Morning all.
There’s a reason for sayings like ‘Old habits die hard,’ ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ or ‘miracles don’t happen overnight’ etc etc, they haven’t just been made up for fun have they? No, they are real and that’s because new things can’t be taught in a short space of time, especially when the teacher has to help the student remove old bad habits first. The mindset has to adjust, in football, the feet too along with every other part of the human body. The Arsenal players from last season have plenty of bad habits to eradicate before they can fully perform in the new way, the Unai Emery way and if anyone expected those changes to be taken on board and shown on the pitch from day one of pre-season, well all I can say is they are living in a fantasy world. Emery and his coaching staff has had just over three weeks with most, less time with others and for the likes of Ozil, Elneny, Iwobi, the last few days in Singapore has been their only experience of the new regime. Torriera, Xhaka and Ospina are yet to join up with the squad so they will be even further behind in their preparation for the new season. As I’ve said before, it took Pep Guardiola a full season to turn Man City into Premier League Champions and he had an bottomless pit as far as transfer funds go so we’re going to have to be patient. For City though, it hadn’t been thirteen odd years since they’d last won the league, whereas for us, it has so the pressure gets piled on. Forget there are seventeen other clubs each season who haven’t won it either let alone other ‘big clubs’ who haven’t won the big trophy since back in the nineties if at all. Yes you Totts, Liverpool, Everton, West Ham, etc etc. But still, it’s always Arsenal who hit the headlines with the old ‘how many years?’ headline…..
Compare these two headlines:
‘Arsenal 1-1 Atletico Madrid (1-3 pens): Emile Smith Rowe scores in vain as Gunners slip to defeat.’
‘Manchester City 1-2 Liverpool: Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah respond after Leroy Sane stunner.’
Er, wasn’t Smith-Rowe’s a stunner? Anyway, their constant anti Arsenal theme will long continue, that’s for sure and I bet they can’t wait for Unai Emery and Arsenal to fail.
We learned a few things from yesterday I thought. Emile Smith-Rowe isn’t afraid to shoot, we’ve ditch the zonal marking and we’re rubbish at penalties. We still struggle to score against a top class keeper and at times, albeit from a few highlights only, the minds seems to wander and a few took their eye of the game. That’ll all change I’m sure and bearing in mind how hot it is in Singapore, perhaps the humidity played it’s part. There were plenty of changes throughout the game too so all in all, nearly everyone had another good run out.
Bernd Leno had little to do during his 45 minute display apart from picking the ball out of the net after Atletico scored. No doubt Rob Holding will be looking at the part he played in conceding the goal, or certainly the coaching staff will be. Guendouzi did well and despite losing the ball on one occasion, he soon made amends by getting it back. Now that’s something new for an Arsenal player to do. As for the rest of the game, well the stats suggest we bossed it but weren’t clinical enough in front of goal but let’s be honest, there aren’t many better than Oblak and thank goodness we won’t be facing him in the league. Nor in Europa as they return to the Champions League this campaign.
Those who didn’t play yesterday will get some time on the pitch against PSG tomorrow when perhaps our new third kit, which has now been officially launched, will be worn. Not sure if I like it or not..
Finally, Arsenal have confirmed they’ve secured a new global partnership with leading technology company Acronis as our Official Data Backup Partner. Acronis is a global leader in data protection and hybrid cloud storage. As part of the agreement, Acronis will deliver efficient and secure data protection for our data, which includes storage of every first-team and academy training session recorded at our training ground in Colney. This amounts to 8TB of data a year, the equivalent of 875 matches. – From AFC.com.
TGIF, have a good one…
Good morning Rico.
Despite the heat I didn’t bother to sit up and watch match, after a couple of pints at the club I slept quite well.
Quite hot this morning and not a hint of rain.
I guess the switch from zonal to man to man marking must be a bit of a problem for defenders schooled in Wenger’s laissez-faire style of play. Now individuals have their own responsibilities to defend and can’t fob them off on someone else.
Last day in the mountains for Le Tour, and it’s a real beast.
Rico, I’ve always referred to Friday as “Poets Day” Piss Off Early Tomorrows Saturday”. 😉
Morning Cicero, I know the saying well.. lol
The last 20 mins looked a bit scrappy at times when Madrid could easily have scored. Cech kept out one chance really well. Thought Nelson did well, as did Smith-Rowe. Our new midfielder made a couple of errors but overall, I think he looks like he could be a very good player.
Our left side looked a bit suspect at times too.
Still, early days..
Unai is still bullish about Ramsey’s contract, he’s confident the player will stay.
Convenient? Coincidental? Lazio have expressed an interest and we play them shortly. Ideal opportunity for Ramsey to get to know his future team mates?
Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.
Rico – Like the German FA (DFB) the English press will never admit their biases and are highly unlikely to change. Worse yet, your ‘favourite’ former Arsenal player is still being given air time and column inches.
It is all just part of being an Arsenal supporter!
Morning Rico and all great game yesterday lots of positives from what I read and heard but a lot if people are sleeping on mustafi. I think he might surprise a few this season. With a more pragmatic and forward thinking manager I think may be just maybe he could still cut it at the arsenal. With the high pressing we witnessed yesterday I think mustafi and chambers ‘ll be alright in defense till kozzee returns. Sokartis I ‘ll not rush yet. Let’s introduce him slowly into the team. The fast paced premier league ‘ll eat him up. Things are looking up. Up the arsenal.
Can’t say I like the new third kit. It is a bit of a yawn, not a classic/typical Arsenal colour.
I certainly wont be buying it.
Morning Rico and all. Overall I reckon the team did alright. Some dodgy moments but some good stuff too.
Afternoon Goonie, Cg, Adam and all.
I like Mustafi.. 🙂
Adam, I only saw a little of the game and even from that I thought at times we looked so much better. Thought we were really unlucky not to give them a good hiding. But that’s what a great keeper gives a team. Hope Leno can do something very similar for us.
We’ve got PSG tomorrow that’ll be another good barometer….
Yep, I’m glad they are getting tested, unlike before when in pre-season we were playing pub teams and winning easily..
This should bring a smile to the faces of all true Arsenal supporters. Our noisy neighbors are facing difficulty in financing their over budget and behind schedule new stadium;
https://shewore.com/2018/07/27/tottenham-face-financial-difficulty/
Such a pity! Chortle, chortle…
This should bring a smile to all true Arsenal supporters. Our noisy neighbores are facing difficulties financing their over budget and behind schedule new stadium.
https://shewore.com/2018/07/27/tottenham-face-financial-difficulty/
Such a pity – chortle, chortle…!
Rico. I never thought we looked in control, but I am liking the newness of the team and it’s clear that Emery will make tactical adjustments within the game if he sees something he doesn’t like. I doubt that the manager’s heated seat on the sidelines will get as much use as it has done since we moved into the Emirates.
, Adam, that’s the problem with highlights.
🙂 re the heated seat but I make you right.. I’d love to know if Bould has been working on the defending.
I’ve now watched the game, while we had loads of possession and out passed Atletico by some margin, there wasn’t much between the teams.
Certainly more work to be done in defence, they need to focus more on their primary function.
Lichtsteiner and Sokratis may add some solidity and nous, their experience of playing man for man will be of great value.
Guendouzi looks a very good prospect, he is lively, can carry the ball and has a range of passing that will move him ahead of Ramsey if given the chance.
Well taken goal by Emile Smith Rowe.
The future’s bright.
I’m just watching the game Cicero..
Smith-Rowe and Nelson look like they’ve grown in confidence already.. Guendouzi looks like he’s been in the team for yonks..
Evening all and thanks Rico.
I watched the second half live yesterday and didn`t see no evidence of a high pressing game and that is what I was hoping for………………not exactly Man C or Liverpool are we ?
As for the new third kit !………………………………..hands up who like it !………………..I will find out where you live and come around to ridicule you if your hand is up ! 🙂
https://twitter.com/BeardedGenius/status/1022759587571802112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1022759587571802112&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Farsenalarsenal.net%2F2018%2F07%2F27%2Fatletico-arsenal-deja-vu%2F
Rico, I was impressed by Guendouzi’s confidence. It’s quite a step-up from Ligue 2 to playing against a side like Atletico but he took it like a veteran.
Couldn’t agree more Cicero..
What time is our KO tomorrow? Anyone know.
It’s on TV at 12.30, so about 15 mins after that I think VCC.
Cheers Adam. Your a great help
Apparently on Arsenal Player VCC
Nice post Rico, I’m intrigued to know how Emery will tinker with the line up, I mean will the team that played most of the 2nd half start later today?
Or will Emery mix things up, start Sokratis in a back four instead of a back three to see how he’s adapting?
Will Elneny be involved today and/or Iwobi? It’s probably still too early for Ozil.
Got a sprinkling of rain but nothing serious , hardly flash floods and the humidity hasn’t broken . YET !
Plenty of crash, bang, wallop, (thunder and lightning) but not a lot of rain.
Off to the Old Buckenham Airshow today, it’ll probably piss down. 😉
Arsenal v PSG will be shown on FreeSports Sky channelling 422 at 1am BST. I’ll record it to watch in the morning. 😴
Thanks Kev. I wish I could watch it live to see..
New post up.