You ever have one of those moments when you really hate yourself because something you’re doing is bringing you great joy and it’s actually a sign of age but you have to tell someone because it’s so good? I bought a new Swiffer and it’s amazing. They’ve reworked it to be more aesthetically pleasing, it glides with ease, and they’ve quietened the motor. Like going from gas guzzler to EV. It’s crazy this post isn’t even sponsored.
Now I’ve got that off my chest, let’s talk about Arsenal. A similar product issue… the base offering has been very good, but best-in-class, not really?
You’ve seen that there’s a narrative bubbling against fatigue this week, as well as a deeper focus on the ramp-up of injuries to key Arsenal players over the season. That blew up earlier when news leaked that Arsenal… sorry, >Arteta<… had hired a freelance specialist to help him work out what’s going on with all these injuries.
Absolutely hilarious that Mikel Arteta is allowed to hire one of his mates to find out why his team is dead in April every f*cking season. The pattern surely couldn’t be… something he’s doing?
That Arsenal are conducting an investigation into something so important by using someone Arteta is pals with also tells a story. Shouldn’t the club be doing this independently? The most expensive outlay Arsenal makes each season is players. Keeping them on the pitch is the most important thing a manager can do. If he’s not managing that, shouldn’t we be calling in someone who can be dispassionate, objective, and credible?
I’ve also found it quite interesting to hear Pep talk about his revelation about player fitness so openly these past few months. His latest instalment is quite specific about how he’s thinking this season.
“They can do whatever they want. If they want to travel to wherever, they are completely free. As long as they arrive back on Wednesday afternoon for training.
“I’ve learned in this country, as many days off [as you can have], the team plays better.
“Managers believe as much as you train, you play better, but I’m completely the opposite.
“You have to train, of course, but you also have to arrive fresh in the moment of the game. I’ve learned that. In the beginning, I trained a lot, but now it’s home and quality time.”
‘Other managers’ is Arteta. We know that because Arteta was asked a few months ago about letting players have a cocktail (because Pep sent his players away) and he said something to the tune of ‘no, we’ll be training as normal.’ We’ve also been given well-sourced intel from Miguel Delaney that Arteta doubles down on training and intensity when pressure is at the door.
Listen, we can get into this another day, but come the end of the season, you know what The Athletic will be pointing to if things don’t go well.
But, go well, we hope it does… and, I think if we do the job on Fulham today, we have a hand on the Premier League trophy, because the pressure on City will become extremely intense. They have three games that are horrible. Everton, Brentford, and Bournemouth. Three sides that can run, press, and bully. I would not want those games.
But, we have a soft view of Fulham, always forgetting, they cause us a lot of pain. They have our number. Luck always rolls their way. We have not been good against them. This game is not a slam dunk, especially after an emotionally draining away day in the Champions League.
We’re missing Kai and Timber. The German back next week, the Dutchman a huuuuge TBD as he fights back from injury. He will be back this season, well, that’s the hope.
The front three could involve Saka this weekend. Hopefully Martin Odegaard will shake off whatever his problem is. If not, we know Eze will be there, ready to do some seeeeerious damage.
This is what it’s all about… fighting for a Premier League title between a Champions League semi. I know you’re all dialled in because it doesn’t get better than this. Savour it. Look what happened to Liverpool and Chelsea this season. It’s gone as quick as it arrives. If you’re going to the game, get lagered up, and have a good time in the sunshine… we are so, so close… this might be a slog… but if we get the win, anything is possible!
Ok, that’s me done, see you in the comments. x