Morning all.
Another Friday, another press conference, another day before a game, and today we’ll find out who’s fit and available for the trip to Stoke tomorrow. There’s already some absolute nonsense in the papers as they try to whip up a Shawcross frenzy.
You’ll know I’m hardly a fan of the bloke but saying that their fans don’t really like us and that he hopes the atmosphere will be ‘buzzing’ is hardly a declaration of war. Let’s be realistic, our record there isn’t great, we’ve found it a difficult place to go at times, and that’s likely to be the case again tomorrow. The crotchety nature of Arsene Wenger’s relationship with Tony Pulis is more than mirrored by the one with Mark Hughes so it’s going to be a scrap. But then we know that, forewarned is forearmed and all that. Get Flamini tooled up, what?
There’s some interesting stuff from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain about the impact Alexis has had on him as a player. I’ve commented before about how he seems to have risen to the ‘challenge’ of the Chilean’s displays and tried to go with him, rather than sit back, smoke a pipe and admire what he does from close range. Talking to BT Sport, he said:
It has been an eye-opener for me. To make it to the top and to be able perform like he does week in, week out you have got to be an absolute winner and you never want to lose at all. He is not happy when he doesn’t score. If I scored as many goals as he has at this stage, I’d be over the moon.
So, we’re not questioning the professionalism of the Ox or anything like that, but it’s telling that he’s acknowledged the attitude and desire of Alexis has been an ‘eye-opener’. You can be 100% professional and do your job to the best of your ability, but perhaps there’s a tendency to look at it as just a job, and to compartmentalise games. When it’s done it’s done and you go to the next one, rather than looking to improve, do better, make more of an impact in the next one.
Although he had a quiet game against Southampton, I think we’ve seen a more positive Oxlade-Chamberlain this season. Someone who is willing to take a few more risks in his desire to get forward. Like Alexis he’s beginning to provide some thrust in the final third and if he continues on this trajectory he’s going to give the manager some thinking to do about how to fit him into the team on a regular basis. AW has always said long-term he’s likely to end up in central midfield, but he’s able to produce and perform from wide positions too.
The only thing I’d say is that he could be a little more clinical in front of goal. Two goals from 19 appearances isn’t quite as good as it should be, but it’s also worth remembering he only turned 21 in August. It feels like he’s been around for a long time but having started so early, and as a player yet to nail down a regular starting position, I think there’s mitigation for his scoring stats. It does feel like he’s having a season in which he makes some good strides forward, so let’s hope that continues.
It’s also worth considering what happens to him as and when Theo Walcott is available again. He’s played most of his football on the right hand side this season, but that’s obviously where Walcott is likely to play when fit. That’s going to be an interesting one. And speaking of Theo, Tim Stillman’s column on the England man and his role/stature in the side is well worth a read this morning. Things have moved on since he signed his last deal, and I agree he doesn’t have such a strong hand this time around following the investment in the attacking area of the squad.
On the plus side, it’s genuinely competitive now, so it should provide the right environment for the best players to flourish, and I’m genuinely curious to see how all this plays out. Now a couple of quick things before we get on with this week’s Arsecast.
1 – Per Mertesacker is a dude, we know that already, but this made me laugh a lot. I’ll happily stand corrected by the BFG, and that he followed it up with a Tweet was pretty awesome too. He’s definitely now in my top 5, I think at the expense of burgers. Sorry burgers, you’re ace and everything, but there’s other good stuff to eat and I still need beer, bacon, bourbon and puppies in my life.
2 – I know it’s a bit early in December for this, but you know what Christmas post systems are like. If you were looking to get a copy of Together: the story of Arsenal’s unbeaten season for somebody (or yourself), it’d be worth making the order as soon as possible. Firstly, because stocks are dwindling somewhat (the limited part of limited edition is really coming into play now!), and secondly we need to get them out so they’ll get there in time. This applies in particular to people outside Europe, where delivery is slower.
You can order the book here. If you’re in London, or close by, there are still some signed copies left in The Tollington so you can pick one up on match day or any other day when you might be passing. And remember, it is available as an ebook from iTunes – Google Play – Amazon Kindle – Kobo and an audiobook available here (please read the details on how to order beforehand!).
Right then, time for the Arsecast, and on this week’s show I’m joined by some bloke you haven’t heard of before. Ok, you have. It’s James from Gunnerblog but this isn’t an Arsecast Extra, it’s still a regular Arsecast. He joins me on very short notice to discuss the midweek win over Southampton, resting Alexis at some point, Emi Martinez and the upcoming trip to Stoke. You can win goodies from Savile-Rogue and a copy of the Arseblog book, along with all the usual waffle.
Don’t forget, you can get a 10% discount at check-out from Savile-Rogue (check out their Arsenal stuff here), by using the code ARSEBLOG14. Can’t argue with that!
You can subscribe to the Arsecast on iTunes by clicking here. Or if you want to subscribe directly to the feed URL you can do so too (this is a much better way to do it as you don’t experience the delays from iTunes).
To download this week’s Arsecast directly click here – 29mb MP3. The Arsecast is also available on our SoundCloud channel, as well as via the SoundCloud app for iPhone and Android. You can now also find it on the Stitcher podcasting app for iOS and Android. Or, you can listen without leaving this page by using the player below.
Download – iTunes – Stitcher
Ok, we’ll have all the updates and news from the press conference this morning over on Arseblog News. More from me tomorrow.
Until then.
