The fly-on-the-wall documentary kicks off this week and GOAL has already seen the first three episodes…
It’s finally here! After months of anticipation, the first three episodes of Amazon’s All or Nothing Arsenal – which tracks the Gunners throughout the 2021-22 season – are released on Thursday, August 4.
Ahead of the official release date, GOAL has had a sneak peek, so here is what to expect from the opening three episodes…
Getty ImagesSaka the early star
Given what had happened earlier in the summer, it’s perhaps no surprise that Bukayo Saka is the early star of the opening episode.
The documentary tracks Saka’s return to training after the disappointment of missing the crucial penalty in the Euro 2020 final and focuses on how he was welcomed back after the social media abuse that came his way.
Thierry Henry features as he praises Saka for having the bravery to step up in the shoot out, while Saka discusses the attention that has come his way during a chat with Emile Smith Rowe and Folarin Balogun in the canteen at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground.
AdvertisementEarly disappointment
Within 10 minutes of the first episode starting, it has reached the opening game of the Premier League season against Brentford.
Arsenal fans across the world are well aware of what went on before that match in west London, with a Covid-19 outbreak ravaging Arteta’s squad.
The situation got so bad that Arsenal spoke to the Premier League to determine whether the game could be postponed, but were told it was impossible.
Arteta was far from happy with that decision and most would have been expecting that situation to have been one of the major themes of the early part of this series.
Yet it is barely mentioned, aside from a quick comment from narrator Daniel Kaluuya that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette had fallen ill just ahead of kick-off against Brentford.
That felt like a bit of a let down as some behind-the-scenes footage of what was going on at London Colney during the build-up to the game would have provided supporters with some valuable insight.
GettyKroenke’s personal touch
It’s not long before Josh Kroenke features, with the son of owner Stan Kroenke appearing 15 minutes into the first episode.
He is shown meeting with technical director Edu and chief executive officer Vinai Venkatesham at the training ground to discuss Arsenal’s progress in the transfer window.
What’s clear during the footage of Kroenke is his backing of Arteta during those difficult early weeks of the season.
At one point the pair are talking on one of the training pitches and Arteta admits it has been a "tough week" and that the "tsunami is coming" and the "clouds are dark".
But you see Kroenke putting his arm on Arteta’s shoulder. It's a small but significant gesture.
Later on, you see the pair together in the canteen at Colney after the Manchester City defeat that left Arsenal bottom of the table after the opening three games.
Again, you see Kroenke reassuring Arteta during a conversation over lunch.
GettyArteta’s team talks
One of the most eye-catching things during the first three episodes are the pre-match team talks you see and hear from Arteta. They range from emotional to motivational.
Before the Watford game, he opens up to his players about the heart issues he faced as a child during a speech about high performance, and he thanks them for the way they have lifted him since the Manchester City defeat.
Perhaps the most interesting team talk comes in episode three ahead of the Leicester away game when Arteta gathers his players in a circle and tells them to close their eyes and rub their hands together while imagining what is going to happen in the match.
It has to be said that there is a hint of David Brent about it, though!