Daily Bits and Bobs

New season, new hope.

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

During Mikel Arteta’s press conference, he hinted at more signings to come, possibly during the final week of the transfer window when he expects things to get much busier than they have been. Logic suggests he right, certainly for clubs who either don’t have a lot of cash, or need to sell players before signing others. Arsenal probably sit in both of those camps.

If Odegaard, Ramsdale, Aoura, Martinez, Maddison, or any other player Arsenal want to sign, start pushing for a move, there’s a chance a transfer fee will drop. No club wants an unhappy player on their hands that’s for sure. We of all fans know how damaging they can be. Of course, as fans we’d love to see Arsenal to make all their signings in the first week but we don’t always get what we want in life.

Would you pay £6,000 for the latest all singing and dancing Sony Bravia television two weeks before the supplier is having a sale? I know I wouldn’t. It’s a risky strategy of course as someone might beat you or I to the television but in Arsenal’s case, if they get the guy(s) they’re after in the end, it’s job done.

Any player who arrives between now and deadline day should be fit and raring to go having had a pre-season so it’d just be about finding their feet in a new team. At most, they’d miss our opening four fixtures:

Brentford
Chelsea
League Cup v West Brom.
Man City

I don’t think Arsenal could have a much worse opening three League fixtures. Man Utd or Liverpool instead of Brentford might seem more difficult on paper but our newly promoted neighbours will be buzzing ahead of their first game in the PL. A full stadium, admittedly nowhere near the capacity of The Emirates, will be loud. Very loud. Brentford are a good footballing team and totally deserve the promotion they earned in May and I’d much rather we were playing them later in the season.

Brentford have added just two players to the squad so far this summer which is a surprise considering promotion earns a club a large amount of money. Frank Onyeka joined from FC Midtjylland and Kristoffer Ajer from Celtic. Arsenal, with a better defensive record in the second half of last season than the first half, have added Ben White, Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares. At the time of writing, Mikel Arteta has three options at right-back, Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares. No more should we see Granit Xhaka, Sead Kolasinac or Bukayo Saka at left-back.  Personally, if money isn’t plentiful for Mikel Arteta, signing a right-back could be put on the back burner.

Team news.

Brentford’s star striker Ivan Toney is fit to start, having missed the final pre-season friendly against Valencia as a precaution because of a neck problem. New signing Yoane Wissa could be involved but injured pair Josh Dasilva and Mathias Jensen are unavailable.

Arsenal’s summer recruits Ben White, Albert Lokonga and Nuno Tavares are in contention to make their debuts. Thomas Partey, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel aren’t expected to be available until at least September.

So, here we are, the opening game of the new 2021/22 season kicks off tonight. I’ve honestly no idea what to expect from this Arsenal team but if last season and pre-season are anything to go by, it’s going to be more of the same. Ben White should give us a quicker style of play from the back and Sambi Lokonga should move the ball through midfield into attack with a bit more speed than Granit Xhaka. Whether Mikel is brave enough to start him or not remains to be seen but if not, we’re likely to see Mo Elneny and Granit Xhaka trying to win the midfield battle. Good luck I say.

I think Brentford play a bit like Leeds, with intensity, high tempo and as I heard last season from a commentator ‘heavy-metal football’. It’s attack-minded with high-pressing and a high defensive line. Ideal for Aubameyang and Pepe to try and breach, or Martinelli.

Up front, they have a striker who has excelled in the Championship – Ivan Toney and behind him they have flair, pace and creativity in abundance. This game is going to be tough for an Arsenal team which hasn’t really clicked in pre-season. On the positive side, Brentford’s attacking game and high line should suit Arsenal because it’s the games where teams park the bus in which we’ve struggled of late.

New season, new hope…

See you in the comments.

 

 

 

rico

89 thoughts on “New season, new hope.”

  1. Cicero says:

    Good morning Rico, first game of the season I can’t wait. Win tonight and we will be top of the Premiership, lose and well…..😕.

    Hopefully Ben White will speed up our transition from defence to attack, but it will have to be with passes along the ground as we don’t have anyone to compete with defenders for high balls.

    A quick start, solid defence and a goal or two, that’s all I ask.

  3. Wavy says:

    Morning all

    Nice opener for the new season Rico.

