As Mikel Arteta begins his fourth full season in charge, Arsenal face a different challenge than they have seen in any recent Summer, having just finished their best season since the Invincibles took the league title in 2003/04. Arsenal have been ambitiously focused on improving last year’s model, even as a smattering of supporters secretly might be pleased just to match last season’s points total of 84, which was 14 more than they earned in any of their five previous seasons. Indeed, it is a tad unlikely that Arsenal will score many more than last season when they tallied 88 league goals, their most productive attacking output since they scored 90 in the 1963-64 season. I would love to be surprised, of course, but given those numbers they might do better to focus on improving defensively. In any case, strengthening is essential because our quality must now be compared to Manchester City, the winners of five of the last six league titles, as well as the other contenders for the top four, and the Champions League clubs that we will be facing for the first time since 2016-17.
Fortunately, Edu and company have completed most of their plans to strengthen the team in key positions. Supporters were able to breathe sighs of relief after the Gunners announced the early signings of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and British transfer record Declan Rice. The triple salvo was a bold show of intent to Arsenal’s rivals and, dare I say, it succeeded in strengthening the squad in all areas of the pitch.
But that is not to say I am confident that the progress will be continuous, even as I have to label our business a success to this point. Indeed, I think Havertz in particular must prove that his price was justified, as well as where he fits in the team. But, the sale of 30 year-old Granit Xhaka made it clearer that Arsenal hope the 24 year-old German, despite his ability to play in various attacking positions, will replace the Swiss in an advanced left midfield role. In the other attacking positions, Arsenal seem to be set with the same players as last season, including the productive foursome of Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, and Ødegaard. Reiss Nelson, who signed a new contract after being rumored to be on his way out of the club, demonstrated last season in his few opportunities that he is quite capable of providing the team with important depth on the wing, especially in case of injury to Saka or Martinelli. Emile Smith Rowe was really on the fringes last season but remembering his brilliant first half of 2021-22, it will be interesting to see how Arteta might use him this season.
After the Havertz signing was confirmed, the revamping continued with the even pricier signing of 24-year old defensive midfielder Rice, the former West Ham captain, amidst rumors of the possible sale of 30 year-old Thomas Partey, who was an imperious presence in our midfield throughout most of last season. Rice coming to the Gunners was received as wonderful news in most quarters, but I was particularly glad to see yesterday that the manager gave Partey his vote of confidence, saying he expects the midfielder still to be with Arsenal at the end of the window. Seeming to concede that there had been doubts about the Ghanaian’s status with the club, Arteta said “Partey is a super important player for us and for me,” and indicating that Partey and Rice either can play together or compete for the same position: “If you want to improve the squad and have more quality we need players who can play together. We need players in the same positions who have to fight for their places… that’s why we brought in Declan as well.” Partey did not join the squad on their U.S. tour until Wednesday and I hope to see him play, maybe together with Rice, tonight against Manchester United.
Defensively, Timber will provide another option at right back where he is capable of playing an inverted role stepping into and out of midfield, much as Oleksandr Zinchenko did on the left side last season. Ben White, William Saliba, and Gabriel look set to continue in the remaining defensive positions, but Jakub Kiwior could see a few more minutes based on his excellent showing in the Spring.
As Tim Stillman predicted in early July Arsenal still might bring in another senior player but whether that signing will be made, and which area of the team might still be strengthened “will be entirely decided by sales.” Stillman’s new piece provides excellent analysis of the tactical variables involved in integrating our new players into the team.
In the last week or so, as I glanced over the transfer tattle stories, I realized that the news has turned upside-down, with Arsenal’s business apparently done and dusted but many of their rivals still seeming to be scrambling for scraps. Arsenal do appear to have become much more effective in their business dealings over the last couple of seasons, but it would be nice to see a few more stories about other teams trying to toss cash at some of the players Arsenal want to offload. Unfortunately, it has all gone a bit quiet on that front since the Xhaka sale was announced. Current news reports indicate that Edu is still trying to get more than a slab of Italian sausage for any and all of Holding, Pepe, Tierney, Cedric, Sambi, and Nuno Tavares, so let’s hope we can wave bon voyage to some of them soon, and Edu send his assistant to the bank with a hefty deposit slip.
