve seen thus far. Now’s the time to point out it.
Lastly, congrats to Tim whose unbelievable work for Arseblog protecting Arsenal Girls earned a Silver within the Soccer Content material Awards final evening, and congrats to our mates at ArsenalVision and Poorly Drawn Arsenal who gained golds of their classes!
Proper, I’ll depart it there for now. There’s a model new Arsecast under through which I chat to Miguel Delaney about his new guide ‘States of play: How sportswashing took over soccer’. There’s lots to unpack from the guide itself, the way in which soccer, cash and politics have change into inextricably linked over time is apparent, however what affect has it had on the sport, and what’s subsequent?
We talk about all that and much extra. And for lots extra Arsenal chat, be a part of us over on Patreon later for our Nottingham Forest preview podcast.
