Daily Bits and Bobs

And we’re off…

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Well that summer break went by quickly. Arsenal have been picked to open the new campaign along with Fulham. I’m sure that had the fixture been scheduled to take place at The Emirates, we’d be kicking off at 3pm but we’re been pretty grim on the road for a few years so I’m sure BT Sport couldn’t wait to stick this one on television.

Arsenal have injuries aplenty. When don’t we?

David Luiz, Emile Smith Rowe, Sokratis, Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari, Gabriel Martinelli and Shkodran Mustafi.

Bad news for Luiz who looks like he could be out for a while but it seems that because of his injury, Rob Holding will be going nowhere during this transfer window. So yet again, out of something bad comes something good.

Fulham have zero injuries apparently.

I’ve no idea what to expect from Fulham because I haven’t seen them play since the last time they were in the Premier League but to gain promotion through the playoffs takes hard work and dedication. Someone once said the Championship is the hardest league to get out of although I can’t recall who said it. I think we can safely assume that the west London side will play with caution, rather defensive I think.

Here is a few highlights of how they beat Brentford at Wembley to secure promotion.

Scott Parker is one of England’s upcoming young coaches who has done well in his first full season of management.

Mikel Arteta has yet to get through a full season in his post, just as he’s yet to fully assemble a squad of his own. Now he’s more involved in that process of course but even so, it’ll take a few more transfer windows before he can sign the kind of players he needs. Rome wasn’t built in a day and with a tight budget, neither will a near perfect Arsenal squad. If there ever has or will be one. Arteta has said that the squad isn’t balanced. It’s top heavy too, with a few expected to depart over the next few weeks.

Already Arteta has a struggle to field a Premier League experienced central defence so one of our new guys will probably start. My money is on Saliba. Rumours are rife about Bellerin heading through the exit doors so if there’s some substance to those stories, I very much doubt we’ll see him today. The Guardian newspaper reported that Martinez has been left out as his move away gets nearer. I expect we’ll see Willian at some stage of the game though, Ceballos too. The latter from the start I think. As for the rest, apart from a handful, toss a coin and see where it lands.

A new season is here and reading around the Internet, a certain amount of excitement and much enthusiasm surrounds Arsenal as we head into this new campaign. We finished last season in a very different manner to which we started it despite having the same players. Individuals have stepped up, collectively the group is more organised and players are back enjoying playing again. At least they look as if they are. Half the battle is won when footballers respond to a manager but that enthusiasm and dedication has to continue for the entire footballing calendar if Arsenal are to have a chance of improving on last season. 10/12 games is easy, 50 plus is a different proposition. This is when we see just how committed the same players are and how good or maybe not so good, Mikel Arteta is at his job. Keeping the players focused and firing on all cylinders for an entire season is his challenge.

Arsenal certainly need a strong start and winning our first fixture, one away from home, would be the best way to show that our end of season form wasn’t a fluke. We know preseason has been short, we know preparation hasn’t been ideal but that’s been the same for every club. No excuses, just start as we mean to go on. With a strong, committed and focused performance.

See you in the comments guys.

 

 

 

 

rico

94 thoughts on “And we’re off…”

  4. Sue says:

    😆 Rico, I’m watching Soccer AM.. Bullard just asked Robbie Keane if Liverpool will win it again, he said it’ll be between them, hopefully Tottenham, City and Chelsea! Bullard said “You’re putting Tottenham in the mix??!!” 😂😂 What a muppet RK is!!

  8. rico says:

    I watched the football show thingy last night with Redknapp, Carragher and Neville. Whilst I have little interest in any of their opinions, all three were very positive about what’s going on at Arsenal.

  9. ScottfromOz says:

    Sue,
    I have a 4.45am start tomorrow so grog is the last thing on my mind lol
    Love these 9.30pm kicks offs usually-not tonight 🙂
    Cicero, no cricket updates?
    Disappointed bud hahaha

  12. ScottfromOz says:

    Nah Rico, had a few early starts for work of late.
    I’m struggling to stay awake now.
    Just over an hour to go-I’ll make it lol

  13. Sue says:

    That makes a nice change, Rico… the Arteta effect strikes again!!

    Scott, I was only messing with you! Noticed how I used ‘grog’ haha!!

  16. Paddy says:

    Good morning Rico

    So soon the wait is over and the season is starting with us. A good start will boost our confidence

    London should be red.

  18. Aussie Geoff says:

    Hi Rico and all Scott how great is it that we finally get to see a match live on tv at a great time not this 3 or 4 in the morning I’m going for a 2 – 1 win

  22. rico says:

    Ah, ok Scott.

    They also said Ozil was a bad distraction Sue because Arteta is getting dragged into an unnecessary conversation every time he’s interviewed.

  25. ScottfromOz says:

    You’re an honorary Aussie Sue lol
    Geoff, it sure is mate.
    Much better than those horrid times we usually get!!!
    Cicero, is it 3 or 5 games?

