A tour through some key storylines for the season ahead, including Zubimendi's impact on the midfield, Gabriel Heinze’s influence in attack, summer business, and Arteta’s plan to "change the puzzle"
There isn’t a better football writer than Billy right now and I’m glad he writes about Arsenal.
I’m nervous about this start. If we lose against United after all the big teams won this weekend, it’s gonna start all the negative fans who want to complain. I’m still scarred from how many things went against us last year and praying the refs/injuries/red cards/variance don’t kill us again.
A big win tomorrow against an improved but defensively weak United would assuage a lot of my fears.
Fantastic post, mate 👏 Excited to see how it plays out.
I am already in love with the Zubimendi-Rice combination in midfield, and I keep thinking about the 4-box-2 shape you've posted before; I cannot escape the idea that a Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard, Havertz box feels like the most 'Arteta' system possible, but then raises the question of how Gyökeres fits in.
Got to this one a little late but really loved it. So thorough and I'm even more excited for the season to come.. just makes the seemingly imminent Eze signing seem even better!
For me it's got something to do with being able to change a match on their own, against the run of play, probably more through moments than a sustained level although ideally both.
So that would be Saka, Jesus and Calafiori 🤔 Given the latters’ fitness levels it’s like 1.5 Unicorn Player available for the starting eleven ☹️ Hopefully, Ethan, Myles and Dowman will add their names to list soon enough.
Really generous and detailed ruminations as always Billy, thanks. I’m eager for us to have enough in-season data for a piece on Calafiori, and have him as a dark horse for the season if fit. (I’m also craving a Warren Zaire-Emery pre-contract in Jan for next summer so we can have more comparable future-proof cover for our unicorn, Zubimendi, as Mosquera offers Saliba).
There isn’t a better football writer than Billy right now and I’m glad he writes about Arsenal.
I’m nervous about this start. If we lose against United after all the big teams won this weekend, it’s gonna start all the negative fans who want to complain. I’m still scarred from how many things went against us last year and praying the refs/injuries/red cards/variance don’t kill us again.
A big win tomorrow against an improved but defensively weak United would assuage a lot of my fears.
Fantastic post, mate 👏 Excited to see how it plays out.
I am already in love with the Zubimendi-Rice combination in midfield, and I keep thinking about the 4-box-2 shape you've posted before; I cannot escape the idea that a Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard, Havertz box feels like the most 'Arteta' system possible, but then raises the question of how Gyökeres fits in.
I did not need a boner at 8AM in the morning. Dammit Billy
Simply brilliant Billy.
Reading this post was the best 30 mins of the day. Amazing from Billy, as ever
Great as always Billy, you are the (my) gospel for football opinions so I am glad you are hopeful too... Like the design on some of the new charts!
super nervous as we look good, great additions but the next small step up to winning is the biggest. Love your work as usual Billy. COYG!
So, is Billy really an important piece of my Arsenal supporting lore?
Nope. Arsenal is an important piece of my Billy supporting lore.
🫶
Got to this one a little late but really loved it. So thorough and I'm even more excited for the season to come.. just makes the seemingly imminent Eze signing seem even better!
Thank you very much, Owen. Always appreciate your comments and kind words.
another masterpiece from the best in the game 👏
Gyokeres to help get the lead and Havertz to protect it =^._.^=
Need Eze lad. It's hurting my heart,
Please - him or rodrygo as we are cooking this year. That left wing is not optimal.
Him going to Spurs would make me very sad. Hoping it’s all just negotiating and nonsense right now
!
Is there a more exact definition of “Unicorn Players “ or is it more of a you know them when you see them kind of thing?
For me it's got something to do with being able to change a match on their own, against the run of play, probably more through moments than a sustained level although ideally both.
So that would be Saka, Jesus and Calafiori 🤔 Given the latters’ fitness levels it’s like 1.5 Unicorn Player available for the starting eleven ☹️ Hopefully, Ethan, Myles and Dowman will add their names to list soon enough.
Really generous and detailed ruminations as always Billy, thanks. I’m eager for us to have enough in-season data for a piece on Calafiori, and have him as a dark horse for the season if fit. (I’m also craving a Warren Zaire-Emery pre-contract in Jan for next summer so we can have more comparable future-proof cover for our unicorn, Zubimendi, as Mosquera offers Saliba).