Alex Collings
@alexcollings.bsky.social
@alexfrco on twitter. He/him, rambler and unofficial laugh track @potshot.bsky.social.
Interested in The Arsenal, tactical analysis, and scouting. Also philosophy, politics, and music. Reading: Technofeudalism.
Build a longer table, not a taller fence.
Interested in The Arsenal, tactical analysis, and scouting. Also philosophy, politics, and music. Reading: Technofeudalism.
Build a longer table, not a taller fence.
Honoured to have been asked to be part of SCOUTED50 again.
Tom told me to go with my heart this year, so I did.
Tom told me to go with my heart this year, so I did.
October 1, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Honoured to have been asked to be part of SCOUTED50 again.
Tom told me to go with my heart this year, so I did.
Tom told me to go with my heart this year, so I did.
Oh, it’s going to be one of *those* games.
August 31, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Oh, it’s going to be one of *those* games.
Seems White is injured again (pain) but I nevertheless rate the change of Timber at RB, especially in context of us leaning into a more direct approach.
Adds necessary balance to the team with Calafiori on the other flank and will upgrade our transition control significantly.
Adds necessary balance to the team with Calafiori on the other flank and will upgrade our transition control significantly.
August 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Seems White is injured again (pain) but I nevertheless rate the change of Timber at RB, especially in context of us leaning into a more direct approach.
Adds necessary balance to the team with Calafiori on the other flank and will upgrade our transition control significantly.
Adds necessary balance to the team with Calafiori on the other flank and will upgrade our transition control significantly.
Nvm people at the Emirates are telling me that fans have been told to be in their seats 17.20 sharp!
August 23, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Nvm people at the Emirates are telling me that fans have been told to be in their seats 17.20 sharp!
I can’t wait to watch them play together.
August 21, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I can’t wait to watch them play together.
Eze’s dribbling is an amazing tool to add to our squad, but I’m even more excited about the fact we have one of the best transition passers and decision makers in world football.
August 21, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Eze’s dribbling is an amazing tool to add to our squad, but I’m even more excited about the fact we have one of the best transition passers and decision makers in world football.
He’s still developing that burst off the mark but yeah rapid over the medium distances. Super rangey so can just eat space
July 27, 2025 at 2:03 PM
He’s still developing that burst off the mark but yeah rapid over the medium distances. Super rangey so can just eat space
Copley a surprising one, I guess he’s the beneficiary of the U21 clear out + Dan Casey’s future being up in the air.
Dowman’s been talked about to death but tbh Marli Salmon’s inclusion is probably even more insane? A 15yo CB going on tour with the seniors ahead of the likes of Maldini.
Dowman’s been talked about to death but tbh Marli Salmon’s inclusion is probably even more insane? A 15yo CB going on tour with the seniors ahead of the likes of Maldini.
July 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Copley a surprising one, I guess he’s the beneficiary of the U21 clear out + Dan Casey’s future being up in the air.
Dowman’s been talked about to death but tbh Marli Salmon’s inclusion is probably even more insane? A 15yo CB going on tour with the seniors ahead of the likes of Maldini.
Dowman’s been talked about to death but tbh Marli Salmon’s inclusion is probably even more insane? A 15yo CB going on tour with the seniors ahead of the likes of Maldini.
SANÉ: He’s free and maybe good… but idk. Not ready to pin my hopes on another declining ex-City winger.
GORDON: Funny one to have last as a big defender/fan of his for years, but main issue here for me is the amount he’d cost for someone who maybe doesn’t add enough things lacking from Martinelli.
GORDON: Funny one to have last as a big defender/fan of his for years, but main issue here for me is the amount he’d cost for someone who maybe doesn’t add enough things lacking from Martinelli.
June 8, 2025 at 7:25 PM
SANÉ: He’s free and maybe good… but idk. Not ready to pin my hopes on another declining ex-City winger.
GORDON: Funny one to have last as a big defender/fan of his for years, but main issue here for me is the amount he’d cost for someone who maybe doesn’t add enough things lacking from Martinelli.
GORDON: Funny one to have last as a big defender/fan of his for years, but main issue here for me is the amount he’d cost for someone who maybe doesn’t add enough things lacking from Martinelli.
SEMENYO: Another shot monster who can strike a ball with either foot, but more powerful as an athlete and a dribbler than someone like Lookman. And he’s a Gooner! Big +++ points.
Duelling and throw-ins are also very Teta-coded. Do have some questions over him in more controlled possession settings.
Duelling and throw-ins are also very Teta-coded. Do have some questions over him in more controlled possession settings.
June 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
SEMENYO: Another shot monster who can strike a ball with either foot, but more powerful as an athlete and a dribbler than someone like Lookman. And he’s a Gooner! Big +++ points.
Duelling and throw-ins are also very Teta-coded. Do have some questions over him in more controlled possession settings.
Duelling and throw-ins are also very Teta-coded. Do have some questions over him in more controlled possession settings.
LOOKMAN: Honestly, I really rate. He’s insane every time I see him.
Have called him Rodrygo lite, but maybe that’s doing him a disservice. Great ball-striking off both feet, very intelligent and selfless IP & OOP.
