Three things we learned from the latest All or Nothing episodes
Another week and another three episodes of All or Nothing for Arsenal fans to sink their teeth into.
Last week’s edition highlighted Arsenal’s early season travails, boardroom machinations, and a whole heap of Catalan-accented pep talks.
This week’s triple zeroed in on the portion of last term where things really started to click, with a healthy dose of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang content for good measure.
Let’s take a look at three things we learnt from episodes four, five and six.
Arteta’s little black book
Aptly titled ‘Respect, Commitment, Passion’ episode four of the behind-the-scenes documentary lifted the lid on the
Aubameyang indiscretion which broke the Areta back.
Somewhat disappointingly however, we don't actually get to see the forward’s pivotal misdemeanour, only a few statements alluding to his consistent tardiness.
Nevertheless, it was reassuring for fans to see the manager apply the same level of detail in issuing tactical instructions to chronicling the Gabonese striker’s long list of failings.
In a short sound bite with Communication Director and Community Affairs Officer, Mark Gonnella, Arteta can be heard saying: “That’s why I have everything documented.”
Responding to a question from the preceding press conference which implied his stance toward the striker was merely a power play he continued: “The dates, the times, the conversations, how it happened and why it happened.
“Because if one day it’s needed, there you go.
“He’s been late, apart from all the other issues, many times,” the Spaniard concluded on the former Arsenal man.
One thing’s for sure, Arteta is not one to get on the wrong side of.
January transfer dealings
While the spectre of Arsenal’s flamboyant former captain hung over most of episode four, the documentary waited until ‘The Exit’ to provide resolution to the saga.
Viewers were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at operation ‘get Aubameyang out of the club’ - dutifully carried out by Technical Director Edu Gaspar and Director of Football Operations Richard Garlick.
Like an 80s buddy cop movie, All or Nothing follows the two protagonists hashing out plans to dispense of the forward.
Tense phone exchanges between player agents and club representatives are aplenty with a textbook comedic sensibility from Gonnella who, in the midst of another Gaspar-Garlick jam session, informs the pair of the wantaway striker’s whereabouts.
“You know he’s in Barcelona,” Gonnella says.
“Who?” replies Edu, before the communications tsar confirms.
“Auba.”
This goes on for much of the runtime with the two deciding the best course of action to be a contract termination with an immediate resettlement in Catalonia for the striker.
Despite Barcelona initially opting for a loan move all parties eventually get their wish in the 11th hour, putting an end to the most unhappy of marriages.
What’s telling is how late in the day the move actually came, by the documentary’s accounts Aubameyang's departure was not secured until a minute before the 11 o’clock deadline.
I
t’s interesting to imagine what might have happened if he had stayed.
Surely Arteta wouldn’t have kept one of Europe’s elite marksmen locked away in solitary confinement when the squad lacked goals in the final run-in?
Also worth noting is the wholesome Xhaka family content sprinkled throughout the intense transfer dealings of episode five.
If nothing else confirming that, despite his worst impulses, Granit Xhaka is a decent lad.
The White family hate football
The final episode is largely devoted to the tireless Arsenal boss himself, giving us a window into his family life - and more importantly his mastery of a barbeque.
Despite the usual update on on-field matters, there is a much greater human focus as Ben White is also put under the microscope.
The centre-half, who joined the Gunners at the start of last season from Brighton, revealed his peculiar relationship to the game, one which greatly differs from many of his peers.
He said: “It’s weird because my family don’t like football, never played it.
“Dad hates it and would never ever watch a game.
“It was actually someone that my mum used to cut hair for, and she used to come out in the garden with me.
“She’d go in goal and I’d boot the ball at her, that’s where it all started.”
Having seen the Ramsdale family vicariously living every second of a Premier League game through their goalkeeping son, this revelation provided a touching contrast.
And gave some context to the stoic English centre-back.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
