Morning all.
Ben White has been talking about our number 14, a striker he knows all about and long before he arrived at Arsenal.
He’s a monster! He lives for goals doesn’t he? He’s a constant threat,” White told the Arsenal official website. You really don’t want to get in his way when you are playing against him, because he’ll just move you out of the way anyway! He’s such a big presence, and I think it will be a massive help that he’s already played in English football.
You see a lot of people come to the Premier League and they’ve had no taste of what it’s like, and it can be a struggle. But for Viktor, he’s well used to it. He played at Coventry, and I played loads of games with him at Brighton. So he’s seen it, he knows what it’s going to be like and what to expect from the defenders.
I can’t say a bad word about him, to be honest. He’s one of the most professional trainers I’ve ever seen; he’s right up there with Martin Odegaard in that respect.
Viktor Gyokeres has scored two of Arsenal’s six goals scored so far this season. I know we’re only three games in but it’s three games in which the team have kind of struggled to get onto the same page. But they will, of that I’m convinced but English football, or at least Premier League football, is different now to when he last in England and in any case, he didn’t feature in any Premier League fixtures. So, just as his new teammates are trying to work him out, he not only has to work them out but what Premier League football is all about too. Not to mention the opponents.
If one was to look back at the signings Arsenal have made over the years, bedding in new players has more often than not, taken time. Even the greats like Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires etc, struggled for a few months when they first arrived. Some never really get over their struggles and ended up leaving within a season or two. This doesn’t just happen at Arsenal though.
Not every player who switches clubs will hit the ground running, especially when they move late into pre-season and/or from a different league. I kind of feel sorry for Gyokeres though because the pressure on him to deliver is huge. Partly because of his recent outstanding goal return for Sporting but also because Arsenal haven’t had an out and out striker for a few years now. Everything he does or doesn’t do will be heavily scrutinised by all and sundry, including Arsenal fans.
To finish with some good news, both Ben White and Christian Norgaard were back in training yesterday so will in all likelihood, be in the squad for tomorrow’s game. As for Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, I guess we’ll hear more about both later today when Mikel Arteta speaks to the media. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz too.
Catch up in the comments.
Nice to read Benny Blanco’s words. Two goals from Victor’s first three games isn’t a bad return. Four while on international duty, that’s 15 in 26 for Sweden. We are so blessed to have the options: Victor, Kai, Mikel, Jesus, Gaby can play as a nine, young Butler-Oyedeji coming through…
Butler-Oyedeji has left Stuart..
Good morning Rico, proper football back at last. Arsenal vs West Ham this evening live on Sky. Women’s Super League, of course.
Sunny and breezy here in Norfolk and we have an extra swim at midday. 🏊
Morning Cicero, it’s always good to return to domestic footie. Looking forward to watching the women later. Funny that Utd got beat last night in their first European match..
Good Morning all
Can’t wait for the season to resume tomorrow and I hope we get to see a good performance from Eze. He has done next to nothing so far in his cameo performances for us and England .
Shush Rico, don’t talk it up.
He has indeed, Rico. I am behind the times, thought he had gone on loan to Lausanne.
He’s only played 20 mins for us Kelsey, give the guy a chance surely?
I’ll say no more Cicero.
You are Stuart. Lol