Bloodied but unbowed

I must say that I got a little p*ssed off reading some of the comments on social media after the Liverpool game. Stuff like 'Emery is clueless', the signings are all rubbish etc. Daft, defeatist and melodramatic.

Arsenal were up against the European champions, a side who haven't lost since... I really don't know when, who have won goodness knows how many home games in a row and who are a good 4 years ahead in their 'project' compared to where Arsenal are - reasons for that to nonetheless be discussed later. So whilst on the face of it a 3-1 defeat doesn't look encouraging, from where I was sitting there was plenty to take out of the game. Liverpool away is one of the two most difficult games any team will play all season.

It took me a few minutes to work out the tactics, but once I got them I understood them completely. The extremely low block conceded tons of possession, but meant that all the play was restricted to areas where Liverpool could not get behind the defence - barring errors, that is... Diamond or flat 4-3-3; I'm not sure it really mattered.

The press only started 25 years from goal, severely compressing the play. And also meaning that with Liverpool's full backs pushed well forward and two rapid players up top, they'd have the added advantage of likely being left two on two, with loads of the pitch to work with, against the opposition's central defenders. And it so nearly worked. Aubameyang and especially Pepe missed gilt-edged opportunities in the first half, and for once van Dijk looked genuinely rattled in one on one situations against Pepe. Goodness knows what Pepe will do to inferior defenders, but it's something to get very excited about!

I found this tweet which tells its own story:

OptaJoe

@OptaJoe

50 - Nicolas Pepe has become the first player to successfully dribble past Virgil van Dijk in the Dutch defender's last 50 appearances in the Premier League, since Mikel Merino in March 2018 for Newcastle.

So, whilst a 'blown coverage' at a corner, a slightly contentious (OK; definitely a penalty) shirt pull and a wonder goal were the reasons for Liverpool's three goals - and one can easily argue that they took their foot off the gas at 3-0 - on the whole it worked, and there's plenty of encouragement to be had.

But again, I'd suggest that playing out from the back - with the ball lost too close to goal on a dozen occasions or more on Saturday - needs more consideration; admirable as the plan may be.

Easy to argue, of course, that Emery picked the wrong personnel and played the wrong formation, but I'd argue that Torreira for Xhaka might have been the only thing I'd have done differently; notwithstanding that Lacazette can't have been pleased to have missed out. Willock justified his inclusion, and there is cause for great optimism over the forward line. I'm not sure that Ceballos quite knew what had hit him, though. And David Luiz? Well, that's what you can get from David Luiz. Let's face it; he's no Kurt Zouma...

So in Top Four terms I'd rather be putting up a reasonably decent fight at Liverpool than losing at home to Newcastle. Or to Crystal Palace. A bit of perspective is needed.

It's worth considering why Liverpool are so far ahead of Arsenal at this time. It's been discussed all over the place, and for years, but I think that for the moment we have to put the past behind us and look forward, as the Board appear to now be doing. If one wants to seek out the villains of the piece, we'd should probably look no further than Danny Fiszman - yes, really... - and Ivan Gazidis. But it would appear that there are genuine plans afoot to narrow the gap. We need to be patient, and accept whatever progress we can get. Realistically, Top Four and the Europa League look reasonable enough targets for 2019-20.

And so to Tottenham. A dressing room that appears unhappy, and a Manager who is showing an element of frustration; and that's been reflected in their performances so far this season. Of course, we will come out and play against them, and that will help them. But I would imagine that there will be worse times than next weekend to be playing Tottenham Hotspur. 

Before I go, a word on Ben Stokes. Sunday's performance was quite possibly, in context, the greatest innings by an English batsman ever. Certainly the best I've ever seen (and I've been watching cricket since the 1970s). How he has come back from his mauling at the hands of Carlos Brathwaite in the World Twenty 20 Final just over three years ago, and the cloud of the charge of affray for that incident in Bristol 18 months later, to become one of the biggest players on the world stage is a testament not just to his ability, but to hard work and an incredible psyche. He has that 1-2% that makes the difference. If only he could have a word with Mesut Ozil about how he does what he does...

Big game Sunday #coyg

Reasons To Be Cheerful

This week, I'm going to cover Arsenal 2 Burnley 1, the impact of the new signings and a preview of the massive game hoving into view next weekend. I'll also spare a few words for Robin van Persie, and for VAR.

For the first time for a good number of years, going to Emirates Stadium didn't feel like a chore on Saturday. More positive vibes at Board level, and the consequential new signings, brought a buzz of optimism to the crowd, and we were not disappointed. But it wouldn't be Arsenal, of course, without a few moments of concern.

So, the good: 

David Luiz clearly adds a new dimension to Arsenal's rearguard. Yes, he can distribute the ball well. Yes, he stood up well to the physical threat of Barnes and Wood. Yes, he was the last to step up to play Barnes onside for the Burnley goal. So all pretty par for the course for David Luiz (and I should mention that I felt sorry for Calum Chambers missing out after a good solid display last week). 

