After an ambiguous start to our league campaign, the season hots up over the coming weeks. We've got a tough fixture list for the next month; our title credentials will be tested. Tricky games vs Manchester City, Spurs and Chelsea await before the international break in October - by then we should know more about this Arsenal team. The results thus far haven't been terrible, but the performances have been far from convincing. Some have explained the underwhelming displays by citing how the team aren't totally fit, yet to gel, etc. But now there are no excuses: this group of players must deliver results. Players such as Ozil must step up and prove their worth.
This weekend, Manchester City come to town as we attempt to better our record against the top sides. Arsenal struggled last season in the big matches, and will need to improve in that area in order to compete for the title. A common theme in the three heavy defeats to City, Liverpool, and Chelsea was that Arsenal conceded early on. Wenger can’t let his team go hell for leather in the opening stages of high-pressure matches. It’s important to keep the game tight, have patience, and not concede the opening goal.
Our new boy Danny Welbeck impressed in England's 2-0 victory over Switzerland on Monday night. The striker netted twice for the Three Lions, and put in an all-round fantastic performance. His first goal was fairly simple - almost a tap-in from a superb Raheem Sterling cross - but he had to be in the right place to tuck it away. Understanding where to be and reading the game are vital skills for any goal-poacher. Welbeck's second goal on the night, however, ought to be shown to learning strikers over and over again. He found himself in front of goal, with just the goalkeeper to beat and defenders hot on his heels, and managed to keep his composure to score. The finish was very tidy indeed - Thierry Henry-esque, one could say. Hopefully Danny will replicate that kind of form for Arsenal, too.
I don't understand the fuss about Arsene Wenger still not commenting on the Welbeck deal. Granted, it's unusual because the manager tends to give his opinion on new signings immediately after their arrival, but tenuous conspiracy theories about how it was Ivan Gazidis' decision to sign Welbeck are just that: tenuous conspiracy theories. Wenger oversees everything football-related at the club - he always has and always will (while in the job, of course). To suggest he doesn't approve of the signing is plain nonsense. It's a suggestion stirred by those wishing to create a story where there is none. Giroud got injured and we had to supplement our attacking force, Welbeck became available because United splashed out on Falcao, and thus we pounced on the young, muscular, Mancunian forward that is Danny Welbeck. I assume Wenger's been busy with other mattes since, and no doubt he'll tell us very shortly about how delighted he is (blah blah) with his latest recruit.
This weekend, Manchester City come to town as we attempt to better our record against the top sides. Arsenal struggled last season in the big matches, and will need to improve in that area in order to compete for the title. A common theme in the three heavy defeats to City, Liverpool, and Chelsea was that Arsenal conceded early on. Wenger can’t let his team go hell for leather in the opening stages of high-pressure matches. It’s important to keep the game tight, have patience, and not concede the opening goal.
Our new boy Danny Welbeck impressed in England's 2-0 victory over Switzerland on Monday night. The striker netted twice for the Three Lions, and put in an all-round fantastic performance. His first goal was fairly simple - almost a tap-in from a superb Raheem Sterling cross - but he had to be in the right place to tuck it away. Understanding where to be and reading the game are vital skills for any goal-poacher. Welbeck's second goal on the night, however, ought to be shown to learning strikers over and over again. He found himself in front of goal, with just the goalkeeper to beat and defenders hot on his heels, and managed to keep his composure to score. The finish was very tidy indeed - Thierry Henry-esque, one could say. Hopefully Danny will replicate that kind of form for Arsenal, too.
I don't understand the fuss about Arsene Wenger still not commenting on the Welbeck deal. Granted, it's unusual because the manager tends to give his opinion on new signings immediately after their arrival, but tenuous conspiracy theories about how it was Ivan Gazidis' decision to sign Welbeck are just that: tenuous conspiracy theories. Wenger oversees everything football-related at the club - he always has and always will (while in the job, of course). To suggest he doesn't approve of the signing is plain nonsense. It's a suggestion stirred by those wishing to create a story where there is none. Giroud got injured and we had to supplement our attacking force, Welbeck became available because United splashed out on Falcao, and thus we pounced on the young, muscular, Mancunian forward that is Danny Welbeck. I assume Wenger's been busy with other mattes since, and no doubt he'll tell us very shortly about how delighted he is (blah blah) with his latest recruit.