A successful morning routine (Positives, needs and hopes!) AFC 4 – WAFC 0

A successful morning routine

An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective

I lived in a regular semi detached house in Tring, Hertfordshire as a kid. Four boys, two parents, one tiny bathroom with no shower and a small bath. I was a scallywag of a kid. Only interested in being dirty and playing football. I really saw no point in having a bath before school until Kate Foord told me that I was smelly and I did like Kate. It seemed like such an effort to run a bath and I couldn’t understand the concept of cleaning in dirty water, so until Kate made me want to have a bath and buy some Lynx, a bath was rare.  Also, I knew that I was going to play headers and volleys as soon as I got to school and that I’d be a sweaty mess, so what was the point, right?

Then one day somebody at the bus stop told me that I smelt good. I’d just had a rare bath and attacked the soap too. The compliment felt good. Later I came to the conclusion, because I wasn’t a complete idiot, that cleaning yourself properly shouldn’t really warrant a round of applause.

This thought reminds me of how I feel when I see my football team improving. I feel strangely impressed that we are fixing problems when this is literally the job of the coaching staff. The absolute truth is that I guess I’m impressed because so many other teams don’t seem to be doing this. They simply go from game to game working on what they need to do to deny their opponent and don’t get around to themselves. Like lil Mickey McD, they stay smelly.

Arsenal have needed to be the following for a little while….

1. More ruthless
2. Start fast more consistently
3. Score more first half goals
4. Finish games in the first half.
5. Utilize the space behind the defenders
6. Wake Eze up
7. Play Saka in the right eight position (some cheeky blogger has been pushing for this)

We almost saw MLS in midfield too.

Much like the Almighty Carrot game, Arsenal used this game wisely. Forever improving. Forever offering hope to their fans as Arsenal, whether they win anything or not, are not standing still.

POSITIVES:

Kepa:

I feel really comfortable with Kepa in goal. Apart from Raya’s incredible ability on crosses, there is very little between them. Both he and Norgaard are so professional. It’s such a compliment to Arteta that he has players that rarely play and yet are so serious. As the kids say these days, ‘locked in.’ I really hope that we can retain both Kepa and Norgaard for next season. It would be hard to find better replacements that would be so willing to play so infrequently and not pout.

No VAR:

Not only has VAR been implemented incorrectly but the FA can’t seem to decide if they want to use it in the FA Cup or not. Apparently, we get it back in the 5th round. BOOOOO!!!

Eze:

Well, that was probably his best and most consistent performance since he arrived. What is so evident, and equally so frustrating, is that if you made a highlight package of his best this season, he would look like the best player in the league. His quality is absolutely in the elite category. His first touch is like Zidane no matter how hard you smash it at him. Not only is it delicious but it always sets up a passing or shooting option for  his second touch. Even more impressive is his touch in a crowded penalty area as well as his willingness to shoot with his first touch. I wouldn’t be surprised if the players thought that he was the ‘best footballer’ at the club. His issue is impact. He is too often too laid back about his impact and involvement in the game. He should see his status at Arsenal as equally important to us as he was at Palace.

Clearly, he is at his best at left eight. His problem is Declan Rice who also is at his best there. Will Arteta try Rice on the other side so as to get the best out of Eze in games where we should have most of the ball? I would give it a shot.

Playing the game in front of you:

I don’t know if Arteta knew that Wigan would play a high line but after the first few minutes we were playing the game they gave us and the space that they offered. What was even more beautiful was that we desperately needed to find success in playing balls over the top as we did. We have the players that can weight the pass and those on the end whose first touch is golden. A lovely sight.

Norgaard:

He is much better than we are giving him credit for. We forget that this Arsenal team could be generational and he looks comfortable in it. Football is a simple game that is over complicated by many. I watch games all the time and so many teams have players that play for themselves and play low percentage passes often. Norgaard is a good player because he keeps everything simple. This makes him reliable and therefore trusted. I do wish that Arteta would trust him more. Starting on Wednesday. There is no reason why he can’t start against Wolves.

Saka:

Courtesy of Arsenal.com

Dreams do come true. Watching Saka play as a right eight was a wish that I thought would stay a wish simply because he is so bloody good as a right winger. I think we will see more of it because Madueke isn’t exactly finding the idea of beating his man too difficult and his end product is starting to show up. With Kai out for Wednesday and probably Odegaard too, I’d love to see an attacking line up with Norgaard, Eze and Saka in midfield. Rice and Zubimendi getting an extended break. We could even be more conservative with our inverted full backs so as to release Eze and Saka.

NEEDS:

Injuries:

Just as we got everybody back, we got 4 injuries out of nowhere. Max is back and that will help. It sounds like Ben White is ok which is great as I think Timber alongside MZ and DR need rest before they join the injury list. I’d be tempted to play Mosquera against Wolves too. I’m not sure if there are going to be any easier games than Wolves to rotate moving forward.

HOPES:

Dowman:

Here is a cheeky prediction. I have a feeling that Max will be partly responsible for us winning a trophy. He will be so fresh and eager. Folks have been saying that we don’t have an elite attack which is a little harsh, but in Dowman we have devastation. As I’ve said all season, I’d have him on every bench in case devastation and individuality is needed.

TWEETS and THOUGHTS:

Zinchenko:

Best wishes to a player who helped transform us.

Scout Max:

My son had his high school debut on Friday night. He was nominated for Man of the Match.  We were very impressed with his composure, especially against a very athletic and aggressive team.

My new team:

We played our first friendly on Friday. Officially, we lost 1-3 but we scored 2 more goals that were disallowed. When you know your team and they all tell you that it went over the line, twice, then it did. The second one had the keeper getting his glove caught in the back of the net whilst palming it back out which makes the detective in me think that the ball had to be at least 3 yards over the line. I did tell you about the East TN refs.

My oldest daughter, EllieAnn is coaching with me and is the absolute boss as a coach.

Saka:

With Havertz and Odegaard likely out for Wolves, will we see this again sooner than expected.

FINAL THOUGHT:

No PL team has scored more goals (90) than Arsenal. Let’s start fast against Wolves. If we score a couple early then the hope that they desperately lack will be sucked away.

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.