MLS All-Stars v Arsenal Match Report
On Wednesday night local time, Arsenal took on the MLS All-Stars in the Washington, DC neighborhood known as Buzzard Point. It may have sounded like the setting of a horror movie, but actually turned out to be more light comedy marked by the second half debuts by Timber and Rice, and played in a carnival atmosphere of intense humidity and MLS media hype. With two exceptions Arteta started the same team that played at Nurnberg, bringing in Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho in place of Nelson and Partey.
Arsenal XI
Ramsdale
White — Saliba — Gabriel — Kiwior
Vieira — Jorginho — Trossard
Saka — Jesus — Nketiah
Twice in the first 20 minutes Saliba got back to make a good recoveries when Arsenal looked to be in jeopardy, giving reason for optimism that his back injury is healed. In the fourth minute Jesus chipped a beauty off the far post making it 1-0 to the Arsenal, with Saka providing the assist after controlling an excellent long diagonal ball from Jorginho.
A few minutes later Saka found Trossard at the top of the box, and the Belgian took a touch to his right before lashing a lovely drive into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
On 27 minutes Jesus missed a good chance on a header at the far post where he was set up by a Trossard cross. Ramsdale was tested on 31 minutes and the All-Stars almost scored on the resulting corner but the ball trickled past the post before the referee called for a water break. Wayne Rooney, the MLS manager, used the break to make wholesale changes but Arteta made none for the Gunners. Nketiah drew two yellow cards for MLS defenders with powerful runs near the box, before Gabriel should have scored a header on the stroke of halftime from a lovely Trossard free kick.
Havertz and Ødegaard replaced Nketiah and Saka at halftime, and Hein took over from Ramsdale. A few seconds into the half Jesus pinged the ball off a defender’s hand, the referee pointed to the spot, and Jorginho converted his spot kick to make it 3-0 Arsenal. Trossard then hurt his knee in a collision so Arteta replaced him with Martinelli. On 65 minutes, Arteta introduced debutants Rice and Timber along with Balogun, Tomiyasu, Tierney, and Marquinhos in place of Kiwior, Jesus, Vieira, Jorginho, Saliba, and Gabriel.
Just before the second half hydration break Martinelli sent a ball high over the crossbar when he really should have scored, and Trusty made his Arsenal debut in place of White. Ødegaard sent a great through ball for Martinelli in the 84th minute, and the Brazilian used his skill, pace and cool to stroke the ball home at the far post making it 4-0. On 89 minutes Marquinhos, who looks a real player, sent in a cross to Havertz who finished at the near post making it 5-0 to the Arsenal, which is how the game ended.
In this second match of the preseason the Arsenal players kept their concentration admirably, scored some delightful goals, never looked under much pressure, and even after numerous second half changes they dominated inferior opposition. It was a good night for the Arsenal, even as it’s difficult to say on this evidence how well the team is progressing, but tonight’s game against the Red Mancs should give us a better idea. To see the goals, or see them again, go to Jonathan Sigal’s match report and scroll down to see the links.
Looking Ahead
So, can Arsenal actually win the league? Certainly they are capable of it, but their chances depend on many moving parts including injuries and the results their rivals. Whether they will win the league is a completely different question. But this week, when no less objective an observer than Arsene Wenger was asked about Arsenal’s chances, he projected a remarkable degree of confidence in this prediction: “I believe we will win the championship, it is as simple as that.” Wenger tempered his enthusiasm slightly by acknowledging that Arsenal “will be under more pressure after last year” but added “they have learned a lot and they can show they can deal with that pressure now.” After watching the disappointments of the last two seasons when a young and slightly under-equipped team tailed off the pace in the last few weeks, needless to say I hope Le Professeur is correct in his prediction!
