Morning all.
We are in entertainment, The ground work is to win, but that is not enough. You need the ambition to give more. To go deeper into what the game can give people. To get something more than just the individual expression of the player, but the collective expression of the team: to transform it into art. You can say it’s naive, but you need to give something special to people to get them out of their hard daily life. I just wanted them to sit in their seat and think, ‘Unbelievable!’
I read that, a statement from Arsenal Wenger: Invincible, and thought about what is more important to football fans, winning or being entertained? Both of course is perfection but very few teams can achieve that. Certainly not through an entire season. Even Arsenal’s Invincible season had it flaws because matches were drawn. As good as Liverpool might have been against us and a few other teams this season, they have weaknesses which West Ham were able to exploit. Some of Fergie’s teams were considered to be the best at the time, never went a season unbeaten left alone undefeated, yet the Premier League was nowhere near as hard as it is today. Yet does anyone think Utd fans were bothered at the end of their treble winning season? No, of course not.
I asked myself and now I’m asking you guys, what is more important to you, winning or being entertained?
Entertainment comes in different ways I think. There’s the slick, quick and free flowing attacking game which is easy on the eye and we all love to see that I’m sure but does watching a smart, organised defensive display – pragmatic football, give you the same feeling of satisfaction? I don’t mean 50 odd minutes of mad panic in defence by the way.
A fine balance is what I’m sure most managers strive for but it’s something Mikel Arteta is a distance away from achieving and I don’t think he will until the club sign a couple more players. In my opinion there seems to be a gap between defence and midfield and another gap between midfield and our striker. Arsenal either seem to attack or defend with not enough control in midfield or of midfield. We can offer up internal solutions because we all love to do that but in reality, if those options were real solutions, wouldn’t Mikel Arteta be using the players already?
Similarly, if Mikel Arteta thought Eddie Nketiah, Flo Balogun or Gabriel Martinelli were going to be more productive up front than Aubameyang, surely one of them would be playing instead of our captain? I’m sure we all want to see Martinelli on the pitch, I know I do but I do wonder if that’s because of how he was when he first arrived but since his injury, has struggled to replicate. Now it’s catch 22 because in order to find form he needs game time but if he doesn’t make the most of the chances he does get, then he’s not going to force Arteta to drop Aubameyang. The same rule applies to any player who isn’t playing regularly. Martin Odegaard can’t break into this team at the moment yet I think he’s a player who has the ability to hold the ball better than most and we’ve seen he has an eye for a pass. Which brings me back to our captain, who unless the ball is played perfectly into his path, doesn’t really scrap for a ball in the box. Actually, he doesn’t really scrap at all. Lacazette does though, Martinelli and Nketiah probably would too. Which is probably why you/me want to see someone different to what/who isn’t working. Sometimes though, the solutions cannot come from within and I think that’s the case in both Arsenal’s midfield and striker situation.
Lastly, there’s an interview with Richard Garlick on Arsenal.com, it’s interesting. Hopefully he’s well prepared for the January transfer window.
See you in the comments.
Morning Rico, as I was saying…
Interesting to see Arteta bring up the return of Arsene Wenger once more, maybe it’s more possible than was first thought especially since the departures of Gazides, Mislintat and Raul.
I doubt that Wenger has any beef with Edu or Mertesaker, two of his old players, most of the Board have left, there’s no history between Arsene and Garlick or Vinnie or Tim Lewis.
Josh seemed conciliatory during his recent PR chat with Sky Sports and Stan isn’t really involved now so who knows?
Morning Kev, I was too quick to get that in this morning. Or rather I hadn’t heard it.
Sounds to me that Arsene is coming back to the club. It’s just when and in what role imo.
I am not sure that the ghost of a previous leader is always helpful looking over a manager’s shoulder. However I do believe that |Arteta needs a shoulder to lean on but I am not sure dragging up all of the nastiness that surrounded Wenger’s departure is a good thing.
Morning Rico and all
Winning is the most important thing, I would rather win a boring match then loose playing pretty football.
As for Wenger I all ways wanted him to retire from being a senior coach / manager and take control of our academy
It might be though that having been away for a period of time, fans are more likely to remember his first ten years rather than the second. Just keep him away from transfers and money. Lol
Morning Geoff. Boring or disciplined?
G’day Rico and al.
Right now I’d take a win over entertainment every time. I’ve even suggested “parking the bus” is an option for us in certain circumstances.
As I said last night, the second half of the City PSG match was the best 45 minutes of football I’d seen in ages, but I’m a neutral. Imagine how the moods must have swung for both sets of fans. First half PSG soak up the City pressure then open the scoring with some delightful play, only for City to get a couple of goals with equally entertaining football.
When it comes down to points or pretty play, it’s points for me.
On Wenger returning, I don’t want that control freak anywhere near the club.
Afternoon Cicero, as would I to get us through this period of rebuild. Get back into the top four and with the extra money, keep building the squad.
That sounds like a plan Rico.
I come up with them every now and then Cicero. Lol
Two prison warders standing by the open door of a cell, one says to the other “there’s an Insulate Britain protestor in there, no need to lock the door, I’ve glued him to the floor”. 😉
😂
Rico Boring or disciplined doesn’t matter as long as we are winning.
At least if Wenger is running the academy he would be good for the kids, but he would have no say in how the club is run
I get the idea Geoff. Lol
New post up now