This week we caught up with Pedro who runs popular Arsenal blog, le-grove.co.uk in anticipation to today’s North London Derby.
1) Not a great start for Arsenal this season, what amongst many things do you put that down to?
Mikel Arteta fell in love with the idea that senior players on the back 9 of their careers would come to the rescue of the mess we’re in. They’ve let him down, badly. Auba has gone off the boil, Willian has been dreadful, Pepe doesn’t seem up to the standard of the league, and there’s an assortment of others that have fallen back to the average form that ended Emery’s tenure.
2) What did you make of your club’s business dealings in the summer transfer window? You must be pleased with Partey?
We made three big signings. Gabriel has been one of the best signings we’ve made in the last 5 years. He’s intelligent, good on the ball, and built for the league. He’s made a huge impact on our defence so far this season. Thomas Partey is a Rolls Royce midfielder, he’ll be immense for us. He’s press resistant, he moves the ball cleanly, and he can control a midfield on his own. Since he picked up an injury, we’ve sunk. Willian was a real WTF signing. There’s no better team in the league at signing old players on big longterm deals. This was another shocker from the club and he has in no way proved his value. Could all change, but so far, he’s been a disaster.
3) Where do you anticipate both sides will finish in the league at the end of the season?
Ooof, I have no idea, but so far, it looks like Spurs are going to challenge for the league and it looks like Arsenal could be anywhere from 8th to 5th.
4) Which Spurs player would you be least worried about facing on match day?
Listen, I watched David Bentley score from 40 yards at The Emirates when you were shite. If he can do that, everyone is a worry in a NLD.
5) Which Spurs player would you be most worried about facing on match day?
Harry Kane and Son. Those two are the difference makers. Son is the most underrated player in the world. He’s world class. An outrageous talent. If you keep those two fit this season, you’ll be in the title race until the end.
Sickening.
6) Score predictions for the game?
Spurs 2-0 Arsenal