Coaching concerns clear POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I’m not sure I can think of a new coach that has had one unfortunate circumstance after another quite like Mikel Arteta. We know the list. I won’t bore you. Yet again, he was confronted with another list of unfortunate circumstances with multiple key starters out and others […]
Since the opening day defeat, given the quality of the opposition, in the next 2 matches for Arsenal, I have been pondering whether Arteta might opt for the comfort of three at the back for the Chelsea match. Of course, he has done so before, matched up his West London rivals and with some degree […]
Ok Gooners, so we’ve had a couple days to digest that match from Friday, the anger levels will have reduced, the red mist cleared enough to reflect a bit more objectively and draw some positives that we can build on. No? Fully understand. It still hurts doesn’t it? A whole weekend ruined. I don’t know […]
So here we are, the summer has flown by (hasn’t even felt like it’s started if you’re in the UK) and now we reach the point of a new season to get our teeth into. A new season, a season that comes with a new hope, a hope that we can eradicate a lot of […]
A few weeks ago, before the Euros had started and before the dust had settled on Arteta’s first full season in charge, I called for ruthlessness in this summer’s transfer window. A shout that while having the best intentions, was likely a naïve take on a transfer window that is truly unlike any other in […]
Preparing for the absent POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I’m normally not in the camp of folk who say pre-season is just for fitness and rhythm. I’m still not. As a coach it is pivotal, not just for players to get in the groove but to try out the most important tactics/strategies that you want to […]
Let’s all do Lokonga The long-telegraphed signing of Belgian U21 International Albert Sambi Lokonga was announced by Arsenal yesterday. He becomes Arsenal’s second confirmed addition to the first team squad this summer, with Ben White, assuming his medical is satisfactory, post Euro holiday being the third. Tavares, signed last week from Benfica, Lokonga and White […]
For a couple of years, Frenchman Houssem Aouar has been constantly linked to a move to Arsenal. Now, it seems, the Gunners finally decided it was time for him to come – and reportedly submitted a €25 million offer for him. According to Calciomercato, the price is within Lyon’s asking range, but the French side […]
There’s something about him that I cannot quite explain.While Bukayo Saka steals the show with his flashy runs and moments of magic, another youngster is quietly stamping his mark on the team.Since his introduction to the starting XI against Chelsea last winter, Emile Smith Rowe has been a mainstay for Mikel Arteta and one of […]
Ben White is very likely to be the first signing of the summer.According to many media outlets, the English defender will join from Brighton for a fee between £ 45m and £ 50m, quite an investment.There are too many reports, almost identical, coming out these days not to take this piece of news as legit, […]
