Five years later
An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective
Max was home alone watching the PSG game. I miss not having him on our car rides back and forth to school as he is now doing home school. School curriculum is getting a lil weird and American schools are a target for nut jobs so the decision was rather easy. Lori and I (who have been in the education system for 30-ish years) have always liked how home schooled kids only do 3-4 hours of work a day and therefore have a much better work/life balance. Kids should do half of what adults are able to do. Also, whilst I’m on the subject, we have both always thought that the Devil invented homework. How can seven hours of work not be enough for a child?
Anyhoo, I really wanted to drive back home from Knoxville to watch the game with Max. We had a Pep rally at the end of the school day. If you want to understand the difference in the American sports fan and the European sports fan, go to a Pep rally and it will become abundantly clear, rather quickly, where the difference started. Any excuse for me to miss a Pep rally is good enough and PSG at home was plenty good enough.
I sat in my cozy corner and as usual I spent the second half trying to observe the ‘story of the game,’ so I can attempt to be relatable and hopefully different to what others are saying.
I couldn’t get away from the appreciation of how far Arsenal have come under Arteta.
Watching us control a team that has been one of the best in the world for around 10 years was rather lovely. Like a dad holding his hand on his 7 year old’s head whilst the kid is trying to release his fury on his father who has banned him from playing Minecraft for 6 hours a day. Air punches swinging.
Max asked why the East and West stands were clearing out with 15 minutes left. He can’t comprehend why you would leave something that you love because he has only ever got to see Arsenal about 4 times. I explained the tube/train reason but he wasn’t satisfied. The other reason was that Arsenal looked so comfortable in the last 1/4 of the game that I bet many left because, like when you play Bolton at home and are winning, the game is probably over. PSG aren’t Bolton though, yet I wasn’t sweating the last 1/4 either.
So, how are Arsenal able to make us feel so at ease with being 2-0 up against PSG and letting them come at us?
Well, the main reason is the rebuild has been done seriously. Look at these two graphics. The first is Arteta’s first game in charge. The second is a PSG line up from the same time.
Firstly, that PSG team should have won the Champions League. I suppose that trying to get Mbappe and Neymar to buy into the defensive work that Arteta has insisted upon with Saka and Martinelli is something that perhaps only Arteta can do and was likely the reason why PSG couldn’t beat the biggest teams.
Secondly, you have to notice that current Arsenal could play and compete with arguably the best team that PSG have had in their history.
Finally, it’s almost painful to read the team sheet from Arteta’s first game. Not terrible footballers, but just a big fat mess. Looking at it, it’s no wonder we were so mediocre. A swill of 6/10 footballers and a few 8/10 players where many of them had the work ethic and mentality of well, a Europa League team. Some who have excelled in their careers and hit the heights, but none of them were at the top of the mountain on that winters day. Most were at the bottom and those that weren’t were tumbling down as their safety harness had broken.
Then you compare that team’s ability and mentality to this team.
On their form at that time, only 1 player gets in our current team and maybe squad, and he played last night too. Talking of mentality, he survived the cull and is the only one of that 18 that did. His mentality has grown through adversity to the point where he plays on a team of leaders and somehow he is the one holding the pennant. Much credit to Bukayo Saka but he isn’t really the point.
The point goes back to appreciation.
Most fans will never experience a serious team like this current one. They might win a cup or two and the joy of doing that, especially when it’s unexpected, is brilliant. What is also brilliant is supporting a club that have, in 5 years, changed the mentality, culture, talent level, tactical understanding of the modern game and therefore our fortunes.
I’m a little bit glad that I chose to support Arsenal 46 years ago. Everybody else chose Liverpool or Man. Utd and the latter have been trying for a lot longer than five years to not have a team sheet like the one with Mustafi, Sokratis and Guendouzi in it, but seem to be eternally stuck in our December 2019 when they are a club capable of being where we are now.
I love Arsenal.
POSITIVES:
All the bases:
PSG didn’t have all of the football bases covered. Who does though? Nobody, is the answer. Arsenal are one of the closest though. We enter a game with a far supreme off ball organization to most. We have automatisms because of clever coaching and strong on and off field relationships. We have a very strong and stable mentality. We have elite technique. Elite tactical levels. We certainly have variation from game to game but mostly in-game. We are now not just a physical team but one of the largest teams around.
We might just be the closest to the full package in world football. I’d have to think more before stating we are.
When you go out on the field you enter with your toolbox. If you hit your potential you win if your trim work (finishing) is neat. Leicester was a good example of two teams entering the field with very different sized toolboxes. Our trim work wasn’t up to the top standard and so our toolbox being larger didn’t look like it would matter.
Football is fascinating. There are so many parts to it and you can have more tools than the other guy but it’s your trim work that makes the difference, as the whole point is the scoreboard. Wenger chose to build his house with an elite set of tools but only a few of them. Arteta is trying to win by having elite tools and more of them. PSG will win the French league again, but at the highest CL level, the team with the most tools will probably prevail.
