Morning.
Pre-season concluded yesterday with a 2-0 win over Lyon within the Emirates Cup, each targets coming from set-pieces within the first half. Declan Rice delivered each corners, first for William Saliba to go house, then Gabriel to double the lead. Nicolas Jover bought his pockets again as a reward for his continued sterling work.
I believed we regarded sharp and brilliant for essentially the most half, however not fairly decisive sufficient in sure moments in open play which might have made the scoreline extra emphatic. Gabriel Martinelli did properly sufficient on the left, simply that ultimate motion was lacking to make his efficiency a very encouraging one. I suppose you possibly can fear that it’s only a continuation of what we bought from him final season, however for me he regarded a bit extra just like the thrilling, impactful Martinelli, and hopefully as he builds correct match health that finish product will return too.
On the opposite facet, Bukayo Saka regarded a contact rusty, however you possibly can see instantly what a distinction he makes to the crew, and these minutes shall be helpful for him going into the opening recreation in opposition to Wolves. There was additionally a primary have a look at new signing Riccardo Calafiori, who performed a bit at left-back after which at centre-half when Mikel Arteta made a bunch of modifications late on. These are the very early days of what we hope shall be an extended Arsenal profession, and I feel he’s a participant who we’ll see eased into motion over the course of the brand new marketing campaign.
There was alleged to be a penalty shoot-out on the finish however then there wasn’t, ideas Lyon determined in opposition to it make sense. Arteta wished this for each pre-season recreation, some groups had been pleased to oblige, others not a lot. Liverpool, for instance, didn’t need any a part of it for the sport in Philadelphia.
Afterwards, Mikel Arteta mirrored on the pre-season as a complete, saying:
I feel general it’s been a very constructive pre-season with the tour and the membership and lots of people put a number of effort into making it work. I feel it was a hit once more after which the 2 video games that we’ve got performed right here as properly, actually aggressive and actually good. I feel the crew was distinctive, particularly within the first half. There have been moments the place we performed on the highest stage after which we type of maintained it. We dropped slightly bit within the second half. The circumstances had been robust, but it surely was a superb match for us as properly. So general, very happy.
He additionally up to date on the health of Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu. It’s short-term for the previous, and a bit longer for the latter:
[Timber] – “We anticipate him to be prepared to coach with the group within the subsequent week, as a result of he has no response. So fairly constructive.”
[Tomiyasu] – “I feel it is going to take weeks on that one sadly. He’s going to should be affected person and work via it as a result of I feel it’s going to take a number of weeks.”
Typically although, the squad appears in good condition, and we’ll see what may occur this week within the switch market. As constructive as pre-season has been, it nonetheless seems like this can be a squad that will profit from an injection of one thing new and recent, notably within the ahead line, and I really feel like Arteta should know that himself. A supervisor as analytical and in-depth as he understands that there’s room for enchancment in terms of a few the incumbents, but it surely feels just like the outgoings must occur for any potential arrival.
Regardless of what he stated afterwards about Eddie Nketiah, I suppose it was fascinating that the striker didn’t get off the bench in any respect yesterday amid rumours of a transfer to Marseille. The actual fact he was with the squad tells you it’s a way from being accomplished, however his lack of enjoying time yesterday may properly be a touch that one thing is within the works. Eddie performed a component in each different pre-season recreation, captaining the facet every now and then too, so it’s a little bit of a change. Perhaps he simply has slightly knock, perhaps they don’t wish to scupper a possible transfers, let’s wait and see.
I feel this can be a switch window that may actually warmth up as we get in the direction of the shut (August thirtieth), and I anticipate us to be within the combine for a few new gamers. With the enhance they could give us, and the potential effervescent underneath at youth stage after the spectacular summer time performances from Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, Arteta may have an enormous, deep squad at his disposal and it will likely be fascinating to see to what extent he makes use of that depth.
Anyway, there shall be so much occurring this week as prepare for the brand new season. For this morning although, let’s go away it there. We may have an Arsecast Additional for you a bit in a while. Preserve an eye fixed out for the decision for questions on Threads @gunnerblog and @arseblog with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or if you happen to’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, go away your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod needs to be out by noon or thereabouts. For now, have a superb one.
