Captain's Log: supplementary. Star Date 25:09:19

I've not been known to make the effort to post the day after an early round League Cup game, but there's quite a lot to discuss after that scintillating performance against Nottingham Forest, so I am making an exception.

First, the much-awaited debut of Kieran Tierney (above) and returns for Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin. And whilst I am taking things with a massive pinch of salt as this was 'only' Nottingham Forest and there will be much bigger tests to come, one could not fail to have been impressed. Considering the trials and tribulations of the current first choice back 4, one can only wonder if we could see Emery easing in a completely new first choice defence of Bellerin, Chambers, Holding, Tierney in the near future?

Although, of course, there is a case for saying that the problem is not necessarily the defence, but what's been in front of it. Because I'm afraid that we're very likely to see Xhaka back in the heart of midfield at Old Trafford, and it would be difficult for any set of defenders to cope with being continually exposed by his sluggishness. 

I am not going to try to guess what the first choice XI may be come the Spring, but at this stage I'd like to imagine that it might be:

Leno

Bellerin     Chambers     Holding     Tierney

Torreira     

Guendouzi     Willock

Pepe     Lacazette     Aubameyang

And with an exciting bench to boot!

Anyway, back to the game. Never a moment's worry, to be fair. And nor should it have been, of course. Martinez had almost nothing to do. Chambers is relishing his second chance at Arsenal, and has grabbed it with both hands. Holding looked composed and extremely solid in the centre (£2m for him; £85m for Harry Maguire, lest we forget) and helped Mustafi to a second successive clean sheet. Tierney was solid in defence, and gave us glimpses of what he is capable of going forward, hitting his crosses early and tellingly. Bellerin got 10 minutes, and whilst he wasn't tested at all defensively gave an assist with his second touch. 

In midfield, Torreira did his job well, and Willock gave further glimpses of an exciting future. Ozil, somewhat surprisingly starting, was neat and tidy and did some nice stuff (and was furious to come off on 70 minutes). Ceballos (or Danny Onions, as he is nicknamed by some) added some momentum when he came on for the German.  

Up front, Martinelli scored two lovely goals and was lively throughout. One has to, however, feel sorry for Emile Smith Rowe, who came off injured (broken nose we think?) just before half time. The poor kid is having no luck on the injury front. Nelson scored an absolute beauty, and Smith Rowe's replacement, Bukayo Saka, perhaps tried to do a little too much with the ball at his feet but showed what an exciting talent he is.

So on the whole a thoroughly satisfying night, although it remains to be seen how many of these players will have forced themselves into the starting XI at Manchester United. I'd certainly consider Holding and Chambers, but suspect that Tierney and especially Bellerin aren't quite ready yet. And I'd have no qualms about Willock playing (alongside Torreira and Guendouzi, please).

And to top it off, Tottenham going out at the hands of Division Two Colchester United made the evening doubly pleasurable. They must be as sick as Troy Parrott!

Until next week.

Football, or Basketball?

Two wins in a week, and a new star born; all's right in the Arsenal world - right?

Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Following on from the dire statistic of allowing Watford 31 attempts on goal last weekend, Arsenal followed that up by allowing Frankfurt 24, and Aston Villa a 'mere' 14 (although it felt like a lot more). These stats are unacceptable for a side with the lofty ambitions and expectations of Arsenal, and the reasons for them must be addressed.

So, first the good from the Villa game. Aubameyang, despite looking jaded playing his third 90 minutes in 8 days, scored a superlative free kick and continually looked for space, pulling defenders all over the place. Pepe showed further glimpses of his potential, and Saka (I'll come back to him, I promise you) was unlucky to be the man to be hooked at half time in the required defensive re-structuring. He was possibly Arsenal's best player in the first half.

I must also mention the added impetus that the introduction of Torreira and Willock gave to the side (although that might be something to do with Xhaka going off!). Guendouzi's performance was chalk and cheese; sluggish and off the pace for much of the first half, but driving the side on from 2-1 down. He needs to play the whole of a game the way he finished this one. By the way, I understand that Mateo had a match-long slanging match with every Arsenal fan's favourite ex-player, John 'you know what you are' Terry. If he, at the age of 20, has identified Terry as football's version of the Antichrist and has managed to get under his skin, then that will of course only further endear him to us all.

Plus a special mention to Calum Chambers, who played well in an unfamiliar position, scored an important goal, and deserves a start or five in his preferred position.

And the bad - well, it was the usual. The entire defence looked dodgy throughout - although that might be something to do with the way the midfield is set up. And when I say set up, I'm really not sure how they are being set up and what they are being instructed to do.

