Arsenal are Bonnie Tyler…. [ARS 1-3 MCI] (Positive Needs & Hopes)

I know we’ve just had Valentines Day and no, it’s not ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart.’

There are obviously many details that could’ve been better against City.

This piece could’ve been called ‘Score 1, Get 2 Free!’ We haven’t been yippy all season but some of the players felt the occasion.

The focus could be on Eddie. You should never close your eyes when you are about to head the ball and looking at his technique, he did this twice.

Would we have won with Jesus and Partey? Maybe. Jorginho was arguably our best player though. 

Should we just concede that City are hard to contain for two halves and that we need to be applauded for having the best possession stats that anybody has ever had against Pep at City?

Could Arteta have reacted quicker in the second half? Enough to get us a draw, perhaps? Were the bench options there to change a game against City?

Is all of this overcomplicating a very simple reality… big teams control games if they score the first goal. If so, is it as simple as Tomiyasu’s error was everything?

The truth I think, is often found not in the hysteria of the extreme view or anger brought on by the disappointment, but a combination of a number of factors. Sport is like that series of books I read as a child, ‘Choose your own Adventure.’ A handful of sliding doors moments that you have control over.

Watching the game I couldn’t shake a particular feeling though.

And so we return to Bonnie Tyler.

If you are 35 or older or have a love for crap 80’s music you will remember ’Holding out for a Hero.’ I look back on that era and now realize that I could’ve written any of those songs in 12 minutes. Anyway. There I was in my office at work humming this song when Max says, “ What’s that?” “It’s Holding out for a hero,” I replied. “Why are you playing air drums, Dad? Mahrez is one on one with Zinchenko.” “You don’t want to know Max, it’ll put you off rock music forever”

“What’s it got to do with Mahrez though? He nearly scored,” he responds whilst face palming  

“It just looks like one of those games where we will need a hero, Max”

The conversation is interrupted by Max telling Mahrez to “stick it” as Zinchenko pockets him.

The thought doesn’t go away though. 

I’ve had this thought for the last 4 games. We can’t expect our team to perform the way they have all season without adversity, a bump. Never happened in the history of sports. I’ve always felt that our creator uses sports to teach us how to react to life’s challenges. That’s a big thought that we rarely consider. I digress. 

Arsenal need to get to the place where their many game changers decide to put the team on their back. We may well win the league with a team who are all essentially as good as each other but most teams that win titles have a player or two who refuse to lose.

Kevin DeBruyne was it on Wednesday. One of the best players in the world but also able to access an extra 10% that goes beyond his talent.

I currently feel that Odegaard is the closest to this but he waited until it was 1-3 before he put his cape on. Trossard comes across this way too and we all know that Jesus was born wearing one. 

This will be the next step for Eddie, Saka and Martinelli.

Not a criticism but I just hope they find it quickly.  

POSITIVES:

• Saliba seems to rise when the challenge gets tougher. He seemed back to his pre-Christmas self. Haaland is a monster and everybody talks about it. Saliba is his equal. People are starting to recognize this too. He did his part. 

• As did Jorginho. After his debut he needed this. I don’t remember him losing possession. Beyond that, he had two line breaking passes that Partey would’ve been proud of. As the games bring more pressure his experience will prove to be the perfect signing for such a time as this. I feel confident in this as the two Chelsea fans I spoke to when he signed both said that his best quality is bravery. Never hides when others are playing hide and seek.

• I liked Ben White’s drive when he came on. He seemed angry. That’s good angry.

• I will get to experience the new Emirates atmosphere next month. If you have any tickets (or know anyone with some) for the Palace game, I still need 2 more  I look forward to experiencing a fanbase that I hear have a different level of support than others. That want to sing Tomi’s name after he makes the most disappointing pass of the season. Makes me proud because I’m acutely aware how atmosphere can affect bravery.

