Manager Mikel Arteta appeared comfortable away from the pitch, a far cry from the tetchy figure we sometimes see on the touchline, and technical director Edu appears to be in command of his responsibilities.
Edu’s duty these days is to filter through the countless agencies that offer Arsenal their players. It seems that he is a level-headed man who is not easily moved by the allure of a new, gaudy device that has no real utility.
Results can disguise many flaws at football teams, but there is a sense of purpose around Arsenal, as well as goodwill for the ownership, which is amazing given the outrage directed at them during the Super League catastrophe.
Their goal is to improve and win. That is not easy given that they have finished second in the Premier League the last two seasons with 84 and 89 points, respectively. Manchester City is the only club that finished ahead of them.
When asked before the Bournemouth game in Los Angeles if it was feasible to improve after two nearly perfect seasons, Arteta responded emphatically: “We have to.”
