Kevin Whitcher's Arsenal Blog

Manchester City 5 Arsenal 0   Premier League   Saturday 28th August 2021   12.30pm     Before the game, interviewed by BT Sport, Mikel Arteta explained that the policy of buying young and building for the future was one that came from above, and one he is charged with carrying out. So, develop a fresh team to lay the foundations for a healthy future. A rebuild. We can understand the need to do this, given how far Arsenal have declined since falling out of the top four in 2017.   However, there are a number of questions that need asking regarding how this is going to work. 1 – Is Arteta the right coach to carry this kind of project through? 2 – Are the decision makers above him able to make the right choices to support any coach faced with this challenge? 3 – Do Arsenal have the right profile of experienced player for younger squad members to learn from? For this observer, the answer to all three of the above would be no. Which, if I am proved correct, ...

West Bromwich Albion 0 Arsenal 6     League Cup 2nd Round     Wednesday 26th August 2021   8pm     Given the two starting line-ups, a defeat at the Hawthorns would have been pretty much unthinkable, and in a sense, although a competitive match, there was a feeling of a pre-season run-out to this cup tie. West Brom’s priority is unquestionably returning to the Premier League, and as such it was evident – with 46 league matches to play, that progress in this competition was – although not undesired – of little importance. One suspects in the case of an upset, a similar team would be fielded in the next round by Baggies’ manager Valerien Ismael.   However, given the gap in experience and talent, the 6-0 win was about right. The home side certainly pressed quite hard early on, and came very close to scoring at 0-0. But ultimately their high line played into Arsenal’s hands as balls played in behind into acres of space allowed the forwards to capitalis...

  Arsenal 0 Chelsea 2   Premier League   Sunday 22nd August 4.30pm    Was anyone really that surprised about this result? It was not so much a wake-up call as a confirmation of reality. Arsenal have gradually drifted into the second tier of clubs in the Premier League over the course of a few seasons, as a new ‘top four’ has been established – sides that tend to take the Champions League spots, with the odd aberration. Spurs and Leicester knock on the door. Arsenal are trying to get through the garden gate at present.   In terms of yesterday – injuries, COVID and ineligibility certainly affected Arsenal more than Chelsea, added to the fact that the visitors’ squad is much deeper in terms of quality. Everyone has high hopes for Martinelli, but they are hopes for a reason – we don’t know yet. Thomas Tuchel was able to play Romelu Lukaku as his centre forward. A symbol of the gap – in this game at least. Normally, Lacazette or Aubameyang would make t...

Brentford 2 Arsenal 0   Premier League   Friday 13th  August 2021   8pm   This will fly over the heads of many, but for some reason, in recent days, the 1984 track  “Oh! Brother!” by Manchester indie band The Fall has been in my head, possibly inspired by family events, but let’s not go there. However, it seemed an apt tune for last night’s fiasco at Brentford’s new stadium. The chorus goes… “Oh little brother! We’re in a mess! Don’t look at me that way Don’t put me to the test” I actually played it after getting home from the game and it gave me a lot more enjoyment than the performance of Mikel Arteta’s team in west London. There wasn’t much optimism going into the new campaign, largely as a consequence of Arsenal failing to do enough business in the transfer market before the Premier League kicked off, and a disappointing pre-season. However, even where there is not confidence, there is always a glimmer of hope. That candle didn’t flicker...