Hello!
Well, here we are again in the languid dog-days of August, where winter isn’t even a rumour but a more a fantasy, and at the start of a brand new shiny Premier League season. The grass is clipped and the seats are mended; the toilets are clean and everyone ones ready as they can be.
I hope you been having a good summer and if you’re English enjoyed the Lionesses winning the Euros (with Arsenal Women playing a major part), and if not, just enjoyed the Euros. It already seems far away? If not I hope you enjoyed the scene in Happy Gilmore 2 when Happy and his sons beat the $%’!§ out of the dummy of Hal L. One of the funniest things I’ve seen in ages,which maybe shows how sad I am?
” that’s something we’ve known for ages”
As you all well know being studious, long-time, long-beard Arsenal fans of the media both established and social, players have gone or are going and others have come in, (no need for me to get into it) which has brought much scrutiny during the pre-season friendlies and discourse on You Tube where the vlog remains a good way of wasting your precious life, although I do still miss George and Shotta’s vlog as it had a lot of humour as well as insight. Except when I was on it.
Of course from this point until the nights start drawing in, every aspect of Arsenal’s game will be under the microscope. Will the Arsenal fall foul of some new rules by pedantic refs, only to watch them be more lenient as the season progresses, as we have witnessed in times gone by? Expectancy is high and the pressure with it. I’m glad I’m not a footballer! Apparently we are 9/4 to win the PL.
Friendlies and pre-season predictions mean little to me at this moment, as we have such a long way to go and who can really tell, in fairness maybe some can and they have super 24hr footballing minds and crystal balls. I don’t. Obviously I have an eye on things, and was willing Havertz to score and not make a mess against Bilbao as he would have already had the mob on his back, and I like to personally see all our players with a high level of confidence, as I’m sure you do, going into a season.
But lets face it, its great to have it the Arsenal back! John Fowles wrote in his book the Aristos that ‘sport is a receptacle for energy, and holds our attention as it has endless possible permeations’, and I’m happy to put any energy Arsenals way rather than trawling though videos on YT about political skulduggery and fear-mongering speculation. It seems odd that politic is the main source of entertainment these days? But horses for courses, some people like that, and that’s fair enough. I just wished I didn’t have to bloody fact check all the time!
Anyway, the Mighty Cannon will make a trip up to the northern marches and take on our best chums Manchester United on Sunday the 17th of August, KO at 4.30pm.
United had an appalling season last season in the PL and to an extent the EL. This must be the first time in nearly thirty years that it actually feels like we could go up to OT and hammer them. But I’m sure they will be keen and peachy to make a good start too and many eyes will be on their new boy from RB Leipzig, Benjamin Šeško. Anyway, apart from Bernie Rhodes, who knows?
I phoned our pals at statto HQ and they were over joyed to hear from me and quickly gave me their predictions: United have a 27./% chance of winning and the good ol’ Arsenal 45.%
I am also really interested what the outcome of Manchester Citys 115 charges, as this will have a big affect on many aspects of the coming season. What do you think might play out?
Well that’s it, here’s to a great season and hoping that Isak doesn’t go to Liverpool (he hasn’t at the time of writing this) and that the Mighty Cannon wins all four trophies and that pigs might fly, why I have no idea, but maybe it would be a cheap airline?
Anyway, come fly with me and wish the Gunners the best. But please, next year can we have the yellow away kit back? You know, She likes to wear it in the merry month of May. Grrrr!
Cheers to Ian and Ed for keeping the blog going this summer break, always interesting to read what you guys write.
Take care of yourselves. See you for the opener at the Emirates against newly promoted Leeds Utd.
COYG!
Mills