And that's what Emery needs to address; because Arsenal are a soft touch in there at the moment. So I'm going, for the moment, to give the defence a little bit of the benefit of the doubt - for all they look devoid of confidence, as they got little or no help throughout a thoroughly depressing first hour of football (to add to the horrendous second half last week) from the midfield in front of them.

The lack of urgency displayed when the ball was lost led to numerous opportunites for Villa, and it's inexcusable. As a supporter in the ground, it is infuriating to see three midfielders barely jogging back after a lost ball, whilst our opponents sprint forward to get at a totally exposed back 4. No urgency, no closing down, poor shielding of the defence - the sort of stuff that I have been known to shout at my team-mates about at my weekly football game; football, I tell them, is not a spectator sport whilst you're actually on the pitch! The lack of energy and willingness to close Grealish down for their second goal - he dribbled easily between three players - summed the issues up succinctly.

So David Luiz has gone from having one of the world's best defensive midfielders in N'golo Kante shielding in front of him, to having Granit Xhaka 'allegedly' do that for him. I've said it before and I say it again; I am not sure what Xhaka brings to the side. He can't tackle, he can't run, he doesn't close the ball down (key qualities for a holding midfielder, I would venture to suggest), although he can, given time, pass the ball over any distance you care to name. What I did notice throughout the game was that he was trying to fill empty spaces as opposed to getting close to the ball. Space, to my knowledge, has never caused much damage on a football pitch? I'm sorry, but his main quality - passing ability - is not necessarily key to the role, so why Emery continues to select him in it is beyond me.

I'm desperate to see Torriera there, but I suspect that Emery is looking for a player of physically greater stature, and there are frankly no players of lesser physical stature than the extremely diminutive Uruguayan. However, hearing rather more than a smattering of cheering when the number 34 went up to be substituted told the story of what the Arsenal crowd thought of Xhaka's performance today. I'd like to see a middle three of Torreira, Guendouzi and Willock some time soon.

And now to discipline. A number of stupid yellow cards left their mark on the side. Guendouzi for dissent, and an unfortunate early one for AMN that meant that he quite rightly got his marching (or in this case hobbling) orders for a badly mis-timed slide on Taylor. And as for Sokratis' embarrassing attempt to get Wesley into trouble; well I'm sorry, but that is unbecoming of a professional footballer and he should be dealt with by the club for it.

But, somehow, three points were earned. From 2-1 down, and with 10 men. In a week that Tottenham, Chelsea and United all lost. And I'll gladly take that. I hope that Emery can see what the spectators are seeing, though, as there is a depressing lack of positional organisation, discipline and latent energy in midfield that simply must be addressed.

And now briefly back to Frankfurt in midweek. A frankly sensational result, lit up by a superb performance from 18-year-old Bukayo Saka, who as a result got his first Premier League start. Yes, a star is born - at barely 18 Arsenal's third youngest ever Premier League debutant. With two assists and a sensational goal, he deserves all the plaudits he got - although quite how Mason Greenwood overshadowed him in the media the next day is beyond me.

That's Arsenal's most difficult Europa League group match out of the way, and I'd say we're virtually already qualified now as a result. I look forward to seeing more youngsters blooded in the remaining group matches (and in the Carabao Cup; starting on Tuesday evening).

And starting next week at 'fortress' Old Trafford, let's hope to see a more pragmatic approach from Arsenal. A little less of the end-to-end basketball-type excitement that we've been put through so far this season, please. Fun for the neutral, maybe, but not good for this supporter's blood pressure!

Until next week.

Stinking It Up

Firstly, I'd like to thank my good friend Danny for enabling my Arsenal-centric blog onto a new platform. Thanks, DC, and I hope that it goes down well with your readers. And that's about the only good thing I've got to say this week...

I was angry at the end of the game, but I try not to hit the keyboard immediately as it often helps to simmer down a bit. But... if anything, time has given me a worse perspective on the game than the one I had at 90 minutes. So what have we got?

Firstly, team selection. Emery doesn't do things by halves, does he? Let's face it, who didn't think that selecting both Ozil and Ceballos might just be asking for trouble (against a backdrop of having selected three defensive midfielders - at home! - in the previous game). And as anticipated it was only in relatively small patches in the game that Arsenal managed to impose themselves on distinctly limited opposition. I questioned the team selection before the start, and I am still questioning it now.

