‘Sunday, Thursday and Freddie’
A POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES Special
How did you feel when you found out about Emery/Freddie?
It was 5:30am here in Tennessee. It felt weird. Like everyone, I was anticipating it, so it felt very different to when Wenger left. I wasn’t as joyful as I thought, more ‘alright let’s get on with it.’
I’m so excited by what I’ve written below as the list of ‘things that could get better’ is longer than at any time in my Arsenal supporting life.
Can’t wait for Sunday then Thursday!
Read on for thoughts on tactics, strategy, individual changes and potential incomings and outgoing.
I hope you enjoy my positives, needs and hopes on the exciting ‘Freddie era.’
POSITIVES:
* Interestingly, Freddie chose to mention ‘putting smiles back on faces’ as his first communication.
Clearly this is a big common denominator and at the top of his list of importance.
With Emery struggling to connect it won’t take much to add this. He’s simply got to get the balance between being respected and loved.
According to the many who’ve experienced Freddie, this is a natural for him.
Renuited? And it feels so good
* Rumours of Pires and Gilberto are exciting.
At first, I was concerned that neither are coaches but then I remembered a bizarre experience I once had.
I was in Florida coaching a boy’s high school team. A guy I met got connected with a former player you will know who was in town. He asked him to come do a session with the boys.
Here comes Chris Waddle.
We asked Chris to teach the boys how he crosses the ball. He told the boys,
“it’s simple. Just get it out your feet and whip it in.”
None of the boys could ‘whip it in’ like Chris. They didn’t even know what that meant!
Inspired kids
Here’s the thing though…. the session was a big success because, even though their crossing ability was no better, the boys were inspired by who he was.
If I had Gilberto telling me how to be a better DM, I would pay full attention even if he couldn’t necessarily put on a session to teach me. Someone else can do that.
* He’s seen what hasn’t worked.
Let’s be honest, that’s a long list.
So, he’s not going to confuse the players with multiple strategies and formations.
He’s not going to lack clarity in communication.
He’s unlikely to play players in foreign positions.
He’s not going to delay in making subs unless frozen by the atmosphere.
He will surely be a true protagonist.
* Auba, Laca and Torreira are far more likely to stay.
Stars may stay
* This run of games that we are capable of dominating gives Ljungberg the opportunity to bed the players into a standard 4-2-3-1 formation. The players will delight in this.
As mid-December approaches he can choose a second formation for tougher games.
* As above, there should be a grand opportunity to get back to ‘the Arsenal way’ and play on the front foot.
* He will have seen that even though Luiz is a good defender, that his desire to drop off and cede 40 yards of space allowing all these multiples of shots, is killing us.
He doesn’t need his experience back there as there are other similar options. I’m hoping to see him at DM again.
This one tactical change will make the single quickest difference.
* I wonder if certain players are about to explode?
The young players will transition from taking the mickey out of Emery to playing for the guy they love.
Will ESR or Nelson be an Ozil option?
Will Saka play higher and rip teams apart?
Got a feeling that Willock will play more than the rest as his style fits perfectly with Ljungberg’s ‘dynamic attacking runs’ style that he employed in the U-23’s.
Close to Joe
Here is a wild thought…. will Freddie give AMN a chance to be the line breaking box to box midfielder he wants to be? Nobody has ever trusted him and given him a run of games there.
Of the senior players, I’m hoping we see Pepe receive the ball higher and not cut inside so early. Make runs off the ball behind the defence. Ultimately, he needs to play in a way that is far easier to have success, as his current style is highly complex.
Will Torreira be told he will get a run of games at DM, not a roving DM, a sitting one suited to his best self?
Time to see the English double act? (with thanks to Getty Images)
Will Chambers and Holding get to be our new centre back pairing?
Best friends that will be highly motivated.
Will he fight Ozil or decide that he’s only going to play him if he accepts that he’s not going to press the way the others do?
Many have tried to get him to do things he doesn’t want to, and it doesn’t work.
Pick him if you are going to free him or don’t pick him.
Tierney is a gem. A player that others would kill for. Release him to overlap and cross.
NEEDS:
* I hope that the club have told him that he has a decent period of time.
If not, I’d be concerned that he will try to impart too many of his ideas and fix everything he sees. If he does, it will be difficult to make a true difference in any one area.
His best job interview will be seen in the quality of what he did in the time he was given, rather than the quantity of what he saw and attempted to fix.
* The newest experience will be making decisions that upset players with bigger egos. I hope he balances talking them through his decisions whilst being unafraid to trust himself.