There will be plenty of twists and turns over the coming months, beginning later tonight against Manchester United, and in about two weeks the Community Shield against Manchester City. But it will be a fascinating watch to see how Arteta continues to mold these players to mount another title challenge now that Arsenal have proved their laurels as contenders, and they have brought in new talent to try to make up the few points that separated them from the top a few months ago. That’s not even to consider our prospects in the Champions League and the two domestic cups, but our strengthening should certainly put us on a better footing in those competitions as well.
Much like you I suspect, I can’t wait to get started. COYG!
Bt8
Your reports and insights are always measured, very well – researched and interesting. I didn’t watch the MLS game live and I don’t usually do pre-season ( I’ve only been to one Charity Shield ) but I watched the goals back and they were nearly all terribly well-crafted .
The game against Forest is when it starts to matter although a win against Manchester it’s would be a great morale boost !
I only disagree with one thing and that is to imply that Arsene Wenger is objective ! Punditry is anything but these days and he loves our club with a passion . Our transfer business in has been stealthily concluded. I wait to be convinced by Havertz but I very much hope I will be . It looks to be a great season in prospect and signing Mbappe will be the icing on the cake !
Bt8
I’ve stolen your moniker . It’s tge anaesthetic addling my brain. Forgive me
TTG
Heh TTG. I was wondering about what trick I was witnessing when I started reading that first drink.
Cheers bt8!
A fine preseason assessment and match report, bt8. This season is going to be tough. Expectations are high and the competition is becoming more intense. Preseason games are training games but from what I understand of the game at the Meadowlands, we were second best for much of the game.
2 mistakes, 2 goals Ned.
Had our chances.
Utd a game ahead of us fitness wise.
Sakka and Ode particularly, on the receiving end of some very aggressive tackles from Utd.
So much for a friendly.
Plus a punch up behind the goal.
Right old ding dong apparently.
Just another day at the football.
Thanks bt8, like everyone else I have high expectations this season but if AW that’s good enough for me 😉
I have only seen the goals from the Manure game and as Clive said individual mistakes, though a good finish from Sancho for the second.
Aggressive tackling as a tactic could prove to be another problem we need to address. Granit leaving means we also lose our enforcer in the face of weak refereeing.
If AW « believes » I meant to type
And I also agree with Disguised TTG @1, but i feel we have to be patient as no doubt we will need to move Cedric on before we can finance the Mbappé deal.
@LG in the last drinks
Be great to see you and Josh in the league, it’s open now. Same rules as usual, one Arsenal player in the squad, no Spuds. I think that anyone in the league last season will be put in again automatically……
And of course to all other Holics far and wide everyone is welcome in HolicsRopeyLeague,
just let me know if you want to join for the first time and I will send you the code
Thanks bt8,
The Rice/Partey thing is interesting – I’m uncertain how playing both together fits into an Arteta type line-up.
Having competition for places is obviously a good thing but keeping everybody happy suggests either heavy rotation or various players becoming unsettled or disgruntled if not getting enough game time. The Zinchenko/Tierney thing last season seems an example of how this could develop. I would be amazed if Tierney stays with us this season if his game time is similar to the last and having a “cup” team is not an option I favour.
Similarly, I thought Ben White was one of our most consistently good performers last season and am not sure how Timber replaces him with any regularity.
Mikel obviously has a blueprint – that’s why he gets the big bucks – and I’m interested to see how it all plays out.
UTA.
Thanks bt8, for a coherent series of preseason musings which make an enjoyable read this morning after last night watching our somewhat disappointing kick-around by the red Manc trash which recalled for me their thuggery of yesteryear and was played on a turnip patch.
