Morning all.
Whilst Arsenal have been busy in the transfer window this summer, so have Crystal Palace. Five signings have joined Patrick Vieira’s squad: winger Malcom Ebiowei from Derby County, keeper Sam Johnstone from West Brom, defensive midfielders Cheick Doucoure from Lens and Cormac Austin from Linfield and lastly, central defender Chris Richards from Bayern Munich.
Whilst Arsenal had a near perfect pre-season, not that a second string losing to Brentford really counts, Crystal Palace have had an up and down time. Beaten by Man Utd and Liverpool, a draw with Leeds but victories the other fixtures although they were against lower League clubs and Montpellier. What can be read into their results? Same as ours, nothing.
Today is what matters for both clubs. Today and the next ten months.
This is one of the fixtures which went horribly wrong for Mikel Arteta and his players. The first of three which pretty much ended any hope we had of finishing in the top four. I can’t remember one single player having a good game that night. Either that or I’ve erased everything about that match from my mind.
Mikel Arteta faced the media yesterday and was the usual type of stuff. I’ve picked two.
1) On whether there will be new players coming in…
We are really active as you can see with incomings and outgoings. Everything is still open, it’s a long window, a lot has happened, it’s incredible how much business the clubs have done across the Premier League and it shows how competitive it is and this season is not going to stop that. Players are going to have the need to leave, some others to move and everything is open still.
I think Arsenal could have signed 8/9 players this summer and the media would still want to know if more are expected to arrive before the 31st August. I’m sure that’s no different for Arsenal fans, I know I’m desperate to see the club add a midfielder. For now though, we have who we have and unlike last season, the squad hasn’t been hit by Covid on the opening day. But we have a few walking wounded although three out of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe, Kieran Tierney and Fabio Vieira were going to train yesterday afternoon and if all went well, they should be available for tonight’s match.
2) On the excitement for the new season and new signings…
I think we are all enthusiastic. We had the pre-season that we wanted, it was well organised, we had good results, good performances, good preparation, but now the ball starts to roll to tomorrow evening in a completely different context against a Premier League team and we know what to expect there. But it’s true, we are with a level of energy and ambition to have a successful season and we have to show that on the pitch tomorrow night.
I’m excited, apprehensive too as said yesterday but things do seem different. As a squad, I think it’s the most balanced it’s been for a long time. Eddie Nketiah will be involved from the start of the season, William Saliba has finally hooked up with players who I hope are his teammates for a long time, we’ve signed a top notch striker who is hungry for success and has shown that during pre-season. We have a new captain, a player who isn’t looking for a way out, we have Oleksandr Zinchenko who is as good, perhaps even better than Kieran Tierney and more than capable of playing in midfield and lastly, we have Fabio Vieira who despite not enjoying much of the pre-season through injury, is meant to be a super player. One more I hear you say and you’re right, an exciting young winger who Granit Xhaka says reminds him of Gabriel Martinelli when he first arrived. Put them all together with a group of players who at times last season, showed how good they could be, and there’s a good reason to be optimistic about tonight and the months ahead.
The fixtures which cost us crucial points last season were the likes of tonight’s. 5 points dropped against Palace, 5 against Brighton, 3 against Southampton, 3 against Everton and 2 against Burnley, Dropping points against Man City, Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea didn’t cost us a top four finish, not really but dropping 18 points, 21 if we’re to include the collapse at St James Park, against clubs whom we should have beaten, did. I’m sure we all have our own theories as to why we couldn’t win those matches which will probably vary from lack of squad depth, injuries, attitude etc etc, perhaps a combination of all of them but I reckon Mikel Arteta will have learned a lot from those matches. The players too.
Mikel Arteta on Zinchenko and Jesus:
Those players have been inspired by top players, top professionals, ruthless winners for many years. They were looking at them, and now it’s their turn to do the same and inspire those younger players that we have in our squad to do the same and to show them what it takes to win, and the level of detail, hunger and dedication that you need to keep winning.
One of our biggest problems throughout the season in my opinion, was not converting possession into chances and chances into goals. Against Southampton away, 75% possession, 26 shots but just 6 on target. Against Brighton at The Emirates, 65% possession, 20 shots but just 4 on target and even at Selhurst Park we had nearly 70% possession, 12 shots but just 3 on target. 75% possession at Goodison Park…..you get my drift.
We had zero movement in the box from Aubameyang and Lacazette last season but with Jesus and/or Nketiah that will change. As will the defending from the front, ‘the press’. Both of our front men, Martinelli too, will be on the oppositions defence quicker than a wasp lands on a fallen rotten apple.
