‘Reasons and Excuses’
‘’An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective’
This is how I felt during and directly after the game.
I don’t get flustered by much. I do have a list though. A short list.
If you call QVC shopping network, a human picks up the phone and immediately asks you what they can get for you. Every other company in the world uses a robot. The endless pressing of buttons, and then the inevitable accent that is difficult to understand.
Directv are the worst and if you live in the United States and have the service, you will know what I’m talking about. Thankfully, I was able to ditch their service recently. Hallelujah!
The number of choices of pickles that are at an American grocery store. There are 71 too many options, which is quite remarkable for such a simplistic product.
People that are never wrong, I try to avoid. It’s like bothering to fight somebody who wants to try to convince you that the sky is neon yellow.
The last one is probably somewhat unfair of me, but I am unreasonably bothered by people that believe the news that comes out of their television. I figured it out way too late in that they are all ‘narrative shows,’ not news networks.
This is an awful lot of non-Arsenal waffle to get around to my point.
The worst and most irritating of all are people who tell you that you are making an excuse when you are actually giving a reason.
I suppose I should get over it because I’ve decided to live in the world of football, which is a world of every day banter. It’s just that banter these days does not leave reason as an option. Every reason is now apparently an excuse.
I wanted to be absolutely sure of this and so I decided to sit here at work and rewatch the game that is one that I would rather forget, even though we won.
Was the incredibly un-Arsenal like performance in need of excuses or reasons?
So, rather than doing my usual structure and judging people after just one game, I’ve decided it’s more appropriate to try to figure out the reasons why that was such a difficult watch.
First day back at the desk:
Everything that I’m going to write today might be somewhat worthless and could be wrapped up in this first thought. We’ve all had a first day back at work. Some of us will have had a first day back at work where we felt like we were thrown it at the deep end perhaps mirroring the pressure a professional footballer feels playing a tough away game as their first fixture.
I’ve always maintained that any analysis of the first day at work has to be gentle or nonexistent, simply because it’s the first day back at work. We are all too judgy these days, me included.
United were good:
I’m not sure why Manchester United look more like the Manchester United of my childhood when they play us. Can they not be as rubbish as they are every other game? Well, the first time I watched the game I was too busy simply watching and considering getting my blood pressure cuff out as I was concerned about Arsenal’s strange lack rather than United’s performance.
If my analysis is going to be any good, it has to be fair and true, even though many are more popular than me simply because they shout. Even though Manchester United had 21 shots, they were not particularly threatening in the final third, but every other area of the field they seemed to dominate. De Ligt seemed like a bloody good signing until he wasn’t but he was playing like the world‘s best centre back that some thought he could be five years ago. Bruno wasn’t just creating with one touch each time but playing with more care and energy than I’ve seen before. Their new signings were a true threat. I could go on but the most obvious difference is that Manchester United looked like they really cared. Is that surprising though? Again, that could be number one on the list of reasons because they just came off their worst season in my lifetime and have a fresh start and a home game off the back of a good preseason. Whoever played them yesterday was going to face a side reenergized.
Their formation:
Arsenal are the most well drilled team in world football. To play for this team, you have to go through the textbook called ‘ what to do and when.’
The majority of weeks we play teams that do a very similar thing against us. Ordinarily playing mid block or low blocks and counter attacking. Manchester United play a 3–4–3 formation. I don’t think anybody else in the league does that. I think that it’s quite possible that our automatisms got in the way on Sunday. That our natural decisions and movements had to be different and so there was an element of confusion that reigned. This is somewhat understandable and married with the energy and physical effort that United put in, maybe this was the main reason for such a strange performance. Alongside this I noticed that the players that struggled the most were mostly the new signings. They had to deal with opening up the new textbook as well as the new formation that they had to defend against. As I write this I see Gyokeres crossing a ball that goes out for throw-in to Manchester United closer to the halfway line than the goal line. Sums up the madness of this performance.
There were many situations that weren’t prepared for like Odegaard coming deeper than Rice and Rice being almost a non-factor offensively.
Play the game not the tactics:
There’s an argument that what we saw was a complete departure from what the players were told by the coach as to what was going to happen.
They say that Arteta tells them what’s gonna happen on the field before the game starts and that is one of his gifts. Maybe the entire game was played in a state of nerves and confusion because the players had to pause and think rather than play on instinct.
The heat:
When you go to Old Trafford part of the game is played in the shade and the rest is normally played in the rain. The rain had decided to have a day off, and apparently the sun was on fire. This is probably more of an excuse than a reason because it’s the same for both teams and there is no way that Manchester United have an advantage playing in the sun, considering that their city has more rain than anywhere else in the country.
Week off issue:
I have noticed a pattern with Arteta’s team. We seem to play better when we have less time to prepare for games. That sounds like a horrible insult for a coach that has improved us so greatly but I know it to be true whether it is coincidence or not. Everybody has a weakness and I do wonder if we were overtrained or over confused or over something else as we had a whole week to prepare for a game that we looked like we had sent the players twin brothers to play instead.
