Preparing for the absent: how Arteta prioritized strategy over personnel [ARS 1-2 CHE]
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 […]
Should we be worried if Sambi Lokonga starts Arsenal’s Premier League campaign?
As the speculation continues about when and if Xhaka departs for Rome, and consequently whether Arsenal will sign a senior partner for Thomas Partey, the central midfielder we have signed, is quietly impressing. Albert ‘Sambi’ Lokonga, was and perhaps is, thought to be a squad addition, to give us strength in depth and certainly a […]
A Blueprint for Arsenal’s 2021/22 Summer Rebuild – Part Two
The second step to any successful rebuild is identifying the areas of the squad that need improving and bringing in the correct personnel in order to do so. For Arsenal, this hasn’t always been straight forward, for a number of reasons. Although large sums have been spent, investment has often been put into positions that […]
Arsenal should focus on what they have rather than what they could have
As the summer transfer window heats up, the inevitable rumour mill begins to spin. Like every Premier League club, Arsenal must deal with the gossip about who may come to the Emirates and who may leave. For fans, the yo-yo effect is exciting, if not a little old. We love the idea of world-class players […]
Will Arsenal go to Top Man? (Why I believe Arsenal will still spend big this summer)
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 […]
Could Arsenal be Dest’s Destination?
As we discussed in a piece earlier today, Arsenal, seemed to be moving away from the haphazard transfer policy of recent years and have a clear focus to their business this summer. It is no longer a case of looking here for the best gambles, with free players on high wages but more a clear […]
Let’s all do Lokonga – More evidence of a clear Arsenal transfer strategy
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 […]
A Blueprint for Arsenal’s 2021/22 Summer Rebuild – Part One
They say that you can never make the same mistake twice because the second time you make it, it’s not a mistake, it’s a choice. If that’s anything to go by, then it appears the Arsenal hierarchy made their choice a while ago to take a back seat, and allow the club to slowly regress. […]
Dear England: love Saka all you like, but hands off – he’s ours!
To the shock of absolutely nobody, I didn’t want England to win the Euros. I make no apologies for it. It’s how football works. When Arsenal went out of the Europa League, I didn’t start supporting Man Utd because they got further. On the contrary, I put pretty much all the energy that was left […]
Bukayo Saka – The Arsenal Way will see him Okay!
Bukayo Saka and The Arsenal Way Much has been written this week about Arsenal’s Player of the Season, his incredible, though not surprising to the Arsenal faithful, at the Euros, culminating in his 5th penalty saved in the shoot-out in the final at Wembley. I could write about my incredulity that it was Saka taking […]