Kevin Whitcher
Ok, so some random notes on the game that was played yesterday in Singapore…
Ozil – played further forward some of the time, in tandem with Aubameyang, but also had the freedom to come deep and get involved. It did feel more like a 4-4-2 for much of the time though, with the wide attacking players covering back. Perhaps this is the solution to the Ozil problem. He looked a better player based on this performance, although that of course has to be tempered with…
PSG’s starting eleven. I’d heard of three of them – Buffon, Diarra (once at Arsenal for less than six months, now playing at centre back) and Rabbiot (a one-time Wenger target). However, for the most part, Arsenal were facing their under-23 team. Emery would have been familiar with the players that were at PSG the previous season, whilst his opposite number Thomas Tuchel is naturally way behind on that front. So victory should not have surprised too many, given the comparative strengths of the squads, having said that…
After a cracking opening goal scored by Ozil from Aubameyang’s cross, Arsenal spurned a number of excellent chances. It was a pre-season friendly, and they came good in the end anyway, but it was a weakness in their game last season and a little more clinical finishing would not go amiss.
Pace… or the lack of it. In the second half both Kolasinac and Sokratis were caught napping by PSG’s Timothy Weah. They played a high line, as did PSG. In that respect they were better opponents than Atletico Madrid two days previously because they were able to play the ball in behind PSG’s defence. However, at times, this tactic was equally well utilized by their opponents, and this led to the left back’s concession of a penalty kick, and an equalizer.
Bring on the kids! Amongst the youngsters that came on were Emile Smith-Rowe and Eddie Nketiah. The latter was credited by the TV broadcasters with two goals – as one that was probably Lacazette’s was finished off by the Nketiah when it already looked over the line. A decent contribution anyway. Smith-Rowe was even more impressive than on Thursday, although PSG’s tactics presented him with the opportunity to run into space on either flank to provide good crosses, one of which led to Arsenal taking a 2-1 lead when Lacazette met the ball. He shows a natural football intelligence with his runs. Will Emery trust him in the Premier League? Is it worth having him on the bench? No-one wants to see a Jack Wilshere style burnout, but the boy looks like a bit of a player. Maybe double-barreled surnames are the future, as Maintland-Niles may well figure more next season. By now the formation was a more familiar 4-2-3-1, but he filled the number 10 role wonderfully.
Visit Rwanda. On this lime green kit, the sleeve sponsors looked far more prominent. The first two words I associate with Rwanda are genocide and machetes. The next two are Andy Kershaw (I don't expect too many of our readers to know why, but there it is). What were the club thinking? Honestly? To the best of my knowledge the president (albeit a Gooner) has a lot of questions about how he has remained in power. There is an argument that spending £30 million on the sleeve sponsorship will make the country £300 million from extra visitors. If any Gooners are planning a holiday there, do let us know, we’d be intrigued.
Those patterned Arsenal shirt numbers. Remember the IKEA adverts for chucking out the chintz? What next, a paisley away strip? The mind boggles.
The green away kit. Not sure about this one, but you know what, in time we’ll have gone through every colour in the rainbow. The acid test is how many people will actually buy it. I’ll be watching the stands at home and away games to see. Some will, and I do have a polo shirt this colour somewhere. Is it Arsenal? No. Does that make a blind bit of difference to the kit designers? No. Will I be buying it? At those prices? Come on people. On principle I am reluctant to pay for the privilege of being a walking billboard for anyone.
I’ll leave it there. Good win, some nice goals, but won’t count for toffee on August 12th. Still, this season I am actually watching the pre-season matches. That is something that probably hasn’t happened since the days the club were back at Highbury, so that’s progress by any measure.
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