The road to perfection… (Positives Needs & Hopes) [ARS 1 (5) -1 (4) BOU]

The road to perfection 

An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective

I wasn’t sure if I was going to write about the first pre-season game.

It feels harsh/unrealistic/unfair to analyze players on their first game back.

Arteta’s Arsenal are different though. It is so much more than a fitness exercise. A first run-out. If ‘interesting’ is interesting to you there is a lot to be interested in. That was a Kamala Harris quote.

So, for this post I’ll just go through what was interesting rather than sound like some folks online who decided to criticize Thomas Partey and tell you he’s finished because he slightly mis-controlled two passes.

1. I don’t read or analyze much of what Arteta and the players say in the press. Most of the responses are managed and dull. Every once in a while, they say something interesting. It’s often hidden in amongst the dull. The buzzword for this season seems to be ‘perfection.’ I’ve heard both Arteta and the players quoted using this word enough to know that it is the message that is being relayed and repeated. Much like life as a Christian where we are called to be like Jesus but not expected to be perfect. It’s more a healthy mindset encouraging people to be the best they can be. Raising the standards to the ceiling of what is possible rather than a chance to upset yourself when a mistake is made. As a coach, I like this. One of the top three problems in coaching is acceptance of less than a player/team is capable of. An example of this is seen in a players passing. Does he simply pass it to the right player or does he value which foot he is passing to and the weight of the pass? Interestingly, it was Eddie that I saw who seemed to have raised his level. He didn’t seem satisfied with his marker easily winning possession. He seemed to want to be as physical if not more physical in order to keep possession. Who doesn’t love higher standards!
2. Talking of raising standards, it looks like we have a group of players that realized their opportunity. You might remember that Cesc and Wilshere weren’t supposed to be first choice back when they were given their first pre season opportunity. They decided to change the coach’s mind. Every good coach has a flexible mind. Arteta might think that he needs another left back. A left footed one that is quicker and more athletic. Miles Lewis Skelly could just accept that it is more likely to be a signing or he could change the clubs plans. He was bold but smart. Quick but until he got exhausted, wasn’t rash. As a central midfielder he was very comfortable inverting and offered line breaking dribbles that Zinchenko can’t. 100% passing accuracy won’t hurt his chances either. Nwaneri simply blends in. That doesn’t sound too exciting but ‘blending in’ on a team that is currently in the world’s top 5 teams is a huge compliment. ‘Blending in’ on this team means not losing possession, even in tight areas. It means understanding that your defensive role has equal importance even if you are an attacking player. It means creating as much as those around you and not being satisfied with just being a continuity player when you have elite potential. It means bravery in games as well as practice. It means demanding the ball from Gabriel Jesus as well as Ayden Heaven. MLS and Nwaneri had positive games. They blended in. Karl Hein stood out though. He was a game winner. The next level to where the other two got to. After a shaky first action, he made two saves that were unexpected and continued growing his reputation as a penalty kick master by saving two more and nearly getting the others. Could he be the one who elevates himself? Was supposed to be 3rd choice or possibly a loan but now might take Ramsdale’s spot if he leaves, if he continues shining in pre-season.

3. Don’t share this but Arsenal are liking the back post. This wasn’t evidenced simply by Vieira’s goal. Almost all of the aerial crosses went there. Why is this? Well, when you don’t have a target man unless you have players with perfect arrival timing (like Delta Airlines) and crossers with perfect accuracy, then it’s smarter to go over all of the tall trees defending their goal.

4. The first half in particular was very impressive for a first game. The game was so congested yet we were so sharp, so accurate.

5. It was odd seeing a short centre back. Odd until it was fine. Timber has different qualities at centre back. He can invert like Stones does at City. He can intercept with quicker feet. He can dribble and break lines. I think that centre backs advancing with the ball will become the 2024/2025 trend. They are now the spare players because the forwards are dropping into the defensive block. If you have a CB who can create a gap in the block then as someone steps, a more important attacking player becomes open.

6. I’m glad that Salah Eddine Oulad M’hand had Salah on the back of his jersey. Vennegoor of Hesselink lost popularity with the kids who couldn’t afford the letters for his replica jersey which ended up costing more than the jersey itself.

He looked like a confident young man with light, quick feet. I do think that unless he is ‘brilliant’ he will end up leaving due to the queue being rather long and finished articles available for a team that are nearly the finished article.

7. Omar Rekik tried too hard. Not sure we will see him again. Such a shame that opportunities are so very few.

8. Don’t listen to those that tell you that Thomas Partey is finished. If he keeps getting injured, then maybe he is but he is still one of the best. He is more daring than others in how he receives the ball and turns and his passing choices. In a modern game where it’s easy for players to pass the buck endlessly until nobody is willing to ditch their passing percentage stats and take a risk. This type of player is a game changer by choice.

9. Eddie seems to take pre-season seriously. Always seems to want to improve. I still think we need a different profile and I certainly think he deserves to be first choice for a good team. Nelson was Nelson. Unfortunately, it’s not enough. I think because of his game intelligence and his lack of consistent bravery he is leaving. The same goes for Vieira. He was Vieira. Elite moments like the finish but not brave enough. Mikel apparently loves him but interestingly doesn’t use him as much as he supposedly loves him.

10. The team itself looked to have a stronger desire to play with less touches in the final third. Very welcome.

11. Lest we forget that 90% of those that will step on the field this season are likely going to be an improved version of what we know. Those in their 30’s, perhaps less so. This thought was prompted by watching Martin Odegaard. Whether it’s confidence, learning or simply the high demands on standards at Arsenal, I saw more creativity and daring from him. As the captain, he knows that whatever the focus is at the club, he has to be the one pushing it in his actions rather than voice. Arsenal have a bunch of 9/10 players. The step from 9/10 to 10/10 is either impossible or slow, but I see Odegaard making the step from 9/10 to 9.5/10 before everyone else.

12. Calafiori and Merino (if done) are such incredibly smart deals. It is hard to find a CB as talented as the two we have but I think we might just have done that. Having said that he may likely play LB like Gvardiol and Ake do for City. Good luck getting past and through White, Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori. Or Timber Or Tomiyasu. Or. Or….. Merino will fit in quickly and is the master of perhaps Arteta’s favourite aspect of the game…..dual winning. When he first arrived at Arsenal he was asked what a modern Premier League midfielder needed and his first answer was dual winning. Merino was the number one dual winner in Europe last season out of all positions. He is an all round midfield that can do many things. A large toolbox. Goals too. Played in the PL already. In fact, in one of my first ever blogs I recommended we nab him from Newcastle. I loved his elegance. Arsenal are ready to win now. Right now. I like that they are adding players that are ready now too. If we get Gyokeres, the league is over by March.

How blessed we are to have such a wonderful team to look forward to watching this season!

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.