Morning all.
Slightly worrying news from Declan Rice who told ITV the he has been managing a “neural hamstring” issue since Christmas:
It was a smart decision [to take me off]. I was feeling some neural pain in my hamstring which I was managing with Arsenal since Christmas for a very long time – not many people will have known that as it was behind-the-scenes stuff.
The last 20 minutes is where you can pick up something – you feel your body going through it. But the last few days I’ve felt really good.
Declan Rice trained with the England squad yesterday but I don’t think that means he’ll definitely start on Tuesday against Ghana. Bukayo Saka didn’t train yesterday and reports suggest he won’t be starting. I read something yesterday about how the FA are leaving the decision whether to shake Thomas Partey’s hand or not with the players. Ridiculous that this conversation has even taken place really because our old midfielder hasn’t even had the case against him heard yet. That is scheduled for next summer.
Back to the season review which today relates firstly to 2022/23.
Arsenal’s summer transfer window began with the signing of 19 year old Brazilian Marquinhos then ten days later, Fabio Vieira joined him. Matt Turner was next. The following month, both Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko joined from Man City, both were just what we needed at the time, vastly experienced and they knew how winning the league felt.
In the departure lounge sat a number of players, some on loan, others permanently.
Alex Lacazette, Arthur Okonkwo, Nuno Tavares, Bernd Leno, Folarin Balogun, Lucas Torreira, Pablo Mari, Alex Runarsson, Nicolas Pepe, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Hector Bellerin left, all bar, Lacazette, Leno and Torreria were loans deals.
By the time the transfer window closed, there were twenty-four players in the first-team squad: three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards.
Leandro Trossard, Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior joined in January.
Finally, William Saliba stayed put to form a central defensive partnership with Gabriel.
The season started really well as from the opening game of the campaign through to the break for the World Cup at the end of November, we won every match barring a defeat against Man Utd at Old Trafford and a draw against Southampton on the south coast. The next five games went our way apart from a goalless draw at home against Newcastle Utd.
Then we had a wobble. A defeat at Everton, a draw at home with Brentford and then a hefty home defeat against Man City. We followed that with a couple of victories in early May but then suffered a home defeat to Brighton and an away defeat against Nottingham Forest.
A 5-0 home victory against Wolves brought our season to an end with a 2nd place finish, five points behind Man City.
Our FA Cup run ended in the fourth round, the League Cup, the third round and Europa League, the first knockout round.
Champions League football and Arsenal were reunited.
2023/24. The arrival of game changers.
This campaign still irks me, just as a few have done previously.
The transfer window saw Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, David Raya (loan) and Declan Rice arrive at Arsenal. Once again, many players departed but all were loan deals. Pepe had his contract terminated and left for good. If only we hadn’t drawn our home fixtures against Fulham and Totts. Or hadn’t lost at home to West Ham. That was how close we came to beating Man City to the Premier League title. Two more points, that’s all we needed. Had Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe not been injured for so long, who knows what might have been.
But, we were getting closer.
Our Champions League journey ended at the quarter-final stage against a lucky Bayern Munich. The FA Cup run ended as soon as it began with a defeat to Liverpool at The Emirates and we went out the League Cup in the fourth round after losing 3-1 to West Ham.
We did add a piece of silverware to the trophy cabinet though but that was right at the start of the season when we beat Man City 4-1 on penalties in the Community Shield.
Catch up in the comments.
Thanks Potter.
Morning all.
I think it was half way through the 2023/24 season when I started to have a bit more belief. Although I didn’t agree with Raya at the time, he’s proved me wrong over and over again. Just as Ben White did.
Hi Kev, it’s ridiculous what he’s been through, if/when he’s found guilty then fine but until that day, he’s not.
Whilst he could settle out of court, why do so if he knows he’s innocent?
Good morning all.
Saka didn’t train yesterday….with the rest of the squad, he’s pursuing his own training program while managing his long term injury.
That certainly bodes ill for Declan. 😕
Blimey, we shifted some deadwood back then.
I am glad that I no longer follow cricket , it sounds dire..
Nice summation Rico , it was the period where the process looked like it was actually going somewhere.
The Kroenke’s had to stick or twist and thankfully they chose to invest.
It’s the blight of social media Kev.People jump to conclusions and if it suits their agenda it spreads like wildfire
It’s not new , it’s been happening around Hollywood and the California coast for years , cry wolf and get a pay out .
The thing about Thomas is that he is pleading not guilty, were he to settle out of court I am sure that it would go away from a legal position . However as far as the court of public opinion is concerned the rumours will always follow him around .
All out in 49 minutes, that’s the spirit, Archer got a shooter so that was unlucky, but the rest, no excuses. Is Bethal good enough to bat at No.3, I don’t think so? Maybe Crawley should return at No.3
As for the attack, its village green standard.
Morning Rico, regarding Thomas Partey, a lot of people might well end up with egg on their faces in the next few months, not least the guys on Arseblog Extra.
Whatever happened to innocent until proven otherwise?