As much I love Arteta, I don't think this episode was the same level as the others, even though it was about El Boss.
It starts off with revenge tasting bitter-sweet with Arteta using Ivan Toney's 'kickabout' tweet as a motivational tool against Brentford. It was still a 2-1 win in an unconvincing performance.
We later get to see Arteta at home. Again, viewers will feel the key to success is a supportive family and he's got that with his wife and three sons.
Lacazette takes centre stage a bit more, confronting Smith-Rowe about his tasteless trainers, which is relatively amusing.
Later, last season's number nine is told to be more 'selfish' in front of goal, by Steve Round, as he needs more than a 'magic beenie' hat to hit the net. Nevertheless, in one of the games, to me, it was Laca's goal, although officially it was credited as an own goal. Round tells him he needs to more like Benzema, in regard to his movement.
The Wolves game at the Emirates is particularly dramatic, with Arteta's subs paying off, after going 1-0 down. So Pepe's goal drew the Gunners level and then Laca delivers. It took a deflection, but it was his goal!
As well as that, we see how well Leno deputised for Ramsdale at Villa. The unusual thing was a Ramsdale injury, as he had never had a significant one before in his career, as we saw in an earlier episode.
Ben White also gets lots of credit for being 'immense' in that game, and you can see how focussed he is on being the best. No wonder big things are expected of him.
It sounds like it's more disappointments, as well as entertainment in the next batch of episodes, as the series documents Arsenal's losing streak, amongst other things.
Showing posts with label nicolas pepe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nicolas pepe. Show all posts
Thursday, 11 August 2022
Friday, 22 July 2022
Full-time ratings v Orlando
What a difference a signing makes, especially with the qualities of Gabriel Jesus! The former Man City added zip to the whole team or maybe it was the other four changes.
Turner 7 - kept a clean sheet and looked solid.
White 7 - snappy passing and brought Pepe into the game. He may well start the season at right back, as Tomiyasu still remains crocked.
Holding 6 - a similar showing to the first half.
(Saliba 7 - excellent with his feet and his positioning when up against Michel, especially. Strong, fast, cool, calm and collected, so Arsenal need to get him to sign a longer-term deal as soon as possible.)
Gabriel 6 - more switched on than Mari.
Tavares 7 - looked more assured in the second half, but skied a couple of long-range efforts. It's good that he has the confidence to try things out, especially as Zinchenko's imminent arrival may push him down the pecking order.
(Bellerin - 6 minutes isn't really enough to stake a claim, but tried his best on the left.)
Pepe 7 - should have won a penalty, but the officiating let him down.
(Saka 7 - cheered when he came on and beat his man convincingly almost immediately, which highlighted what Pepe had struggled to do for 60 minutes. Registered an assist and nearly scored himself from close range against 'The Octopus' in Orlando's goal.)
Odegaard 7 - provided some incisive passes and helped out defensively.
Elneny 7 - started the second period promisingly.
(Partey 6- looked rusty at times, but hit the target with a dipping free kick.)
Lokonga 7 - brighter in the second half and had a shot on target.
(Xhaka 7 - feeling the love of the fans at last and deserves it, as he's not surrendering possession easily nowadays. He also went close with a free kick.)
Gabriel 8 - getting hacked away at by opponents, mainly because he's such a handful. Inadvertently set up Nketiah for Arsenal's second.
Nketiah 7 - looked sharp overall and was clinical in front of goal. A five-year and the number 14 shirt seemed to be working wonders.
(Nelson 7 - with only 15 minutes or so to stake a claim, he did particularly well to score with a volley from Saka's cross. He nearly added to it with a powerful shot from a free kick.)
It's Chelsea next for Arsenal in the Florida Cup series.
Turner 7 - kept a clean sheet and looked solid.
White 7 - snappy passing and brought Pepe into the game. He may well start the season at right back, as Tomiyasu still remains crocked.
Holding 6 - a similar showing to the first half.
(Saliba 7 - excellent with his feet and his positioning when up against Michel, especially. Strong, fast, cool, calm and collected, so Arsenal need to get him to sign a longer-term deal as soon as possible.)
Gabriel 6 - more switched on than Mari.
Tavares 7 - looked more assured in the second half, but skied a couple of long-range efforts. It's good that he has the confidence to try things out, especially as Zinchenko's imminent arrival may push him down the pecking order.
(Bellerin - 6 minutes isn't really enough to stake a claim, but tried his best on the left.)
Pepe 7 - should have won a penalty, but the officiating let him down.
(Saka 7 - cheered when he came on and beat his man convincingly almost immediately, which highlighted what Pepe had struggled to do for 60 minutes. Registered an assist and nearly scored himself from close range against 'The Octopus' in Orlando's goal.)
Odegaard 7 - provided some incisive passes and helped out defensively.
Elneny 7 - started the second period promisingly.
(Partey 6- looked rusty at times, but hit the target with a dipping free kick.)
Lokonga 7 - brighter in the second half and had a shot on target.
(Xhaka 7 - feeling the love of the fans at last and deserves it, as he's not surrendering possession easily nowadays. He also went close with a free kick.)
Gabriel 8 - getting hacked away at by opponents, mainly because he's such a handful. Inadvertently set up Nketiah for Arsenal's second.