Injuries should be fewer this season because there is depth. Mikel Arteta is a year wiser than this time last season and last summers arrivals have had twelve months together with the rest of the squad. Our new signings this transfer window have had a full pre-season with their new teammates which is a bonus and judging by the way the team has been playing, they’ve slotted in rather well already. As a team, we need to be strong, not dirty, just physically and mentally strong, certainly against teams like tonight’s opponents who will no doubt try to use power and strength to beat us. We have to match them, individually and as a team. The talent this Arsenal team/squad now possesses should do the rest.
See you in the comments.
Good morning Rico and everyone, what can I say? I’m freaking excited.
The way we handle Crystal Palace will show how far we have come from last season. We need to make a statement.
Cant wait my head is buzzing 5am kick off here in stralya arsenallllll.
Morning Mexy, all.
Me too. This is a very different group of players to the one Mikel Arteta inherited. I kind of feel that it’s his time to shine. The deadwood is gone, barring Bellerin and who knows, maybe even he has brought into the process, AMN too. I suspect both will leave though, perhaps Pepe too.
Welcome Gavin, good time for you then. Pre work.
Good morning Rico and all.
A new season, a new challenge and a number of new players starting this evening. I definitely think we are stronger and more cohesive this time around.
As for Palace, the history is just that, history. I’s time start to a new chapter.
I’m in full pre-match mode, a couple of lightly boiled eggs for breakfast, an hour or so in the sun with the paper and a mug of coffee and now a period of deep relaxation before watching All or Nothing.
Roll on 20.00 hrs.
Premiership clubs have agreed a new protocol regarding “taking the knee”. It will only occur in the first and last matches of the season. Apart from that it may be used prior to cup ties and Europa League games.
A pity the powers that be didn’t have the guts to abolish it completely.
Afternoon Rico and all
Looking forward to round one but it is a bugger that we play at 5am
Morning Cicero, Geoff.
I’ve watched the first all or nothing, it’s good imo.
Thanks for the post Rico, great points regarding dropped points against teams we should really be beating like relegation candidates Everton and Southampton.
Well done Gavin, respect mate.
Arsenal’s defence is arguably the strongest it’s been since the Invincibles so no issues there, the midfield is solid if lacking in goals with room for improvement next summer and up front our attack looks 50% better than last season. On paper Aubameyang and Lacazette look stronger than Jesus and Nketiah but not where it counts.
Some of the games we dominated would have been totally different if our attackers had taken advantage of those periods when we outplayed opponents, taking the lead totally changes a games’ dynamics, double that lead by taking your chances and it’s game over with our current defence and we can coast through games as Man City and Liverpool do – hopefully…
It’s down to confidence not only on the pitch but on the terraces too. How many times have we looked to be coasting and then a late goal causes all kinds of panic on and off the pitch . In the days of one nil to the Arsenal there was a belief that we could see the game out but now even at 2 up a late goal sends shivers round the ground and that transmits itself to the pitch. .
As Kev says the defence looks sounder than it has for some time hopefully calmness at the back transmits to the rest of the team and we learn how to see games out and that will be better for the supporters too.
Thoughts on the 5 sub and 20 man squad size??? Virtually nothing being said out there anywhere. I think this will be a much, much bigger topic once the season starts.
Emphasis on managerial style will be huge. How/when subs are used, how formations can be altered, will greatly impact how results are consequently influenced.
Versatility of the players! Zinchenko is a perfect example. Depending on who might be lagging in a match, and who is on the bench, having positional flexibility will be massive. MA has done that this window especially.
Tired legs. This young side can rebound really quickly. Now add in the ability to not be forced to keep players on for the full 90 each week, and you reduce injury risk. With a healthy squad, this is a top 4 side…..perhaps even better! Thoughts?!?!?!
Afternoon rico all, nice post setting the scene. I watched one and a bit episodes of AON last night, started getting nervous before the 4th Norwich game, even though I knew we won it 1-0! Liked seeing the players faces close up, listening to Arteta’s team talks. Roll on 8pm. And hope we on here at 10 pm in a happy mood.
Mike @ 1:26, I agree totally. In game management will a big part of the season. Moreover, particularly with Arsenal, Arteta’s man management will be major too. Now the team is virtually his/ his players, so we should expect much better from him.
And btw Rico, Viera is really good and I am not talking from YouTube highlights. Many compare him to Silva at Man City, but he reminds me of Cazola.
