I've had a debilitating nerve injury for over a year now. A few months ago I wouldn't be able to type this message. My healing process is SLOW and every day is agonizing. One of the few things that keeps me going (outside of lots of therapy) is watching Arsenal. Even the days that we've lost and I've felt bad, the words of Arteta and the players would lift me. The way they keep their heads up and keep the process going. The way they smile during training and fight to the death during games. The football is great and I'm thrilled at how much we win, but it's the way we go about it that keeps me going. Lads like Timber and Smith-Rowe have been especially pivotal for me in that regard. They just keep going, acknowledging the present for all it has to offer and finding ways to grateful nonetheless. I don't know if I'll ever regain normal body function, in the same way trophies aren't guaranteed for the team. There's something about the champion's mentality these guys have that makes me want to keep supporting them no matter what happens. All that makes it easier for me to find ways to be there for myself and keep going. I can directly connect everything I've learned in therapy to things I've seen the manager and players do and say. The journey is all I have right now, and most days I resent my personal struggle, but Arsenal have shown me that there's joy to be found even on this shitty road I walk.
Arteta said " We have to reduce that gap between us and top teams like Liverpool and man city" that gap is now only 2 points from 30 PTS. NEXT is overtaking the top teams. This team will win big things for the next 8 years.
nah, I learned about it last year. I believe Arteta's entire goal is to maximize field tilt, and make us play in opposition half and not let them breathe and get out.
I continue to believe until the final whistles on the 19th. Whatever happens, I am immensely proud of Mikel Arteta and the team. The Arsenal journey is enjoyable and amazing.
I've had so many football dreams come true this season ! It's truly been an incredibly exciting time for gunners fans...you almost feel like fate will reward arsenal this sunday!fantastic season!
Alex, I really appreciate the journey of analysis you took us on throughout this season. As Arsenal pilled on result after result you provided perspectives based on the facts. You created another dimension to watching the games. This also added to the fantastic feeling journeying as a fan this season. I have undoubtedly grown as a fan by tuning in to TDK. Looking forward to 24/25 season to witness the next iteration of Arsenal under Arteta et al. Nice!
Football is a game of moments, not trophies. If only the teams that won trophies each season were allowed to be happy then football would be fucking miserable. I love the fact we've taken City to the final day, I loved that was beat Spurs at their ground 2 seasons in a row for the first time in decades, I love that we smashed Chelsea 5-0, Rice's last minute winner against Luton, Havertz against Brentford, Jorginho's game against Liverpool, getting to watch Odegaard, Saka, Rice, White etc. play the way they do every week. Yeah, we're probably not winning the title this weekend, and it's gonna sting. But overall I'm happy with where we are and where we're going. It's a good time to be a Gooner. COYG!
"If only the teams that won trophies each season were allowed to be happy then football would be fucking miserable." - that quote made my day, mate, because its both funny and absolutely true at the same time 😉 ... And that doesn't just apply to football, it applies to life in general - it's really all about the moments
You have been my favourite football TH-camr to watch this season. I’m not an Arsenal fan (my team is in the championship) but I probably know more about Arsenal than any other club aside from my own solely because of your videos. They’re really insightful and you make connections to different things that I wouldn’t even have thought were related to football. You’re the most unique football TH-camr I’ve seen. All the best for Sunday.
Kudus mate, the hope is on Kudus, but their defence is hopeless, i believe City will attack with every thing they got at the begenning ( they probably will end the game at 30min ) and West Ham will play on the counter.
It will be like Leverkusen, City will absolutely dominate them, West Ham will get a little threat on few counters before de bruyne pops up and gets city the winning goals
@olaniyiolayiwola6038 I saw the dude shining all 32 and hugging k.walker in the tunnel after the match😂💔... so much for his grand speech of " if the title comes down to the final day, westham will put up a fight" because they have something to fight for
This is by far the best football TH-cam channel. Not just for the well thoight through tactical analyses, but also because of the personality and honesty you bring to the community. No surprise to me you are looking to become a counselor. Would be an honor to meet you some day.
Hey Alex, just want to thank you for all the hard work you've put into your analysis of our team this season. Tuning in to hear your takes has become a bit of a weekly ritual for me. I've found myself really enjoying the way you communicate ideas, observations and reflections about Arsenal with such nuance and humour. It's evident that you're someone who's attuned to your passions, so I can see how you'd make a fantastic counsellor. Wishing you the best of luck. As a trainee therapist and lifelong gooner myself, I'm so excited for your journey and to witness your growth :)
What I really like about your channel is that you're insightful, level headed, and also bring humour to your content. As a result, I watch all your uploads :)
For me it was last season that changed things, I had fallen out of love with Arsenal, the club, football in general really. But last season with the documentary, the push for the title, the interviews and the players I just fell back in love with Arsenal and have loved it all the way to this Sunday. Proud of my team.
The trophy thing is interesting. Iv always said having a player like Henry or Bergkamp in the team is already like winning a trophy because they are so beautiful to watch. We watch Bergkamp scoring a goal against Newcastle more than Arsenal lifting silverware. For me the best part about winning a trophy is seeing the players I love being happy. Il never forget seeing Ian Wright lifting the premier League in 98 and joy it bought him
Fully agree, journey before destination! Loving the ride with this team, feels like I can really care about each individual, even the coaches and other staff. Still, no harm in hoping for some Hammer intervention on Sunday to put the cherry on top of an amazing season.
Your video got me emotional. So grateful we are in this journey together! We are alive, we are able to watch and hear, we are able to jump and cheer, we are able to have a pint or two... we need to appreciate all this and also what a team and manager we have!❤
10:08 this... THIS right here sums it all up... We as Arsenal fans KNOW there's more to the game than the trophy... We can't keep letting haters ruin our fun with childish banter...
