It has been busy day for me, so I couldn’t publish today’s post in the usual morning time, but better late than never eh?
Arsenal got their preseason campaign underway against Bournemouth, and despite sharing the spoils in regulation time, we had to go through the lottery of penalty shootouts, with Jakub Kiwior scoring the goal that granted Mikel Arteta’s side the victory. It was nice to get a good glimpse of the away Adidas kit, and in all honesty, I’m not really impressed. The black and green doesn’t bode well with me, but it is what it is. What matters are the victories we get wearing the kit, not the kit itself.
Fabio Vieira scored a very good goal, showing off his amazing technique but that’s not news. We have always known Vieira as a technical wizard, but the concern is how he has found chances to impress few and far between. Yes, Arteta hardly rotates his squad, but there are encounters I expected Vieira to get a runout, but unfortunately, they didn’t pan out. He started only three games in the Premier League and was brought on as a sub nine times. He never started any Champions League game, even the dead rubber against PSV Eindhoven in Matchday 6, but if my memory serves me right, he had some injury troubles as well.
With Emile Smith Rowe set to leave the club for a record deal to Fulham, Vieira will have one less player to worry about in his playing position, but I don’t think he may ever be good enough to nail a starting berth. However, I’m sure he will be keen to contribute to the cause this season.
Elsewhere, Karl Hein had a good game in goal. Sure, he was a bit exposed as he didn’t have Gabriel or William Saliba in front of him, but when he was called up to make a save or two, he came through. He will certainly be disappointed by the goal he conceded though. Antoine Semenyo’s drive deflected off Ben White’s foot and looped over him into the net, despite his desperate attempt to make a save. He was decent in the penalty shootout (Dango Ouattara’s panenka was disgusting), and his save from Ryan Christie’s spot kick paved the way for Kiwior to score the game clincher. Your guess is as good as mine if he’s going to serve as David Raya’s deputy following Aaron Ramsdale’s inevitable departure, but Arsenal has been linked with a couple of keepers, so there’s that.
Eddie Nketiah had so many touches in the opposition danger area but failed to bury his efforts. Seemed like someone playing with his mind elsewhere. Maybe I’m saying this because of the constant speculation linking Nketiah with a move to Olympique Marseille, but in all honesty, he’s living on borrowed time. He has played second fiddle for so long and with the likes of his mates. Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe looking towards the exit door, maybe it’s time to leave too.
The penalty shootout was a nice touch, adding to the successes Arsenal has had recently, with the Community Shield victory and knockout round victory over FC Porto last season. It’s evident that our lads practice penalties with regularity and we are seeing some success on the pitch of play.
I guess it’s just the waiting game for Riccardo Calafiori’s official announcement, and Smith Rowe’s imminent exit.
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