Refs from Manchester:
I don’t care enough to check to find out whether Simon Hooper is from Manchester. Over 50% of them are from Manchester so he probably is, but it would be more than an excuse than the reason that we went with ‘ blame the ref.’ We won and they were better than us. Even though the referee made incredibly odd decisions and non-decisions on multiple occasions, I don’t think that the final outcome was affected. I decided to mention simply because the PGMOL still haven’t addressed the issue that most of the referees come from the northwest and certainly haven’t addressed the issue that we play the best league with referees who are mediocre at best and hugely inconsistent.
I thought that there would be a draft of penalty kicks, considering the new ‘focus’ on holding in the box.
Twin brothers:
I suppose that at least one of the reasons for the weird performance was that as good as all of our players are, it can’t be easy to beat an energized United away from home if Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Viktor Gyokeres and on some level, Martin Odegaard all decide to send their twins to Old Trafford all at the same time.
That fan:
All of us know that fan that winds us up. I don’t have an individual but I have a family that I really struggle to talk football with. I’m talking about the fan/s who are incredibly one eyed. My dislike for their team is unreasonable simply because of how they act.
Manchester United is this team for me because of this family. I think what I’m trying to say is that maybe all of this is over the top simply because my desire to beat United is greater than even Tottenham. I think that it’s also wrapped up in the fact that we have been four goals better than Manchester United for at least three years and haven’t ever come close to spanking them like they deserve.
Post win:
None of this really matters now, anyway. This blog is all likely unnecessary detective work. I would imagine we will look like AC Milan in the 90s next Saturday and we will sit on top of the table with a couple of others feeling really good about ourselves.
I love that the players in the dressing room were upset after only beating United 1–0. I love that Calafiori looked composed when everybody else looked so nervous for some strange reason. I love that Odegaard was pretty poor in possession, but never stopped trying to be better. I love that our defense love the clean sheet and performed very well.
I love that Ben White looked back to being the player of two years ago. Absolutely loved subbing on players who were as good as the players on the field.
I loved Saka’s small cameo on the left wing. I really hope that we see this a little more often.
I loved this moment in particular…
Maybe we just have to think about the result only and next time we get to thrash them.
Let’s cheer this up and get some truth and perspective….
Tweets and thoughts:
A quite remarkable stat.
Hillsy blending into his pink shirt.
Fair point by Jared.
Proud of Carlos. I hope he exceeds expectations and comes back one day.
As did I and I agree
Another amazing stat.
I’ve never felt that we get much luck. Maybe that’s the missing bit.
So well said
…… but you lost!
Doesn’t that worry him that he has this one chance to beat us and didn’t? And somehow this makes them back in the mix
So much truth to this, especially the last line.
Truth.
More truth.
I didn’t know this.
Bruno said after the game that he knew that they weren’t gonna hold their word. I actually thought that they would but there is so much going on and both teams are doing it. We could have a seven minute VAR check after every corner.
Here is some actual truth Mr. IonlyHave1Formation
….. and that is the bottom line and the last word.
Lovely new rules:
This is embarrassing for PGMOL but this is worse….
…. and this is true
but hold on because this is worser (my new word)….
The future:
The United States of America is absolutely loaded with high-level athletes at a young age. It is still difficult to get some of the very best to play the sport of soccer but in time they will get it right over here. I hope.
One club that seems to be doing things the right way is Nashville Soccer Club. They are fairly new to the MLS and doing quite well.
I was encouraged to hear that they bring players into their Academy and pay 100% of their fees. This might be the missing link between seeing the Olympic medals table every four years with America at the top and getting some of these athletes to play soccer.
This is Isaac Hobson. He plays for Nashville under 15’s Academy.
His dad Hans Hobson, is a legend in the state of Tennessee where I live. Everybody knows him as he runs the state soccer program and everybody loves his happy spirit.
I’ve watched some video of Isaac and he is a promising talent.
I know Isaac reads my blogs as he and his family are Arsenal fans and so now there will be many people from all over the world cheering you on Isaac and hoping that you succeed and go to the very top!
That’s the power of the Gyokeres celebration
If you are still rattled by Sunday’s game then consider this….
…. And compare it to this…..
……. and remember this…
Grateful to get out of there with three points. Grateful that we have the best squad in the history of the club. Very grateful to all of those who have made it happen.
Thanks for reading!
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.
Winning at Old Trafford is a rarity indeed so I’m going to enjoy every minute of it regardless.
Stan is an NFL man and Josh is an NBA man so the Colorado Rapids are, it seems to me, the Cinderella of KSE.
Arsenal run by themselves like a well oiled machine thanks to the talented people we have in situ. But to me the Rapids are a missed opportunity, a chance to source and develop the best youth players or up and coming players from the US for Arsenal via Colorado.
Mike, many thanks for your dedication.
I expected it was going to be an easy win of 2-0. But I was wrong, we needed spectacular show from Raya, endless defending from our players, and flappy hand from United to get 3 points. To be fair, I don’t expect our possession, touch in opponent box, shot on goal to be dominated by United (To be fair, you need to show it, Mike).