Honestly potentially getting 90 points in the league and getting to the quarter finals in our first ucl in years, its been a pretty solid campaign regardless if we win the league or not. . If we can sign a top striker like isak or osmihen + a party replacement like guimares and with timber being available next season at lb, our team is looking more than solid to win silverware.
The point about living in the present is so true. My favourite part about this season has just been enjoying the week following a crazy win - i don’t need silverware just yet to justify that
Can't agree more with the fact that the journey matters. It's really linked to the concept of "hedonic adaptation" which you explained really well :). Your channel is amazing and you're right when you say that we have to be present !
Only started watching a few weeks ago, but I wanted to appreciate the tactical analysis, but also the refusal to be completely reactionary or results-pilled like so much football coverage is. Thoughtful conversation and analysis is always better than whatever rage bait my Facebook is pushing me. Keep it up!
Almost there as an arsenal fan...young brilliant team...brilliant,creative,proactive manager...better and more exquisite football...visible ,tangible and measurable improvements...only the trophy remains to be held aloft...ive seldom enjoyed a season the way i have this one!
Great video, sir. I like the more balanced philosophical take on it all. Just in connection to a point you touched on about anticipation, there are loads of studies saying just that-that anticipation is actually a key to happiness.
You and James are excellent football analysts. I once suggested that you two should analyze the game together, im happy you did. Nice combo. Love your content. Keep it up.👏👏👏👏
Jebus Rice mate, you're good at this youtube malarkey. Fair play 👏 after discovering your channel this season I actually thought that you and James were quite similar in your outlook and approach to being a football fan. Looking forward to more content from the pair of you 👍 COYG! UPTHEHAMMERS! JAMONTOAST! FRIDGEMAGNET!
Its not about the destination but who we become on the journey there. All important journeys require change. This applies to our manager, our players and to us as fans. We can celebrate this year whatever happens. We can look forward with confidence to next year and feel that we should again be competitive. As Arteta himself says, if we all give the best of ourselves then what will be, will be but we can hold our heads high. That is what this club is about. And as I said to you when I bumped into you in KX recently…great channel…keep it up.
Alex, I’ve always been in sync with you on this one, the trophies will come. However, the Villa game and the city v spurs game had really got me down, I’m desperate for us to win, to start a dynasty, to be respected! I can’t wait for us to be a European juggernaut, but your video really just reminded me that I simply love this club, I love this manager and I love this team! Thank you for reminding to just enjoy this moment I almost forgot how bad it was, Arsenal are back!😁
Of course I wanted to win the league this season, but simply winning wouldn't have made me confident about the sustainability of this team. The way we have competed this season, shows that we are bordering greatness now. I'm confident we will win the league next year, and that's the attitude we need to hold now.
I am incredibly proud and grateful for this awesome season. Please do not let social media trolling take away from the season we just had. We are on the right path. Just remember the 2019 season before MA took over, the 2017/2018 season, the infighting of fans, the hopelessness.
"Outgoing manager bounce" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Mate all you said in this video is spot and really enjoyed about the journey section. Really enjoyed your videos and your humour is top notch. Keep it up, bro. Win, draw or lose on Sunday, i am immensely proud of the club. Mikel will take us to the promise land. As you said, lets enjoy the journey. Cheers mate.
Great video again man! And if you are into being present I would highly recommend Alan Watts. You'd dig his philosophy! I couldn't agree more either. Take Leicester for example. Was it them lifting a trophy that people were grateful for? Or was it the fact that a team that were 500 to 1 to win a 40 horse race spent a whole season surprising and delighting us? Let's enjoy this season right up until the final curtain draws on Sunday. We have so much to be proud for, and so much more to be excited about!
this might sound completely stupid but i actually think "its the hope that makes it enjoyable". we were known for the saying "its the hope that kills you". going back to missing out on top 4 with emery, or the europa league final with emery, or top 4 in 21/22, and ofc what happened last season. i felt that it was "the hope that killed me" in all those situations. However, what is coming now, with this group and this manager, is that it is the HOPE that is making these seasons so enjoyable. the journey, the pride, the joy in each individual game, and the downs that come with every season, what is the point in any of it, if we are only measuring ourselves on trophies. whats the point in being a fan if we disregard the joy that we got from 37 games of a season just because the 38th isn't going to come with a trophy. we were so close this season. it doesnt look like that trophy that puts a stamp on this era is coming just yet. but in my opinion, just stay hopeful and enjoy how were playing because no matter if a premier league/champions league comes, us arsenal fans can know how much joy each season of this group has brought us. p.s football can change so quickly so enjoy the title charges while we can. not saying this group is going to drop off but just live in the moment and enjoy how amazing this team is.
Great point about trophies. We are the Arsenal and my god it's a beautiful club with the most diverse and wonderful fan base. You can have your triple with your robotically good players and what seems like a good amount of match fixing. I've got Saka and the boys. Henry is Arsenal and that's good enough for me.
I completely agree with your take on the journey. I feel incredibly weird about it (and i might be super weird for this) that some part of me kinda didnt want to win the cl this year. Dont get me wrong, it would be one of the happiest days of my life and i was devastated for quite a while after the loss against bayern. But some part of me felt some kind of relief. The cl trophy feels like the end of the journey for me, the ultimate goal. What do you do after you achieve that? It can only go downhill from there. I want trophies, but i dont want this journey to end because im really enjoying it. The ups and downs make supporting a football club enjoyable, thats just one more reason why i could never support a club like city. I hope this make some kind of sense for other fans. Might be important to note that im too young to have experienced the Invincibles and everything before that.