    All I’m hoping for is a better season for us than the last two. A win tonight would go a long way in improving my very negative and cautious approach to the new season. Simply because we have a couple of new signings who look very promising but we will be reliant on one or two who should be ploughing new furrows elsewhere, ( no names!) The likelihood is that we will return to type and play much the same as we have for the last two seasons. Little or no progress just a continuation of our mid table mediocrity.

    How I hope I’m wrong! A win tonight is essential.

    Here’s hoping😊

  4. Aussie Geoff says:

    Morning Rico and all
    We should be able to start the season with a win as long as Auba and Laca remember the ball goes inside the net. And Leno doesn’t panic with his playing out from the back

  5. rico says:

    Morning Wavy, thanks. Have to start with an open yet positive mindset. Give it a few weeks though… lol

    Surely this season has to be an improvement on the last two. A top six at least I’d have thought.

  9. rico says:

    We’re not very good at all with announcements are we Cicero.

    The Times reckon the club are prepared to listen to offers for Aubameyang. Other reports suggest he won’t feature tonight.

  10. rico says:

    Ødegaard not listed in Real Madrid’s squad for this season, he hasn’t got a shirt number apparently. If true, he could be heading back to Arsenal I guess.

  11. Devilgunner says:

    Good afternoon Rico and all.

    And so it begins.

    And Laca plus Auba are not in team….. both are said to be sick.

    That means up top it’s Martinelli, Balogun, Nketiah or Pepe

    I hope it’s Balogun and he gets a goal or two or more so he can stake his claim

  13. rico says:

    Afternoon Devil.

    Sick eh? The cynic in me would suggest both are going. Lol

    Nketiah is out for four weeks so he won’t be playing tonight. Balogun and Martinelli maybe, but the latter isn’t long back from the Olympics.

  15. Wavy says:

    Or, is it a recurrence of malaria? Really not good if it is.

    No Lacazette you say. Pepe will start down the middle then and perhaps Nelson will get a run out. I think the chances of Bologna starting is less than zero!

    We’ll see, we’ll see. A draw is the most likely result, I think.

  18. Cicero says:

    I’ll answer my own question. Pictures of Arsenal pre-game training include Martinelli, so he should be available.

  21. Dexter says:

    The fixtures people at the Premier league are as shady as the PGMO refs!

    Fuck em, we have to play teams at some point and we did the double over Chelsea and Artetas beaten his mentor before.

    While West brom in the league Cup ain’t a problem either.

    Jeez the lack of faith is palpable. Hope this gaff isn’t a fair reflection of the fan base! 🤣🤣🤣

  22. andrewh1313 says:

    Afternoon rico and all.

    Never known a season starting when we don’t have any idea how we will play in our first game or who is even going to be up front!

    Ok, let’s be optimistic, no Auba or Laca could mean Saka on left and Martinelli up front. Pepe on right, with Nelson and Balogun subs. All of a sudden I’m feeling better ……… until team news come out.

  23. Devilgunner says:

    I am the ever optimistic Dexter. Infact last season I always believed that we would win each game 10-0 with Auba scoring 9 and Willian having 10 assists and scoring 1 himself.

    I still believe we will win today.

  25. rico says:

    Dexter, I’m optimist. For now.. lol

    Afternoon Andrew, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Last season’s fixtures would suggest we’re in for a long and tired looking run of performances throughout the season with the occasional surprise thrown in. Pre-season hardly changed my view either.

    I so want Arteta to dish up something better, quicker and more clinical.

  27. rico says:

    Sky Sports – Arsenal are in talks with Real Madrid re Ødegaard. I guess his transfer fee compared to Maddison swayed this one, especially as were rumoured to be in for three more players this summer.

  28. Dexter says:

    Nice one Devil!!! 🤣🤣🤣

    Rico, I hear ya..

    My optimism is always high before a balls kicked, mainly based on the fact until the season kicks off we’re TOP OF THE LEAGUE BABY!!!

  29. Dexter says:

    I really hope we’re only getting Odegaard on loan. I really don’t rate him. If we’re thinking of paying anything over 20m then we are wasting our dough!

    Oh well, bang goes the optimism!! 🤣🤣

    Maddison is a far better player, imo. I’d rather we went for Aouar if the reason we ain’t going for Maddison is the fees involved. I mean 40 odd million for Odegaard,?? Based on what? Average at best.

  33. Devilgunner says:

    Now that Auba and Laca are out 😁😁😁 I think the team will be….