And I love this photo, by the way :)

Whilst Nelson was fairly quiet (notwithstanding a lovely finish for his disallowed goal) and Maitland-Niles slightly error-prone, along with his fellow-youngsters, Joe Willock shone out as the most advanced of the three boys and the most likely to keep his place in the side. Although with it being Liverpool next week I'd more than half expect Xhaka or Torreira to come in.

Dani Ceballos had a really good game. I've seen him likened to 'Santi Cazorla on speed' and to the demigod Robert Pires, but I saw quite a lot of Fabregas in him too. And who wouldn't take a hybrid of those three?!?

Nicolas Pepe played a half as he builds up to speed, and looks a really exciting addition to the team. Rapid, very skilful (he mugged off Mee at one point with a spectacular nutmeg) and clearly already building a rapport with Auba and Laca. What's not to be excited about?

It was also good to see Kolsasinac back for a short cameo. Rumours abound, however, that mainly for non-footballing reasons we may have seen the last of the mercurial Ozil in our lovely new red shirt.

And one thing I loved, and haven't seen for a long while in an Arsenal side. Leaving two men up - split on both sides - when the opposition had a corner. It's a numbers game, and it had Burnley rather confused.

And the not so good:

Playing out from the back from goal kicks. Firstly, Leno needs to speed up his thought processes. Secondly, all this is doing is putting pressure on ourselves. If Burnley can give us palpitations closing defenders down, what will Liverpool and Spurs do to us in the next two matches? If I could make a plea to the Manager, it would be to mix it up a bit so as to put a bit of doubt into the opposition's minds at Arsenal goal kicks. We will concede a penalty or goal if we continue with it.

But on the whole a perfectly satisfactory and promising start to the season so far. Acid tests are about to follow, however.

And so to Liverpool. Champions of Europe. Unlucky not to have won the Premier League last year. etc etc. And of course there's plenty to fear; especially the inverted wingers who are going to put massive pressure on our full backs and look to commit our centre halves early. And for that reason I see Emery playing two defensive midfielders to help them out, and to look to hit them on the break where possible. If they have weaknesses, they might be in central midfield - although I'm sure that Klopp will make plans for Ceballos - and in central defence where whilst van Dijk is almost peerless, questions can be asked of whoever is chosen to partner him. The work rate of the entire side is going to be critical, but we have pace to burn on the break, so we shall see. A big game, but maybe a bridge too far so early in the season.

And so to two side issues:

1.  Robin van Persie. I'm sorry, but his 'explanation' on BT Sport takes quite a lot of believing. I watched it on Twitter and smelt a rat, feeling that it didn't add up - didn't really make much sense and I wasn't sure quite what he was saying - and then looked at the comments... and, well! It seems that 99% of Arsenal fans feel the same way - that it's a re-write of history. If he's trying to ingratiate himself with Arsenal fans he'd have been better off coming clean. I don't buy it. And another reason to read the book that I sincerely hope that Arsene Wenger is currently writing - the chapter on Cole/Fabregas/Nasri/Adebayor/van Persie will be fascinating.

2.  VAR. Well, once more Tottenham benefit from a marginal over-rule against Manchester City. And having had my first experience of it 'live' on Saturday I must add that whilst I can see the benefits of it, it a) sucks a good percentage of the enjoyment out of celebrating and b) whilst I can see the advantages of having clearly defined parameters, it's the Laws that VAR is looking to uphold that need to be re-examined. That it was Tottenham who benefitted was a pity - although seeing City drop points is always good. Anyhoo, it's early days for VAR and we will have to see if the 'swings and roundabouts' effect does work out. On balance, I remain in the Against column.

And so to Liverpool. I'll take a draw right now. Until next week.

Start as you mean to go on

So, after a hiatus (there's only so many times I can say the same thing again and again and again), the least read Arsenal Blog in existence is back for more in 2019-20. In this first post of the season I'll first cover the game against Newcastle, and then look at what's been going on in pre-season and why I think that Arsenal fans should be optimistic for the months ahead.

It took Arsenal 8 months last season to manage a clean sheet away from home in the league. This season they managed it on Matchday One, and helped themselves to a pretty comfortable three points from Newcastle. The major talking points from the game were as follows:

1.  Lots of new signings to look forward to, yet for various reasons none of them started. Pepe has only just arrived, and (slightly left-field and very interesting signing) David Luiz had a single training session last week, Dani Ceballos was suffering from a slight ankle injury, and Kieran Tierney was signed injured. I personally had no problems with the team selection (many on social media did, but they need to get over themselves; it's going to be a long season), and was delighted to see Willock and Nelson get starts. The team selection was solid, if unexciting, and the way it was set up was pragmatic. Players did their job well all over the field.

