Good morning from Bilbao.
That is my second weblog of the day. To clarify, I awoke, dozed again off, then dreamed I’d written a complete weblog about Jurrien Timber, which was very pleasing as a result of it seems to be like it is a quiet information day on the Arsenal entrance. It was like if you had been a child and also you dream you’ve bought away from bed to go to high school, however you’re nonetheless below the covers and somebody is shouting at your from downstairs to rise up, dress and get out the door.
I forgot it will get brighter right here a bit later. It’s simply after 7.30 after I began scripting this and the solar isn’t actually up but. It provides to that slight sense of discombobulation if you get up in a resort and also you don’t fairly know the place you’re for a couple of seconds. Clearly I’m right here for the sport tomorrow (in addition to all of the pintxos anybody can eat), and I’m actually wanting ahead to that.
The primary time I got here to this metropolis, I walked to the San Mames stadium simply to take a look, and going to a sport there was on my want checklist ever since. Arsenal arrive later right now, Mikel Arteta will maintain his pre-game press convention this night, and whereas stuff in regards to the workforce can wait till tomorrow’s preview, I’m curious to see what means he mixes issues up.
As we hold saying, he has all these gamers to maintain comfortable, or as comfortable as doable, and there shall be some itching to play tomorrow. With Man Metropolis on the horizon subsequent weekend, we must always see him shuffle his pack a bit, however as I stated dialogue of that may wait till tomorrow’s weblog.
I didn’t get to see any of the soccer yesterday as a result of I used to be travelling, however Liverpool are again on prime after a late penalty gave them a win at Burnley, whereas Metropolis gained the Manchester derby simply. I noticed a headline within the Guardian which learn: Manchester United appear to have accepted their mediocrity, however how lengthy can it go on?
My first thought was: Ceaselessly, please? Anyway, we’ll speak extra in regards to the weekend’s Premier League video games over on Patreon later in The 30, our common round-up podcast.
Going again to Saturday, and the win over Nottingham Forest, I gave a quick point out to David Raya, however not more than that as others impressed extra throughout the 90 minutes. I suppose it’s value mentioning he did hold a clear sheet on his a centesimal Arsenal look, which appears sort of becoming for a participant who has been a cornerstone of this workforce since his arrival. He didn’t have so much to do on the day, Forest barely threatened, however the one second he was wanted he pulled off an excellent fingertip save to disclaim Chris Wooden a objective.
I believe there’s a danger/reward ingredient with Raya that doesn’t at all times really feel prefer it stacks up with what Arteta is perceived to need (whole management). Generally, when he has the ball at his ft, I believe he delays a bit too lengthy, which appears at odds along with his capability to get the sport going once more rapidly. Which, in flip, can generally result in stray cross right here and there. I realise it’s what he’s requested to do, however I believe he might do it earlier at occasions.
It’s a small grievance although, as a result of we ask him to do a giant job. Keeper and sweeper, primarily. He comes a good distance out of his space and that’s arduous work, and his degree of involvement reveals up within the stats. On Saturday he tried 28 passes (89% accuracy) in comparison with simply 10 for Viktor Gyokeres (70% accuracy). Which isn’t tacit criticism of our new striker, he has his personal function that we’re attempting to get used to, nevertheless it demonstrates how a lot Raya does on the different finish. Inevitably, there shall be some danger with that, gamers misplace passes on a regular basis however when it’s a keeper it stands out.
What you’d say about Raya although is that he doesn’t get flustered. I believe we’ve all seen gamers who, once they make a mistake, go right into a darkish place of their thoughts and it might influence their efficiency for the remainder of the sport. Not him, and if you ask your goalkeeper to play the way in which we do, you want that psychological power together with the technical capability.
100 video games, 42 clear sheets. ‘Fairly good’, stated Arteta. Fairly, fairly, fairly good. Proper. I’m gonna go away it there. Discover espresso someplace. Drink espresso. See what Bilbao has to supply. I would go see some fashionable artwork.
Until tomorrow.