  26. Sue says:

    And he doesn’t even make the squad again, Rico!
    Macey played yesterday for the U23s… See Raya is out of the Brentford squad too 🤔
    Soccer Saturday – omg Tim Sherwood and bloody Clinton Morrison and the awful Tony Pulis 😖 Bring back Le Tiss, Nicholas and hell I’ll even take Thompson right now!!!

  28. rico says:

    Ah,you meant Saliba Sue? Odd, unless his got a niggly injury.

    Eddie and Ceballos had a bit of pre match pushing and shoving between them. The press won’t have missed that.

  29. Limey says:

    Afternoon Rico, everyone,
    I also think this will be a test. Surprised to see Elneny, he was outstanding in the community shield.
    Strong bench – come on Arsenal.
    I can’t wait..

  32. ScottfromOz says:

    Solid if unspectacular start.
    Lots of passes not finding the target, but I reckon that’s just a matter of new players and communication not quite there.

  33. AndrewH1313 says:

    Afternoon house. Not bad first half, main danger a back pass from casual AMN! Seems end for Martinez and Torreira, shame. Gabriel looks solid and Willian useful. Happier playing around at the back with Martinez though! Ceballos for Elneny after 60 please.

  37. Sue says:

    My heart was in my mouth for a split second with that back pass!
    Willian unlucky not to have scored!
    Ceballos in the 2nd half 🙏 Mitrovic on for them?

  46. Aussie Geoff says:

    Great start not only a win in the first round but also a clean sheet, Nice goal by Auba but I liked Laca more that ‘s I hope we don’t sell Laca

  49. Sue says:

    Gabriel Magalhães’ Arsenal debut by numbers:

    121 touches (most)
    113 passes (most)
    95% pass accuracy
    5 ball recoveries
    3 clearances
    2 tackles made
    2 fouls won
    1 goal scored
    0 goals conceded
    0 x dribbled past

    And he was named Man of the Match.

  50. allezkev says:

    I have to say that I thought that Elneny had a bloody good game, I only saw him give the ball away once and he made the odd forward pass and got into attacking areas – probably should have scored as it goes, so I’d be very happy to keep him as he’s under contract for 2 more years and there’s absolutely no value in selling him either.

  53. rico says:

    I don’t think anyone had a bad game for Arsenal.

    Gabriel lefts a back pass from AMN which imo he should have made his but after that, he was superb. Well earned and justified man of the match.

  59. andrewh1313 says:

    That’s the spirit Sue! It’s hard having grown up on George Graham’s defence, to not always think, there’s a defensive calamity around the corner. But we do seem to be building a foundation now. At least that’s what I thought until that early Leno save was called for 😀

  61. rico says:

    I hope he fails it Sue. Such a ridiculous move imo. I do hope we include a buy back option because I’ve a feeling he’ll be at a much bigger club than Villa in a year or two time.

  63. Joaquim Moreira says:

    a) Is Saliba injured?
    b) Laca made a very good performance
    c) Gabriel is safe to defend.
    d) Sokratis, Torreira and Martizez (unfortunately) must be lin the way out.. Unfortunately it is not the same with Ozil
    e) Arteta did very well to include Ceballos and Nketiah at different times in the game. It shows the idea of ​​cohesion in the team and that everything was just an outdated pout.
    f) The rumors about Bellerin, Laca and AMN continue.
    e) Elheny played a good game, makes defense more solid and allows an effective alternative to transposing the game and starting the attack.

  64. Le Coq Monster says:

    Always excited at first game of season, but this is the first season for a while that I felt comfortable and expected an easy win!

    In Magic Mikel we Trust!

  65. Joaquim Moreira says:

    I add:
    It is not clear how Hector did not receive the 2nd yellow card. The referee did well not to show it when he knocked over Aubeymayang; it was 0-3 and was going to ruin the game; however, he persisted in the fouls (below, an “orange” foul on Xhaka – without VAR) and others, and there was no attempt to replace the player with the coach. Register for future memory.
    They also seemed to me 1 or 2 off-sides badly marked (again without VAR)

  66. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Press:
    “Mikel Arteta is already starting to prove he is the coach Arsenal have been craving, after his innovative methods were pivotal in the Gunners’ win at Fulham.

    What stands the best coaches apart in the modern footballing world? The likes of Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Zinedine Zidane have not achieved what they have by simply buying the best players in the world and letting them do the work; they have made their charges better players with work put in on the training ground.

    Raheem Sterling was already a top quality player before Guardiola took charge at Manchester City, but since the Spaniard has been in Manchester, Sterling has been turned into a world beater.

    Debutants Willian and Gabriel inspire Arsenal to comprehensive opening win
    Lacazette makes history with opening goal of Premier League season
    Ceballos and Nketiah in bust-up before Fulham v Arsenal
    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with his team mates after scoring his team’s third goal at FulhamPierre-Emerick Aubameyang with his team mates after scoring his team’s third goal at Fulham

    Arteta is not going to have millions and millions to spend, so he too has to work his magic on the training ground, and in just a short space of time, the innovative Guardiola protege is finding different ways to eek as much as he possibly can out of his talented squad, and against Fulham we saw yet more invention, tactically, from Arteta. And boy did it reap rewards.