Secondly, tactics. And this centres on Granit Xhaka, the supposed lynch pin/pivot of the side. I, along with a large majority of Arsenal fans, totally fail to see what he brings to the party. He can't shield the defence, he can't tackle properly, and he lacks pace and athleticism. Last week saw stats going round noting him as 'dribbled past most often' at Arsenal; 'most fouls committed' by an Arsenal player; and 'most tackles lost'. As if we needed that proved by numbers!

So when Guendouzi is trying to do the work of two players, it's no wonder that the defence is exposed again and again. I'm not quite sure what Emery has got against Torreira - either he is unconvinced by his stature, or Xhaka has incriminating photos of him! But to allow the team in the worst form in the division 31 scoring opportunities in a game indicates that something is horribly wrong.

Thirdly, individual errors. And here I've gone back to the beginning of the season and all goals conceded by Arsenal so far.

Burnley - Ceballos fails to track back

Liverpool 1 - blown coverage at a corner

Liverpool 2 - Luiz switches off; gets caught wrong side of Salah

Liverpool 3 - not taking anything away from Salah, but without the previous yellow card perhaps Luiz does things differently

Spurs 1 - cut apart on a breakaway. Two separate major mistakes on this goal by Sokratis

Spurs 2 - brainless, moronic challenge by Xhaka

Watford 1 - It's been coming. I've been saying it for over a year. If anything, the change to the goal kick rule has made it even more likely. Quite possibly the most embarrassing goal I have ever seen Arsenal give away

Watford 2 - Luiz tackle poor. But left exposed by lack of midfield cover

Each and every goal preventable, and three penalties conceded in successive matches. Not forgetting the extra self-imposed pressure brought about by continually playing out short from the back.

Lets take this back to tactics and personnel. We're now a month into Emery's second season, he's essentially got the players he wanted due to recent culls and considerably larger than expected sums of money spent, and yet I cannot see that he knows his best eleven, and we are yet to see any discernable system/way of playing. There is a lack of identity which surely comes down to a failure to communicate properly to his players what he wants. And that's if he knows what he wants. There are rumours of player unrest, and I can well believe them. Crucially, if one is forever reactive, how does one ever impose oneself on the opposition?

Going back to playing out from the back; these are clear instructions from the Manager, but when the opposition know exactly what Arsenal are going to do, then they're going to devise plans to deal with it. Mix it up a bit, surely - it's not suddenly against the Laws of the game to go long. And also - and this is crucial; Emery said post-game that we are more likely to lose the ball from long goal kicks than short. All well and good, but I'd rather be looking for knockdowns and second balls on the halfway line than gifting the opposition the ball 10 yards out!

And this was Watford, for goodness' sake. The team in the worst form in the entire division. Devoid of confidence and belief (new Manager bounce notwithstanding) and yet our esteemed Captain, Granit Xhaka, announces post-game that we were 'scared' of them. Having gone in at half time 2-0 up... Yes, two horrendous defensive errors cost the game yesterday, but the way the team is set up and asked to play is a recipe for disaster.

When Walcott said in 2016 that Crystal Palace 'wanted it more than us', he hardly played for Arsenal again. And that ought to be Xhaka's fate, because that sort of comment compounds another weak performance from the man who is supposed to be setting the tempo for the side. Our captain...

I'm querying almost everything Arsenal from this game, but I'll make a couple of exceptions. Aubameyang brilliant as usual and took his difficult first goal beautifully. And Leno, goal kick decisions notwithstanding, had an exceptional game. But didn't he have to!

As for the rest: AMN continually exposed by Delofeu - should have been showing him outside, but got no help from his central defender or midfield. Kolasinac as per usual good going forward; inadequate defensively. Centre backs an utter shambles. Xhaka another 3/10 performance, leaving too much on Guendouzi, whose work suffered. Ceballos unable to impose himself (of course it was a 'hot day', so the man who is used to playing in Spain is the one who comes off less than an hour into the game). Ozil peripheral - although gave a sublime pre-assist for the second goal. Pepe needs more time, and some confidence instilled. Substitutions insubstantial, bar one great driving run by Willock late on - and of course there's nobody to change things up front at the moment with Nketiah out on loan (and tearing it up) at Leeds.

On the personnel side, getting the missing defenders back can't come soon enough. And one has to feel sorry for Calum Chambers, who helped keep a clean sheet in game one and yet has not featured since. He certainly cannot have done any worse than the Chuckle brothers have done since. In midfield, I'd drop Xhaka immediately and bring in Torreira. And I'd like to see more of Joe Willock. In Lacazette's absence, I'd give Nelson a run in the side. And Arsenal have one or two extremely promising forwards (John-Jules, Balogun) who ought to now be sitting on the bench for league games.

