From Jim Johnson
Hi Myles,
Went to the Leicester game and was treated to a Mesut masterclass. When he plays like this he elevates football to the art form he believes it to be.
Artists can’t be understood, they need to be indulged. Not sure anyone has the time to indulge the greater excesses of the German in the high octane arena of the EPL but we should take thanks for evenings such as last night.
Without him, Arsenal would have been at best pretty industrial, but with him, the industry gets an aesthetic finish that is worth the admission fee.
But man, do we start slowly.
As I mentioned after the West Ham game, Unai is still working out his best eleven. The net gainers from this are those not returning from international duty and the thinness of the squad in key areas will do the likes of Holding no damage at all, providing he can stay free of injuries and suspensions.
Xhaka finishing the game at left back demonstrates the need for reinforcements in defence and I’d love Stan to show some teeth in the transfer market and go in for Chilwell and Maguire like Liverpool did last January for Robertson and Van Dijk.
Those signings would certainly put the pigeon amongst the cats in the big six because at this rate, we’re only a couple of defenders short of something quite exciting.
Leno, Guendouzi and Torreira look the part. And Torreira’s song shows the Gooner faithful at their best:
‘Torreira’ (after ‘Vieira’ to the tune of ‘Volare’)
Torreira, wooooah!
Torreira woooah!
He comes from Uruguay
He’s only five foot high.
Brilliant.
Myles says:
Thanks, Jim. I can see why you’re buzzing.
Emery says that Ozil’s retirement from the German national team is good for Arsenal. It’s an obvious point but a vital one.
Mesut Ozil makes goals and also scores them, so he’s become Arsenal’s main man. If he stays fit and keeps producing, it should be a fascinating season.
The talented and promising squad isn’t good enough to play effectively in the Champions League but my guess is that Stan Kroenke’s more interested in taking cash out of Arsenal and putting it into the Rams. He bought Usmanov’s 27% and the reason AU sold to him has not come into the public domain yet, although I believe Ivan Gazidis knew that deal was happening and why.
Kroenke’s business model is profitable mediocrity and he can now milk Arsenal without you knowing when or by how much. I’d be amazed if his London soccer franchise ever signs a defender of Virgil Van Dijk’s quality.