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Morning all.
It’s fairly quiet from an Arsenal perspective, and the rationale for that isn’t simply the league season or elimination from the cups, however the truth we’ve got no European soccer this yr. It had been a staple of our existence for therefore lengthy, and whereas I’m not going to say we took it without any consideration, this season has hammered house how a lot it performed an element in our everyday lives.
Clearly I need us to be again in Europe subsequent season as a result of that will signify some development – notably if we are able to do the nonetheless fairly troublesome factor of ending within the high 4 – but in addition as a result of it means we’ve got much more Arsenal. I’ll maintain my palms up right here and fortunately admit that as somebody who writes about this membership for a dwelling each single day, the extra soccer there’s the higher it’s in that regard. I don’t imply it’s simple, as a result of there are nonetheless loads of issues to consider, to take care of, to return to phrases with and all the remainder, however when the schedule is weekend recreation > midweek recreation > weekend recreation > midweek recreation and so forth, there’s a rhythm to every thing and many happening.
In the previous couple of weeks we’ve had an 18 day hole between video games, after which even once we did return we’ve had one other 9 day hole. That’s good for the gamers and their health, and for the supervisor to work on preparation and organisation, but it surely’s not a lot good for us as followers whenever you’re dying to observe soccer. If I ever complain about fixture congestion once more, be at liberty to slap me within the face with moist fish (one thing like a sea bass or a John Dory, not a Blue Marlin – they’re too huge and pointy).
Talking of Europe, I watched PSG v Actual Madrid final evening, and though the Spanish aspect had been fairly unhealthy certainly, you have a look at the way in which that recreation performed out and among the high quality on show and also you surprise what would we be like even when we did get again into the Champions League? Clearly the summer time recruitment would be told by that, and ending within the high 4 can be real progress which you’d hope to proceed by including actual high quality to the squad, however after 5 years out of the competitors, it could be an enormous step up. Don’t get me improper, I’d like to see it, however let’s not fake it wouldn’t be an enormous problem.
Kylian Mbappe’s winner was sensational, and talking of challenges if he was decided to indicate the world how good he’s, coming to Arsenal and firing us again to the highest can be simply the way in which to do it … *cough*. Free switch, ought to be fairly simple for Edu and Dicky Garlick. *cough cough*
Lionel Messi missed a penalty earlier within the recreation, and I noticed plenty of speak about him as a penalty taker. This is a very interesting read from Ben Lyttleton who wrote a complete book about penalty taking which is nicely value a learn. Messi is actually distinctive in each side of the attacking recreation, however common relating to penalties.
There needs to be a psychological side to it that some gamers merely can’t get past. I at all times discovered it exhausting to grasp why Dennis Bergkamp, such an unimaginable footballer, consummate skilled, devoted to his craft on the coaching floor on daily basis, by no means took one other spot kick after his miss in opposition to Man Utd in that 1999 FA Cup semi-final. I get that it harm and the implications of it had been pretty big given they went on to do the treble that season, however to me it’s nonetheless at odds with not only a good participant however clearly a massively clever man. I suppose, for no matter cause, he was unable to compartmentalise that miss, to only put it up to now and concentrate on the following penalty, but it surely’s nonetheless a bit unusual.
Lastly for immediately, the Lewis Dunk sending off for Brighton final evening put me in thoughts of Arsenal, as a result of it’s precisely the sort of choice I might count on to go in opposition to us. Which isn’t to say I believe we’re Brighton or Brighton are considered the identical means as Arsenal, but it surely’s completely the sort of VAR-inflicted nonsense I might count on to learn Man Utd. Additionally, there actually does must be a severe dialogue about elevating the edge for pink card offences, whether or not that features the implementation of a sin-bin system or one thing else, as a result of too many gamers are being despatched off for little or no and the affect on the video games is much too important based mostly on the offences they’ve dedicated.
Right here’s an attention-grabbing Tweet from Ed Avern (who wrote about the Amazon series for us some time again), taking a look at pink card information from the beginning of the 2020 season till now. It actually does inform a little bit of a narrative:
Took a have a look at the pink card information for #Arsenal. Knowledge is for PL for the reason that begin of the 2020 season, for all 17 groups within the PL since then. (Championship information skews issues.)
Regardless of the concern with #Arteta‘s group is, it isn’t a disciplinary one. pic.twitter.com/In22M70aWg
— Ed Avern (@edwardavern) February 15, 2022
Proper, that’s your lot for this morning, take it simple.
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