    When Arsenal signed Willian, there was a mixed reaction among the Gunners faithful to say the least. Why was a club in a transitional phase bringing in a 32-year-old, on a lucrative three-year deal, as a short-term fix? The fact it was on the same week as plentiful redundancies at the club left a bitter taste.

    However, Arteta seems to have a plan for the Brazilian. Played as a wide forward or winger for the majority of his time in England with Chelsea, Willian was deployed more centrally in Arteta’s system at Fulham on Saturday, and the pass from Willian for Arsenal’s third showed why he was there.

    The passing range is still there, even if the legs are on the wane. With width offered from deeper in Arteta’s system, Willian can cut inside – a position he created three chances from, more than anyone else on the pitch, with two of those opportunities leading to goals.

    The innovation did not stop there. Full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who has looked set to leave the club, and still could with Wolves interested, was used more as a left winger at Fulham as part of a midfield four, and looked more than comfortable in an advanced position.

    Kieran Tierney became an overlapping centre-back to offer yet another outlet in attack, creating several chances with his pinpoint, arrowed balls over the top.

    Trusting Gabriel in the heart of the backline looked to have been foolish as the Brazilian made an early error on debut that almost let Fulham in to score, but he settled, scored the Gunners’ second and picked up the man of the match award for his assured display, repaying the faith shown in him by Arteta.

    Mohamed Elneny – remember him? He was excellent at Craven Cottage in the midfield anchor role alongside Granit Xhaka, and is just one of several players Arteta has found a use from when many other managers would simply move these unused players on. The list of somewhat bold tactical calls from Arteta goes on.

    “I am really pleased. I wanted to see my team determined with a lot of energy and do the things we did in training,” Arteta said after the match. “We did it today.”

    The tougher games are to come, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United clashes all taking place before the end of October, but on this evidence, as Arsenal made the perfect start to the new season, the impressive apprentice Arteta will have a myriad of ideas to worry even his master Guardiola.

  71. Cicero says:

    WSL Hammers vs Arsenal half time WHU 1 – 4 Arsenal Hammers down to ten, after second yellow for dissent. They tried to muscle Arsenal out but our girls rode the challenges and answered th with goals.

    This could be a higher score than the 6 – 1 against Reading last week.

  77. Sue says:

    True, Rico 👍

    Wow, the women are on 🔥 what a day for the gooner family!!

    Leeds have done well, really well… Ayling and Phillips 👍👍 If they carry on like this, they’ll be fine. Probably wish they could play against VVD every week 🤣🤣

  78. Sue says:

    8-1 now!

    I’m so sick of hearing Tyler and Carragher gushing over Liverpool.. makes me sick! Almost put me off my food! And the bloody crowd noise, haven’t they got the Leeds fans??!! 😖

  81. Sue says:

    Oh that’s all we’ll hear about for the next year – Salah’s hat trick and how they scored 4… nothing about what a donkey VVD is!
    2 penalties – we’d only get that in our dreams!!

  84. Le Coq Monster says:

    Bindippers have the fake crowd noise down to an art in persuading the Reffs!……………..even the sound of wheel nuts being removed over the sound system making the Reff wondering if his car still has wheels by the time he gets out the ground!

  86. Limey says:

    Great wins for both the men and the women.
    Sad Martinez is leaving.Aston Villa have greatly improved their chances of staying in the Premier League.

  88. Rick says:

    Evening Rico and the House.
    There was 3 good wins for the Gooners today
    The U18s got their season going by beating Southampton 4-2
    The good thing the team consisted mostley of last years u16
    Omar Hutchinson had 2assists.Remember this boy Rico he
    is heading for a good season.
    Iwould say Leno and Maceydo not fill me with confidence

  89. rico says:

    Evening Rick. Seems a good day all round indeed. I’ll try and remember him Rick.

    Ditto re our keepers. Just hope this expected deal for Martinez doesn’t bite back.

  91. Sue says:

    MOTD on a Sunday morning is back!! 🙂 well worth a look haha!!
    Rico, do you watch AQOS? Barker, Dawson and Tuffers will all be leaving ☹ Love Tuffers, he’s wild!!
    Also, did you watch Gogglebox?

  92. ScottfromOz says:

    Morning all.
    Fantastic start to the season, and it was great to see the newbies all perform.
    Arteta is a genius, he will prove that to his doubters and he knows exactly what’s required to succeed.

  93. rico says:

    I didn’t know that Sue, gutted they are leaving. Not so much Dawson but it won’t be the same without Tuffers and Sue Barker. ☹️

    Watched gogglebox but must admit to dropping off once or twice. Lol

    Morning all..

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