    Leno
    Chambers, White, Holding, Tierney
    Lokonga, Xhaka
    Pepe, ESR, Martinelli
    Balogun

    If Willian plays the fans will revolt

  37. rico says:

    ARSENAL TEAM NEWS – MARTINELLI, LOKONGA & BALOGUN START

    Team to play Brentford: Leno, Tierney, White, Chambers, Mari, Xhaka, Lokonga, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Martinelli, Balogun

    Subs: Hein, Bellerin, Saka, Maitland-Niles, Holding, Soares, Tavares, Nelson, Elneny

  39. Devilgunner says:

    A good lineup. I like it.

    I would still have gone for Holding instead of Mari. But the latter is left footed so it’s to be expected.

  43. andrewh1313 says:

    This team looks more the future, add Saka and a new MF and it’s exciting. Well, it is before kick- off!

    Arteta says ‘they feel unwell’ with a bit of a smile? Or am I imagining it?

  49. Devilgunner says:

    Yep Rico. It’s great to see academy players playing. Hopefully one day it will be all starting 11

  55. andrewh1313 says:

    rico, maybe change headline from @New Hope’ to Same old, Same old’!

    no, Nelson and Saka to come on and change things around!

  68. RaKa says:

    Anyone who thinks Tierney is quality is clueless. One trick pony. Keeps smacking it blind when it’s obvious we have no CF. Muppet.

  71. Bradley says:

    I mmore concerned that White is second to every ball, he’s going to get bullied by many CF after they see this performance

  76. Potter says:

    Raka has a point . Why keep knocking in centres when Balogun and Martinelli were taken off . And for that matter when you’re a goal down why take both your forwards off ?
    Still I won my bet if you call a long throw a set piece.

  81. potter says:

    I wonder what Arteta was going to say before he was ushered away by Mark Gonella . Perhaps he was going to say something in haste that the club did not want to be said.

  82. allezkev says:

    Balogun tripped in the box, penalty, waited in vain for VAR…

    Leno obstructed and fouled leading up to Brentford’s 2nd goal, waited in vain for VAR…

    Welcome to another season of Riley (who was at the ground) and his merry band of VAR cheats stitching up Arsenal.

  83. Cicero says:

    Good morning all.

    Strange happenings within the squad, suddenly two senior players are left out of the line up for last night’s game both allegedly due to illness. Aubameyang and Lacazette. A third, Willian, is also absent with no explanation given.

    This morning a report in The Times suggests Arsenal are prepared to accept offers for Aubameyang, whilst in recent days Lacazette has been the subject of rumours about his departure too.

  85. Bradley says:

    I hate listening to Caaragher, yes his arms were around the kepper and Holding him but a stronger keeper like Alison would have claimed that ball.
    So does that make it less of a foul? I didn’t see the trip on Balogan but worth a look if the ball went out or not before the first goal was scored.

  86. potter says:

    All if’s and buts and maybes , Was it out ? who knows at first glance from the camera angle it looked it however there were players on the line and the goal blocking the lino’s view and there are to be no more lines televised.
    .
    Leno should have been shoving the player away and creating a melee so that the ref interviened and did the traditional arm wave .
    And Balogun’s trip as they said in commentary , last season it was a foul this season they have jiggled the rules probably so that no-one knows what to expect.

    New rules not explained properly , certainly to the fans and possibly even the players.

    However lets concentrate on the way we were played off the pitch . We had 65% possesion 22 attempts on goal but only 4 on target . I don’t remember their keeper having to make a last ditch save .

    We were crossing to no-one especially after both Balogun and Martinelli were taken off . We were toothless and got just about what we deserved .

    After he calmed down Arteta gave a media interview but was steered away from Sky’s fawning over Brentford quite rightly in my opinion.

  88. Cicero says:

    Let’s face it, although we finished last season with a few wins we were hardly pulling up tree stumps. Why should we expect any difference after a couple of months of inactivity. Mari and Leno are still unable to communicate with , and don’t have confidence in, each other.

    Towards the end of last season the central back pairing of Holding and Mari began to gell and was a reason for the improvement in results, so why did Arteta feel the need to ditch the pairing and bring in newcomer Ben White before he had much of a chance to get to know the foibles of his team mates in general and Leno in particular?

    Follow on avoided Rico.😉

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