{"id":8056,"date":"2023-07-22T18:54:25","date_gmt":"2023-07-22T17:54:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=8056"},"modified":"2023-07-29T00:57:22","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T23:57:22","slug":"sustaining-the-progress-preseason-thoughts-as-the-gunners-tour-north-america-and-mls-all-stars-v-arsenal-match-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/?p=8056","title":{"rendered":"Sustaining the Progress: Preseason Thoughts as the Gunners Tour North America, and MLS All-Stars v Arsenal Match Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color:#fff;display:inline-block;font-family:Roboto,sans-serif;color:#a7a7a7;font-size:11px;width:100%;max-width:594px;\"><div style=\"padding:0;margin:0;text-align:left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1545598160\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" rel=\"noopener\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div><div style=\"overflow:hidden;position:relative;height:0;padding:66.66667% 0 0 0;width:100%;\"><iframe src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1545598160?et=Z5mGrQJ0TYh2X_5dMDH6qw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=Tpe62KOc91sIM_oKtwDInzlzBUUC2BW4u0vcrXY6Pyc=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"display:inline-block;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As Mikel Arteta begins his fourth full season in charge, Arsenal face a different challenge than they have seen in any recent Summer, having just finished their best season since the Invincibles took the league title in 2003\/04.&nbsp;&nbsp;Arsenal have been ambitiously focused on improving last year\u2019s model, even as a smattering of supporters secretly might be pleased just to match last season\u2019s points total of 84, which was 14 more than they earned in any of their five previous seasons.&nbsp;&nbsp;Indeed, it is a tad unlikely that Arsenal will score many more than last season when they tallied 88 league goals, their most productive attacking output since they scored 90 in the 1963-64 season.&nbsp;&nbsp;I would love to be surprised, of course, but given those numbers they might do better to focus on improving defensively. In any case, strengthening is essential because our quality must now be compared to Manchester City, the winners of five of the last six league titles, as well as the other contenders for the top four, and the Champions League clubs that we will be facing for the first time since 2016-17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, Edu and company have completed most of their plans to strengthen the team in key positions.&nbsp;&nbsp;Supporters were able to breathe sighs of relief after the Gunners announced the early signings of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, and British transfer record Declan Rice. The triple salvo was a bold show of intent to Arsenal\u2019s rivals and, dare I say, it succeeded in strengthening the squad in all areas of the pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But that is not to say I am confident that the progress will be continuous, even as I have to label our business a success to this point. Indeed, I think Havertz in particular must prove that his price was justified, as well as where he fits in the team. But, the sale of 30 year-old Granit Xhaka made it clearer that Arsenal hope the 24 year-old German, despite his ability to play in various attacking positions, will replace the Swiss in an advanced left midfield role. In the other attacking positions, Arsenal seem to be set with the same players as last season, including the productive foursome of Saka, Jesus, Martinelli, and \u00d8degaard. Reiss Nelson, who signed a new contract after being rumored to be on his way out of the club, demonstrated last season in his few opportunities that he is quite capable of providing the team with important depth on the wing, especially in case of injury to Saka or Martinelli. Emile Smith Rowe was really on the fringes last season but remembering his brilliant first half of 2021-22, it will be interesting to see how Arteta might use him this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the Havertz signing was confirmed, the revamping continued with the even pricier signing of 24-year old defensive midfielder Rice, the former West Ham captain, amidst rumors of the possible sale of 30 year-old Thomas Partey, who was an imperious presence in our midfield throughout most of last season. Rice coming to the Gunners was received as wonderful news in most quarters, but I was particularly glad to see yesterday that the manager gave Partey his vote of confidence, saying he expects the midfielder still to be with Arsenal at the end of the window.&nbsp; Seeming to concede that there had been doubts about the Ghanaian\u2019s status with the club, Arteta said \u201cPartey is a super important player for us and for me,\u201d and indicating that Partey and Rice either can play together or compete for the same position: \u201cIf you want to improve the squad and have more quality we need players who can play together.&nbsp; We need players in the same positions who have to fight for their places\u2026 that\u2019s why we brought in Declan as well.\u201d Partey did not join the squad on their U.S. tour until Wednesday and I hope to see him play, maybe together with Rice, tonight against Manchester United.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Defensively, Timber will provide another option at right back where he is capable of playing an inverted role stepping into and out of midfield, much as Oleksandr Zinchenko did on the left side last season. Ben White, William Saliba, and Gabriel look set to continue in the remaining defensive positions, but Jakub Kiwior could see a few more minutes based on his excellent showing in the Spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Tim Stillman predicted in early July Arsenal still might bring in another senior player but whether that signing will be made, and which area of the team might still be strengthened \u201cwill be entirely decided by sales.\u201d Stillman\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/arseblog.com\/2023\/07\/arsenal-questions-for-pre-season\/\">new piece<\/a> provides excellent analysis of the tactical variables involved in integrating our new players into the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the last week or so, as I glanced over the transfer tattle stories, I realized that the news has turned upside-down, with Arsenal\u2019s business apparently done and dusted but many of their rivals still seeming to be scrambling for scraps. Arsenal do appear to have become much more effective in their business dealings over the last couple of seasons, but it would be nice to see a few more stories about other teams trying to toss cash at some of the players Arsenal want to offload. Unfortunately, it has all gone a bit quiet on that front since the Xhaka sale was announced. Current news reports indicate that Edu is still trying to get more than a slab of Italian sausage for any and all of Holding, Pepe, Tierney, Cedric, Sambi, and Nuno Tavares, so let\u2019s hope we can wave bon voyage to some of them soon, and Edu send his assistant to the bank with a hefty deposit slip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MLS All-Stars v Arsenal Match Report<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Wednesday night local time, Arsenal took on the MLS All-Stars in the Washington, DC neighborhood known as Buzzard Point.