Hiya from Dublin, it’s Andrew M right here once more.
First up, large due to Andrew A, Lewis, and Tim for conserving issues ticking right here on the weblog. Arseblog was principally my essential connection to Arsenal whereas I used to be away. I attempted to remain ‘offline’ as a lot as doable, with solely temporary checks right here and there of different retailers, so the day by day round-up was very helpful.
I arrived again house yesterday and spent the day in a jet-lagged daze. It felt as if I had been away for a really very long time, and I feel I’m nonetheless discovering my bearings a bit. As ever it was nice to satisfy so many Arsenal followers throughout the US, and attention-grabbing to see how the crew’s preparations have been coming alongside.
Clearly you’ll be able to’t study an excessive amount of from the earliest a part of pre-season, significantly when there are such a lot of senior gamers absent, however that additionally did present a chance for a few of youthful gamers to make a mark. The lads have talked about them of their blogs whereas I used to be away, however Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have been very spectacular, and look closest to giving Mikel Arteta some considering to do with regards their involvement within the season forward.
I additionally thought Ayden Heaven stood out taking part in at centre-half, and I used to be most impressed by his response to the aim we conceded in opposition to Man Utd. It’s clear that he can play, however that he additionally has the form of persona that might give him an opportunity. In the intervening time although, with Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and new boy Riccardo Calafiori forward of him within the pecking order, his possibilities of first crew soccer appear a bit slim, so it’s about persevering with his growth and dealing arduous to make the form of progress required.
This week ought to inform us a bit extra about the place we’re, with our last two pre-season fixtures. First, Bayer Leverkusen (with former Gunner Granit Xhaka) are on the town for a recreation on Wednesday, earlier than Lyon (with former Gunners Alexandre Lacazette and Ainsley Maitland-Niles), rock up for a Sunday kickabout. After that, it’s Wolves on the opening day, so these two video games are fairly essential by way of our preparations.
The squad has been bolstered by the returns of William Saliba, David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, but it surely stays to be seen how a lot they’ll be concerned after their prolonged holidays. Little doubt we’ll hear from Mikel Arteta forward of every recreation, however I believe they may be earmarked for Sunday motion relatively than Wednesday. Then once more, it wouldn’t shock me an excessive amount of in the event that they acquired minutes in opposition to the Bundesliga champions.
As for additional arrivals, the chat appears to be that Mikel Merino might be a midfield addition, however past that it appears to be quiet. I assume a bit relies upon in the marketplace itself, and what occurs with Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah. Each have been strongly linked with strikes elsewhere, and will each of them depart, there’s little doubt in my thoughts that we’ll herald some form of ahead. Striker? Winger? Some form of hybrid? Your guess is pretty much as good as mine however you’ll be able to’t permit two forwards to go and never signal anybody, so let’s see how issues go over the following few weeks.
In pre-season, we’ve seen Fabio Vieira play on the correct of the entrance three a few instances, however regardless of a pleasant end in opposition to Bournemouth, I don’t essentially discover him a very convincing possibility there. The long-standing dialogue about how we procure or present back-up for Bukayo Saka may be one we hear loads of earlier than the tip of the switch window, and I feel within the short-term, the most suitable choice we’ve is Gabriel Jesus – who has appeared sharp in pre-season.
That then requires Kai Havertz to play as your striker, in order that in flip opens up discussions about midfield. May it’s a case that Declan Rice and Mikel Merino are the 6/8 combo? I’ve some worries concerning the bodily limitations of our present choices at 6 (not Rice), and including one other 6’2 man into the crew (Merino) looks like a really Arteta factor to do. Our set-piece coach will definitely thank him for it, at the least. As I mentioned, that’s why I feel this week may very well be very attention-grabbing with regards to seeing what means the supervisor is considering his crew for subsequent season, and whether or not any form of tactical tweak is on the playing cards.
Proper, I’m gonna go away it there for now. It’s good to be again and I’m wanting ahead to settling again right into a work-routine. The excessive jinks have been enjoyable, however the severe enterprise begins once more very quickly.
We’ll have an Arsecast Additional for you later this afternoon as a result of James remains to be within the US. Maintain an eye fixed out for the decision for questions on Twitter @gunnerblog and @arseblog on Twitter with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or in case you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, go away your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod ought to be out by 4pm or thereabouts. For now, have a superb one.
