Ian Wright says it’s all about Arsenal’s Mentality
Ex England and Arsenal legend Ian Wright has said on the “Kelly and Wrighty show” that there’s only one thing stopping Arsenal from winning the league this season and that’s mentality.
Wrighty is obviously a big Arsenal fan and like us has watched the past few years and remained hopeful but after last season and looking so dominant throughout the season until the last few weeks, he’s right to not get too carried away.
Wright said this “It’s a mentality thing now. They have the numbers to back themselves up, but it’s down to mentality now. Getting it done. That’s the only thing – if there’s a lapse in concentration. They have to go and beat Man City. I think the only thing that can stop them now is if there is a mentality slip and something like that happens”.
And for me, I completely agree with him. We’ve shown were good enough and we’ve shown were more than capable of competing for the title and even The Champions League, but after last season I also don’t want to get ahead of myself and end up disappointed.
There is some big differences from last season to this season, notably the fact we’ve brought in some quality players who have slotted into the Arteta system perfectly and made us look and play more fluid football, but also the fact that I think those players who were here last season have become stronger mentality and don’t look out of place anymore.
Football is as much about mentality as it is about ability, and when you get into the nitty gritty parts of it, it’s only about winning games. We as a club have managed to go on an unbelievable streak in The Premier League and are currently sitting on top of the ladder with everything to lose.
This is almost a double-edged sword as we may sit on top but with everything to lose, we have to stay focused mentally and a lot of that is the responsibility of the manager and his coaching staff but also the player’s themselves.
We have a strong side and with the added signings we’ve made, we do look like a more dominant and well-rounded squad. Injuries have been an issue with a few players, but we’ve had the depth in the squad for others to be able and have been able to step up at any time. City and Liverpool are both having just as good of seasons as we are and they’re both not going to roll over without a fight.
We need our leaders to step up and the manager to try keep the players level-headed and just focus on the winning the next match no matter what. Playing against City at The Etihad will be a huge challenge for us and if were able to walk away with the 3 points, that puts us in a perfect position to take it all the way to the end.
What’s your thoughts Gooners?
Daisy Mae
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Ian Wright questioning if we have the mentality to win at the Ethiad ?
How negative lol
He is not questioning Dan, I think, he is just saying we should have the right mentality to go there and win.
I think the only thing that can stop them now is if there is a mentality slip and something like that happens”.
The legend is right, our mentality to a great extent causes the Big one to get away in the last campaign.
But the gaffer has since strengthen the team in that regard, one player in particular seems to have nerves like a bundle of steel, he relishes the big games, Arsenal now winning at the Etihad and completing the double over the champion is not beyond us.
It wasn’t a mentality thing for city players when they lost at the emirates. It was a bit of luck on the day. I think wrighty is way off the mark we aren’t afraid of anyone we play to win wherever we go.
If Saka & Magalhaes will be back from injury we will win, if not then it’s the usual drubbing.
Tommy and Kiwior can step in both Left back and left centre back respectively without lowering the quality of play, Jesus and Trossard can also step in in the absence of Martinelli so both players missing wouldn’t be a big blow to arsenal through we would be better with them in the team.
I really hope Tomiyasu and Kiwior will step up defensive-wise coz City will finish even half chances! Will Saliba povket Haaland again? We will see 🫡
A draw will not be end of the world .
We still will be ahead of Man City . Although Liverpool may be 2 points ahead but we can catch as Liverpool players looks tired
The other thing to consider is beating city who are the holders of the champions league would give us confidence in being able to beat any team in Europe! Hopefully!
So a loss at the Etihad could be put down to mentality? There are likely to be many factors rather than mentality alone; home advantage for one. City putting in a very good performance for another
I’ve found the creation of the current squad to be an interesting development. We had a couple of senior players- Xhaka for example, and the rest were youngsters. There was barely a winner amongst them.
Now, we are looking at a completely different scenario. Over a couple of seasons Arteta has brought in young winners – GJ, OZ and KH and the older Jorginho who all bring that invaluable experience to integrate alongside the rest. For this reason and from lessons learned from the disappointment of the ending to last season, I do believe that the team are in a much better place.
Think Sue it’s more our record at the Ethiad in general, the amount of times we concede early,etc
The fact that in the last two runs ins we have failed when the pressure is on
The likes of me don’t just worry about mentality for zero reason … There’s years of evidence
Its all about being focused completely for the rest of the season and being tough mentally. We have got the players to take us over the line, both in offence and defence and all that remains is our mental strength and fortitude and I completely agree with the legend Ian Wright in this regard.
We are now in the last 10 games and just like last season we are 1st albeit without the 5 pts(8pts but 1 more match) advantage. Now we will see if the squad has gained the resiliency and maturity needed from last season heartbreak.
That being said we could lose to City even with a great mentality and effort if they also have a great match.
Your last paragraph is absolutely right Ackshay
Losing doesn’t automatically mean that our mentality should be called into question
No but loseing in say your last …. consecutive visits does
Dan
I definitely have a different opinion to you on that aspect. I think it’s possible to lose in consecutive years if the opposition are better on the day. To me there is a difference between putting in a good performance in a tight game and rolling over and being pathetic
Oh I agree
Issue is if you look at our results at Ethiad its usually by 3 ‘ 4 sometimes 5
It’s how you lose isn’t it
Long as we show up and give it our best I’ll be happy
You are right Dan that if we go there, just roll over and get a beating then it will show that we still have to grow mentally. I have the same fear as you of getting my hopes up just to have it crushed yet again. I have joked with friends that we are cursed nearly always getting our heart crushed in the worst way possible.
But Sue is also right that in some games they were miles better than us in player quality, tactics everything.
If I understood Wright well, he was simply saying that unless it is weak mentality, there is nothing that can stop Arsenal winning at the Etihad. If I may add, his optimism is not unfounded. We have a team which is capable of standing up to anyone regardless of whether it is at home or away. This is not negativity in any way. I would rather say it is caution or just simple assessment. This is not the same as saying Arsenal cannot win at Etihad because of mentality. He was simply trying to point out the one thing that can undermine Arsenal at Etihad.
Can we have a midfield of
Odegard Partey Joginho Rice
Vs Man city…