Nketiah 7 - looked sharp overall and was clinical in front of goal. A five-year and the number 14 shirt seemed to be working wonders.
(Nelson 7 - with only 15 minutes or so to stake a claim, he did particularly well to score with a volley from Saka's cross. He nearly added to it with a powerful shot from a free kick.)
It's Chelsea next for Arsenal in the Florida Cup series.
Friday, 15 July 2022
Attacking or wide midfielders - who’s in, who’s out @ Arsenal FC?
Arsenal seem extremely well-stocked in this department, but let's look at the contractual situation of each player, provided by journalist Art de Roche of The Athletic (theathletic.com).
Bukayo Saka (2024)
This mainstay of the first-team needs to be tied down to a new contract, as soon as possible. The situation isn't urgent, but will be soon, especially if he continues in the same rich vein of form he's been ever since making his debut.
The shocking thing is he's still 20-years-old and yet he still has the nerve to take penalties, despite missing a crucial one in a penalty shoot-out for England in the Euro 2020 final on 11th July 2021.
Verdict: STAY
Martin Odegaard (2025)
The Norwegian is a cool, calm and collected captain, who is still only 23-year-old, so has the best years ahead of him.
He still has a lot to prove, since arriving from Real Madrid, initially on loan, but many Arsenal fans believe in his ability to thread through final passes for team-mates and to slam in the occasional direct free kick.
Verdict: STAY
Emile Smith Rowe (2026)
'The Smith' as Nunes calls him reminds me so much of Paul Mersin in his pomp that he's always going to start or at least be used from the bench.
He's still only 21-years-old, so the best is yet to come, as long as he steers clear of injuries.
Verdict: STAY
Gabriel Martinelli (2024)
Apparently the club can extend the Brazil international's deal by one more year, so Arsenal fans can rest easily for now.
On his day, the 21-year-old is unplayable, but injuries and his inconsistency makes me wonder if he'll live up to his superstar potential.
He seems more effective as a left winger than he is as a striker, although many fans have called for him to play centrally in the past.
Verdict: STAY
Nicolas Pepe (2024)
The 27-year-old certainly seems surplus to requirements now, but quite how much of the £72m that Arsenal forked out for him can be recovered remains a moot point.
Personally, I think Pepe can offer something to the team, if he gets a run of games, but that seems unlikely under Arteta, who clearly is unimpressed by the Ivorian's work rate and tackling back.
Verdict: GO
Reiss Nelson (2023)
Apparently, this Hale Ender is about to get another chance to deliver for Arsenal's first team, but I can't see it myself.
Although the 22-year-old performed well at Feyenoord on loan by all accounts, playing in the Dutch league for one of the top sides is not as challenging as Premier League football, with all due respect.
Verdict: GO
Fabio Vieira (2027)
With a surname like that, the Portugal U21 international captain has a lot to live up to!
However, we can't expect him to deliver much in his first season abroad, so the question is will he be loaned out? My guess is: 'no'.
Verdict: STAY
Bukayo Saka (2024)
This mainstay of the first-team needs to be tied down to a new contract, as soon as possible. The situation isn't urgent, but will be soon, especially if he continues in the same rich vein of form he's been ever since making his debut.
The shocking thing is he's still 20-years-old and yet he still has the nerve to take penalties, despite missing a crucial one in a penalty shoot-out for England in the Euro 2020 final on 11th July 2021.
Verdict: STAY
Martin Odegaard (2025)
The Norwegian is a cool, calm and collected captain, who is still only 23-year-old, so has the best years ahead of him.
He still has a lot to prove, since arriving from Real Madrid, initially on loan, but many Arsenal fans believe in his ability to thread through final passes for team-mates and to slam in the occasional direct free kick.
Verdict: STAY
Emile Smith Rowe (2026)
'The Smith' as Nunes calls him reminds me so much of Paul Mersin in his pomp that he's always going to start or at least be used from the bench.
He's still only 21-years-old, so the best is yet to come, as long as he steers clear of injuries.
Verdict: STAY
Gabriel Martinelli (2024)
Apparently the club can extend the Brazil international's deal by one more year, so Arsenal fans can rest easily for now.
On his day, the 21-year-old is unplayable, but injuries and his inconsistency makes me wonder if he'll live up to his superstar potential.
He seems more effective as a left winger than he is as a striker, although many fans have called for him to play centrally in the past.
Verdict: STAY
Nicolas Pepe (2024)
The 27-year-old certainly seems surplus to requirements now, but quite how much of the £72m that Arsenal forked out for him can be recovered remains a moot point.
Personally, I think Pepe can offer something to the team, if he gets a run of games, but that seems unlikely under Arteta, who clearly is unimpressed by the Ivorian's work rate and tackling back.
Verdict: GO
Reiss Nelson (2023)
Apparently, this Hale Ender is about to get another chance to deliver for Arsenal's first team, but I can't see it myself.
Although the 22-year-old performed well at Feyenoord on loan by all accounts, playing in the Dutch league for one of the top sides is not as challenging as Premier League football, with all due respect.
Verdict: GO
Fabio Vieira (2027)
With a surname like that, the Portugal U21 international captain has a lot to live up to!
However, we can't expect him to deliver much in his first season abroad, so the question is will he be loaned out? My guess is: 'no'.
Verdict: STAY
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