Blog

Welcome back to this blog.

So that’s it. Pre season matches are done, or as Arteta has called them, ‘Tests’.

In some round about way he is correct, gone are the days where Wenger would take the players to a remote retreat in Austria playing local sides to boost confidence, it’s now pre season tests featuring Italian giants, local rivals and top level La Liga opposition to prepare for the new season

So, the tests are done, it’s now one full week until open our season opener away at Old Trafford. So the final two games have both seen Spanish opposition in the form of Villareal and Athletic Bilbao this weekend. Both games great tests against high level opposition to prepare for the high energy hustle and bustle of the Premier League.

Villareal game

Now, with Villareal it was a starting 11 of a mixture of different players and combinations, the goals conceded did raise a few alarm bells. Caught in transitions once again and time after time by Pepe, yes Pepe, free to bear down on the box one on one situations throughout the first half and the player opening the scoring for the Yellow Submarine.

Some sloppiness at the back for the second goal, Kiwior not able to clear and perhaps the 3rd from Danjuma Kepa potentially with his higher position should of committed to a clearance rather than backtracking.

But, it was more minutes in the tank and a first Emirates start for Viktor Gyokeres in front of home crowd. Some positive signs, running in behind and one or two chances, but overall, not really a game which had tempo and flow.

To me it was a team of players still getting used to playing together and learning the way they play. Nothing to really worry about in the grand scheme of things compared to the usual meltdowns from the online characters out there.

One thing I will say, it was rather odd hearing ex gunners Pepe and from what I remember Dennis Suarez who barely played 30 minutes for the club being booed, not really sure what that was about but I did have to turn the volume up to make sure I was hearing what I thought was.

Bilbao in the Emirates Cup

Now, Bilbao on Saturday. What a lovely, lovely day and way to round off the final pre season game before the real event starts.

The weather perfect, the new beer choice at the Emirates available hitting the spot and a very good performance to cap it off.

The starting 11, looking much more like the team that will go into Old Trafford next week. The right hand side back looking much more effective, with Saka and Odegaard working well, with Timber in the first half and their old mate Ben White offering power on the overlap in the second half, the flow was back . The left hand side of the defence, welcoming back Gabriel and Calafiori at the start, with Saliba doing his usual Rolls Royce performance at right centre half for the majority of the game.

Rice, driving and striding in the midfield, Martinelli on the left, who for all of the flack lately, did have some good moments and assisted Saka for the second.

New recruits making a mark

Now onto the new recruits and welcome to Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi.

Our new number 14, and my first time seeing the player in the flesh. And as mentioned in my blog the other week, the player is a bulldozer, from minute one, he received a clipped ball down the line, using his frame, he rolled the Athletic defender, who ultimately had to then pull him down, yellow card in the first minute, thank you ref, surprisingly in a friendly I must say.

But, straight away the marker was set, this guy is a presence. What I did notice and so thankful for, is the directness to his play, he was always on the shoulder of the centre backs and the amount of space which opened for our wingers was plain to see in this game. The team can finally play in a new way with new problems for the opposition, Saka, must of been praying for times like this.

In the first 10 minutes he also had a shot which was not struck well but it was so promising to see him already learning the movement of Saka beating his man down the right, and then cleverly positioning himself for the cut back on the penalty spot.

As he plays more and more, he will learn the movements of his team mates and they will also adapt to his. The first goal, just after the half hour mark, provided by Martin Zubimendi who I will talk about more later, whipping in a delightful cross to the penalty spot first time, Gyokeres with the desire and movement to get across his man flicking a great header goalward and past Unai Simon in the Bilbao goal.

It was a proper strikers goal. The movement and power to get there showed what the player is about and not a bad header for someone I hear doesn’t score those regularly. He was also unlucky in the second half, flicking another stooping header low from a great Madueke cross to the front post.

Perhaps with Arsenal, the quality of delivery will mean he gets much more goals of that nature going forward.

He also showed his power and link up play for the second, showing great strength with his back to goal, laying off to Odegaard in a 1-2 who flicked a delicate ball over the top with Martinelli then filling in the space left by Gyokeres, setting up Saka as Simon closed him down, shifting the ball right for Bukayo to roll into the empty net. A flowing attack, with quick interchange and a ball in behind, something we haven’t seen for a long while, most probably Havertz against Brighton at the start of last season.

