After three video games, Arsenal sit high of the Premier League desk, however as we all know advantageous effectively from final season, it’s simply three video games. Quite a bit can occur within the subsequent 35 so no person’s getting carried away. Nonetheless, it’s a a lot nicer place to be than the place we have been this time final yr.
One in every of my predominant takeaways from the All Or Nothing documentary was how a lot Mikel Arteta tried to compartmentalise every end result. On the events when he wasn’t completely fuming – like Nottingham Forest within the FA Cup – he did his greatest to make sure the gamers didn’t get too carried away once they gained, or overly despondent when a sport didn’t go the best way we wished it to.
He sounded an analogous word after the Bournemouth win on Saturday, saying:
It’s simply three video games. It doesn’t imply something, there any nonetheless different groups that need to play. What it means is that we’ve got managed to win three video games, that we’re scoring objectives, maintaining clear sheets, the crew is taking part in and performing effectively, competing rather well, however it’s about Monday, begin coaching once more and begin to get higher on the different issues that we’ve got to do as effectively, and concentrate on Fulham.
Nonetheless, a weekend when Chelsea lose is at all times good, Man Metropolis dropping factors in opposition to Newcastle was sudden to me, and West Ham – a crew who have been within the struggle for Europe final season – have been crushed at residence by Brighton. I do know the pattern measurement is kind of small after solely three video games, however it could possibly be probably the most aggressive Premier League for a while. The cliche about there being no straightforward video games is a long-standing one, however I feel it is likely to be at its most true this season. I suppose we’ll discover out.
With every week to go till our subsequent sport, and no drama to talk of, maybe column inches is likely to be crammed with switch information. The supervisor was requested about this on the weekend, and if the nice begin to the season had modified the plans in any respect. He insisted it hadn’t, making clear that they’re open to bringing in the precise participant, however not simply any participant. I don’t suppose they’ll compromise anymore, which is an effective factor, however it was fascinating to listen to him discuss what he’d love to do, saying:
We all know the place we’re brief and the place we’ve got so as to add extra firepower. If we are able to do it, we’ll do it.
For individuals who get pleasure from attacking, thrilling soccer, the concept that Arteta needs ‘extra firepower’ after a begin to the season once we’ve scored 9 objectives is kind of tantalising. If you’re wanting so as to add that firepower to a squad that accommodates Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Eddie Nketiah and our new rampaging attacking midfielder Granit Xhaka, it’s fairly thrilling.
Fairly who the participant they need is stays to be seen. There are some rumours however I believe that is one they’re maintaining as quiet as doable. Maybe we would get one thing akin to the Fabio Vieira deal earlier in the summertime, one that only a few individuals knew something about till it was principally performed. That’s laborious to do these days, however it is likely to be extra vital than ever as a result of as we’ve seen, as quickly as any membership’s curiosity in a participant is understood, Chelsea attempt to purchase them.
A possible arrival is made extra possible by what appears to be the upcoming departure of Nicolas Pepe on mortgage. He was not within the squad for the Bournemouth sport, which is commonly an indication that one thing is shut and no person needs to take the danger that the deal is likely to be scuppered by an damage picked up in a sport. A 15 minute cameo in a cushty win isn’t any use to anybody if he twangs his hamstring or some clogger makes a problem that injures his ankle or one thing related.
If you take a look at the gamers who all of us anticipated to be on the transfer this summer season, we’ve solely bought a pair left now. If we make the idea that Pepe does go to Good, there’s solely Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles left as gamers who’re utterly on the fringes and have to go some other place for the sake of their careers. I’m ruling out a Reiss Nelson departure this window as a result of he bought injured final week and it appears like he’ll be out of motion for a while.
The window is open till 11pm on September 1st. We now have two video games between at times: Fulham on the weekend, then Aston Villa the next Wednesday. Whether or not we’ve got any additions for one or each of these video games, we’ll have to only wait and see, however fingers crossed we get that firepower Mikel Arteta spoke about, as a result of this season each little little bit of edge we are able to get will likely be very helpful.
Proper, let’s go away it there for this morning. James and I recorded the Arsecast Additional for you yesterday, however in case you haven’t had an opportunity to hear but, all of the hyperlinks and so on are beneath. Take pleasure in, have an incredible Monday!