It's not even that weird, I felt absolutely the same way about the Champions League this season! ...like you said that's more like what's to come at the end of the journey ... I always thought it felt slightly strange when Liverpool won the CL a few years ago before they actually won the league ... I'm sure they were delighted that they won it anyhow but it almost felt like the league title should have come first and the CL title should have been the icing on the cake
i hear everything you say but the feeling of scoring and winning is euphoria to me. on sunday we will complete our most winning season in the premier league despite going on a 38 unbeaten run one time, without a trophy. the trophy is obviously the goal here, but the fact i hated our away kit and now i might buy one with bossard on the back before sunday should indicate how much the gaffer has reignited my love of the game
Well, I started watching football because of Man City (2021) first time ever I watched football and you are right that's the spirit of football..to connect with other fans. Next year will be super competitive City transition player will become mature, Chelsea, Tots, Pool.
There's more to it than trophies, it's been an excellent season for the progress we've made from last season. Players are maturing and the team is really gelling. We are on an upwards trajectory with still lots more room for improvement. The 'complete' version of this team will be better than even the legendary Invincibles.
We learned that no matter what we do, one team will screw us over. For 2 years in a row we lost 6 points per season to Southampton, missing out on Top4 and title. This year it was Fulham: 5 points lost to them. With all due respect, it shouldn’t have happened. Meaning we could have celebrated at Spurs. Now let’s all cross our fingers that the Hammers will do everything they can to make their former captain and friend happy and that VAR will let them.
I get the feeling the way Mikel moved Martinelli and Jesus out wide towards the end of this season or when Havertz dropped in and Jesus went up top -> It looks like a way to say a striker is coming in the summer to try and get somewhere close to the top scorers as well which is the main metric missing this year.
The only thing I’ll disagree upon is that whilst Raya brings an element of calmness with stopping the fires before they’re formed (the stuff you don’t see due to proactivity). I can’t help but think at times feel he has the odd unforced nervous errors especially in bigger pressure games. Like the Spurs game recently made the ending nervy, same with Bayern mistake or the one against City that he got away with where he almost did what Ramsdale did in Brentford. His positioning on that Mudryk goal. Which imagine if that didn’t finish 2-2 draw? (Fine margins) I also think he’s not the best shot stopper. We haven’t said once oh wow we won that game because Raya saved us when he shouldn’t. Like in mould of Ramsdale save vs Leicester game. I still worry about Raya as he’s been lucky a lot of his mistakes haven’t been took detrimental points wise. I see what he brings but hope he can bring another level to this squad
Even Neuer, TerStegen and Ederson would make mistakes. Modern keepers are expected to make mistakes. We want them to make mistakes. Because these mistakes means we are taking risks to gain massive rewards in the build up play. Allowing us to score a lot more and concede a lot less across the season. A lot of what you have mentioned are not mistakes. Standing too far out is good, we want that from our keeper. Because it prevents a lot of 1v1 situations as we play such a high line. The occasional lob is inevitable, if it is a good lob then let it be a goal. It is as if you are saying Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets are making occasional defensive mistakes, they are not as defensively solid as Gattuso, Makelele and Milner, and they are not capable to play in a park the bus system. Whereas my point is that I don’t care if they make more defensive mistakes than Milner, I want to have Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets but not Milner in my team.
If you play out from the back a million times, then a few of them WILL be a mistake. These are expected because we wanted to take this small risk in exchange for all the massive rewards. If you never play out from the back, you would not make a passing mistake. But you will never get all the massive rewards. Raya can play as an extra defender in possession, offering passing options, creating numerical advantage. Keeping possession so that we can maximise the quality and quantity of our possession, ball progression and chance creation, which would eventually turns into goals. More possession also means we would face a lot less shots. If you have the ball, the opponent can’t score. Raya is helping us to generate higher quality and quantity of possession, so that we would face a lot less shots, conceding less goals. Attract the opponent to press him so there will be an unmarked teammate elsewhere, breaking the opponent’s press. He has great vision, game reading and decision making on when to pass slow/fast, when to go long/short, dictating the tempo at the back. Has great long and short pass accuracy. Great at claiming crosses. Playing tiki taka passes. Silky with his touches, close control, dribbling and passes. If any team wanted to improve towards the very top in modern football, they will have to eventually sign a ball playing goalkeeper. Bravo and Onana might not be the final answer, but JoeHart and DeGea must be replaced. Pure shotstoppers are rubsh in the modern game.
Life before death Strength before weakness Journey before destination Whatever happens, I have always been proud of this club and the current team. Can't wait for what comes next.
Personally, I believe the manner of City’s celebrations last season and this season have been both more of relief than anything else. Yes, you celebrate every achievement but I also believe that City are aware of our growth every season since MA and know the way we have been doing it means they are not going to be in that position of continuous dominance for much longer.
I just wanted us to finish strong at the Emirates and the players, managers and the real fans getting their celebration for playing well this season, regardless of result from the other game. We should not be too fixated on other game and just enjoy the last game of the season for what it's worth. To me this season have been brilliant from Assna.
