Quicker, why quicker? POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES Watching that performance yesterday I had two main emotions…….. relaxed and frustrated. It was quite lovely to be able to watch a game with almost zero stress. It looked to me that Newcastle might just be the worst coached team I’ve seen in many a year. Probably the […]
The Either/Or Conundrum Mistakes happen everywhere and football is no exception. No big drama, we chin up and move on. What makes it particularly difficult to process is its repetition, over time, as the concept of learning through experience doesn’t apply. We can accept the odd mistake, the brain fart that bears unpleasant consequences but […]
A line-breaking pass from deep, positional rotations and a smart finish; elements that were on display in Arsenal’s first goal against Leeds (described below). In this piece, I provide a review of the game. Formations in and out of possession Arsenal continued to persist with the 4-2-3-1 that has brought greater levels of consistency in […]
It’s been a catastrophic season so far. But perhaps yesterdays performance may just be a catalyst for change. In this piece, I provide an in-depth match review, discussing the formations/tactics deployed by Mikel Arteta, a general review of the game followed by highlighting individual performances. Initially, it seemed that the hybrid 3-4-3 would be retained […]
“We don’t talk anymore. “ Rumours are abounding that Mikel’s relationship with David Luiz has broken down to the point where with neither will speak directly to each other. Pepe has stated he is unhappy at his standing at the club and is open to a January move. Xhaka is said to be unhappy […]
On occasions when our manager and players have failed to deliver in games, some of our supporters including myself, have criticised them, so by the same token, it’s only fair that we praise them when they do perform. After previously questioning some of Mikel Arteta’s tactics and decisions, it was perhaps inevitable that I would […]
Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal – 14 years is way too long! This isn’t a peak Man United side by no means. Yes, they finished third last season and have some top players like Pogba, Fernandes, Rashford, and now Cavani. But to win at Old Trafford after 14 years with some debasing defeats (8-2), […]
It’s not in the Headlines POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES My son Maxwell asks me the same question each week after his football match. He asks me, ‘How did I do, Dad?’ All parents reading this can relate. We all get a similar question. We all probably feel the same way about our response. We tell […]
The HUGE small detail Houssem Aouar may never sign for Arsenal. If he doesn’t don’t chuck this post in the bin because there’ll be another that this speaks to. When signing a player the very first step is identifying the needs of the team. If I had that job this would be my list […]
Episode 25 “West Ham Preview · Moyles Parks A Bus” Gav, Mike and Paul preview the upcoming Arsenal v West Ham game, and ponder how Arteta might counter a potential David Moyes parked bus. Does he stick with a formation that has proved so effective against recent opponents? Does he throw more creativity on the […]
