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Morning all.
Kev has very kindly given his thoughts on last night’s 3-2 defeat to Villarreal.
With the golden money trail between the Saudi ‘Public Investment Fund’ and Liverpool making all the headlines; Nunez to Saudi, Isak to Liverpool, Newcastle free of PSR, plus the transfer of Sesko to Manchester United or possibly Newcastle rattling around, it has allowed Mikel Arteta and his coaches to go about their business in relative peace, minus the usual media hype for the friendly against Villarreal.
Pre-match chat was mainly around Gyokeres of course but also Madueke and if these two new signings could be the answer or part of the answer to our habit of slipping into a passing masterclass. You know the masterclass that ultimately lacks the cutting edge needed to breach the ubiquitous low-block that everyone but a few clubs play nowadays.
So, Arteta again went for a mixed-bag starting XI with Raya in goal, a back four of White, Saliba, Kiwior and MLS, Nordgaard had the holding role, Merino left 8 and Nwaneri right 8, up front the triumvirate of Saka, Martinelli and Gyokeres.
Arsenal, as they usually do, dominated the early possession and pressed Villarreal into their own half. The ball initially was moving quickly with Nwaneri doing some great link-up play but we still seemed sluggish in the final action around the Villarreal box, you know beating an opponent and then not laying it off or finding that pass to open them up quickly enough and therefore some positive situations just stuttered out in a cloud of indecision. But it’s still preseason and we’ve not yet hit our optimum, yet…
On the 16th minute some fast interplay saw the yellow submarines cut through an Arsenal defence that reminded me of Unai Emery days. A shot hit our post and it pinballed around our box before our old mate Nicholas Pepe torpedoed us and it was like Groundhog Day again.
From then on Villarreal looked comfortable and we looked like we was playing against a low block and devoid of ideas yet again. I thought that Ben White looked good but Saka still hasn’t found his sparkle. All his best tricks and moves don’t seem to be coming off just yet, the right flank wasn’t quite functioning at its best. On the left Martinelli looked isolated again although Merino did get out there to try and help but nothing Gabby tried came off. There is no connection with Myles who passes backwards too often for my liking. You know sometimes you have to risk losing possession in order to create chances.
More sloppy defending on the 33rd minute saw Villarreal extend their lead, Raya made a great save initially but the ball looped up and was tapped home with our defenders looking like spectators. I hope that all this is some cunning plan to lull Man United into a false sense of security.
3 minutes later Arsenal woke up and following a well struck Martinelli corner to the far post and some expertly exercised blocking in the box, Norgaard headed home. An alternative to Big Gabby at corners is very welcome and it woke up the crowd who began generating some atmosphere again.
Half-time: Villarreal look a well coached team who defend like it means something to them and counter-attack with the minimum of fuss but with the maximum of reward because their finishing was efficient. Arsenal less so, but it is preseason…
Arteta only made two changes at half-time, Mosquera for White and Zubimendi for Nordgaard. Zubimendi immediately quickened things up and we did need to increase the tempo. Mosquera made some encouraging interceptions and then on 61 mins Gyokeres and Merino both went close but in general Gyokeres was making runs and nobody was picking them up, all the same Arsenal were playing better.
On 62 Kepa came on for Raya, Timber, Gabriel, Odegaard, Rice and Dowman also replaced Saliba, Kiwior, Nwaneri, Gyokeres and Saka. It was all Arsenal and then on 68 a long pass out of defence saw us exposed again and it was 1-3 in the blink of an eye.
On 75 the impressive Dowman was fouled in the box and Odegaard made it 2-3 from the spot, Arteta then sent on Madueke for Martinelli and Zinchenko for Myles and I stopped taking notes.
Not much else of note really happened, the referee who had been kind to Villarreal and strict with Arsenal continued to be so, a good preparation for OT I thought. Dowman sprinkled his stardust and had me wondering how Arteta simply has to include him in most of his squads next season. I mean 15 minutes or even 10 of Max at the end of a game could be a changer?
Villarreal won the game 3-2 and the penalty shoot out afterwards so good luck to them, they played really well. For Arsenal, well there’s some outstanding issues from last season that I haven’t seen rectified yet, but then it is still preseason…
By Kev….