&nbsp;&nbsp;It may have sounded like the setting of a horror movie, but actually turned out to be more light comedy marked by the second half debuts by Timber and Rice, and played in a carnival atmosphere of intense humidity and MLS media hype. With two exceptions Arteta started the same team that played at Nurnberg, bringing in Gabriel Jesus and Jorginho in place of Nelson and Partey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Arsenal XI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Ramsdale<br>White &#8212; Saliba &#8212; Gabriel &#8212; Kiwior<br>Vieira &#8212; Jorginho &#8212; Trossard<br>Saka &#8212; Jesus &#8212; Nketiah<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Twice in the first 20 minutes Saliba got back to make a good recoveries when Arsenal looked to be in jeopardy, giving reason for optimism that his back injury is healed. In the fourth minute Jesus chipped a beauty off the far post making it 1-0 to the Arsenal, with Saka providing the assist after controlling an excellent long diagonal ball from Jorginho.<br>A few minutes later Saka found Trossard at the top of the box, and the Belgian took a touch to his right before lashing a lovely drive into the bottom corner to make it 2-0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On 27 minutes Jesus missed a good chance on a header at the far post where he was set up by a Trossard cross. Ramsdale was tested on 31 minutes and the All-Stars almost scored on the resulting corner but the ball trickled past the post before the referee called for a water break. Wayne Rooney, the MLS manager, used the break to make wholesale changes but Arteta made none for the Gunners. Nketiah drew two yellow cards for MLS defenders with powerful runs near the box, before Gabriel should have scored a header on the stroke of halftime from a lovely Trossard free kick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Havertz and \u00d8degaard replaced Nketiah and Saka at halftime, and Hein took over from Ramsdale. A few seconds into the half Jesus pinged the ball off a defender\u2019s hand, the referee pointed to the spot, and Jorginho converted his spot kick to make it 3-0 Arsenal. Trossard then hurt his knee in a collision so Arteta replaced him with Martinelli. On 65 minutes, Arteta introduced debutants Rice and Timber along with Balogun, Tomiyasu, Tierney, and Marquinhos in place of Kiwior, Jesus, Vieira, Jorginho, Saliba, and Gabriel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just before the second half hydration break Martinelli sent a ball high over the crossbar when he really should have scored, and Trusty made his Arsenal debut in place of White. \u00d8degaard sent a great through ball for Martinelli in the 84th minute, and the Brazilian used his skill, pace and cool to stroke the ball home at the far post making it 4-0. On 89 minutes Marquinhos, who looks a real player, sent in a cross to Havertz who finished at the near post making it 5-0 to the Arsenal, which is how the game ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this second match of the preseason the Arsenal players kept their concentration admirably, scored some delightful goals, never looked under much pressure, and even after numerous second half changes they dominated inferior opposition. It was a good night for the Arsenal, even as it\u2019s difficult to say on this evidence how well the team is progressing, but tonight\u2019s game against the Red Mancs should give us a better idea. To see the goals, or see them again, go to Jonathan Sigal\u2019s match report and scroll down to see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mlssoccer.com\/all-star\/2023\/news\/mls-all-stars-fall-to-premier-league-powerhouse-arsenal-fc\">links<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, can Arsenal actually win the league?&nbsp;Certainly they are capable of it, but their chances depend on many moving parts including injuries and the results their rivals.&nbsp;&nbsp;Whether they will win the league is a completely different question. But this week, when no less objective an observer than Arsene Wenger was asked about Arsenal\u2019s chances, he projected a remarkable degree of confidence in this prediction: \u201cI believe we will win the championship, it is as simple as that.\u201d&nbsp; Wenger tempered his enthusiasm slightly by acknowledging that Arsenal \u201cwill be under more pressure after last year\u201d but added \u201cthey have learned a lot and they can show they can deal with that pressure now.\u201d &nbsp;After watching the disappointments of the last two seasons when a young and slightly under-equipped team tailed off the pace in the last few weeks, needless to say I hope Le Professeur is correct in his prediction!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There will be plenty of twists and turns over the coming months, beginning later tonight against Manchester United, and in about two weeks the Community Shield against Manchester City. But it will be a fascinating watch to see how Arteta continues to mold these players to mount another title challenge now that Arsenal have proved their laurels as contenders, and they have brought in new talent to try to make up the few points that separated them from the top a few months ago. That\u2019s not even to consider our prospects in the Champions League and the two domestic cups, but our strengthening should certainly put us on a better footing in those competitions as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Much like you I suspect, I can\u2019t wait to get started. COYG!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Embed from Getty Images As Mikel Arteta begins his fourth full season in charge, Arsenal face a different challenge than they have seen in any recent Summer, having just finished their best season since the Invincibles took the league title in 2003\/04.&nbsp;&nbsp;Arsenal have been ambitiously focused on improving last year\u2019s model, even as a smattering [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[6,13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8056"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8056"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8056\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8094,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8056\/revisions\/8094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8056"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8056"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.goonerholicsforever.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8056"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}