Morning all.
I have never been one who needs to be proved right, nor do I like the phrase “I told you so” or anything similar. It’s pointless in my opinion. In football, conversations are not usually right or wrong because in the main, you and I offer opinions and opinions are never one or the other. I might think certain opinions are bonkers but then others might think mine are too and that’s fine. No, it’s better than fine, it’s good because the world would be boring if we all thought the same.
The Arsenal world is boring right now but for a good reason. There’s not much to moan about, or anything to moan about really. Of course the so called football experts out there will find something, they so often do but the reality is, the majority of them have never stepped foot into football management let alone manage a Premier League club. Yet come match day, “we” all become experts. Yes, guilty as charged your honour. (Me I mean lol)
I love comments like this one from Micah Richards who was talking about Declan Rice:
He is everything. Exactly that. He is a box-to-box midfielder and I like him in the No.8, I feel as though he is wasted in a No.6. He can do everything and he is consistently putting in these performances, where we have to start talking about him as one of the best in world football now. His delivery from crosses and free-kicks is as good as anyone in the game – he just hits the money every time.
There’s more to our set-pieces than just Declan Rice of course, Bukayo Saka’s too for that matter, but without his accuracy of delivery, the goals wouldn’t come as frequently. They provide the ammunition and then it’s over to those in the box to fire the bullet. Very often it’s Gabriel involved in the latter, if not scoring himself, he’s producing a moment of magic as his did at the weekend. I very much doubt Viktor Gyokeres will score an easier goal with his head this season.
Going back to opinions, I wrote this a few weeks ago: Our set pieces might be the topic of ridicule at times but it wasn’t that long ago Man Utd and Beckham were lauded for their set pieces. Rice’s dead ball delivery is up there with some of the best in the game.
Finally, his abilities are being recognised because he deserves it. A very good player for West Ham but a top top player for Arsenal. World class? That’s a matter of opinion.
Finally, pundits etc are not suggesting we are the southern version of Stoke City etc, not that I care if they do, but now it’s more about who or rather which club will find a way of stopping us from being as good as we are on set-pieces. I’m sure every football purist likes to see a perfect finish at the end of a wonderful move, don’t we all and we witnessed one of those at Turf Moor too so if that hasn’t made people happy I don’t know what will.
Oh, I know, Gyokeres doesn’t score enough goals, that seems to be floating around the internet but I think if the “experts” check, only Haaland is running away in that category. As Bukayo Saka said a few days ago, the team are still getting used to playing with an out and out striker.
Lord help the opposition once they’ve cracked it.
Whether we win a trophy or not come the end of the season, I’m certainly enjoying watching The Arsenal as they try. Yes, it feels like The Arsenal is back! The strong, the determined, the passionate!
And to think, my opinion not that long ago was that Mikel Arteta might not be the one to improve us. Thank goodness no one takes any notice of me eh….
Catch up in the comments.
G’day Rico.
While eating dinner in an Italian restaurant last night I was able to watch Balogna vs Parma and guess what? The long throw in was very much in evidence. The Premiership is not the only league playing retro football.
Although Palma scored after just 14 seconds, they were beaten 3 – 1.
Afternoon Cicero, it’s crazy how set-pieces, long throws, a boot up the pitch is criticised really, as each are part of the game.
Good afternoon Rico and all
1-0 to the Arsenal is back. And god knows how much I love that. Although tbh the perfect score will always be 2-0. As much as I would love it if Arsenal smacked the dippers, the spuds, the manures, the shitty, the chavs or whoever it is to the tune of 7-0 the score of 1-0 to the Arsenal is better till we win the EPL simply because it keeps the players on their toes. I am always afraid that a big scoreline in our favour might turn our players to be a bit complacent.
So 1-0 to the Arsenal is a BIG YES YES for me.
Lovely post Rico. And yes its nice to see that I am not the only one who is feeling that the steely Arsenal of the GG days with a dash of the AW magic is back. With GG we won but we were boring. With AW we won in a swashbuckling style. Arteta is a mixture of both, depending on the opposition. Is it Arteta style OR is it GG+AW (Styles) = MA (style)? Depends from which angle you look at it.
