‘A stolen epiphany’
An Arsenal blog from a coach’s perspective
There is so much good Arsenal content. I’d be surprised if another club comes close.
After most Arsenal games I tune in to the Arsenal Vision instant reaction.
The analysis is elite but for me, more than that I find that they felt the same way I did. When you live thousands of miles away from the action, it’s often the feelings that you want to connect to.
I was listening to Paul Cassidy/Poz talking about Arsenal being Set FC F.C. and he made a point that I thought was brilliant.
He said that “the set pieces are the antithesis to the low block.”
I always thought that we were just really good at set pieces because it’s a big part of the game and that Arteta covers every base, unlike other coaches. I don’t veer away from that now, but I do wonder if the low block was the push to spend more time than usual focusing on set pieces and the main reason for this huge addition?
Stats are more important in football than they have ever been. Arsenal have a whole department that focuses on this and so it would make sense to think that they have had a conversation with Arteta and said that scoring from corners is statistically the best way to counter a low block.
What is so cool is that I don’t think this is a league-wide statistic. Arsenal just have a higher standard and a higher level of commitment to completing actions. Also, Arsenal have Gabriel Maghalaes. When you have a player like him you can’t just be satisfied with sending him up when you have a set play, you need to play for set plays or let him play upfront.
You will all have noticed how both our left and right wingers go around the outside far more than cutting in.
Cutting in and shooting is what they are trying to stop you from doing. It’s even more difficult to make happen when they double team you.
Again, this will not only be because we need to be unpredictable, but also because there is probably equal if not more value in going around the outside and potentially getting a corner.
As far as our opponents are concerned, I think the phrase is ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t.’
POSITIVES:
Havertz:
I find Kai Havertz is so very hard to describe.
He is unique.
Maybe it’s because I don’t think he looks like a footballer.
He looks like either a wine waiter at Mikel Merino‘s restaurant or a butcher who has inherited his dad‘s business.
When I commit my mind to recognizing him as an elite footballer I start to see him.
I think the best description of Kai is that he can do absolutely everything, but isn’t necessary the master of any particular skill set or perhaps it is that he’s so good at so many things that none of them stick out.
Most every footballer has something that they do much better than anything else. Rice is an elite athlete. Odegaard is press resistant. Saka is the king of decision-making. Gabriel might be the most determined and serious footballer I’ve ever seen. Raya is the king of his area.
Kai… I don’t know. So, let’s stick with an all round bloody good footballer.
In a couple of games, he will take over from VG and will probably be the missing link to moving us from winning games by one goal to being the catalyst to us winning the title earlier than people think.
Merino:
No surprise that ‘Mikel the tactical genius’ Merino slid right into the number six role as if he had been doing it forever.
Well, he’s done it before at other teams but in a two. If he was quick and more athletic he would be the ideal profile for a number six. That’s probably a little harsh because I think I’m describing a computer generated player that doesn’t really exist. Even Rice is the king of 1/2 of the job but struggles to progress the ball when he plays at number six.
Merino is somewhat of a thief when he’s tackling as he has the gift of attempting the tackle as soon as the player has touched the ball and before he takes his next touch.
His passing was very progressive. Probably because he normally plays higher and values the ball going forward and the fact that perhaps it doesn’t go forward enough.
Norgaard:
If he has a run of games, there will be a corner kick designed for him much like there was one clearly designed for Martinelli.
He is so capable from corners because of the timing of his jumps.
Apparently, he’s also deadly from one yard whilst wiggling around on the ground.
Nwaneri:
I didn’t learn anything new about him one way or the other. His positive performance though reminded me of how good Arsenal 25/26 are. If a player that talented can come in and then have to sit out of the squad for most of the rest of the season. Then you know that you have one of the best squads in the history of the club, if not the best.
Apparently, many Premier League clubs are trying to persuade Arsenal to loan him out. They’re not doing so to add him to that squad. They know that he would be the difference maker in their starting 11.