The coach looks at his toolbox and picks out the ‘tool of the day.’ The one that the other team doesn’t have a clear answer for. PSG had a small team so Arteta chose to have PSG concern themselves with our ever increasing number of tall trees. You could see it with the free kick where PSG were so concerned with our giants that we used them as a decoy, knowing they wouldn’t be concerned about Trossard sneaking around the back.
The modern game is more clearly seen in the new world of stats. The best team will likely be the one who is the highest duel winning team plus the highest XG and the lowest XG conceded and on…. The stats that most coaches put far less focus on, Arteta spends more time thinking about. Attacking throw in’s. A huge variety of set plays. And on….
If you want to describe Arteta’s perfect plan it would be to cover every base and use every tool that the hardware store has.
Kai’s runs:
Don’t panic when we are entering the final third and you don’t see anyone in the box. They have been taught something better. Staying outside the box and having a running start gets you more height and also means that the defender can’t impede you or nudge you before you jump.
Who was that ref?:
I don’t know his name and I most certainly don’t want to know his name. What was apparent was that he comes from an association that believes in common sense refereeing. Feeling the rhythm of the game and not holding biases or vendetta’s. Most certainly not trying to insert your name on the game because you have a big fat ego/insecurity complex.
Back post runners:
Why do we collect ourselves at the back back post on corners? It’s another example of how Arsenal’s coaches are leading the way. Why would you stand still in the rugby pile in front of the goal if you could run there, get extra height on your jump and avoid being wrestled to the grass too. Secondly, they are so far back that the defenders can’t have their eye fully focused on the ball. The coaching manuel says that you should stand slightly behind your man, goal side, so you can see man and ball. That becomes much harder when your man is standing 15 yards from you and in motion. All so similar to the delayed Kai runs in the box.
Two elite feet:
Saying that your keeper has good feet often leads to your friend saying, ” So does ours. They all do now.” Fair point actually. So, what are the details that separate Raya from let’s say, Pickford. Raya can pick out a long pass with either foot. Pickford can’t or doesn’t trust his right foot so hits a hopeful long ball. Raya also hits the ball with both feet at a lower trajectory. More of a missile than a rainbow. that makes it much harder for defenders to win the header because it’s not coming to their head, it’s going directly to Kai’s chest.
Subs and hope:
You may have noticed that Arteta often rotates who he brings on. That can be good and bad. Because he is in the genius group, I’ll believe it’s genius. The good is simply to maintain hope and belief in players that you’ve dangled the carrot to. the bad is that sometimes it’s better to have 16 players with rhythm rather than 25 with bits and pieces.
NEEDS:
Rice’s attacking instincts:
Rice will continue to improve at left eight. He improves regardless. It was interesting to see how he waited at the back post, behind the defender when Havertz was crossing. The six yard box was the 98% chance and he wanted the header. In comparison, the six yard box is Nwaneri’s preference and that is probably due to his time at striker last season. No criticism on Rice, just making the point again that there are players for certain games and for each moment.
Saka initial defensive effort:
Arteta loves the details. Merino said it today with wide eyes. He seemed amazed that he was already learning so much ‘new.’ Saying that, I spotted a detail that Arteta will pick up on. Saka’s reaction to being beaten is 75% effort to back tackle. Martinelli’s is 100%. Details matter.
Jesus’ level:
Watching Jesus look like he isn’t quite the level anymore is more a compliment more than a concern. I remind myself that Jesus is still in his prime, still a top player but has to drop the ‘self’ filter which he is currently playing with and be reminded that this particular version of Arsenal is most certainly about ‘team.’ You may have seen Jesus’ reaction whilst waiting to be subbed in in injury time v Leicester. Nothing. The coaching staff and other subs went wild and Jesus stood there looking unaffected. You may also have noticed that he is normally the most demonstrative on the sideline. He’s clearly pissed. Maybe being a time wasting sub didn’t sit well with him.
Calafiori v Barcola:
Ricky had a big night. Not perfect, but extremely challenging. Doue and Barcola are two of the most in form wingers in Europe. He shut both of them down as he he had to play a half on each side.
HOPES:
Merino:
It was so good to see him and really interesting to see the fans’ response to him. He got the response that a superstar gets. Such great confidence for him, I’m sure. I think Merino will play especially when we are playing stronger teams. He seems to be a pickpocket and so he will be rather handy when we are sitting low and hoping to counter. I think the fanbase will be surprised at how effective he is at both ends of the field.
“They do things that I’ve never seen in my career. The methods they use are completely new to me. It takes time to adapt but when you get it, you are at a different level.”
What a compliment to our club.
New relationships:
If you have been concerned that Arsenal haven’t quite looked like their normal rhythmic self, much of it is due to new relationships. When your team is normally successful mainly due to repeat actions from relationships that have been in sync for years.
Max Dowman:
Nwaneri first played for Arsenal when he was 15 years old. Max Dowman will be 15 on New Years Eve. I watched his highlights in the Youth CL and he looks as talented as Ethan, so don’t be entirely surprised if he shows up on FA Cup 3rd round day shortly after his 15th birthday. The contrast in what Max Dowman might be hoping to experience on New Years Eve is a little different to what I was hoping for on the same night back in 1989. I was hoping for a sloppy snog from any girl in Paradise Lost nightclub in Watford when Dowman is hoping for a 1 on 1 chat with Mikel Arteta. Contrasting fortunes.