HOPES:
* Please consider this thought….
If you are concerned about Freddie or Arteta being inexperienced/having no experience, then you have a very valid point. It’s a real concern.
Is it equally fair to suggest the following…?
For as much as FL and MA are lacking in that area there are many boxes that they check and many that other experienced coaches don’t.
If that’s fair then as I always say, put ALL of them on the proverbial scales.
On one side put the lack of experience and all that comes with it. On the other put
a) modern flexible ideas
b) experience in working with some of the best coaches of all-time
c) energy and relatability
d) understanding of the Arsenal values (HUGE)
e) respect gained from being able to demonstrate your coaching ideas. An underrated quality as most people are visual not verbal learners
f) hunger to win. They never tell us that they have 60% motivation, but some coaches are in it for money or just another crack at glory. Many don’t think about this but how driven would ‘an Arteta’ be compared to ‘an Ancelotti’ who has little to prove. Finally, and perhaps the most important….
g) not wedded to one coaching philosophy.
There are more but that’s plenty.
Arsenal should have a shortlist of what’s important to them.
Let’s compare to someone experienced. Let’s take Ancelotti as I think he may walk away from the current mess in Naples.
Ancelotti would bring a) PL experience b) understanding of how to win the PL c) like-ability d) media savvy e) no need to adapt to London life f) flexibility. I love the story John Terry tells of how Carlo sat down with Drogba, Lampard and himself and asked their opinion on what works with the group g) fluent in English
On short list but not for me
On the other hand, here are my concerns…. a) at Bayern they would joke about how they warmed up and then played 11vs11 daily. Very concerning. This can work with fantastic teams. Arsenal aren’t fantastic like many teams he’s been blessed to coach b) is he motivated, or would it just be ‘a good time in London and possibly another trophy, but whatever?’ c) does he have a way of playing or does he adapt to team’s needs? I’m concerned because a coach who doesn’t do tactics, normally has one-way d) are his ideas relatable to modern day PL football?
When I put all of this on the scales, I am far more convinced by Arteta.
The scales are tipped for me by many pieces but mainly when I think about how he must be itching to try out all his ideas. Sitting next to Pep for 3 years must be so inspirational and build such energy to want to be in charge.
* Our season could get two energy boosts.
Let the energy and happiness from Emery to Freddie gain points and then if needed, get a second boost from Freddie to new coach.
If we get over excited when we get a ‘yes’ from the coach, we want we may install him whilst everything is on the up. Wait. Time it right.
* Capitalize on your popularity, Freddie!
Fan favourite
If I was him, I’d go full Klopp on the fanbase.
Beat my chest, sign babies’ foreheads, insist on all players giving their jerseys to the fans after games and (radical thought) have a fans forum to let them tell me their concerns. If that’s too radical come up with something that makes you look like a revolutionary. That could be the key to securing the job.
If he could go above and beyond then he will change the fanbase from angry and apathetic to a rocking stadium atmosphere and a fanbase that want him to stay.
They love you Freddie…. they want to love you even more!
* I hope he values fixing the two positions that we’ve all wanted fixed for 11 years…. DM and CB.
If Torreira wants to leave, go all in for Ndidi or Partey.
I hope he doesn’t risk Chaka blowing it all up for him.
If Xhaka leaves we will need experience as we’d have none.
Replace Xhaka with Arturo Vidal.
He’s looking to leave, and he would be motivated by Alexis’ experience at AFC, and we could do with a midfield goal threat.
Generational talent
I’d go for Szoboszlai too and loan him out to strengthen up. For those that haven’t seen him he has the potential to be a generational talent.
I’d try to prize Mings away from Villa to add pace and a love for defending.
FINAL THOUGHT:
As I’ve mentioned in recent posts I’d go after the heads of the players.
It’s far easier to improve mindsets than skill levels and tactics.
We have a good team that have never had a motivator whilst at Arsenal Football Club.
Motivate them, Freddie!
You’ll get such a huge bounce as they have over 50% more to give.
You’ll know by Christmas who is worth persisting with.
Sorry if this was too long.
I’m excited again and I almost forgot what that felt like!
@mike_mmcdonald
Former Highbury regular. Moved to TN, USA in ’99. Married with 3 kids. Coached in UK and US for 27 years.
Mike McDonald Soccer Academy in Morristown TN, Olympic Development coach, Regional Premier League Champion.
Some joy finally.
Mike.
I enjoy your thoughts. Would you consider Viera for the same reasons as Freddie and Mickel but with a extra bit of managerial experience?