As Arsenal prepare for a visit to Chelsea on Saturday evening, the Gunners are, as yet, unbeaten in the Premier League this season.
While the previous campaign was built on an early wave of attacking flair, it does feel as if this time around some of that has been sacrificed for greater solidity at the back. Arsenal have the joint meanest defence so far, with just 6 goals conceded (the same as Man City), but the 16 goals they have scored is 4 fewer than after the same amount of games last time out.
Asked if this was part of his tactical plan, Mikel Arteta said, “I want to concede nothing and create a lot! So that is no plan for sure.
“Obviously, we know the foundations to win games, what it’s coming from and keeping the amount of clean sheets that we kept in the last seven games, obviously, that’s very important to make the right step.
“But we want to attack better and when you do the comparison of all the teams that they created more you can’t just isolate through 90 minutes.
“It’s game state, there are periods as well the scoreline has a big say, when those expected goals have shifted and I guess who do you play against that’s another one, you know.
“In eight games the comparison is not easy to do. And as well a lot of teams are defending with really low blocks.”
The inability, due to injuries, of being able to field the ‘first choice’ front three of Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka has undoubtedly been a factor, but the Arsenal boss sounded more concerned about the team’s ability to deal with those absences – so far, mostly so good, you would have to say.
“Obviously we had injuries,” said Arteta, :and we had the availability that we have, and we miss other players as well in midfield that are very, very important.
“But I’m sure we’ll get them back and it’s about being able as well to win and continue to perform in the right way when those players are not there.
“Now we’re going to have the opportunity to see them, I’m sure.”
It’d be a real boost to have all three available for Chelsea tomorrow, let’s keep fingers crossed.
These pressers are getting boring by the day aren’t they? No clear answers about fitness to be excited about, and journalist asking the same boring questions in the line of “how important is to win this game? How important is this and that?”
I want intriguing questions to get interesting answers.
What interesting would you ask him if were at the presser?
Come on, the man has just told us that he doesn’t want to concede goals and he wants to score goals.
How much more tantalising do you want Arteta to be?
Sure that was insightful, many managers might not want to score goals, or they might be happy to concede, so he set himself apart right there. But still feels like playing his cards close to his chest, he could’ve at least added if he wanted the team to play well or not! Now we have to speculate about that
On a serious note, I’d love to ask him about Zinny standing with Israel and Elneny supporting Palestine and if geo politics can ever threaten to cause cultural divides at a club.
You posted the very same comment on the other story!
Yep. I noticed Stonks comment as well and thought I’d accidentally switched back to the previous article.
With the exact same typo too “what interesting would you ask him…”
What obvious would you correct if you were to post the exact same interesting twice?
That’s just the way things are. They need to put out 500 articles a day, and you’re completely saturated before the presser starts. Anything he could say, has already been discussed at length in countless click-baity articles, forums, reddit, etc. Back when we almost only had the daily paper and the matchday programme, there was always something “interesting” – but now, these press conferences often feel like reading yesterdays paper. You’ve heard it all already, and even the faintest hint of a rumor has already been “shared” on every conceivable platform. So yeah, I agree – they’re not exactly exciting.… Read more »
I think you need an IQ above 100 to understand Arteta. Arteta’s answers are very nuanced.
Start anyone but Nketiah.
Poor old Eddie. Unless he plays an 8 out of 10 or better every game, he’s considered simply not good enough.
I’m not his biggest fan or think he’s the answer, but I’ve seen Odegaard and Partey drop 5’s and 6’s in recent times.
I don’t really understand why we can’t zoom out a little on Eddie’s performances and have less recency bias. The poor guy lives and dies on the last 90 mins he played.
Nketiah has a lovely record against Chelsea if we are being honest 🌝
Nketiah. is it 2 Prem goals in 27 matches now! noe to mention the German Giraffe, and Balagun didn’t get a sniff of a chance
Playing Balogun could be tricky
This game will be a straight win for Arsenal if Arteta starts the obvious eleven…Hoping that they are all fit ..that is Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Rice ,Ordegaad, Saka, Jesus, Marthinelli….Attack more, Defend stoutly, these are our best for now..COYG..
One nil to the Arsenal?
A lineup of Raya (Ramsdale), White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Rice, Ødegaard, Saka, Jesus and Martinelli seems to be our strongest this season. It is largely the same as last season though, with Rice replacing my beloved Xhaka (I still miss him in an Arsenal shirt).
Reading between the lines, that team might line up tomorrow at Stamford Bridge; and I don’t see how Chelsea can cope with that.
COYG!
Fuck Chelsea!
Speaking of Chelsea, John Terry is a cunt.