As someone observed last night, how there weren’t more cards is a mystery as is the vile, snarling Martinez remaining on the pitch. Do they and their increasingly despicable coach not understand the meaning of a preseason friendly. As Sancho Panza @8 observes, we have lost our enforcer and we must find another if we are to deal with such vermin. Does Declan have it in him? TP5 does not but I suspect Jorginho does.
I will be very surprised but extremely delighted if we make as good a challenge for the top spot in the coming season as we did last term as the game rarely works like that. Even having strengthened in key areas. It will take the newbies time to learn to play in MA8’s system and that will inevitably cost us points. However we will definitely be good to watch again though, if ten Hags’ tactics are adopted by others, thuggery facilitated by weak or complicit referees will be our constant companion.
thuggery facilitated by weak or complicit referees will be our constant companion.
Sounds like a very familiar story, baff…
Cheers bt8! A measured and well thought analysis on transfers and preseason activities.
I’m not concerned about game time and competition within the team. This season we have to deliver and we will fight on four fronts. Winning trophies are expected now and there will be no excuse like our team is under equipped. To be on the pitch players have to give their best regardless of it is the PL, CL, FA Cup or League Cup.
Strictly from refereeing point of view it will be an advantage having a WASP superstar within our rank. (Why is it that no BAME referee in the PL?). Rices presence will make an impact on the referees decesions for us just like Kanes. I expected that Saka receving the same protection like Kane has but it never happened. But maybe this will change.
COYG
Clive@5: I don’t put too much stock in the result of a pre-season so-called friendly, but you never want to be on the wrong end of the scoreline against the Mancs.
NG@11 et al.: Squad depth is not only about providing competition in every position. It is also about covering injuries and suspensions and managing workloads.
Cheers, bt8, apparently the minister with large and varied portfolio !
Excellently done though – very enjoyable.
well done, bt8. interesting and varied, and a nice game about which to write a report.
i’ve been thinking about our new boys, and how they will grace the pitch. i think timber down the right, tucking in a la zin, will be second choice. ben white with saka is too productive. we need to see how jt can play the inside role and bring goals through the middle and left side, much as zin does for the right from the left. he should give us something different to white, not be the same.
i am not convinced where havertz will play. spelling the front 3 would be my hope; his defense doesn’t look good from the xhaka position (he is no box to box mfer). i’d love to see rice switching between the partey and xhaka roles, and timber between an inverted right back with tierney at left (or tomi) or in the partey role with tierney at left. at least we know they give us versatility to play against an opponent’s weaknesses.
however, as the manu game showed, we are at the mercy of our mistakes. it’s high risk high reward defending. i hope we will have learned from our mistakes and the next time we play manu we prevent them from going over the top (and play harder, making sure they know we will give as good as we get).
There’s one thing I determined from re-reading this piece: Rice is tallest, followed by Edu and lastly by Arteta.
So, what will be Mikel’s revenge?
They are all shorter than Kai Havertz, though.
Very sad news today, with the passing of Trevor Francis.
First million pound transfer fee.
Saw him play many times.
Very classy player.
Gone at 69.
We are losing so many.
Chris Bart-Williams as well. Only 49. Also related to Forest and Sheff W like Francis.
Both involved against us in a capacity or another in our Cup double of 93.
I recall watching a graceful young Trevor Francis playing for Birmingham City in the 1970s.
RIP a very classy player.
I think it’s best not to comment on Joe Lewis’s brazen fraud as the matter is ongoing and the spuds are pretending they don’t know him but actually I think taking an offer from Spartak for Sánchez is far more questionable behavior. It seems Sánchez doesn’t want to go fortunately but still.
On a more positive note, 5-3 win was fine
and the forwards back with the scoring boots
though I haven’t seen the goals yet
Agree on that, OM @23.
Altho highlights aren’t up (yet?) on .con, there are a couple of decent 10-12 minute highlights available on Youtube. Sorry, can’t share the link for some reason. Search on the scoreline.
