I've given it until the transfer window closed and the interlull is over with to comment, something I've not done since post-Leicester. And I've essentially got two main points to make:
Firstly, the fairly routine victory over Watford shows that it makes a hell of a difference when you put your best player back into the team; Ozil was majestic, as we have come to expect, and his work with Sanchez - a player on his wavelength - was a joy to behold. We saw an excellent first half performance, and then a drop-off in the second half once the game was essentially won. Solid performances from Xhaka - one awesome diagonal to Walcott must be mentioned - and from Kos, who held things together at the back. There will be tougher tests. Of some concern was that the team still don't look fully wound up to last 90 minutes, and that's somewhat inexplicable.
Secondly, the transfer window. I've got no issue with the signing of Lucas Perez - although I'd actually never heard of him. By all accounts he is a pacy, tricky player who can play out wide as well as though the centre, and there are parallels in his career to that of Vardy, in that he has had to work very hard to get where he is today and will surely be looking to make the most of his opportunity at a big club. One must imagine that he was nowhere near Wenger's first choice and that he was holding out for a bigger 'name', but on the whole he's a typical Wenger signing and I reckon he will do well.
We may never find out the truth about the daly in the Mustafi transfer, and I sincerely hope that it wasn't down to Arsenal haggling over the fee. However, the frustration is that I would imagine that if he had been signed earlier we would not have lost to Liverpool on day one, and would therefore be closer to our rivals than we find ourselves. And that's why I'd like to start again, please; the three clubs we fear most all have 100% records, and we're playing catch-up. This will probably come back to bite us. But I'm happy with the make-up of the squad, and feeling considerably more optimistic than I did before. And on another level delighted that I'd shoehorned Ozil into my Fantasy Football team as soon as I could!
I cannot leave without discussing the loans out. Chambers I understand; if he's not going to play with so many in front of him - and it looks like Holding has overtaken him - send him out and see how he gets on with plenty of games. Although it does feel like Wenger has given up on him as being able to make it at Arsenal; we shall see.
Now Jack Wilshere is another matter. I can only assume that it's the player - seeing his way to the first team blocked by Xhake, Cazorla, Elneny, Coquelin, Ramsey and of course Ozil - who has asked for the move in order to finally get some get some game time (and hopefully stay fit). If that's the case, then good for him, and hopefully he can come back next year a different player, ready to take his rightful place in the heart of Arsenal's midfield and finally fulfil his potential. Personally, I'd prefer to see him go abroad and play at a higher level of club, but Eddie Howe's philosophy is similar to that of AW, and he is sure to be first choice in the Bournemouth midfield. Good luck to him, and I for one will be watching what he does very closely.
That's all till next week. Here's to three points against Southampton, and pushing on up the table. COYG
