Arsenal 5 Wolves 0 – A reminder of the past and future

A reminder of the past and future

An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective

It was a little tempting to look at that performance and wonder why we couldn’t do that for the last six weeks.

It’s tempting.

I have to remember that I played football for the first half of my life, and I was fortunate enough to play in some big games.

Although I wasn’t playing for the Premier League title it is all relative based on my age and maturity. I remember feeling too nervous to play my game. I remember wanting to be the hero so much so that I forgot that football is a team game.

I remember losing my composure both mentally and technically and making a litany of poor decisions.

If it were possible to turn off your brain so it could never get in your way, then what we saw yesterday would’ve been what we would have been experiencing for the last six weeks and we would’ve won the league.

I haven’t been on Twitter yet and I’m a little scared to do so. I know that there will be many saying ‘what if’ a little too loudly.

That game was far more important than your average beach game. The narrative is really important in regard to attracting players. The fanbase have given more energy to the team, especially in tough situations, than I’ve ever seen in my lifetime, so they deserved a great send off. The players may not think that it matters much to them, but they need to have the right perspective and a happy face going into the summer after such a very unexpectedly impressive season. The players will also have been made aware that next season they will be an elevation in quality and depth. So, lots of reasons to do what they did.

The game was a lovely reminder of the pre-April version of Arsenal. It was equally happy thoughts when thinking about the future of this team.

I pause for a minute as Max has just informed me that Vitesse Arnhem have a player called Ryan Flamingo  

I think Arsenal’s performance was as beautiful as Ryan’s name. Maybe I should just stop writing there. I think there is no better analysis than ‘Arsenal are Ryan Flamingo.’ I feel like I need to pause again and find a picture of Ryan.

There we go. Ryan’s quite the unit.

His neck is quite flamingo-ish, I suppose. I hope he signs for Alkmaar. They wear Arsenal colours. Just don’t compare yourself to Ryan Flamingo. You will feel inadequate. Ryan’s light will always shine brighter than ours because he has the best surname on the planet. Alternatively, he is simply the low-cost DJ at a holiday camp for the elderly.

Time to move on.

Arsenal sizzled. Arsenal had fun.

I was reminded of many things that I thought for the majority of the season. That Martin Odegaard is the conductor worthy of a golden baton and a standing ovation.

That Thomas Partey dominates whatever area you put him in. That Gabriel might be our most improved player of the season. That Ben White either lives in Tenerife or has a sunbed. That Jorginho is one of the most reliable players in this league. Redemption is always possible, and Granit Xhaka is the perfect proof of this. That Bukayo Saka is one of the very few players in world football that can be unstoppable. That even though Trossard clearly wants to be noticed with his new hairstyle, he is clearly a player that doesn’t sparkle until he reminds you what an effective footballer looks like. That Gabriel Jesus is a slippery eel and a total handful for defenders. That Reiss Nelson is worthy of the contract that he is being offered.

Nelson earned a new deal

As far as the future is concerned, we would have some level of hope with such a young talented team even if we would have had a disappointing season. The fact that we are now a team that is relevant in the discussion around elite football and the fact that we are young and talented might even create joy in me to the point where on a day of great weakness I might consider buying the new away kit.

This could go down as an equal to Manchester United’s zebra kit from last season and Tottenham’s scuba diving outfit that they wore yesterday.

The future at Arsenal is summed up by Mikel Arteta. Post game he said, “If we want to be the real deal, we have to do much better.” I love the fact that he isn’t satisfied. I feel satisfied but my words don’t get through to the players. He has to be careful what he says. He wants them to be happy but not satisfied. Very clever.

I’m going to miss Arsenal. This team gives me so much belief and hope.

We have the right coach, we are a destination for the elite players again, a supportive ownership, a true connection with the fanbase and a whole load of talented players who aren’t even close to their peak.

The ‘Arsenal worries’ have gone. We had those for far too long.

POSITIVES:

• Sometimes the world is fair. The story of Granit Xhaka might well be shown at perseverance conferences. I’m really not sure if there is such a thing as a perseverance conference but let’s pretend that there is for the sake of my point. We all know the story. It’s just that the odds were against him. He is an example of using what gifts you have been given and making the most of them. His lack was too obvious for too many years because Wenger played him in the wrong position. Thankfully Arteta identified this but in only one season he transformed his game at an age where most players cannot do this or refuse to. It seemed like a true blessing from above watching him score the first two goals.

• They say that the table never lies, and I think that that is true. So, if that’s true, then the league table looks better seen in this graphic than actually looking at the table itself…

Don’t tell me in July that you wouldn’t have laughed your head off if somebody predicted this.

