Morning all.
Come on, you have to admit it. Mesut Ozil has nailed the modelling of our new kit. The silver plated necklace and steel backed watch finishes it off nicely. No wonder he commandeered a full frontal position. Go Mesut! Go being the operative word.
It’s an unusual position to be in with regards to the new kit release because seldom is it released before a new season begins. Photographs yes but this weekend our players will be wearing it, just as they will on FA Cup Final Day.
Interestingly though, out of all the photographs I’ve seen, not one is being worn with a number on it or a players name. My guess is that those within the squad who are extremely unlikely to be involved on Sunday of next weekend, won’t be given a kit either. Why waste money on printing when certain players won’t be at the club when the new season kicks off.
Mesut Ozil could be one of those players with his number 10 squad number up for grabs. For Emile Smith Rowe perhaps? During the interview with Sky Sports, Mikel Arteta’s face broke into a smile when his name was mentioned apparently:
He’s a player with very specific qualities to play in those pockets in that position as an attacking midfielder. I am excited to work with him. I have been talking with him and I have followed him during his spell on loan. I think he’s someone who can be pretty impressive.
I’m pleased by what I’ve seen from him. He needed that exposure and he looks more mature now. I think he will be in a much better place when he comes back in pre-season.
A number 10 has a history of being the player to excite with talent. To create openings from nothing, the player to unlock defences with ease and to score goals too. Arsenal had one of the best number 10’s in the game, if not the best. Dennis Bergkamp. A footballing brain like no other with feet to match. He simply was the nearest thing to perfection you’ll ever see.
His name has popped up on more than one occasion over recent weeks. Partly because Arsenal lack creativity no doubt but possibly because he’s without a job right now. If Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are looking for another coach to join the setup then yes, Dennis Bergkamp has to be a strong candidate.
Anything to help Arsenal open up teams who park the bus, or play ‘the low block’ as its fancy but official title calls it.
I have experienced that for four years at Manchester City, working out the best ways to break that down. It is one of the challenges we are facing and one of the areas where we have to improve, for sure.
Sometimes it is down to individual quality, but the whole structure is probably even more important in order to be a threat in the spaces that you want to attack. How consistent you are in maintaining those attacks also depends on the structure behind the ball.
Everything is linked together and the players have to understand that. It takes time because in small spaces, every detail, every touch, every movement is critical. And sometimes it’s not just about giving the ball to somebody, it’s about when. Do I do it now? Or do I do it one second later? A difference of 30 millimetres on a pass can change everything.
The thing with Dennis Bergkamp was that I’m not sure he needed to think. What he possessed was natural. Also, he knew what his teammates were going to do, which gaps they’d run into, which post they’d move towards. Reading his book made that very clear.
Regardless of how much improvement you or I might believe Mikel Arteta has brought to the squad, it remains pretty obvious to me that whilst we’re defending better as a unit, our attacking play seldom appears more than just a group of blokes chucked together and told to play. Moments of individual magic might come along together with a slick passage of passing or two but otherwise, we’re too static, too predictable and too lethargic. But Rome wasn’t built in a day.
When Arteta arrived, Arsenal were leaking too many goals, couldn’t defend for toffee and certainly looked vulnerable every time an opponent attacked. Whilst there’s still room for improvement, we’re now looking pretty decent when defending.
Now I guess it’s time to work harder at linking that defensive unit to the attacking one. To find a more free flowing style, to move the ball from back to front with pace and accuracy. The Luiz or Xhaka long ball might work every once in a while but keeping the ball on the ground, recycling it with more urgency is what Arsenal lack in my opinion. Because our players still seem to have this default setting to pass the ball backwards, the ‘low block’ tactic will usually win when it’s given far too much time an opportunity to regroup.
Arsenal need a player to unlock defences doors, we all know that but until the likes of Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette and even Nketiah make themselves more available, find the spaces, draw defenders out so teammates can find little pockets of space to move into, the ball is always heading up a blind alley. Or backwards. In my opinion, our forwards are too rigid. Why don’t Aubameyang and Pepe switch sides occasionally, or either switch with Lacazette every once in a while. Just to try something different, to find success by springing surprise.
How many teams do that against us? Lots.
We all know where Kieran Tierney will plant his cross so why doesn’t Lacazette? Or Pepe, or for that matter, anyone? Oh to have Giroud now eh?
That’s why I really enjoy watching Gabriel Martinelli. He’s always busy. Busy in a Freddie/Bobby kind of way. Trying to make things happen rather than waiting for someone to make things happen for him. That’s it I think, Arsenal need to be more busy. Make things happen, not wait for them to happen.
