Month: August 2025

Welcome back to the blog as we count down to the start of the season.

Straight in, lets get it out of the way, it’s never nice losing to your neighbours, even in pre season. And that’s what happened in Hong Kong this past week, a 1-0 victory for Spurs. The winner just before half time, well, lets call it a brilliantly fortunate goal, Raya rolling one in to Skelly, who we have seen is adept at recieiving in tight areas, using his body to burst away and yes, at times drawing a foul from the opposition. On this occasion I do think it was one, Richarlison, clipping his heel just before the ball rolled to Sarr, lobbing it over Raya just from over the halfway line, who we do know likes playing high up being involved with the play. Should VAR of been in use, i’m not sure that one would of counted.

Anyhow, on to some observations from an Arsenal perspective. A bright start from the Gunners, with Odegaard having a few early flurry of chances leading to corners. But truth be told Arsenal, not really threatening much more after that in the half. In terms of his individual performance Odegaard looked much more like his old self, bright on the ball, more energy in the press. Hopefully we see the captain back to his best this coming season.

As the first half went on it was actually Spurs who had the best chances, hitting the woodwork three times, before the eventual winner. A noticeable cause for concern was how susceptible Arsenal looked at corners in this game. Perhaps some of the chances may not of counted had they went in if it was a Premier League game, Spurs cleverly pinning Raya to his front post, with sweeping deliveries flashing to the back post. Raya getting caught underneath the ball a few times in the first half. A glaring miss from Richarlison the most guilt edge for the opponents, somehow a mixture of the post and his arm.

Set piece defending must be high on the agenda and perhaps one of Heinze’s tasks since joining the coaching setup working with set piece guru Nicolas Jover in addressing this area as we go into the new campaign, with most the goals Arsenal conceding being from set piece and corners last season, it must improve in 2025/26.

In terms of a tweak to the tactics, Arteta might be looking at much more direct approach than some of the slow possession based football of the last two seasons. It was noticeable in the first 15 minutes was the number of long balls attempted, Raya looking direct to Saka on a few occasions, also another long ball down the channel, with Havertz peeling left, Martinelli then running from outside to in from a flick on.

Perhaps, with Gyokeres now the striking option, a powerful bulldozer of a runner, the team will look to a few longer balls which means teams can’t settle back into shape so quickly into low blocks. I wonder if you look at the swiftness to which Liverpool played, even with a more possession based football can still spring quickly with runners, their second goal against us at Anfield comes to mind, or the devastating quickness to PSG, look at Doue’s second goal in the final.

As football moves in cycles, we may be seeing the final change away from possession based styles, tika taka to counter attack again. I just think, given the strengths of Gyokeres, you adapt him to get the best of out that position. Of course, there will be games where Havertz comes in and does a job, tough away games in Europe where you keep the ball,to quieten the crowd and opposition, taking the sting away. But I definitely sense a shift in the swiftness to which Arsenal may operate attacking wise.

The game in Hong Kong was a tad scrappy and the flow did hardly get going, a combination of the quality of the pitch and ref maybe being a little to eager on the whistle for fair challenges in the game for both sides.

Once again it was obvious that the attacks mostly come down the right hand side, why wouldn’t you look for your best attacking player when you can. But, that means again Saka at times getting pressed and doubled up on, we need more variety and something different from the left. In terms of Martinelli and Trossard, I think they have their strengths and benefits to the side. With Trossard also able to play different positions that helps but not good signs after being forced of with injury in the latter stages. Out of the two, if one were to be moved it does look like Leandro to be the one, links to Brentford and reports stating that Arteta is keen to keep Martinelli.

I do wonder if the club are looking at that left hand side, with the links to Eze reported as a 10, and have decided that much like the striker market over the last few years, there’s not a lot of variety out there. Perhaps we should keep a close eye on Rennes producing the next top winger in Europe after Doue ended up at PSG, the clubs model which they’ve latched onto is the lack of skilful direct wingers in European football, so they keep now producing them and selling, not a bad model really.

But, I think as we tick down towards the start of the season, he sees at the moment, five wingers currently in the squad, with the likes of Nwaneri and Dowman also available, and just sees a rotation of them as they can all play on both sides. Given Saka is the main man, being the only nailed on starter, the others can all rotate on the left, given the opposition, the style needed and something we didn’t have last season , options from the bench to change the game.

With the two games in the next week, Villareal followed by Bilbao in the Emirates Cup, I wonder if we’ll see Madueke operating from the left in his first appearances for the club from that side,I think it’s a real possibility.

The second half didn’t really ignite as a game, Spurs definitely looking more robust under Thomas Frank from this match. They defended well, and possibly should of had a second from a Van De Ven header on the 65th minute, just pulling it wide of the post. Odegaard had a decent chance from a White cut back just on the 70th minute mark, the ball bobbling just as he went to strike on goal, so not hit cleanly and with conviction.

Ultimately as the half dragged on, Spurs settled well into their shape, Arsenal popping off around the edge but not with many clear one on ones or shots to worry Vicario in the Spurs goal. About halfway through the half Zubimendi and as mentioned Trossard were introduced.

With about 15 minutes to go, the club welcomed new signings Gyokeres and Mosquera onto the pitch. Dowman, Zinchenko and Merino also joining the fold. Soon after coming on Dowman striking towards goal after a cleared corner but not really enough time to impact the game, and with Spurs changes as well the game petered out in the closing stages, with both teams making further subs with about five to go.

So onto the Emirates, and with two weeks to go until the opener at Old Trafford, I think we will see teams starting more closely to the one that will be our 11 against the Red Devils. I expect Gyokeres to get a start in the two games, and by all accounts, the staff and players impressed by him in training since joining the fold.

It will be interesting to see the setup, as the player likes to drift onto the left and do wonder if that’s the key to unlock our left hand side further, someone that say Martinelli can play off much more if he is our starting left winger, someone he can link up with 1-2’s and bursts into the box off the Swedish striker.

Perhaps he can underlap of the runs Gyokeres will provide down that channel, and will give us another outlet. We will even perhaps see more of the longer balls sprayed from Raya as mentioned from the Spurs game and the centre halves going longer as well.

I’m interested to see the next evolution of this side, because a freshen up of tactics might be what gets the team over the line in 2026.

Until the next one, its Villareal on Wednesday and my first time back at the Emirates next Saturday for the Emirates Cup visit of Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup and a certain Nico Williams featuring in that game. Till then, have a great week.