DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH

 

Saka, Tierney, ESR, AMN, Gabriel, RN, Martinelli, Willock, a plethora of young players at Arteta's disposal. They won't all be world beaters but they have bought a bit of zest to the stale bun that was Arsenal.

Young players are often 'no fear' players and you need a bit of endeavour to win matches. We seem to have gone from a team that was passive and risk averse in possession to a team that has more incision, more cajones when we have the ball.

It seems that at the end of last year there was a reliance on the experienced players to help the younger ones progress and that trust was misplaced. Now it is the young players that have given the older players a reality check about what is required to play for Arsenal Football Club

I felt, when we got him, that Willian would be a handy player to have in and around the squad, not a regular starter and in his absence we have won three in a row. I felt that Pepe had potential but he is going through a protracted settling in period (to say the least) but we don't miss him. I thought that Aubameyang would come good, and he probably will, but Lacazette has stepped into the breach. I Though that Gabriel's absence would be catastrophic but we have been solid in the middle of defence. I thought that Partey's injury would find us wanting but the Xhaka, Elneny, Ceballos rotation has coped.

Energy. That seems the major difference, the energy has changed and this is where we can get behind the team. A set of players trying is very different to a set of players sleepwalking through syrup.

I don't know what the second half of the season has in store but I hope that the youth of Arsenal continue to thrive, set the standard and are given the opportunity and time to do so.