Hey of us, I’m nonetheless right here in Singapore. My flight is kind of a bit later than I initially thought so Lewis is off the hook right now.
I used to be on the recreation final night time, a 3-2 win over Newcastle on the Nationwide Stadium, so like we did towards AC Milan, listed here are some observations.
Massive Vik arrived
From what I collect, Viktor Gyokeres mainly bought off a flight from London to Singapore, bought whisked to the stadium, stated a couple of hellos behind the scenes, then pulled on his quantity 14 shirt and bought introduced to the group because the membership’s newest signing. As you’d think about, the reception he acquired was unbelievable. He walked onto the pitch, did some waves, walked off once more and that was that.
I don’t know you possibly can ask rather more from him within the circumstances, however clearly now he’s with the squad for the ultimate leg of the tour. They head to Hong Kong tomorrow, and it’s not not possible that he may make an precise look towards Sp*rs, however I’m positive he’ll be correctly assessed when it comes to his health and readiness to do this.
Kai Havertz
Everybody’s understandably excited in regards to the new man, and all of us hope he’ll be an enormous success, however perhaps his arrival places a little bit of strain on Kai Havertz. That doesn’t need to be a foul factor, and within the first half yesterday he supplied the help for Mikel Merino’s neatly taken equaliser, and it was his cross from the left that led to the personal purpose to make it 2-1.
Ideally you need each Havertz and Gyokeres to play an enormous half this season. We’ve discovered the exhausting manner asking an excessive amount of of our gamers results in accidents, and I don’t assume the German is the type of man who will simply sulk or let his head drop as a result of there’s one other participant who’s a viable possibility for his place.
Newcastle are bodily
Afterwards, Mikel Arteta stated video games like this are usually not friendlies, calling them ‘a check’ as a substitute. Which I get. This recreation was performed at a better tempo than the one towards AC Milan, and I believe dealing with Premier League opposition calls for extra from you for varied causes. Nonetheless, I’ll say I questioned the knowledge of taking part in a staff who like to go away a bit in in too many challenges.
You would argue it’s a part of our preparation, it gained’t be any totally different after we face them within the Premier League, however whenever you see Joelinton come on and slap a 15 12 months outdated within the face – having simply achieved the identical factor to Merino a couple of seconds earlier – it may possibly get a bit irritating. Significantly after accidents derailed our final season. Fortunately, not one of the challenges dealt any critical injury, nevertheless it wasn’t for the dearth of attempting from one or two of the Newcastle gamers.
As a small apart Elliot and I walked previous their assistant supervisor Jason Tindall in Singapore yesterday as we went to go for lunch. He seems like a twat up shut too.
Ricardo Calafiori
I loved his first 45 minutes, and it’s attention-grabbing that Mikel Arteta has began him in each video games out right here. He clearly needs to offer him central defensive minutes as there’s nonetheless some doubt as to when precisely Gabriel will probably be 100% match. Early within the second half although, he went down with no person round him, and needed to come off. He went straight down the tunnel, not wanting too glad.
Afterwards, Arteta described it as a ‘tweak’, however of what we don’t know. Hopefully it’s nothing critical, however maybe greater than anybody else, the Italian actually wanted an injury-free pre-season to offer some reassurance – for himself and for us as followers. After final season it’s exhausting to not fear. There’s an excellent participant there, however issues about his reliability/availability will proceed if he’s sidelined once more.
Max Dowman (once more)
Identical to towards AC Milan, he got here on and impressed. This was much more hanging although, doing it towards Premier League opposition relatively than a Serie A aspect who mainly ambled their manner by way of the earlier recreation. He had two photographs which the keeper did effectively to avoid wasting, and the burst and run which gained the penalty – desperately pushed down by Joelinton – was sensational. The mix of ability and tempo was breathtaking.
Requested about him afterwards, Arteta stated:
It’s particular. Clearly what he’s achieved right now towards this staff within the time that he had on the pitch is one thing definitely not widespread to witness for a 15-year-old.
As you may think, Arsenal are eager to maintain the hype to a minimal due to his age. However for those who’re going to play him in a excessive profile pre-season pleasant and he does what he did final night time, individuals are going to speak. Followers, the press, podcasters, everybody. I get the necessity to hold a lid on it due to his age, he can’t even signal skilled phrases till he turns 17 (however that’s not till the top of 2026), however we’re seeing one thing a bit particular right here and I believe it’s alright to say that out loud.
Singapore
Just a few ultimate ideas alone keep right here, relatively than the match final night time. An enormous thanks to everybody I met for his or her welcome and hospitality. It’s at all times wonderful to attach with followers from everywhere in the world, and there have been so a lot of them right here this week. I’ve had such a good time, and I can’t wait to return again right here once more. On prime of all the things else, the meals is simply so good!
Proper, I’ll go away it there. Andrew Allen will probably be on weblog obligation tomorrow, and hopefully – if we are able to line issues up when it comes to timing/tiredness/jet-lag – we’ll have a podcast for you too.
For now, have a superb one!
