An Arsen al blog from a coach’s perspective
I have never played for the quadruple.
I have never played in front of 60,000.
I have never plated for a team where millions are watching and hoping.
I have never played under their expectation.
None of my coaches come close to resembling the seriousness of Mikel Arteta.
All we have to go on is guesswork because none of us will likely ever know how this part of the journey of Arsenal F.C. feels.
Honestly, I think there is a case for saying that Arsenal players have the yips and that they are transferring this yippyness to us because the mental battle is somewhat overwhelming. Not only are we favourites for all four competitions but we are expected to win at least one, if not two of these competitions and we are doing it off the back of nearly winning the two big ones rather recently.
I am leaning that way because it isn’t just one or two that are somewhat panicking at the end of games, but I’m struggling to find any of them that look serene and in control. I think that what I’m saying is that we might just have to accept that if we are winning by one goal in the last ten minutes, then we have to accept that humans under the conditions listed above, are simply going to react that way. I’m starting to believe this because of the crowd at the Emirates. It can be argued that winning these competitions means more to them than the players. I don’t think it’s possible for a hopeful young footballer to be as invested as we are if you enter the pro football bubble. It is a very serious life where sacrifice is great. The players’ perspective is just different. So, if the home crowd, who are aware that they are making the players nervous, cannot control their feelings and can’t muster the strength to simply get louder and more supportive, then should we expect the players to be able to realistically ‘chill and pass the game out?’
I think that we will find Wednesday much easier because it’s not being played in North London.
I have sent a request to Mikel that we can play our remaining home games down the park. One of those small parks with a car park that only has 32 spots, has a low paid, high power traffic warden and charges $60 like the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta and threatens a $1000.00 fine for every minute late you are returning to your car.
73310
POSITIVES:
Raya:
I wasn’t expecting him to have to be so pivotal but if a superhero is needed, he always seems to answer the bat signal. I love how he is so different to other top keepers. He has a higher standard. He catches the ball when others palm or punch. I was reminded when watching Nick Pope on Saturday, that so many good keepers have the howler tendency. Raya is reliable when you need him to be. A great comparison is Donnaruma who is a game winning keeper. He is about 6 inches taller than Raya and flaps at almost every cross and hasn’t improved this huge weakness even though he’s been playing at the top level since he was 4 years old. Raya could also donate some of his every growing locks to the Italian who needs to be nudged into remembering that he can afford a hair transplant.
Set plays:
I’m sure that two weeks before next season starts we will hear about the PGMOL’s new initative to crack down on players trying to de-clothe each other at corners. I love that Arteta and Jover are currently taking advantage of the fact that the refs or VAR simply cannot call holding/blocking because literally everybody is fouling everybody.
NEEDS:
Darren ‘who I’m ashamed to say is from’ England:
It’s somewhat excusable (not really) to not play-on once in a game. Three times, no.
I spend too much time down rabbit holes and I normally find rabbits so I’ve learnt to not be naive when considering whether there is an agenda behind the PL scenes. I think the PL wants an epic run-in rather than one team running away with it. These mistakes by Darren were too suspicious. Even more so have been the recent situations re; Bernardo Silva and Foden not getting red cards but worse than that, not even checking it. Then Rodri got sanctioned but perhaps we will find out his punishment in 2 years like the charges.
Then I watch Jerry Seinfeld/Peter Bankes (same person) give Daniel Farke a red card for jogging and initiating a conversation. Perhaps the conversation started with, ” please shave your head you Jerry Seinfeld look-a-like.”
A no-look red card no less.
8610
IMG 9363
IMG 9363
Leaders:
If I was Arteta, I would get my seven leaders together and insist that they lead in the last 15 minutes of games by playing in a calmer fashion. Others would chill out too if the leaders led in this. I’ve noticed that Arteta has relaxed on the sidelines somewhat which is helpful.
Trossard, Martinelli and Anthony Gordon:
I wonder if our interest in Gordon is more to do with having the option of an electric striker option as much as having a new left winger. I’m not convinced that he is an upgrade on Martinelli and I think we need a more technical option in Trossard, so he’s more likely to stay. Unless the plan is to get two new left wingers? There’s a new rumour.
I’d take a look at Matheus Mane at Wolves. They are going down and so I’d say you could get him for under 30M. Only eighteen years old and hugely unpredictable, powerful and skillful.
HOPES:
Norgaard, Havertz, Mosquera and one of the other left backs:
Just hoping that these guys get to start against BHA. Havertz is arguably an upgrade and I’m not seeing a big difference in Zubimendi and Norgaard based on form. Timber needs a rest before he breaks and Hincapie can’t play every game and we honestly need to play Ricky C and MLS into form, or at least one of them. As I’ve stated way too often, I’d always have Dowman on the bench as a game changer, if needed. He’s fit now.
TWEETS and THOUGHTS:
Passes completed:
86529
These were the passes completed in the last 11 minutes. Against 10 men. I will now try and find that emoji…..
40067
Perhaps the fact that this stat is so painful will help make the coach’s point.
The goalkeeping vegetable:
78386
This is my new goalkeeper, Jordan Collins. He is a brilliant guy and a very talented keeper who also plays for Tennessee. He deserves a mention because he was bold enough to wear Max’s AFC Bedale jersey during a HS game. If you’ve never been on the AFC Bedale site, I’d recommend it as their other kits are even bolder than this one.
FINAL THOUGHT:
Maybe the away game on the beach will be less pressure. Maybe for Arteta’s latest trick he will re-divert the seagulls to the AMEX stadium and ask them to drown out any noise that represents tension in our away fans. Don’t doubt the lengths that Mikel will go.