focus

At the moment high of the desk, Arsenal have had a superb begin to this season and appear to be prime contenders for the title. What would you say are the important thing variations from earlier seasons?

The plain one can be personnel. Arsenal have introduced in gamers who’ve elevated our present model of play and crucially provided us a method of breaking down defences in a method we merely couldn’t do final 12 months.

The squad depth we’ve additionally signifies that nevertheless an opposition units up in opposition to us, we’ve an answer and a method of successful. There’s a tactical versatility we simply didn’t have final 12 months.

Mikel Arteta is underneath enormous strain to ship a league title with Arsenal – do you’re feeling just like the membership might be rewarded for his or her endurance to let him develop a group over time?

Hopefully sure, and it’s been refreshing to see within the fashionable recreation that he has been given time to make errors and study from them.

Folks neglect that that is Arteta’s first managerial position. Sure, he learnt from one of the best in Pep Guardiola however there’s a enormous distinction between working with a pacesetter and being a pacesetter your self. The membership clearly purchased into his imaginative and prescient early on which is why he’s nonetheless right here.

Arsenal improved their depth massively with the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres and extra – how have they acquired up to now?

Martin Zubimendi arrived with out a lot fanfare because it was reported that the switch had been agreed again in January, however he has been distinctive.

Viktor Gyokeres has began effectively and it’s maybe solely in his absence now he’s injured that we are able to actually assess how priceless he’s to Arsenal.

It’s an enormous disgrace Madueke suffered an harm so early on as he appeared very sharp in his first few appearances, whereas Eze is de facto beginning to mattress into this group. No complaints from me, mainly!

Declan Rice is one participant I really feel has actually turn out to be world class and has actually raised his recreation – what makes him so essential for Arsenal?

There may be virtually nothing that Declan Rice can’t do. He’s as vital to us in defence as he’s assault, mixed with a degree of health which means he merely by no means stops working.

A lot has been product of Arsenal’s reliance on set-pieces however this has solely been achieved by the standard of deliveries Rice is ready to constantly present. £105m? Priceless, extra like.

With Gyokeres now injured, the query might be who will step in up high for Arsenal? Do you suppose we’ll see the return of Mikel Merino in that place?

Fairly probably. Merino scored a brace in Arsenal’s midweek Champions League recreation in opposition to Slavia Prague so it feels inevitable that he’ll be known as upon to play upfront once more.

The Spaniard remains to be such an enigma to loads of us however he’s changing into an actual clutch participant and even when we don’t totally perceive his place or position, we don’t actually thoughts!

Granit Xhaka may have blended opinions amongst Arsenal followers from his tenure in North London. What was your preliminary response when he joined Sunderland and the way would you summarise his time with Arsenal?

I’ve nothing however love and respect for Granit Xhaka.

The night time he was booed off the pitch on the Emirates was probably the most shameful moments as an Arsenal fan. He was merely a scapegoat for an general sad and underperforming squad. His renaissance in his final two seasons for Arsenal was sensational and to return again from that terrible second needs to be revered.

It’s nice to see him again within the Premier League and completely thriving with Sunderland as a result of he’s clearly a born chief. (Please don’t rating in opposition to us although…)

Dan Ballard by no means made it previous U21 degree for Arsenal and has made his method again to the Premier League since becoming a member of Sunderland. Did you count on him to succeed in this degree once more as soon as he had extra expertise underneath his belt?

Ballard has at all times spoken kindly about his time at Arsenal, even when finally it didn’t work out.

His story is a extremely fascinating one because it speaks to perseverance and dedication over a protracted time period to get to the place he’s at present, which is refreshing in a world the place we’re obsessive about short-term outcomes and prompt gratification.

His profession path needs to be proof to younger footballers all over the place that skilled sport is a marathon and never a dash, and so long as you might be studying then you might be shifting ahead.

Sunderland presently sit inside the Champions League spots which has been a dream begin – what have you ever product of our new look facet underneath Regis Le Bris?

Sunderland totally should be the place they’re as a result of they’ve proven a bravery in how they play that we don’t usually see from promoted sides.

The win at Chelsea was an important instance of how a excessive press may be efficient. There’s a steadiness to Sunderland each out and in of possession that appears extra like a facet very used to grinding out leads to the Premier League, moderately than a promoted facet seeking to steal factors the place they will.

Other than set-piece dominance, how would you describe Arsenal’s presently model of play underneath Arteta?

Arsenal’s present model of play is to fully suffocate the opponent.

‘Boring boring Arsenal’ has been the phrase of this season however there’s a phenomenal degree of ability and organisation that Arsenal preserve to limit the opposition to so few probabilities.

Upfront, Arsenal have the power to be each managed but in addition explosive and quick. If a group sits again, we’ll possible hit them with a set-piece. If they provide us area, we’ve the velocity to hit them on the counter and get in behind. The depth is genuinely relentless.

Are any gamers lacking and who do you suppose Arteta will choose?

We now have a worrying variety of attacking accidents so Arteta gained’t have an enormous selection in who he picks to face Sunderland.

Fortunately the again line stays pretty steady and has been phenomenal, however up entrance I feel we’ll see a entrance three of Trossard, Merino, and Saka. Gabriel Martinelli could effectively discover a spot on the bench however with Gyokeres, Madueke, Havertz and Odegaard all nonetheless out, there isn’t an enormous quantity of wiggle room.

Sunderland’s final win over Arsenal got here within the FA Cup again in 2012 – what’s your rating prediction for this time round?

This might be tight. Sunderland are prone to be probably the most difficult group Arsenal have confronted within the Premier League for the reason that finish of September. I think Arsenal’s clear sheet file could also be underneath risk, however I’m nonetheless going for a 2-1 Arsenal win.