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Morning all.
I have never been one who needs to be proved right, nor do I like the phrase “I told you so” or anything similar. It’s pointless in my opinion. In football, conversations are not usually right or wrong because in the main, you and I offer opinions and opinions are never one or the other. I might think certain opinions are bonkers but then others might think mine are too and that’s fine. No, it’s better than fine, it’s good because the world would be boring if we all thought the same.
The Arsenal world is boring right now but for a good reason. There’s not much to moan about, or anything to moan about really. Of course the so called football experts out there will find something, they so often do but the reality is, the majority of them have never stepped foot into football management let alone manage a Premier League club. Yet come match day, “we” all become experts. Yes, guilty as charged your honour. (Me I mean lol)
I love comments like this one from Micah Richards who was talking about Declan Rice:
He is everything. Exactly that. He is a box-to-box midfielder and I like him in the No.8, I feel as though he is wasted in a No.6. He can do everything and he is consistently putting in these performances, where we have to start talking about him as one of the best in world football now. His delivery from crosses and free-kicks is as good as anyone in the game – he just hits the money every time.
There’s more to our set-pieces than just Declan Rice of course, Bukayo Saka’s too for that matter, but without his accuracy of delivery, the goals wouldn’t come as frequently. They provide the ammunition and then it’s over to those in the box to fire the bullet. Very often it’s Gabriel involved in the latter, if not scoring himself, he’s producing a moment of magic as his did at the weekend. I very much doubt Viktor Gyokeres will score an easier goal with his head this season.
Arsenal FC. Getty Images
Going back to opinions, I wrote this a few weeks ago: Our set pieces might be the topic of ridicule at times but it wasn’t that long ago Man Utd and Beckham were lauded for their set pieces. Rice’s dead ball delivery is up there with some of the best in the game.
Finally, his abilities are being recognised because he deserves it. A very good player for West Ham but a top top player for Arsenal. World class? That’s a matter of opinion.
Finally, pundits etc are not suggesting we are the southern version of Stoke City etc, not that I care if they do, but now it’s more about who or rather which club will find a way of stopping us from being as good as we are on set-pieces. I’m sure every football purist likes to see a perfect finish at the end of a wonderful move, don’t we all and we witnessed one of those at Turf Moor too so if that hasn’t made people happy I don’t know what will.
Oh, I know, Gyokeres doesn’t score enough goals, that seems to be floating around the internet but I think if the “experts” check, only Haaland is running away in that category. As Bukayo Saka said a few days ago, the team are still getting used to playing with an out and out striker.
Lord help the opposition once they’ve cracked it.
Getty Images
Whether we win a trophy or not come the end of the season, I’m certainly enjoying watching The Arsenal as they try. Yes, it feels like The Arsenal is back! The strong, the determined, the passionate!
And to think, my opinion not that long ago was that Mikel Arteta might not be the one to improve us. Thank goodness no one takes any notice of me eh….
Catch up in the comments.