It would be impossible to label Arsenal’s performance at Everton as anything other than ‘limp’ and that might be considered generous. Whilst much of the Arsenal fanbase might lay the blame for the team’s lack ambition, particularly when his team takes the lead, at Mikel Arteta’s door, there is no evidence the Spaniard is […]
The Dummy Revelation POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES The loudest I got watching yesterday’s game wasn’t actually Odegaard’s goal. It wasn’t Godfrey trying to implant his studs into Tomi’s face either. It was the 97th minute. It wasn’t Auba’s miss either. It was a raw reaction to the dummy that set up Auba’s miss. I’d spent […]
A Game of 3 Headlines POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I love to write these post match thoughts. I find it cathartic. It’s my pub in a largely pub-less country. I’ll tell you what I love the most about the posts. It’s choosing the headlines and then the opening thoughts. I drove home yesterday after watching […]
Arsenal the moody teenager POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I remember being 13. An absolute whirlwind of emotions. I was dealing with realizing that my parents needed to be shunned as all my friends were doing the same. Girls were on the scene and so I had to activate my sweet side for them. My friends […]
Unhurried, careful and scary POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES My wife: “You, ok, Mike? You look disheveled!” Me: “Arsenal” My wife: “Ohhhhhh, Arsenal!” I face plant onto our bed and lay there for at least 2 minutes. My daughter walks in: “You ok, Dad?” My wife: “Arsenal” My daughter: “Ohhhhhhh!” I get up from my post […]
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 […]
Will Arsenal go to Top Man? POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES (A Summer-so far report) Are you concerned that we haven’t signed the players we need yet? That the players we’ve signed aren’t going to make the immediate impact on the first team that we need? That the club won’t actually have the money or time […]
The 4 Minute Rebellion POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES I might be reaching here. Could be wrong. I’m happy to say this as it’s truth. Watching the game yesterday something jumped off the screen at me. We had spent 90 minutes trying to execute Arteta’s passing patterns. We then binned them. Then we won. It’s also […]
Despite the fact that this was a poor Newcastle side, it was integral that Arsenal would go into their season-defining game against Villareal with a positive mindset and the performance provided on Tyneside was definitely required. In this piece, an analysis of Arsenal’s win against the Magpies is discussed. In possession In the absence of […]
Start at the End POSITIVES, NEEDS and HOPES How are we going to approach the game? How do we deny them? Defensive structure. Combinations. Passing patterns. Etc… The above is a list of 5 of the most regularly practiced topics at a professional club. All are important. The first three might just be vital. Here’s […]
