We're in good form right now, admittedly after having smashed some of the poorer sides in the league.
I was concerned at the start of the season about our goalscoring capabilities, but the trio behind the striker have all stepped it up this season: Smith Rowe can't seem to stop scoring (joint 4th highest scorer in the league!), Saka has found his goalscoring touch recently after struggling in early on, Odegaard has chipped in with a few of late and really seems to be taking over as the teams main playmaker. Nearly forgot Martinelli, absolutely love this bloke and his Energiser bunny spirit.
I was also worried about Ben White's transition into the team. He hasn't been perfect, but he's nowhere near as soft as I thought he was, and he's even better on the ball - particularly with his dribbling. He can literally carry it from our defensive third and charge into the opposition's almost at will. He allows us to play a much higher line than last season too, where poor David Luiz forced us to keep a low block due to his lack of pace.
That leaves midfield and up front - I think both areas need investment. Partey is still hit and miss, Xhaka is Xhaka. I don't need to go into the auba situation, but we simply can't rely on Laca alone for the second half of the season. If we really want to push for top 4, these areas need more quality.
Overall, I'm happy so far. Those Man Utd and Everton defeats were frustrating as fack and I can't seem to shake them out of my memory. The squad seem to have taken those results personally and I'm sure they are part of the reason for our recent goal glut.
Man City next
How are we feeling about Arsenal so far
posted on 29/12/21
Man City next
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Back down to earth.
Heart hopes Arsenal can get something but my head says Arsenal will get hammered again.
posted on 29/12/21
I was bummed the Wolves game was postponed, whereas had it happened last season I wouldn’t have cared much.
I feel much more engaged with this group of players than I’ve been other recent iterations of Arsenal. Credit to the manager, Edu and, yes, even the board, for that.
Plenty more work still to do, but for the first time in a long while I’m now feeling confident the right decisions will be made.
posted on 29/12/21
Didn't even mention ramsdale. Besides his work on the pitch (which has been excellent), he plays a really big part in winding up fans at away grounds and lifting the Emirates crowd. As DJ mentioned, all the signings have been good on the pitch, but they're all also really likeable characters, something which we've been lacking over the last decade or so bar the odd one.
posted on 29/12/21
After three defeats in the beginning of the season I was really worried and saw us battling for relegation.
It's true we spend our money wisely as all the new players done a good job.
Ramsdale really saved us some points and he managed to win me over very easily. A very likeable person.
Let's see how it pans out as I expected some setbacks along the way with these young group of players.
With the way we turned our season around I am more than happy. We need a bit of consistency and in some areas like our midfield and striker decisions (Laca) and new players.
posted on 29/12/21
I think we have to be happy where we are right now especially after three games. There is a genuine chance of top four, United are rubbish Tottenham will just be Tottenham and bottle it so we have a great chance. This is the moment where we see how much desire the owners have to get the club back in the CL. Go and push the boat out with a high quality striker and we are big favourites.
posted on 29/12/21
comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
I was bummed the Wolves game was postponed, whereas had it happened last season I wouldn’t have cared much.
I feel much more engaged with this group of players than I’ve been other recent iterations of Arsenal. Credit to the manager, Edu and, yes, even the board, for that.
Plenty more work still to do, but for the first time in a long while I’m now feeling confident the right decisions will be made.
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I was disappointed in the sense that we wouldn't get to see us play, but glad as it meant the one day rest in the lead up to it wasn't a factor anymore. Especially seeing as they would've had over a week to rest.
Agree about being more engaged with this group - lots of likeable players in there. Lot more willing to overlook their mistakes if they make any.
posted on 29/12/21
City ice cold
posted on 30/12/21
'I was disappointed in the sense that we wouldn't get to see us play, but glad as it meant the one day rest in the lead up to it wasn't a factor anymore.'
Absolutely. Even though the game been postponed could end up being of benefit to us, I was still a bit disappointed I wouldn't be able to see us play on Boxing Day. This is a good sign!
Also, very happy with Gabriel's form. Got so used to CBs coming over from European leagues, looking okay to begin with, only to completely go to pieces, I was keeping my expectations for him under control.
Guy has looked really good to great so far this season.
posted on 31/12/21
Doing quite well but still need to improve, Ramsdale being player of the month two months running tells you something
posted on 31/12/21
Good summary Tu.