To be fair, in football, the change is rarely thorough. The two players that Arsenal have signed contracts this summer, who bring different qualities – Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke – have just been with us for a few weeks. They need time, other players need time, and coach Mikel Arteta also needs some time.
Of course, the problem for Mikel Arteta is that he still has to produce results while the players get acquainted with new teammates, and those rookies must learn to integrate. He needs time, but he really doesn't have much time. Especially Gyokeres requires you to do something different from the arrangement of squad and how to build the ball.
As a team that has been playing with each other for many years, Arsenal has been familiar with keeping the ball in areas where we need to start passing the ball faster. There are a few moments in the defeat of Villarreal, Arsenal should have passed the ball up faster after Gyokeres made a running phase, but we were not used to the striker of our striker that could be so fast. Therefore, the players have rotated the ball in a safe and familiar way that many people are annoyed. At least, those moments will be helpful for the analysis after the match.
Of course, it is not unmistakable, but that change is likely to gradually instead of immediately. I am sure that it makes sense to most people, but we are living in a world with high expectations and the result is important. At the beginning of the new season we are heavy in my mind, I cannot lie. It is difficult, and there are very few rooms for today's Premier League errors.
So, while people are hoping for a magic system to free our new strikers, I think a little patience is necessary. If, during that time, we create better results than the performance, it will be easier to accept. I don't think you need me to present an alternative plan, but I hope we will have a good week on the training ground and show a more encouraging performance before MU in the opening match of the Premier League.
In another development, there was a series of Golden Ball nominations for the Arsenal women's team, a testament to the performances that led to the Champions League championship in May. There are 4 male players who are also nominated in the corresponding category, and although I think the individual awards in football are not really important, it is a praiseworthy recognition for all the people involved. Myles Lewis-Skelly has no chance to confront someone like Lamine Yamal for the young player award, but it shows how he has exploded for the past 9 months.
And that is the most obvious evidence that the time can have a positive impact if you own a complete system. Arsenal are having a winning formula, we also have a winning resource with Gyokeres, the missing is just a little time.
