Morning.
Pre-season continued with a 3-2 defeat to Villarreal on the Emirates final evening. As we’ve finished all through the summer season, as we speak’s weblog has some observations quite than a granular have a look at the 90 minutes.
Defensive worries
Sure, it’s ‘solely’ pre-season, however all through we’ve appeared a bit wobbly on the again. In Hong Kong it was principally from set-pieces, yesterday we struggled with open areas towards a Villarreal facet who appeared fairly tidy in possession. Each first half objectives ought to have been defended higher, and the third – coming late within the second half – noticed us uncovered on the break.
We’ve been so good defensively for the final two seasons, it stands out after we’re not. There’s time to place it proper, however that’s precisely what we have to do forward of a troublesome begin to the brand new season.
Attacking worries & disjointed workforce choices
I feel a entrance three of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres is one which can in all probability begin lots of video games for Arsenal this season. A midfield behind them of Christian Norgaard, Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri is a trio that in all probability gained’t. I perceive the necessity to give gamers minutes, however there’s additionally a have to construct some continuity.
If you may make an excellent case that Gyokeres is somebody who may gain advantage from having a participant like Martin Odegaard feeding him probabilities, and likewise for Odegaard to have that long-awaited 9 as a recipient for his creativity, it appears a bit odd to not give them time on the pitch collectively. The captain got here on within the 63rd minute as our new striker went off, leaving Merino as the person up prime. I’m certain there’s methodology to the insanity, however I don’t actually get it.
There was no Kai Havertz yesterday, so possibly the supervisor was reluctant to start out Merino up entrance if he had considered Odegaard as a second half change. It simply appears to me that if we’re going to must adapt to a brand new striker – and there appeared little proof of that yesterday – don’t we have to give our ‘first selection’ midfield of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Odegaard a while on the pitch with him? I hope that’s what we see this weekend towards Athletic Bilbao. It’s the final gown rehearsal forward of Previous Trafford, and we have to see the way it works.
On Gyokeres, Arteta mentioned:
Day by day in coaching I feel he’s getting a extremely good feeling. I feel he’s getting connections as nicely outdoors, which I feel is actually vital with gamers which might be going to assist him to get within the place that he must get in. On his health degree, I feel he hasn’t skilled actually with the workforce for 2 months, so he’s finished now six or 5 periods I feel earlier than as we speak, so I feel on Saturday once more he’ll take one other step and he shall be in a greater situation.
It’s nonetheless early days, clearly, however the way in which we performed yesterday was very acquainted. Simply placing a brand new lad up prime gained’t do something except we do regulate a bit. I do know we have been with out Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard, however you couldn’t assist have a look at that recreation yesterday and never pine a for somewhat extra creativity and ability, notably within the central areas.
Max Dowman, as soon as once more
Everyone knows his age. All of us perceive how that must be a consideration. However when a 15 12 months outdated comes on in each pre-season recreation and stands-out as probably our greatest and most impactful participant, it’s important to acknowledge that. You could possibly argue it says one thing about everybody else, however to me that’s churlish. All of us have eyes, we will all see we’re witnessing the emergence of a really, very proficient younger man.
Ideally, you don’t put him within the highlight at this age, and don’t put him below any important strain, however after his shows this summer season, I’d be dissatisfied if he wasn’t within the matchday squad for Previous Trafford. I do know it’s ridiculous actually, however in the event you’re choosing a workforce on benefit, why shouldn’t he be included? He gained the penalty which made it 2-3 final evening, and when he will get the ball, he makes issues occur in a manner that too few others have in the course of the video games the summer season.
Gabriel and Timber return
The 2 defenders bought their first minutes of pre-season yesterday, which is sweet information as each are crucial gamers for us. Ben White seems to be rather more like his outdated self at right-back this summer season, however final season taught us we’re going to wish each him and Timber for a protracted marketing campaign. Equally, Gabriel’s significance at each ends of the pitch is apparent, even when usually talking Jakub Kiwior has finished nicely. The Brazilian simply has a measure of presence that the Polish worldwide doesn’t. So, if we’re searching for a giant constructive from yesterday, that’s it for me.
General
The end result doesn’t actually matter, however the efficiency does at this level. I feel we’ve struggled to seek out any fluency and rhythm this pre-season, and that may nicely be right down to the variety of new faces, a few of whom have barely been concerned. We noticed Noni Madueke for the primary time yesterday, a participant Arteta says will play on each side, and whose miss within the penalty shoot-out was about as apparent because it comes!
On the similar time although, we don’t look as harmful as you’d like. Statistically, we had 17 pictures, on prime of 16 within the recreation in Hong Kong, however the objectives got here from a nook and a penalty. I feel Gyokeres had one half-decent likelihood which the keeper saved, so there’s lots of work to do, and I nonetheless really feel like there’s one thing lacking in terms of how we’re taking part in, and the way we’re anticipating to create probabilities. It could possibly be stylistic, it could possibly be the necessity for various personnel, or somewhat from Column A and somewhat from Column B, however it’s clear it’s one thing Arteta has to concentrate to, and discover a answer for, asap.
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Proper, I’ll go away it there for now. We’ll talk about these factors, and the sport in a bit extra element, in an Arsecast somewhat bit afterward, so stand-by for that. Within the meantime, have an excellent one.