• Those that are jumping on the coach with two angry fists need to understand a few things. I have recognized that the most common response that the players and coach give after any result is the need to stay humble and ‘improve.’ I doubt that the players are being pushed to this if the coach isn’t willing to self reflect. Rewind 6 months. Would you have been ok to be happy with and support a team that are joint top of the league with a game in hand? Let’s not be spoilt. I have to reign myself in too as the disappointment can seem overwhelming and become the primary and sole emotion. I’ve been reminded of how society is the last few months. I suppose I live in somewhat of a bubble of happy people in East Tennessee. People who aren’t so quick to assume the worst in your words or want to have an online fight. My best example has been that of all the tweets I’ve put out there that I think are good thoughts, I have tweeted twice about controversial incidents in the last year. Twice. Those two tweets (one was about McTominay having a ‘free to foul’ pass and the other was Grealish tripping himself against Villa) got over 2 million views. You read that right. Too much addiction to the drama of football rather than the intelligent analysis. Big fat shame. If the angry heads don’t tell you that you are a bleeperty bleep and/or blind they accuse you of tweeting for ‘likes.’ For those who know me they’ll agree that this chap only just figured out how to copy/paste on his laptop let alone how ‘likes’ impact me on Twitter.

• Do you think that our players have been told that one of them needs to go down ‘injured’ midway through the first half so that Arteta can give them a team talk? I do. I think Ramsdale has been told this in particular as a GK cannot be treated off the field, so Arteta has more time to talk. Sneaky.

NEEDS:

• You might be getting bored of me pointing out that Eddie Nketiah needs to have more hunger to fulfill his goals and ours. It’s obvious that he has improved in that area but I just don’t think it’s his nature. I want him to give away more fouls. Be offside more. Act like he owns the opponents box. He seems to be too risk averse with his runs in particular. If I played in front of Martin Odegaard, I’d be running behind repeatedly. It’s rare that he does and I think it’s the reason why Balogun has a future at Arsenal. I think his movement creates far ‘easier’ chances to score and Arsenal might just need this quality more than any other. 

• I hope Gabriel can shake off this performance. We haven’t seen his over excitement/over aggression in a while. He has a tendency to make a second error after he makes a first one. This is what we saw on their second goal. He is too quick to jump out of his hole after losing the ball. I know his motives are good. He wants to make up for his mistake. He needs to mature though. Accept your mistake and get back in your hole. Defending is all about prioritizing. Where is the biggest problem? Fix that and mistakes are limited.

• I think it’s time to ask Xhaka once again to contribute more in the final third. He has had a fabulous season but as an 8, he has to be more determined in and around the box. Shoot more. Don’t just see yourself as another body in the box on crosses. He has the physique to be a major threat on crosses but isn’t. Without a powerful forward on our books, Arteta will be acutely aware that we need his power to be a threat.

HOPES:

• I hope that when I come to London that the reactionary twitterers aren’t in the stadium. I hope to hear the positive energy that gratitude inspires. Winning the Premier League is all about the bigger picture. Let’s not get bogged down in individual results when the big picture is still quite unexpected.

• Let’s hope that Partey isn’t long term and that ESR and Jesus’ return reinvigorates the club. Very possible.

• I also hope that the lady in front of me on this flight to Mexico reflects on whether it was necessary to take a selfie every 10 minutes. I’m not sure there is anyone in her life that wants the same picture sent with this frequency. Perhaps she is a ‘selfie perfector’ and her album of 26,765 selfies on her phone hasn’t got one with a hairy British guy in it. Maybe she’s famous and I’m gonna be in her Instagram post? I bet she won’t get as many views as Grealish and McTominay got me. I’m not sure if I should attempt to take a picture of her  Sod it. Here goes…

There you go. Did it. I’m saying it’s Janet Jackson. I don’t care if you don’t agree. That’s Janet. Or didn’t Chris Wallace recently grow his hair long again and dye it blackcurrent? It’s Chris Waddle.

FINAL THOUGHT:

Simple. Control your emotions. Time to step up. Refocus. See the reality of our situation and don’t listen to the loud voices. Arsenal are doing brilliantly. What a memorable season already. The players have played beyond anyone’s expectations. Anyone. Keep your trust but tweak where needed. And understand that you all have a cape or you wouldn’t be playing on this Arsenal team. Gabriel needs to attack set plays with the gusto he did last season. The delivery needs to be refocused too. Take offensive risks. He who dares, right? Don’t be so afraid of losing the ball 90 yards from your goal. Our transition team is arguably the best in the league. Don’t lose the league trying to not lose it. Attack it! Oh, and somebody make Bonnie Tyler happy and put your cape on.

Thanks for reading and sorry it was late. I blame Chris Waddle distracting me with his 10 minute selfie rule and my desire to be on red alert to avoid being a part of his addiction.

Mike McDonald

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.