Must be a slow day in the media, as they are now claiming that Chelsea are interested in buy Auba,
Hi all, first time posting here although I’ve been following for a while. Fan for 50 years. Supposed to be working buy can’t concentrate!
Watched the first three AON – for me it was underwhelming – probably because either I was expecting a cross between the Assange revelations and “Fever Pitch” (and got neither) or more likely because that was then and this is now, and playing Palace in a few hours makes everything else seem insignificant.
I’m not fooled into believing that by still having the core of last year’s team we risk the same conclusion. Arteta HAS learned, as have many of his young team. At the core of this team’s success or failure is high pressing – one of the most difficult, most physically and mentally demanding tactics to learn. It also requires intelligence, practice and 11 man co-operation. Unlike last season, we now have a full, very fit first team (and noticeably bulked up in several cases) of 11-16 men drilled, able and practised in playing it. It is really really tough to beat a team who plays this way for 90 minutes. Barring the wrong injuries at the wrong time I think this Arsenal may even surprise the optimists amongst us…
I reckon so Kev and when one looks at the stats from the game, it’s not like we weren’t having the ball or being outplayed. We had the possession, just little end product.
Afternoon Andrew, welcome Guy.
Andrew, did you find it weird listening to Mikel Arteta swearing? I did. Insightful series I reckon. The playing of YNWA wasn’t as stupid as Morgan and Co made it out to be imo.
Obi, I’m looking forward to seeing Vieira, Marquinhos too.
I find it endlessly irritating that goons like Piers Morgan, Lee Gunner, Gobby Agbonlahor, Jamie O’Hara and the rest of that talentless cadre of nobodies at TalkShite are popping up regularly on NewsNow Arsenal as if they have something informative or new to add to the pre-match preamble, in fact I’m reaching the stage where NewsNow is my last resort rather than my first.
I mean in the words of the bard “What is it good for, absolutely nothing – say it again”…
(Was it Edwin Starr?)
I can’t remember the last time I clicked on a headline Kev, 2021 I suspect..
Getting close , team news soon , I don’t know why I am nervous but I am .Same team that played Sevilla
The team for tonight is exactly as I predicted a couple of days ago.
Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard, Saka Martinelli,.Jesus.
I’m not nervous, although I will be if it’s 1-0 to us and 5 minutes to go. 😂
Austin @ 3:09, the Chelsea interest in Auba is real. ESPN FC is reporting that, apparently Bace is reluctant because they see Auba as the “proper” backup for Lewandowski. Auba is interested because he doesn’t want to play behind Lewandowski or Dembele/ Raphinha/ Fati on the flanks.
COYG’S!!
Evening every one we look switched on
Palace fans showing their class by booing Partey. Not!
Palace is getting away with a lot of kicking and grabbing. It’s ridiculous.
The half time break come at a good time, Ramsdale 2 stupid mistakes and Xhaka off and running with his card collection, mean while Palace slowly working there into the game.
One of the Sky pundits, before the game was saying the way to beat Arsenal is to bully them. To paraphrase Margaret
Thatcher, “This team is not for bullying”.
And Xhaka gets first booking. I used to think shirt pulling was a booking.
Refs are letting the game flow this season, unless it’s a bad one. Well, that’s what Martin Tyler was saying, after he’d finally stopped talking about Brentford beating us on the opening day of last season. P***k!
If Xhaka was yellow carded for diving Zaha should be in the book too.
We need to score soon as I can see Palace scoring if we don’t get our second
We have 😂
Top of the league, top of the league!
Great start, Saliba looked very good,, well it’s 650 am I’m off to bed now.
Then Eze dived nothing from Taylor.
Still signs of improvement but still a long way to go.
Did you see Arteta check to see if he still had is watch after shaking hands with Carragher? 😉
Same old inconsistency from Anthony Taylor.
😂 Cicero.
In parts I thought we were really good. Odegaard had an average game by his standards but Saliba? We need to get him signed up sharpish.
Great result.
I thought Ben White did a pretty good job on Zaha, okay he copped a yellow card but he largely stopped the guy from causing trouble.
Good night Gooners….everywhere. 😴
Great workmanlike result. Whether we would have held on without the fortunate second we won’t know. But clean sheet away is great. Worst moment was Ramsdale kicking against their player and it could have easily ended up in his net. Redeemed himself with a good sprawling save, nice to see a goalie make himself big like that.
Potter I agree we have improved and we still have some more work to do.
We looked much quicker at times with the 2 ex Man c players and Saliba .
Morning all
New post up now
Great game yesterday, Saliba was solid and all our new players showed why we bought them… I’m excited for the new season