Mo Kudus:
You may have seen this picture of Mo Kudus at The Emirates on Tuesday.
Now I need to ask you a favour. If you could pray that he is interested in joining Arsenal as Max loves him with a deeper love than any other non-Arsenal player. He even made him a ‘Can I have your shirt?’ poster when we went to see him play for Ghana vs USA, only for the steward to throw it in the trash because they didn’t allow signs.
For Max to love one player so much is quite the thing because he knows more football players worldwide than you or I or any of your friends. I’m gonna prove it. Who is this player?
He’s Kees Smit, obviously!! You know, good ole Kees. Can unlock an Dutch defence. Plays for AZ Alkmaar and is 18 years old and apparently has 4 yellow cards already this season.
What about this guy?
It’s Dailon Livramento. Obviously. Everyone knows Dailon. When I say everyone, I mean everyone who lives in Verona. And Max McDonald.
#PrayForMaxAndKudusAndArsenalBuyingKudusSoMaxWillBeHappy
TWEETS and THOUGHTS:
A constant flow of complimentary stats for this Arsenal team. These two stats speak to how difficult even the most technical of front six players are finding it to even create against Arsenal.
And then the new right back addition hits 100%, also…..
And our new left back too…
I often wonder if fans in other countries think the way Matt Scott does?
FINAL THOUGHT:
Way back in December 2019, I didn’t ever hope that clean sheets would become normal. I didn’t pine for it because it seemed like a fool’s wish. I don’t ‘expect’ clean sheets now because football offers luck as a route to goal too, but I will say that I’m a little shocked when someone scores on Arsenal. Five years ago, that was an unimaginable thought.
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.
Mike! Thank you for your food of thought.
First of all, I love our performance, it was even better than Leicester game. Everyone deserves their flower!
Merino! Wow. He did not seem out of place last night. Okay, some out of position here and there, but for a first game, he really fit our squad like a glove. That tackle! So clean! (I think I wont be too sad if Partey do not extend his contract beyond this season). I start hoping a midfield trio of Partey-Merino-Rice, at least for Liverpool game. Our built up from backline will be as smooth as silk, and we will be imprenetable from the middle. Pretty please, Arteta!
I hope we can merge Saka and Trossard into a single player. A Bukayo Saka with creative passing, positional rotation, and “street-wise” minded, or Trossard with a more physicality, speed, and consistency will be a serious Ballon D’or contender.
Gabi Jesus. I love him. And I believe he is still a world best judging from his technical and physical performance. But he seems like a rapper inside a choir. He has a flow, but he does not follow (or abandon?) harmony. I get confuse everytime he has a ball. Confusion is palpable from his teammate either; what do you want me to do when you have the ball? Running into space? (but you seem happy to keep the ball forever-see Havertz goal against Leicester). Covering space because we may lost possession? (We will lost chance-see Bernardo Silva corner after GabiJ hold the ball). He is still a quality player. A beast. But our team has grown into a collective Roman warrior. It was really odd to find someone so out of tune.
Most of all, I knew you won’t let referee goes unnoticed. It was really refreshing when he gave Ricky and Fabian Ruiz yellow card both way; it was calming for both team (I am in control here-ref). He did not punish Arsenal with penalty due to ball-touching-hand that close to body (Calafiori). I almost forgot how does it feel enjoying Arsenal game under a ref with (as you said) a common-sense.
I hope we could find Man Cheateh soon in UCL. It is good that club even from the same association could meet at any phase after this. I want them, under UEFA ref! without Oliver, Kavanagh and PGMOL in between.
Oh, yeah!!!
Your observation about Raya kicking flat when kicking long struck me as yet another example of Arteta’s attention to the little details that add up to making a big difference. I’ve also got the impression that towards the end of games in which we are ahead, Raya switches to high and looping long kicks, presumeably to eat up a couple more secords, give time for us to move up the pitch and to slow the return of the ball from the opponents half. Do you see the same thing? I also wonder how Ben White gets back into this team once he is fit. Calafiori and Timber have been impressive.
Paradise Lost sounds like just the place to visit if you enjoy living on the edge.
Supporting Arsenal for me over the years, at times, has felt a tad like paradise lost, nothing beats going to Middlesbrough on a chilly midweek and seeing Arsenal lose 3-0 or losing 5-0 at the Baseball Ground, Derby, when you done that a few times you become a good judge of when you have a decent team or not and our present team isn’t just decent it’s actually exceptional.
It’s why Mike, I always enjoy your work, it’s detailed, thoughtful but ultimately it’s positive. You see when you’re in the midst of such talent, such amazing quality you’ve got to relish it, revel in it, don’t listen to those who want to rubbish what this group have and are achieving.
I am thoroughly enjoying this team and what the coaches are doing, all this ‘dark arts’ malarkey is just an attempt to rain on our parade, I couldn’t care less what those idiot pundits opine, I don’t listen, I don’t have to because I know I’m watching something great – and you know what, it’s killing the pundits.
This season could be special so take my advice and take it all in.
See you at Islington Town Hall next May…