2.  It's difficult to knock anybody's performance (unexciting as the match was). Leno did everything expected of him (although I dont' think I'll ever be free of heart palpitations when they try to play it out from the back!). The defence was solid and barely allowed Newcastle an opportunity. The experienced Sokratis and Monreal did exactly what we would have expected of them, whilst I'm personally delighted to see Calum Chambers finally get (and take) an opportunity. Plus although Maitland-Niles still has a lot to learn about playing right back he had a decent game - and a lovely assist.
In midfield, I barely noticed Xhaka (something of a relief!), whilst Willock had a quiet-ish game, but the star of the midfield three was undoubtedly Matteo Guendouzi. I have very high hopes for him.
Higher up the pitch, Mkhitaryan was quiet and mainly disappointing, but generally did the job asked of him, whilst Nelson looked very promising indeed, using the ball intelligently and working hard when out of possession. As for Aubameyang, I thought he had a great game, leading the line well, making intelligent runs and dragging defenders out of position continually. And of course he took his goal superbly.
It's too early to judge, but I liked the look of Ceballos, Pepe looks like he's going to excite us as the season progresses, and Martinelli looks OK too.
As the season goes on, the starting line-up is likely to look very different to what it did on Sunday, but those people moaning about new players not starting etc. should not lose sight of the fact that we've gone to a difficult away ground and started with three points and a clean sheet. That's what matters most.

Now a look back at the main talking points from the summer; namely, #wecaredoyou and the transfer window in general, the strange situation surrounding Ozil and Kolasinac, plus the man who calls himself Heavy D and the whole AFTV phenomenon. Followed by a prediction...

1.  I'm pretty sure that the #wecaredoyou campaign had a negligible effect on the thinking of the owner and the Board, and that they were planning to spend the sort of money they ended up spending all along. Nonetheless Josh Kroenke was true to his word, considerably more money was laid out than I think almost all of us were expecting, most of the holes were filled (sorry to see Kos go - and especially the way he did - but David Luiz's suprising signing takes care of that) and the club's transfer record was smashed good and proper. I think that we have to accept that in Sanllehi and now Edu we have a more dynamic recruitment team, and the funds were supplied to back them up. Personally, I'm both delighted with and excited by the summer's business. Maybe it's time to ease off Silent Stan's back?

The downside is the surprising loss of Iwobi (to balance the books, it would appear) but that's business I suppose. And the presence of what many of us may describe as 'dead wood' in the squad - or if not dead wood then players who are costing more than their worth. In this I'd include Mustafi, who does look as though he's on his way, Mkhitaryan who has only convinced in very small flashes, and more controversially Xhaka and Ozil.

Sunday's team wasn't set up to do much for Xhaka, whose range of passing - his main asset - could not be shown off because the team played so narrowly. And without that he's not got much to offer. He's a risk in the tackle, and tends to dwell on the ball. As for Ozil - and I'm moving on to organised crime in a moment - I have to admit that following Baku I'm pretty much done with him. A wonderful footballer on his day, but not worth what he's being paid if he can't/won't turn it on more than occasionally. If they both go in the next three weeks, I won't shed too many tears (maybe just a few for Ozil; a joy to behold on his day) .

2.  Organised crime, eh? We can't possibly expect to be privy to what's going on with Ozil and Kolasinac, but it's clearly serious, and I'm wondering if they'd be better off plying their trade elsewhere for the sakes of themselves and their families. It would be wrong to speculate on why they're being targetted - although there are all sorts of rumours and conjecture on social media - but to think that the street of Golders Green are looking like the Wild West is absoltely terrifying and I hope that the Police sort it out quickly.

3.  Now I normally wouldn't wish to give AFTV any oxygen whatsoever, as they're an absolute embarrassment and laughing stock to the majority of Arsenal fans, but how this guy who styles himself as Heavy D has managed to sink even lower than the likes of Claude, Troopz and Mr DT I don't know. All I can say is that I've just given them a tiny bit of oxygen here, but I'd beg Arsenal fans to ignore them completely on social media so that they get swallowed back up their own holes as swiftly as possible.

4.  Finally, a prediction. It is clear that Manchester City and Liverpool will continue to dominate the title chase this season and that one of them will win it. However, of Arsenal's 'rivals' for Top Four, I'd venture to suggest that we'll finish very close to (if not above) Spurs this season, but that if I were a fan of either Chelsea or Manchester United I'd be worried. People will point to Manchester United's 4-0 win over Chelsea and wonder what I'm going on about, but that was the most unrepresentative 4-0 I've ever seen. I'd be concerned for United with Solskjaer in charge as ther season goes on and Chelsea, having lost Hazard and with Lampard at the reins and a transfer embargo, are in my opinion really going to struggle to keep up.
So whilst I was concerned 6 weeks ago that Arsenal may need to start looking over their shoulders at Wolves, Leicester and Everton, I think that we can safely now look up and at a golden opportunity to qualify for the Champions League this season. 4th at worst; it's back on!

See you next week.