After spending about 4 hours on two Arsenal Opinion Podcasts and a bit look on Latte Agency – my general takeaway from the weekend is that the squad feels a bit muddled.
Now – I don’t have the blueprints for the Arteta/Edu imaginative and prescient. We’re watching a mixing bowl proper now and judging the cake. Little question there’s one thing stunning in thoughts, however it’s laborious to make judgments till we’re oven-ready.
So the place are my issues?
LEFT-BACK ISSUES:
Kieran Tierney has spoken to The Athletic, and it doesn’t sound like he’s in a rush to exit.
“No. It’s not likely as much as me. I’m comfortable; I’m working laborious every single day, getting minutes. I’m simply making an attempt to do in addition to I can,”
“You possibly can’t play each single sport, each single season, each single 12 months. I don’t count on that.”
It additionally feels like he doesn’t thoughts being a part of the squad. Which is nice, I feel? He’s really a no-nonsense left-back, the likes of which we don’t have. Retaining him could possibly be a good suggestion.
Then you’ve got Tomiyasu, who began towards United. He’s a proper again and a centre again earlier than he’s a left again. However not in response to the weekend.
Zinchenko starred in a presser – however he’s not coaching and he’s injured AGAIN. Are we beginning to see the rationale he was solely good for 23 video games a season at Metropolis?
We even have Kiwior, who has stepped into left-back extra occasions than he has at right-back.
That’s a whole lot of gamers with no clear path of what’s occurring. It looks as if we’re placing bacon right into a chocolate Soufflé out right here.
RIGHT BACK
Ben White was a superb right-back for us final season, however he’s really a centre-back, although I used to be advised that he performed proper again as a younger man at Brighton by somebody that performed with him.
Tomiyasu was our greatest proper again few seasons in the past, however he’s struggled with availability.
Cedric continues to be right here.
We simply dropped £45m on Jurrien Timber.
Who’s going the place right here?
MIDFIELD
We’ve gone from having only a few #6 choices to far too many. Massive Mo, Jorginho, Rice, and Thomas Partey all appear VERY comfortable within the movies, however is 4 6s too many? Who goes? Who begins? How can we share the minutes?
Kai, ESR, and Trossard might all be #8 or they could possibly be different positions? I’m undecided. Are we taking part in #8s or are we going with two 10s subsequent season.
Mikel Arteta mentioned Rice, Kai, and Odegaard will likely be good after 55 video games. Not my fave remark, however I perceive what he’s saying.
You see what I’m saying? All of it feels a bit loopy. However… we haven’t seen the cake. The issue is the cake must be prepared in 2 weeks.
My different large concern is that this: Mikel Arteta has alluded to the time wanted to get the cake tasting good. Gabi Martinelli mentioned in an interview the gamers are mainly making ready to be shit within the Champions League.
My concern – how is Mikel Arteta going to border this season?
He must be upfront and sincere very quickly.
Is that this season a serious title push? Followers expect that after the spending.
Is that this season about maturation and progress? We’ve by no means performed Champions League. The boys have by no means performed 3 video games per week from September. We’ve spent large however aged down the squad. Is it practical to make a lot change and get MORE factors subsequent season? Or is there a blip coming?
The followers must know what the targets of the season are. One of many greatest PR errors of the previous was the golf equipment lack of honesty about what the plan was, specifically a longer-term plan targeted on younger gamers rising collectively.
The earlier Arteta addresses that, the earlier we are able to get behind the undertaking.
In different information, Kylian Mbappe has been provided £700m to go to Saudi for a season – with a £300m payment heading to PSG for the heartache of all of it. I really feel like the ability gamers concerned on this deal are extra invested within the optics than the output. Mbappe is a world-class participant, little doubt, however there are different gamers on the planet and the participant isn’t well worth the cash on supply.
The larger drawback for European soccer is a nation-state is upending soccer and it’s occurring so quick its paralyzing the sport.
Allan St Maximin is getting a mega transfer to Saudi that’ll assist with Newcastle FFP. What’s honest value? How can something be honest when their possession group is each the client and the vendor?
Mitrovic is threatening to strike if he isn’t allowed to exit the Premier League.
Jordan Henderson has dirty his rep on homosexual rights as a result of the cash was price greater than 20 years of doing the fitting factor.
Are you able to blame any of those folks for taking the cash? No. You possibly can’t. It’s straightforward to be a purist whenever you’re not the one getting provided a lot cash it might hold your loved ones protected for 3 generations.
However you’ll be able to take a look at the leagues and the governments who’re performing too gradual on all of this.
The brand new regular labored for the Premier League once we had been on prime – now Saudi is shaking up issues, it doesn’t really feel so good.
What could be carried out?
Who is aware of. Possibly that is simply the way in which it’s going to be with sport. I do fear there’s going to be some deep remorse about all of this when it’s carried out. Promoting off cultural icons doesn’t seem to be a good suggestion. However perhaps that’s simply the place the world goes and we must always all leap onboard.
What do you assume? Share your views beneath! x