Hi
Just dipping a toe in the water
And to report that like many of us quiet ones, I’m still here listening, observing and trying not to wet my pants with the EPL starting soon. Here in S.Australia its (Aust cold & miserable) but i do remember living in Scotland from 62-65…so know what its really like. Front page here is Joe Lewis, being called out.. like others i’m tremendously upset about his predicament but fortified by 5-3 v Barca… are they the Spanish equivalent of Shitteh? Nevertheless and whatever, they seem to be able to dodge the real bullets, just like Real M and others..
Great work guys
Us in the Antipodes and clearly elsewhere, live and thrive on Goonerholic FR. i’m recently blessed with a Grandson….He’s a signed up Gooner at 8 months
No Rice in starting eleven or on bench.
Given a week between the Utd and Barca games, he surely can’t be rested.
So i assume unless I’ve missed an update somewhere, either he’s ill or injured.
Kanu still banging them in for Nigeria – women.
UTA.
Not getting ahead of events — innocent until proven guilty and all that (and what has been publicly revealed of the insider trading charges against Joe Lewis looks flimsy to my non-legal eye) — but the prospectively interesting twist to the saga is whether it flushes out any new takeover bids for the neighbours and their shiny Armitage Shanks of a stadium.
The PL rule that forbids a convicted person from having control of a football club, even indirectly, no longer applies in this case. In June, Lewis filed a notice with Companies House that he no longer controlled the family trust that owns 70.1% of ENIC, the holding company that owns 80.6% of the marsh-dwellers. (Daniel Levy owns the rest of ENIC).
One can only speculate whether this was prudent estate planning by an octogenarian or a move to ensure that the PL couldn’t force him to sell the club should his insider trading case go pear-shaped.
He and Levy reportedly value the club at upward of $3 billion, a number the Qatari’s baulked at when they made inquiries in January. A distressed sale no longer seems on the cards, but Lewis’s legal entanglement might entice some opportunistic bids from states and hedge fund billionaires.
Clive@27: Arteta said Rice got a painful kick in training, and he didn’t want to risk him aggravating it against Barca.
I have heard that the next blog due up is Scruzgooner’seye witness account of being in LA to watch The Arsenal. I am waiting with eager anticipation!
Man Utd Silver ballot? Unsuccessful. Going to be a long season in the ballotting world?
MMTWP@26
Congrats on the grandson 🎉🎉 and congrats to your
grandson on becoming a gooner so early in life 🌟🌟
Likewise, Ollie @32.
Kev on She Wore posted on Twitter that last year there was a new appointment at the top of the Arsenal ticketing structure: a woman with no prior affiliation to the club who apparently declared that she wanted the Emirates to ‘be more like Ascot’. Do they do ballots for Ascot? I understand that the silver allocation may have been cut (it certainly appears to have been if the odds of 4:1 against success are correct) and match tickets may be being diverted towards ‘packages’. Ticket accessibility for silver members suddenly changed after January this year and I don’t think it will ever become any easier. The legacy fan base without season tickets is being turned into part of the global fan base. At least we are saving money. God help the club’s match day income when the team finally reverts to crapness in the inevitable cycle of such things as ‘package people’ may well be somewhat fickle and crave success rather than express loyalty.
Thanks for the info, bath.
It tallies with the observations. Hope we can still somehow fit in a good ‘holics gathering at some point during the season.
And indeed will be ‘interesting’ in that respect to see what happens during the next ‘crap’ period.
If the new head of ticketing wants to turn the Arsenal into something more like Ascot, the mind ogles at the possibilities for allocating tickets. Maybe they could get all the fans who attend in wheelchairs lined up on the pitch and have a one lap race round the perimeter – the lucky winner receiving a match ticket – and being declared the winner of
The Emirates Handicap Chase ..?
Really, if she wants to work at a horse racing venue, why doesn’t she just go and do so.
She must not be allowed to ruin the fantastic atmosphere generated in the stadium last season. Someone sees to keep this filly on a short rein.
We will be getting together for a late lunch after the Forest game. Anyone care to join us?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>