I feel like when arsenal win, they'll relax more and will be able to develop more needing things. A back up rw for me is far more important than a striker
I'm delighted with how Arsenal have become such a great team now. I admit it is just such a bummer that there's nothing we can do about what City have done... But we start every season now like "hey - we COULD win the league!" and the WHOLE YEAR is more exciting because of that. Rather than years ago getting spanked hard by everyone all year... and you kinda start the season apprehensive and never pick up.... Hey a Title win would be even more amazing - but this is still amazing fun all year... so yeah, i get it - the journey is important, the whole season thinking 'maybe' - but not just the final day '1st place: yes or no'
I can’t agree more that I saw a soulless team celebrating the win over Spurs on Tuesday. That City has trophies but there is no romance and soul in the team. If that was Liverpool or United winning, I believe it would have felt different
Lovely video, i know we all need to make money but better help have been up to some seriously crappy stuff over the years so if you can not take a sponsorship from them that would be better.
my pride is peaked because we never lost to a traditional big six club. We took 4 points off City and Liverpool (that's Pep and Klopp and that is the first time it has ever happened), Arteta lost a bit of his arrogance and employed the London Bus designed and originally executed by Jose. Broke the Monday night curse against Everton at home. There is post Dubai era where we were scoring minimum of 2 goals per half. All our bought in players were haunting their former clubs and only declan was apologetic to the fact even though his strike set up by a Tros Orde miscomm was not as apologetic as his gesture. Tross running towards the away end and doing a Sanchez esque finish against Trossard, Hazertz running at Petrovic and out gasing Cucu before that lovely dinked, roof net finish was also exquisite. Ben white becoming the most wanted CB converted right back who had analyst eating their hard thought about comments on him, epitomised by the Arsenal are so good they are scoring by mistake moment. Then goes the Kiwior that had everyone on lock for a long time at LB prompting Zinny to be named as our 4th choice by some fans. Saka vs Tot fans was a nice battle, who can forget Zinny's unorthodox kung fu goal against Sherfield from the edge of the box........ that disallowed Big Gab cracker had me cursing VAR........ then the lows at Castle and Villa where VAR was robbing us and Arteta calling the referring a disgrace and walking without a suspension was a moment to savour....... Nicola Jovier was a revelation as our set piece routines were glamourous this season...... Jorginho's balls over the top to find Havertz and Martinelli...... our 2 CBs were the bench mark for all EPL defenders as they were constantly being mentioned by top managers except Ten who could not sleep all season dreaming of Garnacho being on-side when Big Gab danced to thriller like Micheal Jackson's back up dancer, Raya catching crosses and throwing balls out for counter attacks like the one at Palace, him saving 2 pens in the UCL round of 16 or saving that wonder strike from Encise, we all know he lovers his crackers against big sides ..... then there was Nketiah's hattrick and him finding a way to earn us pens at the beginning of the season........ Dalot's sleeping beauty episode envocked by Jesus from a Nelson press and pass to find our T-Bag, Fabio would then lay a pass that mesmarized Onana causing him to hug his line for support and inviting Dalot for a dance, Jesus did his Samba, Dalot tried challenging him using the Portuguesse born ground moves which he executed poorly and failed to stop. Martinelli vs Sevilla was a mismatch......... the amount of Dribbles was insane........ Havertz prompting the is he the CF we have been looking for debate after scintilating numbers and also carrying the watch factor since the turn of the year has been lovely. my fav caption was the are you entertained Trossard troll after scoring against Bayern when journalist were saying we had played boring football against the Citizens. how could i forget that Rambo mistake against Brentford which he followed up with 2 grand saves, one retreating one against a goal of the season effort by Torney and another from an unmarked man in the box.
All well and good... Pocchetino said all of this and ended up with NOTHING. The belittling of actually winning the trophy is where it begins. Where losing out on it is perfectly fine because there's always next year... Football is highs and lows, and you better make the most of your highs cause those lows are coming whether you want them or not
Fair points, all, about Raya's quality. But this begs a question: What happens if Raya gets hurt? If Ramsdale moves on this summer, who can we get - at a reasonable cost - that is a suitable backup, or replacement, should Raya get hurt?
I've had a debilitating nerve injury for over a year now. A few months ago I wouldn't be able to type this message. My healing process is SLOW and every day is agonizing. One of the few things that keeps me going (outside of lots of therapy) is watching Arsenal. Even the days that we've lost and I've felt bad, the words of Arteta and the players would lift me. The way they keep their heads up and keep the process going. The way they smile during training and fight to the death during games. The football is great and I'm thrilled at how much we win, but it's the way we go about it that keeps me going. Lads like Timber and Smith-Rowe have been especially pivotal for me in that regard. They just keep going, acknowledging the present for all it has to offer and finding ways to grateful nonetheless. I don't know if I'll ever regain normal body function, in the same way trophies aren't guaranteed for the team. There's something about the champion's mentality these guys have that makes me want to keep supporting them no matter what happens. All that makes it easier for me to find ways to be there for myself and keep going. I can directly connect everything I've learned in therapy to things I've seen the manager and players do and say. The journey is all I have right now, and most days I resent my personal struggle, but Arsenal have shown me that there's joy to be found even on this shitty road I walk.
May the healing power of the Almighty God find you
Good luck and I hope your health improves. You’ve certainly chosen the right team to help you
Hang in there buddy, You will be okay
Brother, us Gooners got you in this journey
I pray that we win it this season that healing comes your way as we celebrate a trophy at the Emirates.
Arteta said " We have to reduce that gap between us and top teams like Liverpool and man city" that gap is now only 2 points from 30 PTS. NEXT is overtaking the top teams. This team will win big things for the next 8 years.
Who told you that?
I know we learned about field tilt.
Yeah🤣🤣🤣
We learned spurs fans are brain dead also
nah, I learned about it last year. I believe Arteta's entire goal is to maximize field tilt, and make us play in opposition half and not let them breathe and get out.
@@aminerkin9844I learned about the year before 🥱
I continue to believe until the final whistles on the 19th. Whatever happens, I am immensely proud of Mikel Arteta and the team. The Arsenal journey is enjoyable and amazing.
He’s made us proud of our team and brought the joy of looking forward to seeing the team play
I've had so many football dreams come true this season ! It's truly been an incredibly exciting time for gunners fans...you almost feel like fate will reward arsenal this sunday!fantastic season!
