LAURA WOODS: ARSENAL NEED TO BE MORE THAN A SET-PIECE TEAM
ARSENAL NEED TO GO FOR IT IN THE BIG GAMES
I am starting to wonder if Mikel Arteta is too safe in the big games.
I understand being cautious and pragmatic but, from a fan’s perspective, it’s not very enjoyable to watch.
If you want to win the title, you have to believe you are good enough to win the league and I just want Arsenal to go out there and express themselves on the opposition.
The defence is good enough now that they can be a bit more free-flowing and I just hope they are.
DON’T WANT GUNNERS PIGEON-HOLED AS SET-PIECE SIDE
I hear Arsenal being called a set-piece team and I don’t really like that.
It’s not an exciting way of describing the team you support.
I want to see exciting open-play matches which are won by Arsenal rather than going in with the mentality of not losing.
GYOKERES NEEDS TIME
I like Viktor Gyokeres. I can see why people are a bit frustrated with the start he’s made but I think his record speaks for itself and I believe he’ll deliver what we hope he will.
It’s very early to be making sweeping judgements about a player that’s so new to the Premier League and I think with a bit of time we’ll see the results.
PRICE TAG PUTS PRESSURE ON ISAK… BUT HE’LL DELIVER
Alexander Isak cost Liverpool a lot of money there’s no doubt about it but price tags are a funny thing in football.
The players can’t do anything about what clubs pay for them although there is clearly more pressure if you’re costing £100 million or more.
I look at what Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish and, whenever he had a bad game, the price tag was immediately brought up.
I don’t doubt Isak will do really well at Liverpool. He did amazingly at Newcastle in a team that isn’t as strong as Liverpool’s and you just look at the service he’s going to get at Anfield and it’s very hard not to think he’s going to be very productive.
THE SIGNING OF THE SEASON WILL BE…
So many top,top players have made moves over the summer, but I do think Isak will prove the best piece of business.
Liverpool are going to be fighting on so many fronts this season and look through their team now and think they could achieve it.
They’ve already got so much firepower and Hugo Ekitike has started really well but Isak gives them another dimension.
Providing he can stay fit, he’s going to get so many opportunities and expect him to slot in pretty seamlessly.
He’s joined a group of winners and I think that will elevate his game as well.
Alexander Isak to win the Premier League Golden Boot is 7/1 with BetMGM
SIGNING TO MAKE THE BIGGEST IMPACT WILL BE…
I expect Jack Grealish to have a fantastic season for Everton. He’s joined a team that needs him and one that he’ll start consistently in.
You can see from the start he’s made that he's enjoying his football again and that’s when you get the best version of Jack.
It just didn’t work at Manchester City. They do things in a very structured way and there isn’t really the opportunity to express yourself in the way that he wants.
He needs freedom and the chance to express himself. He’ll get that at Everton.
Jack Grealish to record most Premier League assists this season is 11/4 with BetMGM
THE YOUNG PLAYER TO WATCH THIS SEASON
Max Dowman looks pretty special doesn’t he?
He’s only 15 and everyone has their eyes on him. He seems to be progressing at a rate of knots and Mikel Arteta clearly already trusts him which probably tells you all you need to know about how good he could be.
GOLDEN GOALS MATCHDAY 4 SELECTIONS
Here’s what I’m thinking for the latest Golden Goals round:
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You can find out more about Golden Goals and play along here.
Golden Goals Terms & Conditions
Opt in & predict 6 correct scores (see game lobby for weekly tournament cut-off time) to win up to £250k jackpot. Predict 2+ correct scores and win a prize (ranging from Free Bets to £5k Prizepool). Winnings shared evenly in case of multiple winners. Each prize subject to its own terms. Void if 1 or more matches postponed/abandoned or not completed. Verification procedures apply. 18+. T&Cs and exclusions apply.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
