The Arsenal excites everyone it seems, its fans, football lovers, neutrals, the broadcasters, even the Premier League bosses. That is why, for the 3rd straight season we kick off the League. We were first off the blocks in 2017/18 too. I don't remember such intricate details for the seasons before then. May be because those were forgettable times. There is genuine reason for optimism now though, notwithstanding the internet divisions around the capability of the manager. I say internet because after a long time there seems to be a greater connection between the match going supporters and the entire football personnel - players and staff. Rightly so too, we have done extremely well with recruitment in recent seasons. There is some very exciting talent in the squad right now and positivity around the direction of the club.
We have had a good pre-season, the off-field distractions with one player aside. The players have looked sharp - physically and tactically. We have played with confidence and freedom. I hope it can translate to similar performances in the opening few weeks. The start against Brentford last season still rankles. We had no business turning up with the lethargy we did. We missed players then but it looks like we have a fully fit squad now so there are no excuses. Palace have proved to be a very tricky opponent in the recent past. We have beaten them only once in the last 7 meetings, a last minute winner from Martinelli from an Odegaard assist that Messi would be proud off. Our loss at their place at the backend of the season gone was personally one of the most demoralizing defeats in recent memory. They have looked a well coached side under Vieira and have bought well in the market too. They are physical, press well and the fans can get loud in their compact stadium.
Our line-up is very likely to be:
---------------------------Ramsdale-----------------------------
White---------Saliba---------------Gabriel---------Zinchenko
----------------------------Partey--------------------------------
-------------Odegaard--------------Xhaka----------------------
Saka-------------------------Jesus--------------------Martinelli
That's a tasty line-up on paper. I was up for signing Jesus the moment the links started showing up and he hasn't disappointed so far. If anything, it has been better than I thought. He looks hungry for goals, the other parts of his game have always been very refined. He will contribute to our press, our movement and fluidity. I can't wait to see Saliba in the League. As good as he is, I will still be surprised if there aren't bumps on the way. We have a generational talent in our backline though. I want to see Vieira too and it will be interesting to see how the players have developed individually and collectively. I wasn't able to change my doubts over Arteta's ceiling into enthusiasm last season, like some did, but it's very likely he would have improved too, as a young manager learning on the job. I hope by the end of this season I can join in the chorus on a song for him too.
I can't wait for the week to fly and the season to start. The last time we opened our season against Palace was 2014/15. I watched the game with Captain at a bar in Bali. We won 2-1 through an injury time winner from Ramsey having looked off the pace all game. This was a week after thrashing City 3-0 in the Community Shield, following a good pre-season and signing Alexis in the summer.
Cautious optimism for what is to come 🙂