Without watching more, some worries over translating from Serie A and Gasperini.
Have called him Rodrygo lite, but maybe that’s doing him a disservice. Great ball-striking off both feet, very intelligent and selfless IP & OOP.
Without watching more, some worries over translating from Serie A and Gasperini.
June 8, 2025 at 9:56 AM
LOOKMAN: Honestly, I really rate. He’s insane every time I see him.
Have called him Rodrygo lite, but maybe that’s doing him a disservice. Great ball-striking off both feet, very intelligent and selfless IP & OOP.
Without watching more, some worries over translating from Serie A and Gasperini.
Have called him Rodrygo lite, but maybe that’s doing him a disservice. Great ball-striking off both feet, very intelligent and selfless IP & OOP.
Without watching more, some worries over translating from Serie A and Gasperini.
After those four, or perhaps even sneaking ahead of Nico, come the *’s — i.e. when it may be time to pivot towards a L10 type.
EZE: We need a maverick. Gives us that final third receiver/controlla/dribbler on the LHS
SIMONS: More off-ball, needle player. You can see why he’s seen as a Wirtz Plan B
EZE: We need a maverick. Gives us that final third receiver/controlla/dribbler on the LHS
SIMONS: More off-ball, needle player. You can see why he’s seen as a Wirtz Plan B
June 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
After those four, or perhaps even sneaking ahead of Nico, come the *’s — i.e. when it may be time to pivot towards a L10 type.
EZE: We need a maverick. Gives us that final third receiver/controlla/dribbler on the LHS
SIMONS: More off-ball, needle player. You can see why he’s seen as a Wirtz Plan B
EZE: We need a maverick. Gives us that final third receiver/controlla/dribbler on the LHS
SIMONS: More off-ball, needle player. You can see why he’s seen as a Wirtz Plan B
NICO WILLIAMS: He’s near the platonic ideal of an Arteta LW, and as such has until recently sat 4th in my lil list… but I’m put off by his wage demands.
If he joined on current terms he’d be, what, our 3rd highest earner? That’s bound to have knock-on effects on wage structure. Also, still raw-ish.
If he joined on current terms he’d be, what, our 3rd highest earner? That’s bound to have knock-on effects on wage structure. Also, still raw-ish.
June 7, 2025 at 9:14 PM
NICO WILLIAMS: He’s near the platonic ideal of an Arteta LW, and as such has until recently sat 4th in my lil list… but I’m put off by his wage demands.
If he joined on current terms he’d be, what, our 3rd highest earner? That’s bound to have knock-on effects on wage structure. Also, still raw-ish.
If he joined on current terms he’d be, what, our 3rd highest earner? That’s bound to have knock-on effects on wage structure. Also, still raw-ish.
The next two have swapped around for me recently. I think the ceiling is higher with Leão but Rodrygo is the surer bet and more direct answer to our needs.
LEÃO: Can RUN GAMES from wide, but huge OOP concerns
RODRYGO: Would benefit from being prioritised in our attack; associative scoring outlet
LEÃO: Can RUN GAMES from wide, but huge OOP concerns
RODRYGO: Would benefit from being prioritised in our attack; associative scoring outlet
June 7, 2025 at 9:02 PM
The next two have swapped around for me recently. I think the ceiling is higher with Leão but Rodrygo is the surer bet and more direct answer to our needs.
LEÃO: Can RUN GAMES from wide, but huge OOP concerns
RODRYGO: Would benefit from being prioritised in our attack; associative scoring outlet
LEÃO: Can RUN GAMES from wide, but huge OOP concerns
RODRYGO: Would benefit from being prioritised in our attack; associative scoring outlet
BARCOLA: A1 talent and A1 profile fit for our needs. Shot monster who can create receiving from wide. Effective mover in transition and against set defences. Can play both sides.
Should be our #1 target imo, even for big money. Lost his starting berth at PSG… I hope we at least make an approach.
Should be our #1 target imo, even for big money. Lost his starting berth at PSG… I hope we at least make an approach.
June 7, 2025 at 8:33 PM
BARCOLA: A1 talent and A1 profile fit for our needs. Shot monster who can create receiving from wide. Effective mover in transition and against set defences. Can play both sides.
Should be our #1 target imo, even for big money. Lost his starting berth at PSG… I hope we at least make an approach.
Should be our #1 target imo, even for big money. Lost his starting berth at PSG… I hope we at least make an approach.
Family group chat. Rest in peace Pope Francis
April 21, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Family group chat. Rest in peace Pope Francis
A night to rival this one 🥹🫡
April 8, 2025 at 8:59 PM
A night to rival this one 🥹🫡
You may not like it, but this is what Peak Calafiori looks like
March 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM
You may not like it, but this is what Peak Calafiori looks like
Cape Town Jazz Fest is undefeated because they’ll have Ari Lennox announced in the lineup right next to these guys.
And both performances will change your life
And both performances will change your life
March 16, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Cape Town Jazz Fest is undefeated because they’ll have Ari Lennox announced in the lineup right next to these guys.
And both performances will change your life
And both performances will change your life
Okay David you can stay
March 9, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Okay David you can stay
