Good morning from Bilbao.
That is my second weblog of the day. To elucidate, I wakened, dozed again off, then dreamed I’d written a complete weblog about Jurrien Timber, which was very pleasing as a result of it seems to be like it is a quiet information day on the Arsenal entrance. It was like whenever you had been a child and also you dream you’ve bought off the bed to go to high school, however you’re nonetheless underneath the covers and somebody is shouting at your from downstairs to stand up, dress and get out the door.
I forgot it will get brighter right here a bit later. It’s simply after 7.30 after I began scripting this and the solar isn’t actually up but. It provides to that slight sense of discombobulation whenever you get up in a lodge and also you don’t fairly know the place you might be for a number of seconds. Clearly I’m right here for the sport tomorrow (in addition to all of the pintxos anybody can eat), and I’m actually wanting ahead to that.
The primary time I got here to this metropolis, I walked to the San Mames stadium simply to take a look, and going to a recreation there was on my want checklist ever since. Arsenal arrive later at this time, Mikel Arteta will maintain his pre-game press convention this night, and whereas stuff concerning the group can wait till tomorrow’s preview, I’m curious to see what manner he mixes issues up.
As we hold saying, he has all these gamers to maintain completely happy, or as completely happy as potential, and there will probably be some itching to play tomorrow. With Man Metropolis on the horizon subsequent weekend, we must always see him shuffle his pack a bit, however as I stated dialogue of that may wait till tomorrow’s weblog.
I didn’t get to see any of the soccer yesterday as a result of I used to be travelling, however Liverpool are again on high after a late penalty gave them a win at Burnley, whereas Metropolis gained the Manchester derby simply. I noticed a headline within the Guardian which learn: Manchester United appear to have accepted their mediocrity, however how lengthy can it go on?
My first thought was: Endlessly, please? Anyway, we’ll discuss extra concerning the weekend’s Premier League video games over on Patreon later in The 30, our common round-up podcast.
Going again to Saturday, and the win over Nottingham Forest, I gave a short point out to David Raya, however not more than that as others impressed extra throughout the 90 minutes. I assume it’s price stating he did hold a clear sheet on his a centesimal Arsenal look, which appears type of becoming for a participant who has been a cornerstone of this group since his arrival. He didn’t have loads to do on the day, Forest barely threatened, however the one second he was wanted he pulled off an excellent fingertip save to disclaim Chris Wooden a purpose.
I believe there’s a danger/reward aspect with Raya that doesn’t all the time really feel prefer it stacks up with what Arteta is perceived to need (complete management). Typically, when he has the ball at his toes, I believe he delays a bit too lengthy, which appears at odds along with his means to get the sport going once more rapidly. Which, in flip, can typically result in stray cross right here and there. I realise it’s what he’s requested to do, however I believe he may do it earlier at occasions.
It’s a small grievance although, as a result of we ask him to do an enormous job. Keeper and sweeper, basically. He comes a great distance out of his space and that’s exhausting work, and his degree of involvement exhibits up within the stats. On Saturday he tried 28 passes (89% accuracy) in comparison with simply 10 for Viktor Gyokeres (70% accuracy). Which isn’t tacit criticism of our new striker, he has his personal function that we’re attempting to get used to, but it surely demonstrates how a lot Raya does on the different finish. Inevitably, there will probably be some danger with that, gamers misplace passes on a regular basis however when it’s a keeper it stands out.
What you’d say about Raya although is that he doesn’t get flustered. I believe we’ve all seen gamers who, once they make a mistake, go right into a darkish place of their thoughts and it might affect their efficiency for the remainder of the sport. Not him, and whenever you ask your goalkeeper to play the best way we do, you want that psychological power together with the technical means.
100 video games, 42 clear sheets. ‘Fairly good’, stated Arteta. Fairly, fairly, fairly good. Proper. I’m gonna depart it there. Discover espresso someplace. Drink espresso. See what Bilbao has to supply. I’d go see some trendy artwork.
Until tomorrow.