Alex, I really appreciate the journey of analysis you took us on throughout this season. As Arsenal pilled on result after result you provided perspectives based on the facts. You created another dimension to watching the games. This also added to the fantastic feeling journeying as a fan this season. I have undoubtedly grown as a fan by tuning in to TDK. Looking forward to 24/25 season to witness the next iteration of Arsenal under Arteta et al. Nice!
Football is a game of moments, not trophies. If only the teams that won trophies each season were allowed to be happy then football would be fucking miserable. I love the fact we've taken City to the final day, I loved that was beat Spurs at their ground 2 seasons in a row for the first time in decades, I love that we smashed Chelsea 5-0, Rice's last minute winner against Luton, Havertz against Brentford, Jorginho's game against Liverpool, getting to watch Odegaard, Saka, Rice, White etc. play the way they do every week.
Yeah, we're probably not winning the title this weekend, and it's gonna sting. But overall I'm happy with where we are and where we're going. It's a good time to be a Gooner. COYG!
Well said!
"If only the teams that won trophies each season were allowed to be happy then football would be fucking miserable." - that quote made my day, mate, because its both funny and absolutely true at the same time 😉 ... And that doesn't just apply to football, it applies to life in general - it's really all about the moments
Football is already miserable nowadays
@@RRP6632 No thanks to worthless online plastic fans like yourself
Love that
You have been my favourite football TH-camr to watch this season. I’m not an Arsenal fan (my team is in the championship) but I probably know more about Arsenal than any other club aside from my own solely because of your videos. They’re really insightful and you make connections to different things that I wouldn’t even have thought were related to football. You’re the most unique football TH-camr I’ve seen.
All the best for Sunday.
Totally agree
UP THE HAMMERS 🤞🏾
DO IT FOR DECLAN!
@@nekosinner9177lolz
Realistically? No.
But miracles do happen
Lol.. don't! ... just don't! 😢
IRONSSSS 🔨
I have no choice but to believe Antonio will make good on his word and hand us the league title😅
Kudus mate, the hope is on Kudus, but their defence is hopeless, i believe City will attack with every thing they got at the begenning ( they probably will end the game at 30min ) and West Ham will play on the counter.
It will be like Leverkusen, City will absolutely dominate them, West Ham will get a little threat on few counters before de bruyne pops up and gets city the winning goals
yeah like leno did
If he starts 😄
@olaniyiolayiwola6038 I saw the dude shining all 32 and hugging k.walker in the tunnel after the match😂💔... so much for his grand speech of " if the title comes down to the final day, westham will put up a fight" because they have something to fight for
Fabulous video mate. Echo all your sentiments 100%. On to Sunday, perhaps the universe will smile upon us!
This is by far the best football TH-cam channel. Not just for the well thoight through tactical analyses, but also because of the personality and honesty you bring to the community. No surprise to me you are looking to become a counselor. Would be an honor to meet you some day.
Hey Alex, just want to thank you for all the hard work you've put into your analysis of our team this season.
Tuning in to hear your takes has become a bit of a weekly ritual for me. I've found myself really enjoying the way you communicate ideas, observations and reflections about Arsenal with such nuance and humour.
It's evident that you're someone who's attuned to your passions, so I can see how you'd make a fantastic counsellor. Wishing you the best of luck. As a trainee therapist and lifelong gooner myself, I'm so excited for your journey and to witness your growth :)
What I really like about your channel is that you're insightful, level headed, and also bring humour to your content. As a result, I watch all your uploads :)
Very kind mate - thank you!
Loved how you and James B met up and had a few pints. The duo we need
From AFTV?
For me it was last season that changed things, I had fallen out of love with Arsenal, the club, football in general really. But last season with the documentary, the push for the title, the interviews and the players I just fell back in love with Arsenal and have loved it all the way to this Sunday. Proud of my team.
The trophy thing is interesting. Iv always said having a player like Henry or Bergkamp in the team is already like winning a trophy because they are so beautiful to watch. We watch Bergkamp scoring a goal against Newcastle more than Arsenal lifting silverware.
For me the best part about winning a trophy is seeing the players I love being happy. Il never forget seeing Ian Wright lifting the premier League in 98 and joy it bought him
Fully agree, journey before destination! Loving the ride with this team, feels like I can really care about each individual, even the coaches and other staff. Still, no harm in hoping for some Hammer intervention on Sunday to put the cherry on top of an amazing season.
Your video got me emotional. So grateful we are in this journey together! We are alive, we are able to watch and hear, we are able to jump and cheer, we are able to have a pint or two... we need to appreciate all this and also what a team and manager we have!❤
10:08 this... THIS right here sums it all up... We as Arsenal fans KNOW there's more to the game than the trophy... We can't keep letting haters ruin our fun with childish banter...
Honestly potentially getting 90 points in the league and getting to the quarter finals in our first ucl in years, its been a pretty solid campaign regardless if we win the league or not.
.
If we can sign a top striker like isak or osmihen + a party replacement like guimares and with timber being available next season at lb, our team is looking more than solid to win silverware.
We don’t need OSimhen at Arsenal pls.. he’s average
The point about living in the present is so true. My favourite part about this season has just been enjoying the week following a crazy win - i don’t need silverware just yet to justify that
Alex has become my Arsenal Counsellor! I truly appreciate the care and effort put into these videos and I feel they keep me grounded! Big ups
Glad you and James have met, I started watching both of your content around the same time and thought you 2 would collaborate well!
Brilliant analysis and perspective all year. I'll be celebrating what an entertaining and historical season it's been. Cheers mate
🤝
Can't agree more with the fact that the journey matters. It's really linked to the concept of "hedonic adaptation" which you explained really well :). Your channel is amazing and you're right when you say that we have to be present !
