Morning.
A very quick Friday blog for you before I try and play golf. It’s been a while, so watch out if you’re anywhere in Wicklow today.
Having expressed some concerns in yesterday’s blog, I guess it’s fair to make the point that in football, change is rarely radical. The two players that Arsenal signed this summer who bring qualities that give us something different – Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke – have barely been with us for a week. They need time, the other players need time, and the manager needs some time too.
The issue for Mikel Arteta, of course, is that he still has to produce results while the players get acclimatised to the new signings, and those new players bed in. He needs time, but he doesn’t really have much time. As I’ve said before, Gyokeres in particular demands you do something different with your set-up and how you play. As a team we’re a bit too conditioned to keep the ball in areas we now need to start releasing it from more quickly. There were a couple of moments on Wednesday evening when we could have played the ball forward more quickly after Gyokeres made a run, but we’re not used to having our centre-forward do that the way he does, so we recycled possession in a way that feels both safe and frustratingly familiar. At the very least, those moments should be useful for post-game analysis and video sessions.
It’s not impossible to change, of course, but that change is likely to be gradual rather than instant. I’m sure that makes sense to most people, but we live in a world where expectations are high and results are paramount. The start to the new season is weighing heavily on my mind, I can’t lie. It’s tough, and there’s little margin for error in the Premier League these days. So, while everyone is hoping for a magic tactic that unlocks our new striker, I suspect some patience is necessary. If, in that time, we produce results that are better than the performances, it’s easier to live with. I don’t think you need me to lay out the alternative, but hopefully we have a good week on the training ground and produce more encouraging display against Athletic Bilbao tomorrow.
Elsewhere, there are a host of Ballon D’Or nominations for Arsenal Women, a testament to the performances that led to that incredible Champions League win back in May. There are four men nominated too in their section, and while I think individual awards in football aren’t really that important, it’s nice recognition for all concerned. Myles Lewis-Skelly doesn’t have a chance when he’s up against someone like Lamine Yamal for the young player gong, but it shows how he has burst onto the scene in the last 9 months or so.
Beyond that, there’s not much going on today. I did notice Reiss Nelson wasn’t in the squad for the game on Wednesday, having played a part on the tour in Singapore and Hong Kong. I don’t know if it’s because there’s an imminent move somewhere, or another little injury. Given his history, it’s probably both, and the latter will scupper the former, but let’s see if he’s involved over the weekend.
Right, I’m gonna leave it there for now. There’s a brand new Arsecast below if you haven’t had a chance to listen yet. Have a great Friday.
