Arteta In Trouble? Alexis Sanchez Vows To Improve, Showing Arsene The Way…..

Morning all.

Where has all this rain come from? Yesterday afternoon I went from windows open and enjoying the fresh air circulating around my house with sunshine lighting up every room to darkness, rain, and more rain. And boy did it fall!! Not nice, especially when I needed the windows open to help dilute the smell of paint!

Anyway, I won’t get your sympathy, I know you all too well!!

From paintbrushes and rollers, back to football and David Moyes has another job. He’s headed off out to Spain to manage Real Sociedad.  Good for him I say and good luck to him. Prior to taking the job, he spoke with our captain and Mikel Arteta has publicly told us what the Spanish club will get:

He’s a coach that likes to tighten the reigns, he’ll do well with the group. He demands a lot and works hard, he’s not what you’d call a ‘typical’ English manager that sits on the bench.

He analyses a lot and he has a clear idea of how he wants his team to play.

Ok, we all know he’s Scottish but I think we know what Mikel is saying, he’s not a typical manager in England and he’s certainly very different to Arsene Wenger…

Tighten the reigns, demands hard work, analyses a lot and has a clear idea of how he wants his team to play. And, he’s not a guy who sits on the bench either…..

A sly dig at Arsene Wenger perhaps as he’s watched us surrender a lead in our last two matches. And yes he was watching as when both collapses unfolded, Mikel was not playing. Bang goes your new contract offer Mikel.. lol

Perhaps Arsene Wenger will take on board the views of his captain actually, not only his captain it would appear as it was reported a few days ago in The Telegraph, that some of the coaching staff are concerned about the way we are playing.

Then again, none of his staff or players have managed at the top level for as long as him so I doubt it……

Of course, it’s quite possible that the story in the Telegraph was just mischief making, that happens sometimes as we all know too well and recently, Alexis Sanchez has been on the back pages with a few journalists suggesting he could leave as soon as January. Well that just isn’t going to happen is it?

We can all see he’s cheesed off when we lose, especially when when the result has been all of our making but that shows he cares, he’s a fighter and he’s a winner. I’d be seriously concerned if he walked of the pitch smiling after our recent performances. Some do though, watch as the final whistle goes.

Alexis has been talking to Guillaume Balague in an exclusive interview with AS magazine and here’s some of that interview :

English football is really tough, really difficult, the most complicated of all the leagues I have played in and it has been a struggle to adapt.

But I love the challenge, even if it’s hard. All the teams are at a similar level, it’s very competitive and everyone can make life hard for you. All the matches are decided on the little things – and I’m really enjoying it, you can’t slack off.

Little by little I am gaining confidence in my team-mates and am gradually learning more. At first I had trouble understanding them, knowing where they ran, their movements, what gestures meant what, but every time I feel more confident.

Ballague then asked how he felt about playing in different positions following the signing of Daniel Welbeck:

I love playing with him. He has a great touch and is a goal-scorer. It was a great signing.

I am starting to memorise the moves of my team-mates and I learn to help them – clearly I need to improve and that is what I say in the dressing room, that I could stay a little less with the ball, play one touch play more often to facilitate counter-attacks, that is vital.

I must learn that because the rapid transitions are key in this league and with this team.

Now that I am here, sometimes I stop to look my team-mates during the training session and I realise that I am surrounded by a lot of quality stars. 

I have been impressed by their attitude and their talent. I love how they create spaces, their individual and collective movements.

I tell you seriously: I like what I see so much that I have repeated myself many times, that if we have the required winning mentality, if we are positive and try to win every single game, I know we can win any competition.

I know that with this team we can win many trophies in the coming years. I am convinced. I hope to win everything here. That’s why I came.

Alexis is right, there is a lot of quality at Arsenal, not enough, but there is a lot. If they all had the same winning mentality, the work ethic and desire to improve, then our performances would get better. Alexis is still willing to learn, willing to improve in order to reap rewards from the players around him but we need that from each and every player, not just the odd one or two.

And of course, we need that from the manager. If a player who has won many things in his career wants to change and improve for the greater good, then so can the manager.

Sort it out Arsene!

Have a good day all, only another ten days until we play…..