Welcome to your Friday dose of scorching Arsenal thinkery.
It’s been fairly per week. Manchester Metropolis has been deploying their darkish arts within the media, permitting club-friendly journalists to pore over CCTV footage in an try to focus on the surprising behaviour of a young person who *checks notes* was talking to David Raya. They’ve additionally crucified our government group for *checks notes* refusing to shake arms with their crew after yet one more deeply contentious spherical of refereeing choices.
I even have it on good authority that solely one membership within the Premier League has lodged a grievance about Arsenal and their completely disgusting habits… and also you’re not going to consider which membership it was.
Yep.
However within the aftermath of all of the drama — the Bernardo commentary, the northern mafia closing ranks on Arsenal’s lack of coronary heart, maturity, and tone — one factor is completely clear:
Arsenal are again, child.
You’ll be able to select to be a sufferer of the media, or you possibly can embrace the unhealthy press like Floyd Mayweather or Conor McGregor and use it to your benefit. Let it distract everybody. Make Arsenal much more watchable. José Mourinho, the king of spin, was completely world-class at taking the warmth off his group and channeling detrimental protection into blistering performances. I’m not asking Arteta to gouge somebody’s eye for the narrative, however I do suppose he can use the boring nature of the assaults to his benefit and galvanise the followers and gamers behind out title push.
We breezed previous Bolton midweek. Now, we have to crystallise our intent this season by mixing Leicester smoother than a £14 Higher Avenue fruit smoothie.
There are some positives on the harm entrance — Mikel Merino is in competition for subsequent week, as is Tomiyasu. Even higher information? Raya appears to be like like he may very well be out there, in addition to Ben White.
That provides the membership loads of choices for a recreation ripe for a little bit of rotation.
Issues I’m desirous about? Does Raheem Sterling come into the combo? Does Nwaneri get some Premier League minutes? What are we going to do on the left?
Leicester are a little bit of a ‘meh’ group this season — not significantly electrical up entrance and much from sturdy on the again. It needs to be an excellent recreation for Arsenal to strive a number of issues, and if we will disrupt their recreation plan early, they may very well be in actual bother.
It’s deeply conceited to recommend, however Arsenal have to make hay within the sunshine of video games towards smaller groups. We didn’t try this within the first half of final season, when our assault was clunky and out of practice, however we made up for it with some blistering performances within the latter phases that boosted our purpose distinction.
I would like extra of that tomorrow — quick begins with no mercy for a group that’ll possible go straight again down.
OK, brief publish. Try the newest Remedy Session with Jacob, Matt, and myself. x