It’s such a great shame that so so much talent, which Mesut Ozil clearly has, wasn’t given to a guy who believed in working for a living. Perhaps over the seasons to come, ESR will show that he has both. Mikel Arteta certainly believes he has the talent.
See you in the comments guys….
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New kit out now , well the club is just trying to generate some income which is not surprising really.
Regarding the tactics , we all have our theories , I have always thought that our forwards are too far apart . The guy down the middle whether it was Giroud or Lacazette recently is too isolated..Their main purpose being to hold the ball and bring the midfield forward, they are not there to attack per se.
I suppose that makes me a 4-4-2 dinosaur . I believe in two players backing onto a defence doing cross overs bending runs and dragging central defenders around . It makes space but then what do I know ? What I do know is if the main man up front wins a flick on there is no-one near enough to capitalise so inevitably he goes backwards and momentum is lost.. I know that it appears to be anathema in the great scheme of things but if you want to break down packed defences then make the defence run a bit make them twist and turn make them disorientated and on centres get them facing their keeper , get them running back and see the deflections and sometimes own goals .
One and two touch football at speed and the defensive managers will be working out a new system to counter it.
That’s my take and I am sticking to it.
Whether it’s 352, 442, etc etc, I couldn’t agree more with having two strikers playing for and off each other. Good old fashioned wingers too instead of players just playing out wide.
Football is imo, simple, but all these diamonds, low blocks, etc etc complicate things. Get the ball from back to front at pace and with movement centrally or out wide and along the ground. simples.
Just discovered this site, what a nice, coherent article. Well done.
I actually always thought that ESR would make a good Ozil replacement, he didn’t seem to make the progress that I had hoped for, but perhaps this last loan has improved him I like his ‘style’ & the way he plays. Not sure if he will make it, but he has the potential I think
Good morning all.
Arteta has had what a dozen, twenty or so games? In that time he has “sorted” the defence, at least to some extent, and impressed on the squad that they all have responsibilities when we don’t have the ball.
The injury to Martinelli was unfortunate and probably disrupted Arteta’s plans for re-aligning, if not rebuilding, the attack.
The close and pre-season periods will give him time to get his message across to both the midfield and attacking players.
Hopefully, when the new season kicks off, the whole squad will be fully “on message”.
I think he’s been injured too Sohara. Can’t have helped his progress.
Thanks Rocky, we’re a friendly bunch too. Lol
Morning Rico, thanks for the post, yep it’s a process, get the defensive side organised first by not allowing so many efforts on goal whilst also filling that void in front of our back four/three with the midfield focused on protecting the defence and it’s well on its way, now we have to work on defending dead ball situations and not conceding late in games. Once that looks as if it’s as fixed as it can be with the current staff you-then look at progressing the ball and attacking more through the middle as well as the flanks and Arteta will do that it’s just it can’t be done before the other fundamentals are in place – a process…
It was interesting to read that Arteta did pay Emery some credit with the process because it was Unai who began the change during his tenure in charge, it’s just that Arteta can explain himself better and more concisely and I also think that the ownership and management give Mikel more support.
Nice one, Rico…. I love ESR…. can’t wait to see him in the starting 11 👍
HI Rico and All I recon we should have saved he new kit for the fa cup also some times you need to go just back to basics until the players work together as one
Two more days and then the transfer window swings opens with hopefully the first bit of Arsenal business being when Mkhitaryan signs for Roma and with that his humongous salary leaves our books – and I for one won’t miss him. He’s been a terrible signing a hangover from some of Wenger’s poor transfer decisions as his managerial career at Arsenal wound up.
The first new player joining Arsenal should be 20 year old winger George Lewis from Norwegian football, but don’t scoff fellas because a certain young man arrived at Arsenal a year ago from the Brazilian 5th division and didn’t he do well…
I love these kinds of transfers, low expectations, cost effective and it feels brilliant when they come off and given the present circumstances we need a few more of them…
Ah yes I think you are right Rico I did hear he was injured. That is actually good news as that explains his lack of progress.
Yes I agree with you Sue, I like ESR too, there is something about the way he moves & plays that makes me think if he stays fit he will be a good No 10 ( if we ever will play a No 10 ) again as Arteta may have other plans . I like him more than Willock & Reiss to be honest ( although both of them are OK but not quite as good for me as ESR could be
Morning all.
Formations should be built around the players, not the reverse, at least in the short term.