• It hit me again against Wolves, that we are so very good at stopping opponents in their half. Perhaps this is a big reason why we have been so successful. So well organized by one of the best coaching teams around so if we are transitioned on it’s because of broken play. We are like thieves. Frequently nicking the ball. The timing of our tackling is very good. When I coach this, I always tell players to not touch the ball. Sounds crazy but temptation is the greatest evil. There will be so many times that you will be tempted to win it. I think it was ‘The little engine that could’ that said, “I think I can, I think I can.” Don’t be tempted. You will KNOW when it’s closer to you than him. Alternatively, or as well as, you can focus on nibbling the split second after they touch the ball. There is always a small opening between touches. This takes a very keen eye though. This is one reason why. Jorginho is so effective. If you met him in person your first thought would be that he looks far too little to be an elite footballer. If you raced him, you’d probably win too. He’s so good because elite football isn’t just for elite athletes. Not everyone understands or agrees with this. We have lots of intelligent players which makes it possible for Arteta to flourish as a group of simple heads wouldn’t be able to activate his plan. Another part of this is setting traps. Odegaard, much like Jorginho, isn’t as athletic as most but is so very smart. That is why he leads our press as well as the team. He is frequently thieving too. Setting traps to lure opponents to pass where he wants and then pouncing. Athleticism is important too of course but maybe a little overrated. Over here in the US, soccer is a direct, athletic game played with little patience. As you can see from the national team though, they aren’t really improving yet in my lifetime the US have always won the most medals at every Olympics. Lots of athletes. Lots. Most play basketball and American Football but those that play soccer lack intelligence. Arsenal will thieve more frequently next season as I’m sure the player that replaces Xhaka isn’t just smart but more athletic too. Our left side will likely match our right side in robberies. Maybe they should have a competition?

• Many are wanting a target man option. I’m one. I think there are too many occasions where our pants are down, and our arms have fallen off. Every squad needs as many ‘football options’ as possible and you can’t be stubborn and think your style will win every game. Gabby Jesus is probably more important than we’ve given him credit for recently, though. Firstly, 17 goals/assists in 24 starts in his first season in years as a striker is pretty darn good. As his sharpness has returned, we were reminded that he is more of a Swiss Army knife than most any other striker. It amazes me that he hasn’t drawn penalties this season with his dribbling in the box. Interesting at the very least to see him looking so effective when he moved to the right side. His cross for the first goal was intentional and perfect and quite honestly a moment that we have rarely created this season.

• In my lifetime there have been quite a few players that we have been blessed to have at the club that you would pay the admission simply to watch them. Odegaard has been the best instigator in the league. Even amongst other top players it is quite something that one player still stands out and conducts the orchestra quite like he does. The best players that Arsenal have ever had have always had the same quality. They glide. Bergkamp, Henry, Brady, Cazorla. They also make complicated aspects of the game look easy. I think of Fabregas, Alexis, Van Persie and Saka. What Odegaard can do, not all of these eight players can do. If he stays at Arsenal long-term then he should comfortably be known as one of the greatest players to play for the club. I don’t think we fully realize how good he is because he is always playing. We haven’t got to experience how absence makes the heart feel.

• What has been the difference in Nelson this season? I think he has relaxed his game and his natural abilities have come to the fore. One of the first times I started to consistently shout at Wenger was when he kept playing Iwobi in front of Nelson. Nelson clearly had more natural ability and a much higher ceiling and is now showing it. He desperately needed to become effective in the final third and I suppose this is why he wasn’t getting deployed for so many years. You can’t be so bad at decision making in the final third and play in attack at AFC. His beautiful touch to Eddie at the end of the game reminded me of this improvement. He isn’t just a substitute coming on to give somebody a rest anymore. He has a danger that the opponents haven’t fully figured out yet. Could be a huge weapon next season.

• Going back to intelligent players, Leo Trossard was at the front of the line when that gift was given out. His vision in tight spaces is elite. Many players in the modern game have learnt to combine well with players in their locality but few see beyond this to the second layer of players 10 yards away or more. His cross for Jesus wasn’t hopeful as evidenced by the back spin he put on it. You don’t do that if you don’t see someone.

• Saka just equaled Sane and Mane for goals and assists in a season and he’s only 21. His goal was my favourite piece of Saka skill this season. As I said earlier, some things he does are unstoppable and if you watch that again his cutback was unexpected and the space between this touch and the shot were a ‘wow’ moment. I just hope that before this piece is published, we get a tweet telling us that he has withdrawn from the England squad with an ‘injury’ called ‘mycoachhasgivenmeaninjury.’

