So
whats up ma footie people in football, can you smell it? Oooo sure you can, its
football in the air, plus silly money in transfer fees stinking up the beautiful game too. With the “economic
tour” of China and Australia done and dusted. Chelsea giving the young guns a
revenge lesson while at it, the Arsenal train comes home to roost with the
Emirates cup at the fore. We all know going to the far east is for promoting “The
Arsenal Brand” while showcasing a few young gunners (if any) and seeing where
we go. The sterner test comes just before the community shield in the Emirates
cup. That’s not to say the tourney is a great indicator of how well prepared we
are for the season, NO! More often than not Arsenal is never wrapped up with
its transfer biz by then, this season is no different. Even ma lil daughter
knows the squad is lacking but Arsenal will dilly and dally till we never
address the gaping holes in the team, very reactive…..never proactive.
The transfer
news is awash with Thomas this and Lamar that, but not much is happening except
the same old same just change the days. Yeah we have Lacazette down with the
dreaded ‘#9’ squad number but its looking like more outs than ins for the gunners. A Sanchez dark cloud is still hanging (will he go, will he
not). Add a sure Perez(which I don’t understand why) cuz he is good. A Gibbs, a
Jenks and maybe Jack and the Ox more to go …..Yeah, that’s Arsenal, still, let’s
pause with the rant and continue the 2016/17 end of season
critique shall we??
##The
Midfield
A look
at Arsenal's Midfield options at the start of last season showed the gunners to
be well stocked, so much that Jack had to go out on loan. We had Neny, Santi,
Ramsey, Le Coq, Xhaka, Oxlade and of course Ozil vying for just 3 slots when
all fit so it made sense for Jack to go play elsewhere if he could manage to
stay fit. Looking at those names, no one could argue against the power and
poise present. Ozil Chamberlain Carzola for nifty craft while Xhaka Neny and Le
Coq for grit and graft. Arsenals midfield never really bossed it like we
expected. Xchaka brought his long range of passing which was good but he also
came with his knack for picking up silly fouls and ultimately red cards. Santi
much to my chagrin was over played (Like wenger did jack) till his ankles let
go and our season went up in puff. That for me was the beginning of our end last season, Santi is one magician who connects the dots between the midfield and attack like no
other, retaining possession in tight spaces while finding the “spring pass”. He
was definitely missed end of story. Ozil on the other hand was a mixed bag,
lots of creativity but lacking that killa instinct to pull a team over the
line. He did have his best ever goals returns in club football thus far. Double
digits in goals and assists, 13 each something he rarely achieves in goals, assists definitely yes.
Despite his assists numbers taking a dive
compared to last season, he was still more productive last season than any
other. His numbers show he contributed to 26 goals as compared to 25 the season
before. It seems my focus is on him cuz he is such a player that polarizes the
fan base and I happen to be a fan of his, like him or hate him. His numbers are
improving, sure he disappears in big games sometime but he also scores in big
games, Chelsea Man U Liverpool Spurs, and Mancity He has scored against them or
assisted against them all so whats the biggie. He does need to show a bit more
aggression in his game, like when he chased and tackled Hazard in the FA cup
final last season ….that was epic. A one off though, in all honesty we won’t be
seeing him do many of such but he can do more to influence BIG games, I definitely
agree with that. That said, with Lacazette on board now and hopefully a fitter
Welbeck this season, Just maybe he can have a more influential season goals and
assists wise.
Now
lets get back to the Emirates Cup, we shouldn’t read much into these games (Sanogo
anyone) just make sure the squad gets sharper in terms of fitness levels, with
no injuries and we good. I would be looking at Maitiland Niles as a potential
step up, whether he is ready or not is another question, I guess time will tell.
Anyway, Arsenal take on Benfica in a early evening kickoff Saturday, while
Sevilla do bizness against last season’s Bundesliga surprise package RB Leipzig.
Our Team News shows a mix of experience and a sprinkling of youth here and
there Cohen, Wilcock, Neilson and Niles all getting a look in so lets see how
they fare ….again touch wood. Anyway that’s
it from us here, do enjoy the games wherever you may be…Ciaoooo.
