Not the result or performance we wanted, Arsenal up next and still lots to happen

We all know the game is rigged but it is a game and someone owns the football. And this means, for Clubs like us, we have to act the way we are acting. And is there a better word to use than rigged?

And because it’s rigged, it means we are not really going to know what position we are in until the transfer window closes. And because of that we are going to have players that will throw their toys out of the pram hoping to get what they want.

I didn’t expect it to be Ollie Watkins this time around but it is and because of this, it means we go into the season with an unsettled squad. Apologies are nice, but a little thought ahead of the action and maybe it wouldn’t have come to this.

And this all means, we are never going to start the season the way other sides can or do. I didn’t think we’d lose 4-0 and you can’t ever predict a player is going to get sent off, but that’s how it goes sometimes.

We all make mistakes

And you know what, even if we didn’t bring in another player and even if Ollie Watkins gets to leave, I’m okay with that. I’m okay with that, because the people at the Club want to be here and I’ll take those over a player or two chasing more millions.

And the most important of those people that want to be here is Unai Emery. He will adapt to the players he has and he’ll get them playing the way they need to. And we might go the season and not win anything, but we are used to that and we should be realistic with our expectations, especially when playing a rigged game.

We might also go the season and not win any silverware or we might even struggle to finish in a European place. One of those would worry me for next season, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.

We’ve played one game and a lot is going to happen between now and the transfer window closing and there are still 37 games to go. Last season taught us to be patient and as supporters we learnt a lot from that.

I’m confident that this week we are going to see new players coming and maybe even one or two more leaving. I’m also confident it is going to be okay by the end of the season and Aston Villa will be here for the next one.

Arsenal on Monday

So with players coming and maybe leaving, we focus on Monday and Arsenal coming to Villa Park. It’s going to be a big game and it’s never easy playing a settled side and it’s made harder because they are the favourites to win the League.

There is a good chance we’ll see Ezri Konsa back too. I hope he gets a good reception and I’m sure he will. We still believe Ezri!