But at last I got to see the MF I wanted a look at. Dec-MnM-Odin.
After MnM got injured so no pre-season, when he was back the team was in one injury crisis after another. So he was not only playing for his place in the team, he was doing so in one being constantly rejigged.
But now, thanks to Ganpati magic or the strange ways of the Gods of Football [delete, or not, as applicable] he knows he's a nailed on starter cos of injuries and is full of confidence.
Even in his odd appearances earlier in the season, he was winning tackles and aerial duels, and not misplacing passes or taking too long and slowing the move down. That backheel for Gabby's goal was like Santi - but a 6'2" Santi who can also win balls in the air.
Shortly after he played a through ball that B should have buried. A bit like his pass for B's Bernabeu goal. Now yes, you'd expect a good player to make those assists but when Dennis did it for Freddie week in, week out, we loved him for it.
Gabby's looked better recently, and MnM's move to MF from CF hasn't stopped their understanding. If we sign a striker, I think we'll also see the Kai as a creative inside left we hoped for cos like MnM he now knows he can score and make goals. He has the fan's backing in the bank.
I just wish we could keep Wigwam. Offer him a ?10-15m signing on fee for a one year extension with a 2nd year option.
Zubi's off to RM cos it's easier to get into their MF than ours. Given Dec and Odin are nailed on starters, then a new MF is already battling MnM and Kai for the final spot.
But like with Kai when he moved up top, MnM now looks at home in an Arsenal shirt in a way Fabio never did cos he didn't get the run in the side. 6 goals and 4 assists since that game in Feb when we tried him off the bench.
A brace for Leo, too, and a great ball to B for one of the first half goals. I think this is how we'll start the PSG game, with Wigwam back for the away leg and Leo as an attacking option from the bench.
Anyway, I'm just so happy for MnM cos I just wanted to see what he could do in MF with Dec and Odin but Gabby injured him and then other coonts injured all our other players.
But such is the magic of the Divine that Kai and Jeez being out has given him the chance to show what he can do. Yes, Ipswich are going down. But he also got 2 assists in Madrid after scoring at home. Let's seeing him dancing 'round the corner flag home and away vs Paris.