SAME PROBLEMS, WHO CARES?
Arsenal dropping two points off an opposition goal scored off 2 shots on target felt like the story of our season. We dominated the whole game with a heavily rotated team, then a bit of a switch-off defensively, and we were punished to the max.
It’s also very clear what needs to be done in the summer… goals, goals, goals. I don’t want Nico Williams, he has 4 goals to his name this season. Get me a winger with G&As up the wazzoo, as some people say.
Arteta obviously had Madrid on the mind, as we expertly predicted before the game. We had Partey and Tierney as fullbacks. They both played really well. Thomas got the only Arsenal goal of the day when Arsenal broke in transition. He decided to gallop alongside Declan Rice like two thoroughbreds stretching their legs on the set of Yellowstone. Rice carried the ball most of the way, dropped a late pass to Thomas, who lifted it over the keeper like he was an old pro in front of goal.
That wasn’t the only change that looked decent. Jorginho and Zinchenko rocked the midfield, and I thought they were both great. Our front three had Gabi M, Trossard, and Ethan.
I liked the performance, it felt almost more daring than our first team. We got the ball into lots of dangerous positions, we just didn’t have any killers out on the pitch. I really think we need to rethink some of the terrible criticism YOU have all been giving him. He didn’t get a G or A, but some of his attacking play was really mature, and one of his crosses to Ethan at the back post deserved more. He’s getting better. If he keeps grinding like that, the goods will land for him. I can’t even be bothered to talk about the savage tackle from behind that the ref didn’t show a red for… par for the course with PGMOL. You’d think they’d let up now Liverpool have the title secured.
At this point of the season, we have to be looking for green shoots and opportunities for Arteta to learn. The green shoots are obvious. We have teenagers that are ramping up their minutes and influence in a low-pressure Premier League season. Those green shoots will flower next year, which is massive. The lesson I hope Arteta is absorbing right now is this squad of his, that he doesn’t trust when everyone is fit… is pretty decent. Add a goalscorer to the mixer today and you easily exit that 90 with three goals. It doesn’t seem to matter who we put in defence these days, the system still remains extremely stingy to play against. Arteta needs to lean into that insight and give his players more rest next season.
We did get a couple of injury issues. Jorginho is out, probably with broken ribs. Thomas Partey rolled off after the game. Arteta said he has an injury, but I think that’s trench warfare to put Carlo on the back foot, knowing the Italian put a lot of energy into stopping him last week. You tend to know when players are okay because they come back and sit on the bench. If he was crocked, he wouldn’t have been smiling, he’d have been getting treatment in the dressing room. Put your house on him being fit for the Madrid game. He’s totally essential to that 90. Also, how about the idiots on Twitter who don’t understand that Girona is in Spain?
I think we can talk about it openly, we’re all friends here… but I think we’re all starting to get a little concerned with the cratering confidence of Martin Ødegaard. Yes, he created a couple of chances, but we can all feel it. The standards aren’t quite there, the quick thinking is a touch slower, and he just doesn’t look like he’s playing at that level we all watched last year. We can’t keep blaming kids. I’ve got two of them, my life is in pieces, YES I sometimes forget to upload audio to Patreon, but I can still function and I don’t have access to wet nurses and nannies. He just ain’t the same player since returning, and I am wondering what the take is at Arsenal HQ. Does he need competition for his place? Does he need competition so he can be rested? I am starting to think unspeakable thoughts about him… because something ain’t right.
So, a point. Not great, but not terrible. The main dish is Wednesday. We exited the 90 with everyone important intact. We’re 6 points clear of Forest, who lost to Everton. City are 8 points behind. The cluster of clubs battling it out for top 5 are all about to clash with each other over the next few weeks. I think we’re pretty much sorted for Champions League. Ipswich and Southampton will be 6 points, that’ll take us to 69 points. Palace will be dreaming of the FA Cup, that pushes us over 70. We’re going to be okay for CL qual.
That means we can focus on maybe putting in a delicious run. If we can get to the semi-finals, we’re 3 games from potential glory. Imagine? A semi-final in the CL represents a major milestone. Going up against one of the best managers and most exciting squads will also keep us invested in the season until May 6th. I can live with that.
Also, not wanting to jinx it… but I got my wife drunk last night and she demanded that I go to the final if we make it. So good. Fingers crossed. x
P.S. Get on our On The Whistle podcast. It was very good considering it was a draw we were dealing with! x