Month: July 2025

Welcome back to this weeks blog.

So there we have it, it’s done, The Arsenal have finally signed their striker, go time for Viktor Gyokeres, he is in the building. Presented to the fans ahead of the game with Newcastle, with his potential first game for the club against Tottenham in the week.

It feels like a relief to finally get this one over the line, with plenty of games in pre season to play ahead of the opening game with Man United for the Premier League. The team now with even more fire power and an option potentially to also play with Havertz in the forward line. The German playing a significant role in the match with the Geordies on Sunday, registering two assists, one very similar to the flicks and lay offs Giroud used to serve up for Ramsey on a plate of years gone past.

AC Milan match

But first, it was a game with AC Milan in the week. As always with these types of matches with players getting up to full steam, the lineups featured a mish mash of youngsters, experience and rotation in the starting 11. The game officially saw Norgaard and Zubimendi putting on the Arsenal jersey for the first time as well.

With Gabriel still nursing a slight injury and coming back from his longer term one at the end of the last campaign, he was not in the side. Calafiori stepping into the left centre back role for this one.

Interestingly, this is where I think we’ll see him operate going into the new season. What I do like is his energy and robustness to dribble out from the back and also decisiveness he goes with in supporting the forward players up the pitch.

I suppose this is good and a contrast to the style of defender Gabriel is, bringing another skill set to that role should he need to deputise for the Brazilian next season. Let’s just hope him coming off early in the second half v Newcastle was a precautionary move.

Speaking of different skill sets at left centre half, step up, Jakub Kiwior who floated in a great looping cross for Bukayo Saka to score the only goal of the game in the 1-0 win v Milan. As far as defence goes I think we are well stacked for a good few years to come when you look at the options available to Arteta.

Other observations from the game with Milan, was Nwaneri playing a central role and just how the stint on the wing has helped him settle and be at ease operating against elite level players.

A common trend in modern day football now, young central attacking players being bought in and learning their early craft in the first team from the wing. I think of the likes of Foden and Palmer to a degree. It helps them integrate, maybe with less physicality in the position, they can get up to speed of Premier League prepping them to be ready in an area with more hustle and bustle down the line.

Highlights from this game to me looked like Nwaneri being the key figure on the pitch when he was on, a lovely turn on the byline and lovely flick up and strike in the first half. What I do like with Nwaneri is his direct approach, quick feet and fearlessness to take players on. And then you have Max Dowman as our next young player coming through, who I will discuss later on.

One thing I did take from the game, was the necessity for something a little different on the left hand side. I really do like Martinelli and Trossard but what I did see from Reiss Nelsons time in the game showed something a little more direct, dribbling power, coming in central and unleashing a few shots. Albeit, it does look like he will be on the move to Fulham in the coming weeks, probably at a good time for him to nail down a starting role with more game time with a new club and where he was on loan last season.

It demonstarted that another player as an option in the front line would cap off a good window so far, it will be interesting if it does mean one goes, with Eze still a key target going into the new campaign.

Newcastle

Now more on the Newcastle game. Conceding early wasn’t great and perhaps more partnerships may need a few more weeks to getting used to. The goal on the break and typical of the fast paced play from Newcastle, something they do so well as a side, with physicality and drive.

Looking at the goal, I do think we notice without Gabriel a natural leader is missing who organises, maybe that’s one area Saliba could evolve to get even better is that part of the game. A ball down the line from Trippier down the right, Tonali with a very clever pull back and Elanga in oceans of space in the box, it looked like Merino or Zubimendi maybe just did not get back in quick enough. A bit of a scuffed finish but they all count with it trickling of the post, wrong footing Raya after 5 minutes.

The pattern of the game settled with Arsenal looking at the domination of the ball, Newcastle always bright and lively on the break.

We found our equaliser just after the half hour mark, with the team pressing Newcastle high up, Merino starting the move winning the ball from Guimarães, with the ball then with Trossard finding a pass to Havertz and the edge of the box and a lovely deft touch into Merino to roll the ball first time into the bottom corner, much like Giroud in his days at the club.

I do think we will see much more of Merinos skillset in the second season coming up for him with the club, given the injury early on when he signed and then operating as an emergency striker, next season, I see exactly what we did Sunday.

Strong at pressing, great link up and arriving late into the box, with the coolness and crafted finishing, much like the one at home versus Real Madrid. Again another option which the club have done so well building the squad out.

Our second came soon after, a quick freeckick down the line to Havertz who flashed in a cross with such pace, the young defender Murphy, scoring in his own net. Had he missed the ball it did look like a tap in for Saka. So 2-1 at the break.

As always with pre season the game does become a bit disjointed as many changes take time for rhythm of the game and tempo to get back in a flow. But we conceded again on the 57th minute, Jacob Murphy finding a strike past Raya at the near post. Given the distance and near post finish, I would expect Raya to do better and maybe a midfielder or defender to get out quicker to stop the strike. But 2-2 and Kepa coming on soon after.

Dowman makes his mark

Now onto Dowman, the 15 year old who won the decisive penalty which won Arsenal the game in the final ten minutes, with the captain stepping up to beat substitute keeper John Ruddy.

But obviously feet firmly on the ground for the young lad, the club know what they’re doing with the young players, a great environment and also from what I gather Declan Rice playing a mentorship role to Dowman.

But the talent is there, he instantly one a free kick after coming on, flicking a ball past Joelinton and getting caught in the face as he ran past, minutes later, dropping a shoulder and running at the Newcastle defence before unleashing a low driven effort, tipped round the post well.

But on the penalty, I noticed he looks like those players who look quicker with the ball than without, taking on seasoned professionals and gliding past them.

Dropping a shoulder on the Newcastle defender before driving into the box before being bundled over by Joelinton. I do think with the talent and age similar to Nwaneri at 15 making his debut at Brentford in 2022, we will see the young man make a senior appearance this season, potentially Carabao cup or late in a Premier League game.

And on to Spurs, bit an eye opener of a friendly I must say but given these tours are also marketing opportunities for the clubs, you can see why they do it for fans around the world. Viktor Gyokeres has been added to the squad for the game, so possibly minutes from the bench and potentially Mosquera joining the matchday squad, with Gabriel and Timber still nursing some knocks. The game taking place in Hong Kong on Thursday, which I will cover next week, until then, thanks for reading and have a great week.