Only started watching a few weeks ago, but I wanted to appreciate the tactical analysis, but also the refusal to be completely reactionary or results-pilled like so much football coverage is. Thoughtful conversation and analysis is always better than whatever rage bait my Facebook is pushing me. Keep it up!
Needed this today, thank you bro! Felt low after Tuesday but this really helped.
“I’m actually not sorry, that was actually quite good.” 🤣
Really awesome video - love this positive perspective. Not seen in football enough
Almost there as an arsenal fan...young brilliant team...brilliant,creative,proactive manager...better and more exquisite football...visible ,tangible and measurable improvements...only the trophy remains to be held aloft...ive seldom enjoyed a season the way i have this one!
Great video, sir. I like the more balanced philosophical take on it all. Just in connection to a point you touched on about anticipation, there are loads of studies saying just that-that anticipation is actually a key to happiness.
Great content as always. Happy to see your football and life analysis grow
You and James are excellent football analysts. I once suggested that you two should analyze the game together, im happy you did. Nice combo. Love your content. Keep it up.👏👏👏👏
The journey… prose in motion:). Well said and ty.
Jebus Rice mate, you're good at this youtube malarkey. Fair play 👏 after discovering your channel this season I actually thought that you and James were quite similar in your outlook and approach to being a football fan. Looking forward to more content from the pair of you 👍 COYG! UPTHEHAMMERS! JAMONTOAST! FRIDGEMAGNET!
This is so good man. Such a sober take.
Its not about the destination but who we become on the journey there. All important journeys require change. This applies to our manager, our players and to us as fans. We can celebrate this year whatever happens. We can look forward with confidence to next year and feel that we should again be competitive. As Arteta himself says, if we all give the best of ourselves then what will be, will be but we can hold our heads high. That is what this club is about. And as I said to you when I bumped into you in KX recently…great channel…keep it up.
Alex, I’ve always been in sync with you on this one, the trophies will come. However, the Villa game and the city v spurs game had really got me down, I’m desperate for us to win, to start a dynasty, to be respected! I can’t wait for us to be a European juggernaut, but your video really just reminded me that I simply love this club, I love this manager and I love this team! Thank you for reminding to just enjoy this moment I almost forgot how bad it was, Arsenal are back!😁
Glad to see that we’re both on the same page again. Think I might finally re-subscribe to the channel
Thanks for your analysis. Good luck in your counselling journey. Stay present!
Who knew , football analysis can be insightful and intelligent. Bravo
I had no idea how much I needed this video. Thank you Alex
Thanx, a great, balanced and much needed video after yesterday's painful experience! Keep up the good work, mate
Of course I wanted to win the league this season, but simply winning wouldn't have made me confident about the sustainability of this team. The way we have competed this season, shows that we are bordering greatness now. I'm confident we will win the league next year, and that's the attitude we need to hold now.
I needed this bro. It's been tough.
Same here man, it's definitely been tough
It's been hell
Spot on mate ❤
I am incredibly proud and grateful for this awesome season. Please do not let social media trolling take away from the season we just had. We are on the right path. Just remember the 2019 season before MA took over, the 2017/2018 season, the infighting of fans, the hopelessness.
👍👍👍
"Outgoing manager bounce" 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Mate all you said in this video is spot and really enjoyed about the journey section. Really enjoyed your videos and your humour is top notch. Keep it up, bro. Win, draw or lose on Sunday, i am immensely proud of the club. Mikel will take us to the promise land. As you said, lets enjoy the journey. Cheers mate.
We are all worrying about west ham but forgetting everton
Great video again man! And if you are into being present I would highly recommend Alan Watts. You'd dig his philosophy! I couldn't agree more either. Take Leicester for example. Was it them lifting a trophy that people were grateful for? Or was it the fact that a team that were 500 to 1 to win a 40 horse race spent a whole season surprising and delighting us? Let's enjoy this season right up until the final curtain draws on Sunday. We have so much to be proud for, and so much more to be excited about!
I love you my bro! You are dope!
Well said Alex 🙌
I may not agree with some videos you make. But this one was just perfect. Sunday in a pub, with my mates.
Thank you man - I agree
Genuinely.. this journey, if it’s successful will be the greatest journey to destination there has ever been.
this might sound completely stupid but i actually think "its the hope that makes it enjoyable". we were known for the saying "its the hope that kills you". going back to missing out on top 4 with emery, or the europa league final with emery, or top 4 in 21/22, and ofc what happened last season. i felt that it was "the hope that killed me" in all those situations. However, what is coming now, with this group and this manager, is that it is the HOPE that is making these seasons so enjoyable. the journey, the pride, the joy in each individual game, and the downs that come with every season, what is the point in any of it, if we are only measuring ourselves on trophies. whats the point in being a fan if we disregard the joy that we got from 37 games of a season just because the 38th isn't going to come with a trophy. we were so close this season. it doesnt look like that trophy that puts a stamp on this era is coming just yet. but in my opinion, just stay hopeful and enjoy how were playing because no matter if a premier league/champions league comes, us arsenal fans can know how much joy each season of this group has brought us. p.s football can change so quickly so enjoy the title charges while we can. not saying this group is going to drop off but just live in the moment and enjoy how amazing this team is.
00:10 Lamb's self-sacrifice for Arsenal's success is touching !
How did you fit therapy and santa into a video about arsenal?😭 hands down best football creator out there, no debate🙏
The most underrated football channel out there imo
Great point about trophies. We are the Arsenal and my god it's a beautiful club with the most diverse and wonderful fan base. You can have your triple with your robotically good players and what seems like a good amount of match fixing. I've got Saka and the boys. Henry is Arsenal and that's good enough for me.
I completely agree with your take on the journey.