Speaking of Havertz, it was him that rounded off the scoring for the day, again with a ball over the top flicked on by Saka just on the halfway line. Havertz on a lung bursting run, showing big desire to beat two Bilbao players before firing into the bottom right hand corner.

Now, if this was Havertz from a year ago, I think he gets there, holds the ball up and awaits support, not this time. He wanted that goal so much. Ultimately, I think that comes down to a combination of wanting to do his best and also the arrival of Gyokeres in the side, it is now great to have two options for that striker role consistently. The level is up and competition in the squad is good, something Arteta was asked about after the game. He agreed and did say the firepower means more options and even mentioned the chances of seeing the two of them together at some point given Havertz ability to play different roles, an exciting prospect and physically powerful players to occupy opposing defenders.

But overall, a really promising performance from Gyokeres, and something I think the team has needed, a selfish goal getter, he thrives of scoring, he doesn’t stop running and that was great when squeezing Bilbao high, he didn’t give them a chance to breath at the back. Combine that with a reenergised Havertz, the team has two reliable attacking options going into 25-26.

Onto the man of the match, Martin Zubimendi. If this was a flavour of what’s to come, then we seem to of pulled off a great transfer here.

One that probably has gone under the radar this summer in the Premier League, most probably down to the fact it was pretty much announced in January. He just seems to have an ability to always know and read where the ball will be and just appears at ease to win it back time and time again.

Along with that, where I see why he was so sought after is the passing ability, one instance, winning the ball back and bang setting Saka off down the flank in an instant late into the second half with a measured lifted ball in behind.

He will be so valuable in giving those around him a platform to play, especially Declan Rice, he ultimately looks to be hybrid player, great in the tackle but also with Jorginho esc passing between the lines, he sets the tone and the tempo.

I see us playing at a quicker pace, with hopefully many instances Gyokeres will thrive on, with Zubimendi winning it in the middle of park and we’re off, it means teams will have different problems to deal with, potentially unlocking tough defences with his passing range, and Gyokeres operating on the shoulder.

The first time ball for the first goal by Zubimendi, another welcome addition to this side. No recycling off the ball on the edge here, followed by minutes off keeping the ball to no effect, he looked early and whipped the cross to perfection for the opener, as mentioned with Gyokeres heading us into the lead.

Perhaps, the coaching team have analysed the amount of time last season the side dominated the ball and control of the pitch which didn’t result in either chances or goals.

Too many games came down to one or two chances, drifting us by. Therefore, the high amount of draws, the lack of chances meant games being close throughout the campaign.

This year, it’s perhaps about tempo, it’s about chance creation, playing at pace and maximising the time you are in the oppositions half, something Zunimendi will be central to, dictating how we operate, the conductor in the middle.

In the second half, it was a flurry of changes, and in particular, Mosquera and Madueke introduced. Impressed with both, Mosquera looks strong, quick and aggressive in the tackle, operating from the left in this game, he looks comfortable in his new surroundings and will be a good understudy to Saliba and Gabriel.

Madueke, coming on at half time, operating on the left of the front three. He was always a threat, showing great skill to beat his man, and comfortable at times coming inside. What he did give the team was someone who can on the outside on the left, getting to byline and whipping in great delivery, with one for Gyokeres as mentioned which Simon tipped onto the base of the post.

A tireless runner who tracked back when needed and showed a desire to work for his team, again, another great addition to this side from this outing.

And 3-0 was the final score.

A positive way to end the pre season, the players finding rhythm old and new, relationships beginning to build and thriving on the pitch, from what we saw Saturday the team looks ready for the opener. It’s now one full week before the kick off and 10 months of drama for us all.

Before that, could we see any further signings this week?

At this moment, unlikely. It will be more about outgoings, potentially Vieira, Zinchenko and Nelson the obvious candidates right now, as the team will need to balance the books and the squad.

After that, is there room for one more? Potentially, we await to find out. So until the next one, post United and hopefully three points on the board. I’ll give you my thoughts after that.

Have a great week.

COYG