Emery wanted us to play a certain way and he was rigid-he never even tried to utilise the players he had.
Naturally, a manager will build his squad over time, but in the meantime, make best with what he has.
Afternoon Kev, Geoff, all.
ESR is certainly an exciting young player. Once he’s fully focused and settled back in at Arsenal, up to the fitness demands of Mikel, he could be a special player.
Is the Lewis deal a cert Kev?
Whilst in Germany I think Sohara. He came back then off to Huddersfield where he seems to have had more fortune.
I have great expectations of ESR.
Yes, Sue. (from last post) the brave ten Inter City Firm boys must have fancied their chances against two Gooners! 😆
Even after that episode I still like W Ham.
Like you my family is mostly made up of Hammers and Gooners, probably about 60/40 in favour of `ammers!………………..we have one great thing in common as a football family, both sets of fans hate Spuds more than any other team!………………….. The Chavs are just behind Hammers in their hatred of Spuds, which brings me to the factual conclusion that The Spuds are the most hated team in London by Londoners!…………………………………..somehow that gives me a nice feeling in the groin area! hahaha
The best transfer could be that of Ozil to the current Official Club of the Turkish Government and Erdogan – Basaksehir, who will play in the Champions League.
Some hope because Erdogan and Ozil are very friendly and could be a transfer for high values.
t is to convince Ozil to go. It is a slower Championship, it is protected by the Government, they play once a week, a more favorable climate.
Fingers crossed Jm.
Arteta should stop talking and do the work,yesterday that ,today this, if you dont want ozil stop talking about him.if Arsenal dont perform is ozil as if he is a defender, midfielder and attacker
Mentioned that a few weeks ago , afterall Erdogan was Ozil’s best man at his wedding.
Basaksehir are the Real Madrid of Turkey currently 6 points clear at the top of the league and backed by their government .
He keeps getting linked to Fenerbache who are 6th and pleading poverty but I reckon Basaksehir are favourite for his signature.
RIP Peter Green , one of my guitar heroes , founder of Fleetwood Mac with Mick Fleetwood.
As long as he goes….
That’s sad news about Peter Green. Fleetwood Mac have always been up there with some of my favourite groups..
Bit harsh isn’t it Nimo? What’s Mikel Arteta supposed to do when asked about Ozil or any other player? He’s under obligation to carry out interviews etc..
Hi Sohara… I agree with what you say – about Willock and Nelson!
I hope ESR can stay fit, as he’s been really unlucky so far with injuries…don’t want that talent going to waste, we’ve seen more than enough of that in the past!
Hey Le Coq, you can’t beat having a let’s slate the spuds fest with fellow family members, who detest them just as much as you do!! 😉😜
Evening Rico and All
Working in two’s is what most players
prefer it’s not coached as far as I know.
A few talented players are uncoachable
with regards instructions ie:tracking back,
in any grade of football,it’s normal as far
as I know.Just saying.
Lewis Rico, yes I think so, apparently his agent is in the U.K. recently to finalise details, it’ll probably be announced next week.
Yes Potter, as the man said ‘Oh well’…
That’s interesting Nino Frank, so when a journalist asks Arteta a question about Ozil, what would you suggest that he says?
Hi Kev Nothing stopping Arteta from saying the truth about Ozil and just come out and say he is injured or just say he is lazy or too slow and that is why I don’t pick him.
If he is injured fine but if there is nothing wrong with him then why keep it quite all it shows is a lack of trust by the coach in him and lets be honest what he gets paid a week no body wants him. Lets stop protecting players ego’s they want big money earn it
Looking forward to transfer window hope we can do deals early so the players have a chance to settle in and work with Arteta before next season.
Thanks Kev. He clearly impressed whilst on trial then.
New post up now
Hello Rico, we lack a lot of things in the team,
1. Lack of trust in the ability of teammates or maybe knowing the ability of the teammate not to trust him with handling passes in tight spaces in the midfield, so many times they fail to explore the middle always going back and sideways, Ceballos for me should be doing better in that aspect but he fails just like the rest.
2. The players are always static like you said, waiting for the ball, rather than playing ping pongs around the opposition in the midfield, playing quick passes and quick dribbles to have one man less to worry about, they’ll just go the easy route and pass back to safety, no team wins the league playing safe.
3. On countless times Auba and Laca try to makes runs but the midfielders don’t seem to be on the same page, something the likes of Fabregas would have preyed on, week-in week-out.
These are major things that could see the team firing on all cylinders again