PHASE 3: CHANGES ARE ACOMING

TOUGH PHASE OF THE SEASON INCOMING, BUT LOTS OF TOOLS TO DEFAT IT

I'm writing this on Saturday night at 8pm. I’ve got nothing. No idea where I’m going to take this. But in the writing game, when you’re in the red zone, you power through, hamstrings be damned. I’m Declan Rice out here – I NEVER GET INJURED (unless the sneeze is really big and unexpected).

All the major media outlets have dismissed the story about Martin Ødegaard having a setback. I find the whole thing deeply amusing. What happened with the ITK thing? Did someone just decide to completely lie about a setback, knowing they’d get found out? Or did someone get fed a massive whopper for absolutely no reason? Whatever it was, it’s not helpful to spread bad news... but as always, there are no consequences for being wrong on the internet.

Who knows what will happen with Martin’s injury return, but I suspect he’ll be back in the mix after the next international break. If he returns sooner, magic. If not, at least you won’t be heartbroken. Always remember, ITKs were throwing themselves in the fire this time last year saying things like “TIMBER MAKING A MIRACULOUS RECOVERY, COULD BE BACK IN DECEMBER” – and guess what? Yeah, you know.

We haven’t talked about phasing much this season because the first two have been a bit short. But we did mention the need for a fat haul in the opening five games.

Phase 1: 7 from 9
Impressive considering we went down to 10 men against Brighton and smacked up an impressive Villa side.

Phase 2: 10 from 12
A point away at City was huge, especially with 10 men. Spanking Spurs away was massive. Putting 7 goals past two relegation candidates was also awesome.

Phase 3: Bournemouth (a), Liverpool (h), Newcastle (a), Chelsea (a)
This is a beastly phase and maybe one that no one is really ‘deeping’ as the kids would say. Bournemouth might not have Solanke, but they still have a very good team, that has been in outrageous form since last November. They are a great counter-attacking side, their press is aggressive, it’s a very tough away game. Liverpool has had it VERY easy, but they’ve played themselves into form, and will be a formidable test at home. Then you have Newcastle, who have been very average, but Eddie Howe is clinging onto his job with some disgracefully disrespectful wins based on xG numbers. We cap the phase with Chelsea, young pretenders, finding form, playing great football, catching eyes.

I’m worried. That’s a tough run, not to mention Inter Milan away in the Champions League.

Good news? Newcastle and Chelsea away have always been painful fixtures. Get them out of the way while we’re in form, with our best players fit – I like that. The fixture gods haven’t been kind to us so far this season (THEY’VE BEEN A DISGRACE), but I’d prefer to take the pain up front and have it easier towards the end.

Phase 3 is going to be interesting for several reasons. The main one being the midfield is about to undergo a mini revolution. In my humble opinion, Thomas Partey will find himself benched by the start of the next international break, even if he stays fit. This phase might be known as the DeclaMernio phase. Arsenal are about to add more legs to the midfield and put dearest Declan back where he belongs... in that #6 role he played at West Ham.

The timing of this shift hasn’t happened when I expected, but with Bournemouth being the first game after the break, I think it might happen then. They’re lightning in transition, which doesn’t suit today’s Thomas Partey. Merino and Declan should give us more security – and Mikel Merino will hopefully bring something to the left side that it’s been lacking... a true left-sided #8.

This phase might also answer a few other questions:

• Who is our first-choice right back?

• Will Calafiori keep that left-side spot with Tomi and Zinchenko back in the mix?

• Can Jesus force some form back into those battle-weary legs?

• Is Bossard, who scored a screamer against Italy, the main man for the Ødegaard role – or will Ethan Nwaneri get a chance?

Arsenal will have a lot more options when we restart against Bournemouth, and that fills me with excitement.

To wrap this up LinkedIn-style: I’m both humbled and honoured that you chose to read this blog post, looking forward to this journey ahead, together, forever, I love you.

Check out the Therapy Sesh I dropped with Jacob yesterday.

SATURDAY THERAPY - SALIBA TO MADRID?

P.S. A lot of love for the podcast I did with Michael on culture. I weeped, knowing so many of you are culture nerds like me. I’ve booked a part two for November.

P.P.S. Check out this excellent author interview Matt did with David Arrowsmith for Narcoball: Love, death and football in Escobar's Colombia. Buy the book, support great football writers! x