Stretty News spoken to Arsenal fan and Caught Offside editor Mark Brus ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at the Emirates.
Manchester United travel down south after winning two of our opening three matches this season. After losing away to Tottenham Hotspur, Erik ten Hag has a point to prove on the road this season.
Sunday would be a good time to do that.
Arsenal finished runners up last season and added high profile players to their squad over the summer.
To gather a perspective on all things Arsenal, I spoke to Mark Brus, who is an avid Gunner.
Arsenal were runners-up last season and Mikel Arteta had added some big names to his squad. Can the manager deal with the pressure?
Mark: “It’s definitely a new challenge for Arteta now, because we over-achieved last season. We’re yet to see how well he copes with being one of the favourites, and, arguably, the early signs aren’t great – we only narrowly beat Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace and drew at home to Fulham. It’s possible that we’ll soon settle into a slightly new-look system, but it might also be that Arteta has got a bit ahead of himself, thinking he can tinker and be experimental with his tactics like Pep, when the reality is we’re still a long way off being at that level.”
What’s the general feeling among Arsenal fans about the season ahead?
Mark: “You could definitely feel the optimism go down after Jurrien Timber’s injury. He was a key part of how we were going to play and his versatility gave us good options at the back. Now it’s back to the drawing board a bit and we maybe should’ve done more to react before Deadline Day. Still, the mood remains pretty good, with a real sense of relief to be back in the Champions League after six years.”
Tell us about Arsenal this summer: incomings/outgoings?
Mark: “Declan Rice is the big signing and he’s started really well, but the Timber injury has definitely derailed things. Apart from that, a lot of our deals bring more questions than answers – Kai Havertz looks low on confidence and it’s not clear what his role is supposed to be. Maybe he can turn things around but the fanbase is already growing impatient. David Raya is also a strange one as it’s perhaps needlessly unsettled Aaron Ramsdale, but we’ll have to see with time if he ends up being a superior option as number one. I personally wouldn’t have let Kieran Tierney or Folarin Balogun leave as we look a bit short of depth, while I think Granit Xhaka will be missed more than some fans have realised yet.”
Which United player, if any, would you like to see at Arsenal?
Mark: “To be honest, I’m not that wowed by any United players at the moment. My pick would probably be Marcus Rashford, but I’m not sure he’d get a lot of games over Gabriel Martinelli. Maybe if he played centrally in a front three, but that doesn’t seem to be his best role these days.”
Prediction for Sunday’s game?
Mark: “We have a good recent record against you at home so I think we’ll edge it 2-1, but so much depends on what Arteta does with his XI.”
Which players should we watch out for?
Mark: “In theory this should be a good game for Bukayo Saka, as you won’t have your first choice left-back playing. It’ll also be a tough debut for Rasmus Hojlund if he plays as I don’t fancy him to get much joy against William Saliba.”
What do you think of Manchester United a) the club; b) the team; c) the fans and d) the manager?
Mark: “A) great club, shame about what the Glazers and general poor running have done to you guys in the last decade. B) Not a particularly impressive team, a lot spent on underwhelming players like Antony and Sancho. C) Hard to generalise an entire fanbase but often come across as a bit arrogant and entitled. D) Still not entirely sold on what Ten Hag is doing – the football has been a bit bland and there have been some absolutely catastrophic defeats like that 7-0 to Liverpool, with a bit of a lucky cup run papering over the cracks – wouldn’t be that surprised if he doesn’t last the season.”
Expectations for the season ahead?
Mark: “I think we’ll finish second again but obviously I hope we can go one better in the title race. Weirdly I think we might have a better chance in the Champions League, though of course we’ve never won it so maybe I’m dreaming a bit.”
All-time Arsenal cult hero and why?
Mark: “I’ve always had a soft spot for Ray Parlour – not the most naturally gifted player, but always gave it his all and didn’t complain if he wasn’t in the team week in, week out. Plus he scored that worldie in the FA Cup final win over Chelsea in 2002. Honourable mentions as well for the likes of Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky, who were such talents but so unlucky with injuries.”
Favourite Arsenal XI from players you’ve seen?
Lehmann
Bellerin Campbell Adams Cole
Saka Vieira Fabregas Pires
Bergkamp Henry
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