WINGER UNDER PRESSURE
We’re all news’d out at Le Grove HQ (my dining room table). What a summer it was. I swear, man, the haters said blogging was dead, but my word, have people bounced back with extremism to the typed word. The blog nerds, finally back on top again.
So let’s pump out some propaganda today!
GABI (SCAPE)GOAT
Gabriel Martinelli is now the scapegoat at Arsenal. Think about the upgrade in that department? A few years ago, it was Mustafi and Sokratis; now it’s a 24-year-old Jurgen Klopp loved when he said.
“He's a talent of the century, he's an incredible striker.”
Striker you say? I quite like that idea. We’ve all liked that idea for a long time. When Martinelli plays through the middle, he direct, he’s powerful, he’s not bad with his head, and he generally causes problems.
Why am I trying to find solves out here? Because he’s a good player. He’s in the Brazil starting 11, Rodrgyo is not in the squad. This is a guy who has electrified at times. But he’s on the decline and Arsenal are, once again, staring down the barrel of a rapidly declining asset… and if we’re not careful, he’ll have no bidders for him next summer, and we’ll be looking at another cataclysmic mark down because 1) We never sell at the top 2) We always crush the value of players by burying them in the squad, sending a message to the market the goods are damaged.
Martinelli has all the hallmarks of an Arteta attacker… the elevator pitch is front-loaded with platitudes about all the things the player does off the ball and in defensive moments. That’s not where a player like Martinelli should be… the best attackers in world football are explained in blistering attacking superlatives, 5 years ago, you would have said…
‘Dazzling feet, wicked shot, explosive in one vs ones, unpredictable, with Sanchez-like BANG BANG magic’
What is it now?
‘Erm, he’s really good at tracking back, and Arteta likes that he executed a tactical plan well’
Sorry people, I’m just not down with that sort of explanation unless I’m seeing goals and good crosses.
Over Chreorgraphed
Pep G is famous for winning trophies, but he’s also quite famous for beating the gloriousness out of attacking players. The key example of that has to be Jack Grealish. A free-wheeling winger who would light up stadiums with entertaining football and magic moments.
He went to City. Put down the beers and late nights. He became a dreadfully boring player.
Arteta needs to make sure he doesn’t have those over-controlling traits about his management style. Martinelli is a casualty of control, Martin Odegaard looked that way last season when his numbers declined, even Gabi Jesus had all the tricks / none of the output.
What we’re all looking at this season is two games against United and Liverpool. Both away games. And we’re saying… that didn’t look very exciting.
Are we being absolutely IDIOTS here? Two tough away games against teams we don’t like going to. BIG atmospheres. One was a win. One was an unlucky loss.
Are we crying about two low-margin games because we’re using the sample size of all of 2025 to beat Arteta in a season where we’ve opened strongly?
Should we, at the very least, wait and see what happens when Arteta has a full squad of players to choose from before we start making up reasons to upset about a season that has barely started?
I would say, given the two record-breaking seasons of goals prior to last season, we should probably give things time.
Gyokeres for Sweden vs Merino for Spain
Gyokeres had a much more lively game for Sweden. He was passed to a lot, he had some shots, he got in behind a few times, and he got an assist that was actually a piece of miscontrol. I can’t lie, even for Sweden, against weaker opposition, he still has all the same issues he’s had for Arsenal. The touch is about as sensual as massage from a goat. He’s not great on the ball. I’m not sure he’s very creative.
Gyokeres, is a box monster… and he’s at his best when running in transition and when he gets space in the box. Arsenal has to work out how they get him in dangerous spaces more often. No doubt we can do that. We have chance creators all over the squad, but they’re not firing for the Swede right now.
Mikel Merino looked kind of outrageous for Spain in that left 8 position. He’s one of the best finishers at Arsenal (sad) and he’s a menace for Spain. He was opening up attacks, creating transition moments, and his late runs into the box were causing nightmares for a battered Bulgaria. His game with the ball into feet is where we need Gyokeres to level up to. It’s not silk from Merino, but it’s enough to keep things moving. He shields the ball well, he knows where his runners are, and he just does his job with no fuss. Gyokeres can get there, but this learning curve will be steep.
Calafiori BANGER
I didn’t watch this game, but all the reports are that the Italian played centre back and bossed the game across a bunch of metrics.
117 touches (most)
99 passes completed (most)
13 passes into the final third
2 chances created
3 recoveries
3 clearances
Also worth noting that Gabriel was immense for Brazil as well. Their fan base has gone from savaging him to now proclaiming he’s the best in his position in the world. They are right.
But… Calafiori, please, please, please stay fit.
Ok, short one today. Check out the latest MEMBERS Therapy Session we dropped with Matt and Jacob. It’s a good one. x
P.S. There is now a PRIVATE feed so you can get all the podcasts in your special little apps. Remember the deal, advert free, you get all the video content, you get exclusive content (before the whistle, ratings, debriefs), all the On The Whistle content is earlybird, you get ALL the cup games exclusively, and you’ll get first pass at the live event.
Podcast## THERAPY SESSION - WHY ARE PEOPLE ANGRY WITH ARTETA?
Pedro
·
Sep 5
THERAPY SESSION - WHY ARE PEOPLE ANGRY WITH ARTETA?
Pedro, Matt Kandela, and Jacob Hawley are back with 50 minutes of unfiltered Arsenal therapy. From Champions League squad drama to Daniel Levy’s shock Spurs exit, the boys bring hot takes, sharp debate, and a little chaos.
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