….. and the monkey got down: the Arsenalverse lightens up (Positives Needs &. Hopes) [ARS 5-0 CRY]

‘…….. and the monkey got down’

An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective

I’ve been sitting in the background this week here in Tennessee. Eleven inches of snow and a delightful week off work, getting to watch the arguments spiral into the bad place on social media. From ” we just need any kind of win” to ” if we don’t win then Arteta needs to go and I’m going to Edu’s house to find his barbecue and I’m gonna take it inside his house and set it on fire.” I’d never located the ‘block’  button until this week.

My thoughts sat in the camp of ‘one thing at a time.’ I was more than happy with any kind of win to stop that rot and then perhaps build up over the next run of 7 winnable games (bring it Liverpool) to where we get back to scoring two or more. I can’t pretend that I thought that we were capable of the result we got but I certainly didn’t have demands.

I knew we would dominate the ball. That hasn’t been the problem, anyway. I knew we would create as that hasn’t actually been the problem either. I think it was 1 goal from 61 shots in 3 games. The game was a low key affair and both teams looked like they were struggling to shake the rust off.

I dove back into Twitter to see if the mad heads had peeked their heads out of their burrows. Is it that people don’t think before they move their thumbs? Or just an addiction to making noise? Again, for me I understood that rhythm might take 3 games to attain and that as long as we get the win, all is good.

What was far more interesting to me was trying to spot what we had been working on in Dubai. 

I’m not convinced that this is a permanent change but I did see a significant difference in the direct play. I will acknowledge that we haven’t been 2-0 up much recently and that does open the game up for direct play but before that I noticed a key change. Odegaard played deeper and stayed away from Saka’s territory. Saka must’ve felt like Julie Andrews. Tempted to twirl and dance around in space he has not seen for many a game. It was also a result of Palace’s formation too, but either way it allowed us to play him in space. Watching him run behind twice was refreshing and so important. We were comfortably beating their press with a constant flurry of split passes. This opened up opportunities for players to run with the ball through midfield. Another change.

My favourite change was somewhat unnecessary compared to the others. I absolutely loved the ruthless attitude at 2-0 up. I know Arteta has talked about that more than most aspects of our needed improvements. Watching Leo and Jesus take off with such hunger. Then watching Martinelli at top speed trust Eddie and then Jorginho set Martinelli free rather than simply circulating play as we would normally. Arsenal have two electric wingers and a lanky German chap who is actually very quick.

More of that please, Arsenal.

The set plays looked more refined too. I suppose we had more training time to organize them and work on the basketball screens and picks that allowed Gabriel to do his thing. Gabriel’s header is underrated too. As we all know, the majority of headers go over. That is an aspect of the game that has regressed since I was young. To be fair we did play ‘headers and volleys’ morning, noon and night and didn’t have a video game addiction. Training sessions have become possession obsessed over the last 15 years too. Then the fear of concussion showed up so I can tell you that over here we aren’t allowed to teach heading until they are eleven. All of these factors have resulted in heading technique falling away. Gabriel seems to have the hunger I’ve talked about for years that I wish we had as a striker option. Whilst I’m rambling, Giroud has 17 goals and assists in 17 games. Cough, cough, Arsenal.

Yesterday was a good day. We shook the monkey off our back and got most everything we needed out of the game. I’m 50 tomorrow (today for you) and not particularly happy about that, so I needed a boost. Thank you, Arsenal.

POSITIVES

Jover

I’ve been tough on Nicholas Jover. He may have been deserving of my frustrations but equally he may not. It’s only fair to admit that I’ve been critiquing a guy who may not have had the time with the players that he needs. Having just had a winter break, I’d imagine he had far more time with the players and was able to get the details across to them. In my coaching fantasy village that I often go to, I would coach Arsenal. If I did, I would do a few things differently than what I think happen at Colney. One would be a far greater emphasis on functional training where I had specialist coaches for each position to work with the players on their specific needs. I would end every session with one of my catalogue of ridiculous football related games. One of my favourites is ‘frisbee football.’ It’s simple. The coaching staff stand 40 yards apart and constantly throw frisbees back and forth to each other. The players stand on either side and simply try to hit the frisbees as they fly in front of them. Very difficult, but great fun. High school players can play for hours and never hit one but professionals would love the challenge. Similar to clay pigeon shooting but with footballs instead of rifles. Anyway, that was an unnecessary ramble. My last wish would be to do set plays at the end of EVERY session. We average over 10 corners per game and Jover is showing what a difference he can make.

Jesus

A bloody good footballer.

Raya

It is really important that Raya starts to make the difference like he did against Palace. Unfortunately, because of Ramsdale’s popularity with the fanbase, Raya has more to prove than he probably should. His distribution was a game changer. His comfort on the ball has to be recognized as a level above Ramsdale in this area. AR is good with his feet if you don’t put high pressure on him. Raya looks like a field player in possession. His positioning is also a level higher. Always in the right place. He makes difficult situations look easy because of his starting position. His feet are faster too so he can make up for his lack of height by getting across with 2 quick steps.

The Smith

Did you hear that cheer for ESR? Considering that he came on with another fan favourite in Gabby, his cheer was significantly louder. Some players are fan favourites because of their personality, like Ramsdale. Some because they have twinkle toes and get the crowd energized. ESR is a shy guy who most certainly doesn’t have a big personality, but Arsenal fans know a good player and that boy is a good player. If he was considering leaving then that cheer will have changed his mind. He is just too good to ignore and if Trossard and Eddie can get regular minutes, then ESR can. His main hurdle is that Arsenal spent a whole big fat cookie jar of cash on the chap in front of him.