I feel incredibly weird about it (and i might be super weird for this) that some part of me kinda didnt want to win the cl this year. Dont get me wrong, it would be one of the happiest days of my life and i was devastated for quite a while after the loss against bayern. But some part of me felt some kind of relief. The cl trophy feels like the end of the journey for me, the ultimate goal. What do you do after you achieve that? It can only go downhill from there. I want trophies, but i dont want this journey to end because im really enjoying it. The ups and downs make supporting a football club enjoyable, thats just one more reason why i could never support a club like city.
I hope this make some kind of sense for other fans. Might be important to note that im too young to have experienced the Invincibles and everything before that.
It's not even that weird, I felt absolutely the same way about the Champions League this season! ...like you said that's more like what's to come at the end of the journey ... I always thought it felt slightly strange when Liverpool won the CL a few years ago before they actually won the league ... I'm sure they were delighted that they won it anyhow but it almost felt like the league title should have come first and the CL title should have been the icing on the cake
@@Cengert1979 great that im not alone. Completely agree that the liverpool "story" wasnt in the perfect order (im sure nobody cared).
Well said brother.
11:44 big up James❤️
i hear everything you say but the feeling of scoring and winning is euphoria to me. on sunday we will complete our most winning season in the premier league despite going on a 38 unbeaten run one time, without a trophy. the trophy is obviously the goal here, but the fact i hated our away kit and now i might buy one with bossard on the back before sunday should indicate how much the gaffer has reignited my love of the game
Well, I started watching football because of Man City (2021) first time ever I watched football and you are right that's the spirit of football..to connect with other fans.
Next year will be super competitive City transition player will become mature, Chelsea, Tots, Pool.
The moments & journey is what i/we will enjoy and remember, but trophy is the thing that will shut other club fans' mouth
There's more to it than trophies, it's been an excellent season for the progress we've made from last season. Players are maturing and the team is really gelling. We are on an upwards trajectory with still lots more room for improvement. The 'complete' version of this team will be better than even the legendary Invincibles.
We learned that no matter what we do, one team will screw us over. For 2 years in a row we lost 6 points per season to Southampton, missing out on Top4 and title. This year it was Fulham: 5 points lost to them. With all due respect, it shouldn’t have happened. Meaning we could have celebrated at Spurs.
Now let’s all cross our fingers that the Hammers will do everything they can to make their former captain and friend happy and that VAR will let them.
I love learning to see this in another light, this channel amazing
I get the feeling the way Mikel moved Martinelli and Jesus out wide towards the end of this season or when Havertz dropped in and Jesus went up top -> It looks like a way to say a striker is coming in the summer to try and get somewhere close to the top scorers as well which is the main metric missing this year.
The only thing I’ll disagree upon is that whilst Raya brings an element of calmness with stopping the fires before they’re formed (the stuff you don’t see due to proactivity). I can’t help but think at times feel he has the odd unforced nervous errors especially in bigger pressure games. Like the Spurs game recently made the ending nervy, same with Bayern mistake or the one against City that he got away with where he almost did what Ramsdale did in Brentford. His positioning on that Mudryk goal. Which imagine if that didn’t finish 2-2 draw? (Fine margins) I also think he’s not the best shot stopper. We haven’t said once oh wow we won that game because Raya saved us when he shouldn’t. Like in mould of Ramsdale save vs Leicester game. I still worry about Raya as he’s been lucky a lot of his mistakes haven’t been took detrimental points wise. I see what he brings but hope he can bring another level to this squad
Even Neuer, TerStegen and Ederson would make mistakes. Modern keepers are expected to make mistakes. We want them to make mistakes. Because these mistakes means we are taking risks to gain massive rewards in the build up play. Allowing us to score a lot more and concede a lot less across the season.
A lot of what you have mentioned are not mistakes. Standing too far out is good, we want that from our keeper. Because it prevents a lot of 1v1 situations as we play such a high line. The occasional lob is inevitable, if it is a good lob then let it be a goal.
It is as if you are saying Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets are making occasional defensive mistakes, they are not as defensively solid as Gattuso, Makelele and Milner, and they are not capable to play in a park the bus system. Whereas my point is that I don’t care if they make more defensive mistakes than Milner, I want to have Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets but not Milner in my team.
If you play out from the back a million times, then a few of them WILL be a mistake.
These are expected because we wanted to take this small risk in exchange for all the massive rewards.
If you never play out from the back, you would not make a passing mistake. But you will never get all the massive rewards.
Raya can play as an extra defender in possession, offering passing options, creating numerical advantage.
Keeping possession so that we can maximise the quality and quantity of our possession, ball progression and chance creation, which would eventually turns into goals. More possession also means we would face a lot less shots.
If you have the ball, the opponent can’t score. Raya is helping us to generate higher quality and quantity of possession, so that we would face a lot less shots, conceding less goals.
Attract the opponent to press him so there will be an unmarked teammate elsewhere, breaking the opponent’s press.
He has great vision, game reading and decision making on when to pass slow/fast, when to go long/short, dictating the tempo at the back. Has great long and short pass accuracy. Great at claiming crosses.
Playing tiki taka passes. Silky with his touches, close control, dribbling and passes.
If any team wanted to improve towards the very top in modern football, they will have to eventually sign a ball playing goalkeeper.
Bravo and Onana might not be the final answer, but JoeHart and DeGea must be replaced. Pure shotstoppers are rubsh in the modern game.
Arteta solves the midblock problem and we are unstopable. We'll win the league at some point.
I love this channel tbh
Life before death
Strength before weakness
Journey before destination
Whatever happens, I have always been proud of this club and the current team. Can't wait for what comes next.
Your contents are consistently good👍🏾
meeenn! it's in our grasps!! but still out of our hands!
