For years Arsenal’s Hale End Academy was regarded one of the most fruitful in England, the likes of Ashley Cole, Steve Sidwell, David Bentley and Jack Wilshere being amongst the swathes of talent it nourished in the late-90s and noughties. With the exception of Alex Iwobi, academy graduates leaving their mark on the first team […]
As Arsenal prepare for their second visit to St Mary’s in 3 days, the fanbase will be hoping that Arteta reverts to the team that had been winning in the Premier League. There has been a collective annoyance that the manager’s team selection for Saturday’s FA Cup Fourth Round tie, rather let his team open […]
When it’s the Coach POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES Every game can be won or lost by a coach. Something they do or don’t do. Often it’s plural. Yesterday, Mikel Arteta and Ralph Hassenhuttl got to show themselves. Two games, same opponents, back to back. A real coaches game. Just played each other so we were […]
It’s been a couple of weeks since I last wrote an article. I had hoped that after our three home fixtures, where we had won two and drawn one, keeping three clean sheets and progressing into the fourth round of the FA Cup in the process, I’d be writing a positive one on my return. […]
The FA Cup weekend is over now, the last one of the season for Arsenal. However disappointing it all felt we have to always look forward. We won’t be adding to our record number of FA Cup wins but there’s still plenty football to be played and targets to be achieved. We go into this […]
Match Report Arsenal breezed past Newcastle 3-0 at the Emirates on Monday evening, just nine days after their hard-fought victory in the FA Cup, to keep the prospect of European football next season alive. A ruthless second half display saw the Gunners rediscover their cutting edge in front of goal, as Aubameyang and Saka […]
The Swiss Army Knife POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES There’s a groove developing. A little swagger. Beyond the natural boost of confidence earned when you start winning and keeping clean sheets, what are the details? 1) INDIVIDUAL IMPROVEMENT Have you noticed? We have 11 players that we can pick who are either on a run of […]
For the first time since the opening game of the season, I genuinely enjoyed watching the entirety of an Arsenal match. In fact, I didn’t want it to finish and I can’t remember the last time that I felt that way. Even our recent win over Chelsea had some nervous moments, such as them being […]
Formations/tactics Mikel Arteta retained the 4-2-3-1 deployed in the last two Premier League encounters, with Martinelli given a much-needed rest following the number of minutes the Brazillian has played in the last three fixtures across all competitions. The Spaniard recognised that his side would come up against a stubborn deep block, and adjusted accordingly, bringing […]
A World of New Feelings POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES Do you remember frustration, anger, hopelessness and possibly a desire for a new coach? That was the 3rd week in December. Two weeks later and I don’t know how you feel but I feel relieved, excited, hopeful and energized. Two weeks. Just two weeks later. I […]