Defensive unit

I haven’t seen the stats from this game. I’m going to pretend that I have though and say that Palace had less than 5 touches in our box. I know they weren’t good but part of that is due to Arsenal dedication to the clean sheet. I love that we are so serious about defending. We spent wayyyy too long under Wenger being unserious about defending.

Jorginho

Every PL team would love him in their squad. Jorginho has most certainly made the most of his career. Such an intelligent footballer. He made more progressive passes than anybody yesterday and in just 15 minutes. Nine super penetrative passes. Jorginho is what Arteta calls a ‘closer.’ Really good when you need a player to come on and make a whole host of correct decisions based on game state.

Zinchenko

Gabriel may have changed the game but I thought Zinchenko was man of the match. He was at his best. Sometimes a few too many touches but he really is a super player in central areas. And we didn’t get the mandatory 78th minute high risk blunder.

Gabriel

I was listening to the excellent Phil Costa today talking about Gabriel’s controlled aggression being his big improvement. He is spot on. He called Saliba and Gabriel ‘fire and ice.’ Gabriel has only become a controlled fire in the last year and has almost entirely left the possibility of rashness as a past memory. The ‘fire’ is also seen in their box where since he’s been at AFC, he is now the highest scoring defender in the league.

Havertz

I’ve been really impressed with his field vision under pressure. This is somewhat the mark of an Arsenal player and he is now there.

Martinelli

His goals seemed inevitable as he is the king of that finish. I’m sure that you also had the thought that he would be such a dangerous sub for the last 25 minutes when defenders are tired. It will be interesting to see what Arteta does after seeing that. I’m sure that in the medium term he simply wants another dynamic winger so he can start one and sub the other in, but I do wonder if like Jorginho, Martinelli might become a ‘closer’ for some games.

Trossard

His goal was typical of him. Such composure and quality. He could play for any team in the world. Not necessarily a starter but his quality that he brings isn’t matched by the common man. When I watch him in the box, I always wish that Jesus had that composure.

NEEDS

Corners

Small critique for another day really but when your CB scores two first half headers from corners, it’s probably not smart to keep hitting them to him in the second half. I’m thinking that they have spoken about shutting down that avenue at half time.

HOPES

Future options

I’m writing this whilst watching a brilliant game. Leipzig vs Leverkusen. I haven’t watched much of Leverkusen’s remarkable season but that was a special game. I watched because there are a handful of players on the field that we have been linked with.

Jeremie Frimpong is a very athletic right back who will likely go to a bigger club in the summer. He was subbed early due to injury.

Julian Wirtz is elite and I think he will end up at City.

Johnathan Tah Ive always liked. A monster centre back who has everything.

On the Leipzig side there are some very interesting players.

Xavi Simons is the real deal. You probably know that though. Interestingly, he played as an eight rather than on the wing. He oozes quality. PSG would be nuts to sell him as he has the potential to be the main man with Mbappe leaving. I’ve been hearing that we are interested. He would be a perfect addition capable of playing in 4 positions. If you have the chance you need to watch his goal.

Dani Olmo is of a similar level. Funny looking chap but so was Willie Young and he was my first love.

Benjamin Sesko is a talented big man. Fantastic feet. Both he and Joshua Zirkzee at Bologna are both 6ft 4in strikers with added flair.

Back to the Palace game and Eze is so clearly playing for the wrong team. Both he and Olise signed contracts recently. Surely that is to raise wages and protect value. Both of them could play at the elite level.

I also watched Brentford today and was reminded of how good a footballer Ivan Toney is. You can’t play for Arsenal and just be Wout Weghorst. You have to be able to play and he can.

2 weeks

My wife has blessed me for my birthday with a flight to London to be at the Liverpool game. I’ll be there with Max and my brother, Robin. Can’t wait. I say 2-0, Arsenal.

NEW SEGMENT*

SCOUT MAX

My son has a gift. It is watching more football than all of us reading these put together. Today he only watched 5 games and Lori and I thought he was under the weather because he actually breathed in between games. The depth of knowledge that a 13 year old can possess about the sport of football is frightening. After waking up this morning I swiftly became a wiser man after Max gave me the low down on the Iraq team. Unreal.

So, I only think it’s fair if I share this brain with you. Don’t worry, I’m not going to link us with any of the Iraq team, but Max showed me highlights of two very interesting players that you probably won’t know but will become acquainted with in the future.

The first is Oumar Solet. A 6 ft 4in centre back. He is 23 and at one of the best developmental clubs in Europe in Red Bull Salzburg. Napoli are looking at him. If you want to see a monster athlete that looks like a potential future star, watch this….

The second is Ederson at Atalanta. The most attacking central midfielder in Serie A and a very interesting player.

You are now wiser. If you want any tips on transfer options from the legend ‘Scout Max’ then please jump in the comments, below.

FINAL THOUGHT

I’m now into a rewatch of the game. I’m struck at how we might just have learnt a lesson that could take us to glory. Less control in certain games. Especially when you are clearly the better team. Don’t be afraid of giving them the ball because they aren’t good enough to hurt you, but you can kill them in broken play, if you are willing to be more direct and play more vertically.

I’m going to spend the last 2 hours in my forties hoping that one of my daughters has bought me some Marmite for my birthday. Lori has cooked me Beef Wellington for tomorrow and I really fancy some Marmite on toast to celebrate pretending that I’m not old now.

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.