Personally, I believe the manner of City’s celebrations last season and this season have been both more of relief than anything else. Yes, you celebrate every achievement but I also believe that City are aware of our growth every season since MA and know the way we have been doing it means they are not going to be in that position of continuous dominance for much longer.
I just wanted us to finish strong at the Emirates and the players, managers and the real fans getting their celebration for playing well this season, regardless of result from the other game. We should not be too fixated on other game and just enjoy the last game of the season for what it's worth. To me this season have been brilliant from Assna.
I feel like when arsenal win, they'll relax more and will be able to develop more needing things. A back up rw for me is far more important than a striker
I'm delighted with how Arsenal have become such a great team now. I admit it is just such a bummer that there's nothing we can do about what City have done... But we start every season now like "hey - we COULD win the league!" and the WHOLE YEAR is more exciting because of that. Rather than years ago getting spanked hard by everyone all year... and you kinda start the season apprehensive and never pick up.... Hey a Title win would be even more amazing - but this is still amazing fun all year... so yeah, i get it - the journey is important, the whole season thinking 'maybe' - but not just the final day '1st place: yes or no'
Weak mentality
@@JohnEllis-le9ym troll
@@007feck I've got no idea what a troll is plastic
@@JohnEllis-le9ym google "internet troll"
Honestly I'm counting on the outgoing, but I'm also proud of what we have achieved. Coyg Forever
We are having a good season
I'm holding out for a miracle of winning the prem we've been praying long enough
Well I really want the title and that will be the best part. Although I am enjoying this era of the club
Imagine the feeling being #artetaIN fans since day one. ❤
Lol well Rays did have some great saves - that one against Tottenham early on stands out
Till the final whistle from our final game
Trophies will come back eventually because Arsenal are proven winners. Keep faith
I can’t agree more that I saw a soulless team celebrating the win over Spurs on Tuesday. That City has trophies but there is no romance and soul in the team. If that was Liverpool or United winning, I believe it would have felt different
00:10 City are playing at home
We need trophies to banter. I can not argue with my friends about Expected Goals Against.
The lamb stating the 115 charges against Man City😂
Love your content, BTW my wife is also training to be a Councillor
the tottenham mistake still gives me shivers when he is with the ball😂
Lovely video, i know we all need to make money but better help have been up to some seriously crappy stuff over the years so if you can not take a sponsorship from them that would be better.
One step at a time. Next step from here begin next season like we ended this one
Its now sir Lord Arteta of Arsenal
my pride is peaked because we never lost to a traditional big six club. We took 4 points off City and Liverpool (that's Pep and Klopp and that is the first time it has ever happened), Arteta lost a bit of his arrogance and employed the London Bus designed and originally executed by Jose. Broke the Monday night curse against Everton at home. There is post Dubai era where we were scoring minimum of 2 goals per half. All our bought in players were haunting their former clubs and only declan was apologetic to the fact even though his strike set up by a Tros Orde miscomm was not as apologetic as his gesture. Tross running towards the away end and doing a Sanchez esque finish against Trossard, Hazertz running at Petrovic and out gasing Cucu before that lovely dinked, roof net finish was also exquisite. Ben white becoming the most wanted CB converted right back who had analyst eating their hard thought about comments on him, epitomised by the Arsenal are so good they are scoring by mistake moment. Then goes the Kiwior that had everyone on lock for a long time at LB prompting Zinny to be named as our 4th choice by some fans. Saka vs Tot fans was a nice battle, who can forget Zinny's unorthodox kung fu goal against Sherfield from the edge of the box........ that disallowed Big Gab cracker had me cursing VAR........ then the lows at Castle and Villa where VAR was robbing us and Arteta calling the referring a disgrace and walking without a suspension was a moment to savour....... Nicola Jovier was a revelation as our set piece routines were glamourous this season...... Jorginho's balls over the top to find Havertz and Martinelli...... our 2 CBs were the bench mark for all EPL defenders as they were constantly being mentioned by top managers except Ten who could not sleep all season dreaming of Garnacho being on-side when Big Gab danced to thriller like Micheal Jackson's back up dancer, Raya catching crosses and throwing balls out for counter attacks like the one at Palace, him saving 2 pens in the UCL round of 16 or saving that wonder strike from Encise, we all know he lovers his crackers against big sides ..... then there was Nketiah's hattrick and him finding a way to earn us pens at the beginning of the season........ Dalot's sleeping beauty episode envocked by Jesus from a Nelson press and pass to find our T-Bag, Fabio would then lay a pass that mesmarized Onana causing him to hug his line for support and inviting Dalot for a dance, Jesus did his Samba, Dalot tried challenging him using the Portuguesse born ground moves which he executed poorly and failed to stop. Martinelli vs Sevilla was a mismatch......... the amount of Dribbles was insane........ Havertz prompting the is he the CF we have been looking for debate after scintilating numbers and also carrying the watch factor since the turn of the year has been lovely. my fav caption was the are you entertained Trossard troll after scoring against Bayern when journalist were saying we had played boring football against the Citizens. how could i forget that Rambo mistake against Brentford which he followed up with 2 grand saves, one retreating one against a goal of the season effort by Torney and another from an unmarked man in the box.
I can't describe how much I love dis 😄
All well and good... Pocchetino said all of this and ended up with NOTHING.
The belittling of actually winning the trophy is where it begins. Where losing out on it is perfectly fine because there's always next year...
Football is highs and lows, and you better make the most of your highs cause those lows are coming whether you want them or not
Fair points, all, about Raya's quality. But this begs a question: What happens if Raya gets hurt? If Ramsdale moves on this summer, who can we get - at a reasonable cost - that is a suitable backup, or replacement, should Raya get hurt?
that's whatvi tell people. We get to enjoy the full 38 game season n only one can win. The other teams cant say the same