Afternoon guys.
It’s a warm one again, great for Wimbledon but cruel on the garden. Don’t know about yours but my lawn is starting to look like centre courts baseline area after the two week competition. Hey ho, can’t moan really, not when every summer we all wish for some sunshine when it’s been cold and often rainy.
Yesterday dished up a drab game in the World Cup I thought. France, with more than a touch of good fortune knocked out Uruguay which means Torreira could soon be heading to London to complete his medical and Arsenal move. Ornstein reckons it’ll all become clear next week. Meanwhile, Sky Sports suggest that Arsenal are locked in talks to sign Steven N’Zonzi which is great as far as I’m concerned. If it’s a case of one or the other then I think Torreira edges it for me but if it ends up being N’Znonzi, then so be it I guess. If it’s both, which is always a possibility, then perfect. Two proper midfielders who know their job and do it well. Very well. One simply ‘replaces’ Jack Wilshere, the other is a vacancy we’ve had in midfield for what seems like years. Don’t most top clubs have two really good places in each position?
There’s still a month to go in this transfer window and already we’ve signed three players which in itself is something we Arsenal fans aren’t used to. Emery obviously means business I’d say and so far, all three who have joined are very experienced players which is what we need imo. Ornstein reckons that once Torreira arrives, if he does, that’s be it though, no more signings although where he gets that from I don’t know.
The later game in Russia was better I thought as Belgium tore favourites Brazil apart, ok, they beat them. Lukaku was a beast I thought and for a big guy, he’s no slouch. Much better than he oft has been for Utd. Belgium showed their metal when they came back from 2-0 against Japan, winning in the dying seconds so they must be up there with a chance of winning this tournament. Together with France and Croatia I’d imagine they are favourites but of course, England could yet have a say in that. Might sound harsh though, but they need to improve if they’re going to go all the way. While Harry Kane is grabbing the headlines for his goals, take away the spot kick and good fortune with a deflection, he’s left with little. Sterling is having a shocking World Cup imo and Henderson isn’t much better either. You though might disagree, that’s fine but as much as the headlines are suggesting how well we’re doing, have we really been tested by a good team? I don’t count the loss to Belgium because both made many changes.
Sweden. What about them? A good team playing well, or just a team who like England are quietly going about their business without really impressing?
Sweden head coach Janne Andersson:
“I grew up in the 70s and we used to follow English football. It was only one televised match a week in those day. I grew up with this and England was my second nation. It’s a wonderful feeling to face them as head coach of the Swedish team.
“But football has developed a great deal. What they still have is the heart and the spirit of fighting. I have always appreciated that but it’s not the England I grew up watching.”
England manager Gareth Southgate:
“Although our team will be better in two years with more life experience, maybe the cards on injuries and things won’t fall as kindly and we won’t get this opportunity again.
“It’s dangerous if I start to get carried away, but I’m proud of the way we’re playing.”
Southgate is right imo, England perhaps will never get such a good chance of winning a World Cup because so many shocks have taken place as the competition has gone on. Germany, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Brazil and now Uruguay, all gone. It’s similar to when Arsenal were odds on to win the league when all the top teams were struggling for whatever their reason.
However, Claudio Ranieri had other ideas….
Good luck England, go rip them Swedes apart and get through to the semi-final for the first time since 1990…
Torreira definitely, the other one possibly. Don’t forget transfer window closes early this season, before PL kick off so only about one month left
Afternoon guys.
Welcome Arthur, silly me, I thought it seemed a long time when I was writing… Doh!
Torreira must have a rest…
Kick off at 3 p.m.
I have always like Torreira, but if there were any doubters, watch how he quietly dominated the so called “big players” during Uruguay vs. France.
But since Xhaka, Elneny and Ramsey are not getting sold, N’Znonzi maybe a better fit because he’s provides more steel and “bully ball” mentality.
…but like Rico, I will take both.
Ramsey might yet go Obi…
Hi Rico, I see that clumsy central defender of our just stumbled and the ball bounced off his head and into the net. Extraordinary! As old John Motsom used to say. 😎
Hi Cicero, he did. Really good header wasn’t it? He’s still clumsy though 😜
But the question is , would you take Maguire over Mustaphi ? Wenger apparently had the chance but declined.
Potter, Yes!
Someone should explain to Jermaine Jenas that a gentleman does not wear his shirt outside his trousers if has shaped tails, square cut tails only if he rally must.
Good question Potter. Can I answer it in six months time? Lol
Now that was a proper effort from an otherwise largely ineffective Dele Alli.
And another attempt by that clumsy central defender, high wide and not so handsome. 😉
…….and the shot wasn’t much good either. 😊
Known reckons Ali has been superb… errr…
N’Zonzi any day over Terreira.
Great win England..
🎶🎶 we’re in the semis🎶🎶 🔔🔔🔔
Have FIFA paid Croatia enough to ensure Russia make it through to face England in the semi-finals? Infantino looked pretty pissed off when Brazil went out.
What will Putin do if Ingerland knock Russia out?
Hopefully Croatia might do it for us
Evening all and thank you Rico.
Aparrently Wenger asked Keown to scout Maguire, but they(Arsenal) were worried about Maguire`s mobilty !…………………….the same Arsenal who think Mertesacker is the reincarnate of Carl Lewis.
I scouted Maguire before both Wenger and Keown as I praised him long before !
I may be a van driver, but I have a knack to multi task when I watch Arsenal live (which aint often) I tend to look at the oppositions players and run the rule over whether they would be good enough or better than what we already have…………………Maguire was one who stood head and tails above anyone else when with Hull and so did N`Zonzi on a few occasions with Blackburn and Stoke, but that was years ago and wonder whether he has any potential to get better at his age !…………………………………obviously I need to be given a scouting job by Dick ! hahaha
So it’s Croatia next!
Torreira for me all day, but I would prefer we get both. And yes, Croatia will be England’s first real test
Torriera to have a medical today.
Morning Cicero and all.
Two medicals today apparently, Torreira and Guendouzi…
Good morning Rico, ah yes young Matteo the midfielder. There are going to be some heading for the exit in the next week or two.
You’d think so Cicero, who though I don’t know..
New post up now..