I’d also add that maybe apart from Manchester Coty there isn’t a squad in the league that wouldn’t add him.
Martinelli:
When I first saw Martinelli he looked like a striker who was playing on the left wing. Then I saw him play a couple of times as striker and he looked like a left-winger. The first thing that struck me and made me think that he was out of position was his heading ability. How natural he was in the air, in particular. The commentators didn’t seem to clock onto the fact that we were repeatedly hitting him at the front post and so it must be a new routine.
Madueke:
Max and I were having a discussion as to whether Jared Bowen or Noni would make the England squad in the summer. Even though Bowen might be more versatile and able to play striker, Noni is so much more devastating and exactly the type of player you would want to bring on for the last 20 minutes in an international tournament where players are already tired.
It has to be mentioned that he looks like yet another option from corner kicks. We have at least four players that can put the ball exactly where it needs to go.
I used to do this drill when I had a talented ball striker, where I would stand in a certain location inside the box and hold a hula hoop above my head and ask them to see if they could cross the ball through the hula hoop.
Won’t be surprised if Arteta is doing something similar as the accuracy is uncanny.
Marli Salmon:
He looks like a tall 12-year-old but tackles like a seasoned pro. He’s been promoted because of his game understanding and silk. I wonder how many more opportunities he will have?
With Calafiori and Mosquera coming back, probably not many if any.
Arsenal:
With Manchester United wrapping up their season in January and Tottenham essentially doing the same, because they have -0 chance of doing anything in the Champions League, look at what Arsenal Football Club are doing…
Top Of The League " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Top-Of-The-League-450x355.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Top-Of-The-League-760x600.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49987" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Top-Of-The-League-760x600.png" alt="Top Of The League" width="760" height="600" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Top-Of-The-League-760x600.png 760w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Top-Of-The-League-450x355.png 450w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Top-Of-The-League-200x158.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Top-Of-The-League-768x606.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Top-Of-The-League.png 1320w" sizes="(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px">
Those left at home:
Injury Update " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Injury-Update-450x320.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Injury-Update-780x554.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49986 lazyload" alt="Injury Update" width="780" height="554" data-sizes="(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Injury-Update-780x554.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Injury-Update-780x554.png 780w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Injury-Update-450x320.png 450w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Injury-Update-200x142.png 200w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Injury-Update-768x546.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Injury-Update.png 1320w">
Good to know even though I wasn’t concerned.
HOPES:
Breno Bidon " data-image-caption data-medium-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breno-Bidon-362x400.png" data-large-file="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breno-Bidon-544x600.png" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-49985 lazyload" alt="Breno Bidon" width="544" height="600" data-sizes="(max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px" src="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breno-Bidon-544x600.png" srcset="https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breno-Bidon-544x600.png 544w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breno-Bidon-362x400.png 362w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breno-Bidon-181x200.png 181w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breno-Bidon-768x848.png 768w, https://gunnerstown.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Breno-Bidon.png 1320w">
Breno Bidon:
I keep hearing rumors about the silky Brazilian.
I can imagine Arsenal signing a player for the future this January.
He looks like he’s got a delightful left foot and has a touch of class.
FINAL THOUGHT:
I think Arteta is going to go all out for the Carabao Cup.
Just wanting to prioritize winning and the taste that it will give the players. I don’t think I disagree with this, but it’s a shame that the semifinal is two games because this is unnecessary.
This email may contain confidential material and is intended solely for the use of the named addressee. Access, copying or re-use of the e-mail or any information contained therein by any other person is not authorized. If you are not the intended recipient please notify the sender(originator) and delete all copies immediately. The Hamblen County Department of Education may monitor email to and from our network.
Positives Needs & Hopes with Mike McDonald
Former Highbury regular. Moved to TN, USA in ’99. Married with 3 kids. Coached in UK and US for 27 years.
Mike McDonald Soccer Academy in Morristown TN, Olympic Development coach, Regional Premier League Champion.
Related