What upset me the most is that United looked physically fit and far ahead of us. I don’t know their preseason fitness regiment, but this is unacceptable. We have long preseason without player participating in FIFA/UEFA competition (except Madueke). We should be better or at least physically as capable as United. Second upset is the substitutes (except Timber), they played like they have been running from first half. Odegaard played from kick off, and he was our most intense player until final whistle. Third, how could Amorim closed the gap with us with just a few signings and different tactical approach? We surely living in the same 24/7 with Amorim to create our own fresh tactical variations and drills (and be fitness ready). I understand we knew nothing about what would United do. But who is still using 3-4-3 nowadays? Lack of manpower in midfield, space on sideways (depend on where the wingback is), and very tired wingback at the second half to exploit. There is a reason why 3-4-3 has been abandoned; because it has flaws and has been dissected (Why do we keep progressing from lateral while their midfield is as thin as egg shell?). Hats off for United, but I am sure this approach will not be sustainable. Too bad we didn’t take benefit of it.
I am not complaining the result. I am “trust the process” person; when we do things correctly, good result will come as natural consequences while bad results come occasionally. When we don’t pay attention to physical preparations, refreshing our tactics, and as you said, look like didn’t care; good result will come sometimes but bad results will haunt us. We don’t want the later, though.
I hope we can address our problems and fixing it before Liverpool game. Liverpool are defensively awful, but even after Semenyo equalized for B’mouth, they still have ideas how to score more goals. We need to improve our fitness level, refreshing our microtactics, and start giving care to opponent’s tactical approach. We surely cannot let Calafiori/Myles roaming freely while Salah hugging the line patiently on the left to stab.
Lastly, I appreciate our lads. As you said this is a big win. To put it in context, we just replaced our number 5 with a new 36; he secured that spot, and made us better. Before substitution, I really expect Havertz would prove us he is still the main man. Somehow I lean toward Gyokeres, now. There was a clarity what he was trying to do with the ball. Everytime he got the ball, he tried to bring result. That over powerful cross was awful, but in one occasion, had Martinelli chose to head the ball to Rice instead of trying bicycle kick (I laughed watching Rice’s reaction), Gyokeres would have had a preassist after the game.
Thank you to Raya for brilliant saves. Odegaard for running tirelessly and show us why he is our captain (I hope Tony Adams watched the game). Big Gabi, Saliba for solid defending (they closed Cunha and Mbeumo well so that Raya could do his job).
Big win. Big results. One of the most entertaining game from so many boring 1st day opener.
Coyg
Great read as always – absolutely no need to panic. Do we ever wonder if a 3-5-2 would suit us better?
Raya (GK)
Defenders (3)
Timber (DCR)
Saliba (DC)
Magalhães (DCL)
Midfielders (5)
Rice (MC)
Zubimendi (DMC)
MLS (MC)
Noni Madueke (RW)
Bukayo Saka (LW)
Attack (1)
Martin Ødegaard (AMC/FC)
Viktor Gyökeres (SC)
So the shape is 3 at the back, 5 across midfield (two wide), Ødegaard in a central creative role, and Gyökeres as the striker.
I’m crazy enough to think our wingers should be rotating wings based on game state and I’d solve our left wing problem by putting Saka there 80% of the time (he was a brilliant left back many forget). I also think MLS and his chemistry would be better than his and Timbers.
Odegaard needs to be told not to track back and only concentrate on turn overs and his secret weapon the through balls
We just have so many brilliant midfielders and even Calafiori could do the Left 8 role (as he just doesn’t have the defensive speed for LB to be honest) but is such an attacking “unicorn” as they say.
Mike,
Great to hear the voice of reason back for a new season.
I’m not excusing our forwards performance but we have struggled to break down the 3-4-3/3-5-2 systems and united have bought good premiership ready attackers who have played well against us before. I trust Arteta to sort the forwards out and we will see plenty of goals. At know time watching the match did I feel concerned. I felt frustrated with some of our slack play but never worried.
It may be a blessing we played united at Old Trafford first game of the season than after a midweek European game seeing as they don’t have this
A couple of thoughts on Gyokeres: he is not yet up to speed on the Arsenal press, which gave Man U more room to build effectively when they did build from the back; and he was often running down the channel on the side we were attacking on, so he ended up more often than not at the near post (or putting the cross in) not at the far post, where he would be more effective. Both those will sort themselves out with a few more games under his belt.
A thought on Arteta’s tactics: he negated Amorin’s signature use of a winger and a wing-back to create dangerous overloads high in our defensive third by using our wingers and full backs to pin Man U’s wingbacks back deep, recognising this would leave space in behind our back line, but considering it the lesser threat as Saliba and Gabriel could be counted on to deal with the one-on-ones if long balls were hit over the top into those spaces, which proved right in the event.
A final thought on Man U: unless the rebuild their midfield and back line before the end of the transfer window, they are going to concede goals all season, so whether they win any particular game is going to depend on whether their forwards can score enough times to offset that.
Hi Mike. Superb stuff as usual.
Delighted we’ve got your man Gyokeres and now Eze. We finally should he putting the hammer down on these low and mid-blocks which cost us last season.
How do you think it will go mate? Will you be doing a piece on it?
Cheers