Are we going to see a Sesko v Gyokeres? I would love to. We are visiting Old Trafford today for our opening game of the season and it couldn’t have been more exciting for an Arsenal fan. We had finished 2nd thrice in a row, we have no intention to make it 4 and we will finally be playing with a proper striker up front. No Havertz – a makeshift striker, no Merino – a midfielder with a duty to score goals, no Trossard who plays better on the wings. We have a 65m striker who scored the most goals last season in any of the leagues that matters. A striker who dreamt of playing in red and white, who asked his agent to cut down his fees to facilitate the transfer, who hold ransom his old club for a move. We haven’t seen anything like that from quite some time, and in games when the scoreboard reads 0-0 in 65th minute, when the strategy you devised isn’t working, it’s the passion and fire in the players that wins you game. We have added more of that in our playing XI.
Right, what a way to start the season. A rejuvenated (take it with a pinch of salt) Manchester United under Amorin who got rid of some of the deadwoods, who brought in one of the striker we were initially interested in, is always dangerous. In fact, Man Utd is dangerous irrespective of the players or the manager if they are playing at home. They have already added some firepower with Cunha, Mbuemo, and Sesko.
In the team news, everyone’s fit except Gabriel Jesus. I would love a back 4 of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and MLS with Zubimendi, Odegaard and Rice in the midfield. The front 3 from now on, should always be Saka – Gyokeres – Martinelli unless it’s an unimportant Carabao Cup game or one of them needs rest. There shouldn’t be a second thought to play Havertz or Merino in that role if Gyokeres says he is fit. Unless you want to play with two strikers, but that’s a thought for a different day.
In the pre-match conference, here’s what Arteta had to say about the pressure to win the title that stood out for me –
You keep digging, digging, digging. You have to keep digging because one day, the gold is going to be there. That’s all the time, what I’ve been taught, I’ve been educated and that’s it. For three seasons, we have more points than any other team in this league. It’s incredible, that’s why we have all the consistency. Now we have to do it in a season, to earn one more point or the same amount of points and more goals difference than any other team. That’s the objective.
source: Arsenal.com
No, we don’t have more points that any other team in the league in last 3 years combined, Man City has. Even if we did, it doesn’t matter because we came 2nd each time. I understand that we keep digging, digging and digging to get to our goal but if your goal is to keep digging for next 12 years in search of 1 title, that’s bonkers.
Anyways, I don’t give a fcuk how you twist your words Mikel. It’s your 6th full season, you have a billion dollar squad at your disposal, you have got 2 playing XIs that can play in Premier League and the missing piece is here. No excuses this time. The title is a must, unless you finish second and get us that Champions league trophy. And it’s start with a game against a team that finished in the bottom half of the table, is your rival and is a must win.
Lets go out there, beat them convincingly for the confidence that’s needed for the games to come and to be in the mix of the title. No, it’s not too early, both City and Liverpool has started their season with a win and you surely don’t want to play catch ups to them.
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Right, that’s all for today. We are playing Man Utd (A), Liverpool (A), Man City (H), Newcastle (A) in first 6 games of the season, and every one of these games will be important if you want to hold that trophy in your hand.
Before I wrap up, let me thanks Paul and Ray for some of the wonderful pictures they have shared with me. I will be using these at LiR. You can follow them on Twitter/X if you find them as refreshing as I do.
Thanks again, guys – if you are reading this, we would love to see you in comment section.
Too early but Mbeumo creating some problems there with his run.
Another dangerous run from Mbuemo
I’m kind of happy that Garnacho isn’t available, as he would be giving White fits, especially without the usual help…Gabs and Saliba will be firmly focused on Cunha and Mbeumo
Can we have some more control of the ball please? I am not liking the chaos.
we look second best early on, but that makes some sense as the road side on opening day
I do worry about our flanks should United continue to play with confidence
I almost wish Cala had taken that on instead of leaving it for Ode
I don’t mind Cala in place of MLS at all 100%
that was some dark arts work inside by Saliba, even though the Keeper gave up a little too easily
Cala definitely has goals in him, especially when he’s given license to roam
Zubi’s got to make better choices in those areas of the pitch, especially when the opposing player is someone of consequence…I read an article recently that spoke directly to that concern about Zubi, as a lot of the stuff that isn’t called in La Liga is called here…I guess time will tell
This is what an overlapping full back does to wingers. Woth Calafiori, Martinelli sees a player who he can pass to, play one on one instead of just putting it in a cross..
I like the pace of play, especially now that we’re starting to turn the tide
Only a matter of time before Manure equalizes.
We look disjointed but nothing has tactically changed with our goal from a set piece?
Same shit different day football with Manure shooting on sight policy.
Does Odecever practice shooting?
Ode ever*
I think Noni should have started for Marts.
MA wouldn’t know what to do with a proper number 9 if he was 10 feet tall and had 3 fucking legs…unless he was playing with his back to goal from the halfway line
Tony—I don’t want to see Noni out there this early, as we need to make another forward signing and you just know if Noni plays okay that will never happen
Manure had lot of dangerous crosses in the middle in the D , but no striker to tap them in . Guess thing will be uncomfortable when Sesko comes in the 2nd half .
Nice to see all Arsenal players looking trim and fit
Casimero is a passenger past his time
Manure many times better and more energetic than they have been for many years.
The boys are going OK but game is chaotic. Would like to see more control/domination as the game wears on. We don’t need to open it up.
there’s been a lot of chatter online about the double-pivot MA employed in our last preseason fixture, problem is we don’t need a double sitting deep…if we do, we have chosen the wrong defenders…White is a natural RCB, so have Zubi or Rice sitting deeper then get two AMs on the pitch…maybe it’s time to see what a tandem of Ode and Ethan looks like