We are at a watershed with this Manager, very early into season two. And people are already calling for his head. Certainly, bar that fortunate long undefeated run last autumn, it's been difficult to note any real progess from the team. In a season when a Top 4 spot is there for the taking, Arsenal are already contriving to make a pig's ear of it. We are seeing a lot of the latter Wenger era issues, but now a few more thrown in. And I'll add to the bandwagon here; if Emery cannot or will not impose a discernable style on his team then the message is clear - at this level, he is out of his depth.

It's a way off yet, because Arsenal's heirarchy are not Chelsea's, but should there be any consideration of a change of Manager I'd like to throw this in: please, Please, PLEASE not Mourinho. Yes, he's reinvented himself into something of a Nice Guy on tv this season, but this is Jose Mourinho; surely anathema to a club with the class of Arsenal FC. Please no. But as I say, that's some way off. Although should Emery fail to deliver Champions League football for next season (if he gets the whole of this one) that will be enough for me and many others. Much as I want to get behind him, I can't work out what I'm getting behind.

On to Europa League on Thursday. I can't wait... 

Reviewing Tottenham (eventually), and Watford preview

Well, it's taken me a while... but we've been in Interlull mode so I felt I had time - to revisit the Spurs match (please don't make me watch their goals again!), but I've got there in the end. Here's what I've taken from it:

1. Arsenal's forward line has the potential to be as potent as Liverpool's and Manchester City's. This is very exciting as we look forward to the rest of the season.

2.  Emery needs to make some important decisions as to the make up of his midfield. Selecting three midfielders of limited range on the offensive side of the game stifled creativity, but did not add any noticable solidity to the defensive side of the game as these players pushed forward into what to them were slightly unnatural positions. Time and again Arsenal were cut open on the break, and 2-0 could easily have been more until Arsenal finally took a measure of control. There are two aspects to this: 

Firstly, we immediately saw the difference when Ceballos came on (for all that he had looked shell-shocked against Liverpool - but they are an exceptional side the likes of whom Arsenal will not meet too often this season) and one should hope that two shielding midfielders would be enough against any opposition. 

But which two? Well, I think that after the clumsiest and most stupid of fouls on Son, that this graphic says everything we need to know:

But what do we know? He is one of the Manager's most trusted players,as he was Wenger's. Arsenal's midfield liability... which it was easy to contrast against Guendouzi's Man of the Match performance.

3. To my eyes, there was a massive contrast in how the two teams went about their business. Tottenham looked better organised and better coached but, by sheer will and effort, a more freestyle Arsenal fought their way back into the game and could easily have won it. I appreciate that Spurs are a more settled side and that Arsenal needs to bed its new players in, but it will be interesting to see if Emery looks to develop a single defined style of play or whether he continues to adapt his side to the opposition for every single game.

Actually, this would be anathema to me. How can Arsenal impose themselves if the main focus is on stopping the opposition? That has to take away from what his players can do. I want to see structure and tactics, but this would be the exact opposite of what the previous Manager did (i.e take little or no notice of one's opponents). A middle road, please.

Anyway, a point is better than what we might have expected at 5.11pm that afternoon. And it's worth bearing in mind additionally that the Arsenal defence is going to be vastly different personnel-wise by the beginning of November than it looks like now. But it's the midfield that's the main conundrum.

However, Arsenal now go into a stretch of extremely winnable games for a few weeks (and I'm even including Manchester United away in that). Starting on Sunday at Watford.

What is it about other Premier League teams that they all seem to leave it until the week before they're due to play Arsenal to sack their Manager, leaving us open to the 'bounce factor'? Is it me, or does it happen to Arsenal more than any other side? Anyway, they've got off to a wretched start this season (which is why the trigger-happy Pozzos have done the deed to Gracia) but it's always a difficult game there. A fortunate win last season in the middle of that wretched season-ending debacle, and an embarrassing late defeat the season before. Still, Troy Deeney and his massive cojones have had a poor time of it against Arsenal since he opened his big mouth three years ago, and that really ought to continue. Watford away is the sort of game Arsenal should expect to win if they want to ensure that they push for a Top Four spot.

And finally, a word on Harry Kane. Is there anyone who doesn't think that he's a serial diver? And that he gets away with it a bit more than he should in the same way that Alan Shearer got away with trying to kick Neil Lennon's head into the stands all those years ago. Anyway, now that matters have started to get highlighted a bit more, hopefully that will work against him and his club. And whilst I'll always support him while he's wearing an England shirt, I really did enjoy him missing that penalty on Wednesday evening. Bad David!

Until next Monday. 

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.