Holidays are good but in the world of Arsenal, if you look away for an hour the chance of missing some major chaos on or off the pitch is a high possibility. Therefore, it is unsurprising that transfers, unreasonable analysis and strange decision-making have all transpired.
Timing a honeymoon for the international break might appear genius, although it was completely coincidental (or at least that’s what Mrs Canton thinks) yet Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Dusan Vlahovic have still been of hot discussion. Some of the criticisms levelled at Arsenal, in particular, have been farcical, to say the least.
Outside of these, the injury news regarding Emile Smith-Rowe comes as a major blow ahead of a month with nine games. Whilst Raul Sanllehi is back in the Arsenal sphere having criticised the club’s decision to promote Mikel Arteta, although, based on how the club have progressed since the former Head of Football left it might be wise not to assume these words have too much credit.
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Dusan Vlahovic links
Have Arsenal fans found their new Julian Draxler? Even having moved to a massive club like Juventus less than a year ago, the Gunners find themselves linked with Dusan Vlahovic once again.
In short, Gabriel Jesus fits the system like a glove and despite Vlahovic clearly being a very talented forward, having a striker of the Brazilian’s ilk has levelled up this side considerably. Vlahovic brings goals and also qualities of a physical and aerial nature that the club lacks but piecing together a mega-money move for him in either the winter or summer window seems baffling.
You have to question why Vlahovic would be happy moving to a club he supposedly chose not to come to after they have filled the spot that was open with a player who is more beneficial and better-suited to the manager’s philosophy. The answer, it makes no sense, and there’s probably a good reason for that.
Ethan Nwaneri substitution criticism
It surely wasn’t just me panicking as the seconds at the end of the game against Brentford ticked down that 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri might not get on. It felt like the ball wouldn’t leave the field, but eventually, it did, and another Premier League record was broken.
Yet, despite both Arsenal being a club lauded for the youth talent it has produced, and England currently held as a bastion of one of the best cultivators of young stars in the sport at present, Arteta was criticised by some for this. Without going into too much detail about what was said, in short, it is plain to me that for some it doesn’t matter what the Gunners do be it blatantly good or inspiring, there’s always an angle to be found which undermines them and we need to recognise that is not going to go away.
Nwaneri’s appearance was a great moment and will inspire others that the pathway exists, and the manager will reward impressive performances with chances. Not only this, but a highly sought-after talent now has tangible evidence that he is seen, valued and planned for in this club’s future. Yes, it is this simple.
Bukayo Saka’s Southgate confusion
It should be known, for context, I am at the point with Gareth Southgate that for me England need a better coach to take this group to the next level. However, playing the nation’s best right-winger at left wing-back when there are other options who can naturally fill this is just baffling.
Saka can now go into the North London Derby with a renewed purpose. Perhaps his almost assured place on the plane, thanks to a lack of depth at right wing from an England perspective, meant the competition at both club and country wasn’t necessarily there to push him even more than he is right now?
I don’t necessarily buy too much into this. That said, Saka can now use the clear misinterpretation of his abilities by Southgate to show why he needs to be used on the right wing in Qatar.
Smash in some goals, be the best right winger this country has and help both Arsenal and the Three Lions progress. It sounds simple, but it is a necessary simplicity that could help take our star boy to that next level of appreciation and standing.
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