In any team the central spine is very important…..in our case its Raya+Gabriel/Saliba+Rice+Gyokeres. All 6ft+ players with the exception of Raya who is exactly 6 ft tall. Saliba is the tallest at 6ft 4′. Its not only the height, its their skill/technical level and their tactical mindset which stand out as well. I have been banging the drum for height for a long time and as much as I loved the Fabregas/Rosicky/Wilshere/Hleb (Song is another story) era due to their marvellous skills they were all midgets.
Finger crossed that our players like Gabi, Rice etc continue to keep being underrated by the pun-dits. They will keep on their toes. And am not too fussed why VG14 gets criticized, as long as he keeps playing the way he is I am happy.
Arteta must be licking his lips in anticipation of having Havertz back. Imagine beginning a game with Kai as a CF, then in the second half when they are tired VG14 comes on and boom boom….they would be too dizzy before they realize what had hit them. Probably out for a fortnight with a concussion.
Italian Restaurant Cicero??? I hope you came out smiling feeling full and happy with the finest cuisine of the mediterrenean.
Very nice Devil, on the Sliema harbour front.
They do a very tasty apple and cinnamon cake too.
Nice post Rico, yes, I recall you having doubts about Mikel but I would never bring that up as I wouldn’t want to trigger you, being the wokester that I am. 😁
By the way I’ve decided to change my pro-nouns from Mr to Two Spirit, namely gin and vodka…
Cheers 😄
Afternoon Devil, all.
I did Kev, very often. However, I’m often wrong and you’re seldom cruel enough to remind me. 😝
My dog got stung by a bee on a walk earlier. Not good as £117 later following a trip to vet, I’ll have to eat bread and jam for the rest of the week. ☹️
Our Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Crystal Palace has been confirmed for Tuesday, December 23.
Glasner gets his own way then…
£117!
Was you buying a share in the company Rico, no wonder less and less people have pets nowadays…
She had a steroid/antihistamine intravenously Kev, they don’t come cheap..
less and less people have pets Kev?? I have 4 mate.
A friend of mine’s dog was stung by a hornet…..I dont know the bill but thankfully the dog was saved. His hind leg was practically paralyzed and he was howling.
Pets?? I had so much….dogs, cats (4), rabbits, hamsters, birds, water turtle (still alive after 28 years). Cant imagine life without them. Especially dogs and cats. Had to stop birds since I was sneezing a lot around them.
Better cats and dogs….especially those who sit near you or put their head on your lap.
And you would do anything for them even pay a fortune or eat bread and jam forever
Tomorrow’s team for me (resting Gyokeres and put him as a sub)
Raya, White, Saliba, Gabi, MLS; Norgaard, Merino, Eze; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Enough to win with that team imo
Tbh Rico, it cost me over £130 in two visits for my cat earlier this year and it didn’t do any good as he had cancer. Injections, tablets, they all add up plus the consultancy fee.
Dev I used to have a Labrador and 5 cats, now I have one old moggy who I’m sure has some form of feline dementia.
Is Martinelli fit?
Absolutely Devil, animals over most humans for me.
We pay it though Kev as we love them…
Anyone watching the Everton game? It’s feisty…
Viktor Gyokeres hasn’t trained and hasn’t travelled today as Arsenal prepare to face Slavia Prague tomorrow.
The striker suffered a muscular injury against Burnley and is currently undergoing scans to determine the extent of the injury.
Mikel Arteta currently has no centre forwards available.
I saw Andre Harriman Annous training with the 1st team he was very much part of the pictures on Arsenal.com. Seems as if he’s made a good, positive impression with Arteta, wouldn’t surprise me to see him at some stage tomorrow, personally I’d start him and tell him to give everything for an hour then sub him off.
Hope he’s ok for Sunderland.
I would too. Use Merino in midfield with Norgaard perhaps.