Record equaling

• Partey was back to being a general. The inverted right back is with a view to next season, I think. I have a feeling that Arteta wants 5 athletes in what is essentially a 5-5 formation to take care of transition. I’m wondering if this means Zinchenko replacing Xhaka as first choice left 8 is going to be the change. At least while a new player learns Arteta’s system. Our coach might be a little nervous at the beginning of the season that our new signings might not be tactically ready. Zinchenko would adapt quickly as he might be the smartest tactical player we have. If Partey leaves I will weep. If it’s due to off field issues may be less so but there have been many times this season that I thought he was the best DM in Europe. Really not sure why there isn’t any talk of what an elite player we might lose. My hope is that they the rumours of Rice and Caicedo are more about Thomas Partey not being able to play an entire season than about him leaving.

• If next season is as beautiful as this new training top (yet to be released) then we are going to win the quadruple as well as the Eurovision song contest, which will be won by William Saliba doing a version of his own chant…

NEEDS:

• I’m not sure if it’s right, but Mikel doesn’t give minutes to younger players just because the occasion allows. What stood out for me when we played Brentford away was that he included Nwaneri and then played him. It was so out of character. Max was desperately hoping Reuell Walters would get on. Me too. You’d think that when we are 4–0 ahead with at least 20 minutes left this would be the perfect opportunity. Again, I think our coach values a hierarchy and the opportunity to play is a huge privilege not given out just because he’s feeling nice.

No Reuell debut

HOPES:

• I noticed that the VAR decisions were made in 5-10 seconds. Michael Oliver was on VAR and as with refereeing, he leads the way. VAR should be put in front of the firing squad with Baldrick as it’s did defence attorney, but if it has to stay then 5-10 seconds was a big improvement.

• Talking of robberies, Declan Rice has had the most interceptions in the Premier League this season with 62. There should honestly be a street fight over his signing amongst all of the elite clubs in world football. He isn’t just good at everything. He is good at everything and great at a few of those things.

• I have a feeling that Eze is one player that will emerge as target for the top clubs. I won’t be entirely surprised if City tried to replace Gundogan with Eze. I would love Arsenal to consider him. He has the most successful dribbles in the league with 71 and has a high technical level and creative eye. I’ve often thought that players like Eze that seem inconsistent need to be given a little bit of a break. Anybody that plays in an attacking area for Crystal Palace is always going to look like this. They don’t have the same level of player to feed them or to run off them that we do. That’s why it’s important to first search for the cheaper diamond in the rough like Eze who could double or triple his statistics around better players, than go spend twice the amount on a player who is actually no better but has been given the opportunity to play in a top team. In fact, there are two players at Palace that I’d be delighted with. Michael Olise being the second one. His effortless playing style looks like an Arsenal player to me. The fact that he is fourth in assists in the PL on a very average team is impressive.
• So, we can’t catch City? I’m not so sure about that. I will be cheering them on loudly in the Champions League final in the hope that out of nowhere, Pep will leave having achieved this. He is certainly a huge difference maker for them. And even if Tim Sherwood came in as their new coach, I’m sure they would finish in the top two, but it’s the margins that normally win trophies and he is the margin at that club. What has always amazed me is that their stadium isn’t exactly an intimidating place. I know that they are intimidating to play against, but I hope that next season teams can try not to roll over. It is a venue that is largely filled with tourists and spoilt and partially board locals. If their home form dips, then perhaps the fact that they only won one away game (against us) against the top nine gives us the margin.

FINAL THOUGHT:

Well, there we are. An unexpected season from our club that was at least one year ahead of schedule. Let the pain of April be washed away by the memories of the rest of the season. I sat with Max after the game and surprisingly they were many compilations on YouTube of all of Arsenal ‘s goals from this season including the Wolves game. I advise you to take a look. It’ll give you a perspective on the season as a whole far better than looking at our wounds that still have strapping on them.

Appreciation

The truth of the season can be seen in the lap of appreciation. This is a picture taken just before ours started….

Essentially everybody still in the ground. I don’t even think this happened at the Etihad where they got bored of celebrating winning the league and got back on the streets of Manchester to check out a few more tourist attractions before they left town.

I’m off on holiday to Charleston, South Carolina. I think it’s the most beautiful city in the United States. Certainly, in the opinion of an Englishman that misses the beauty of the villages of England. I hope to write an end of season piece whilst my wife is sunbathing, and I am pretending to read the next episode of ‘How to be a better husband by not watching as much football and writing about it.’

Thank you so very much for reading my work. I’m blessed to write about my hobby. I am blessed to meet many Arsenal fans from all over the world. I am blessed that you are a part of my Arsenal experience.

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.