Morning. It’s Friday.
Prepare for data overload. That’s proper, the supervisor will meet the press as we speak forward of our sport in opposition to Nottingham Forest tomorrow, and we’ll get some data. Which can nonetheless really feel like an overload as a result of we’ve had nothing for weeks now.
It seems 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 may be 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 group that feels extra balanced than the one we’ve seen thus far. I feel there are apparent causes as to why we’ve struggled. In opposition to Brighton we performed a lot of the second half with 10 males; in opposition to Man Metropolis we performed all the second half (and a shitload of damage 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 impression 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 feel 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 would possibly begin to form up in another way going ahead. When it turned clear throughout the summer season that Mikel Merino was a switch goal, I puzzled if we would see the ‘first selection’ trio grow to be 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 damage shortly after arriving, and it’s apparent that has delayed his integration into the group. He’s had a barely inconsistent begin to life at Arsenal, however has completed so in a group 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 exterior him within the remaining a part of the 1-1 draw with Chelsea. That’s the midfield I’d wish to see extra of within the coming weeks and months.
The opposite side of that’s that it permits us to play Kai Havertz because the 9, and I feel this group operates extra effectively when he’s the point of interest. The ‘job share’ bit with Leandro Trossard final season labored okay, however the Belgian isn’t in good type proper now, so I’d wish 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 yr are additionally essential for each Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling. If Arteta has to consider how now we have an enormous reliance on Odegaard, he’s additionally acquired to consider the shortage 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 stress on these two, and perhaps some ruthlessness required. Sure, their minutes have been scant to date, 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 type, 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 incredible 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 received golds of their classes!
Proper, I’ll go away it there for now. There’s a model new Arsecast under during which I chat to Miguel Delaney about his new ebook ‘States of play: How sportswashing took over soccer’. There’s lots to unpack from the ebook itself, the way in which soccer, cash and politics have grow to be inextricably linked through the years is clear, however what impression has it had on the sport, and what’s subsequent?
We focus on all that and plenty extra. And for lots extra Arsenal chat, be part of us over on Patreon later for our Nottingham Forest preview podcast.
