Morning all.
Theres a full Premier League fixture list tonight, bar one. Arsenal v Man City, which was postponed so that we could play our Europa fixture against PSV Eindhoven tomorrow evening. For once, I think this might work in our favour, not because I think we’re not capable of getting something from a fixture against Man City but because our ‘first team’ players will have had a bit of a breather before heading to Southampton at the weekend. The fixture pileup will catch up with every Premier League club, especially those involved in European competitions. Being in the Europa League is helping our plight because Mikel Arteta has been able to play a second string team barring the odd 2/3 players, whereas the likes of Man City, Totts and Liverpool have according to reports, needed to field strong teams.
A draw against PSV tomorrow night would guarantee a place in the knockout stage because Bodo/Glimt wouldn’t be able to catch us regardless of what happens in their final two fixtures, but there’s no way Mikel Arteta will be thinking about anything other than securing three points which would leave us just one point off from ensuring we end this group phase of the competition in first place.
Things have changed in a very short space of time for certain players at Arsenal. This time last year, Takehiro Tomiyasu was Mikel Arteta’s first choice right-back and Kieran Tierney, left-back but now, the Scotsman has mainly being playing the Europa fixtures and in the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Tomiyasu has been playing at left-back and playing very well I hasten to add. Ben White was diving into challenges centrally yet now he’s one of the best right-backs in the league. Sambi Lokonga, after starting a number of previous fixtures, dropped to the bench with Pepe filling the numerical deficit.
I very much doubt life has been tough for Sambi Lokonga since arriving at Arsenal last summer but as those of us who watched ‘All Or Nothing’ know, he wasn’t impressed by his lack of first team opportunities as the season went on. That’s changed this season because of the Europa League and whilst he might think he should be starting In the Premier League, he, just like every other young player in the game, has to be patient. If reports in the Evening Standard as well as other newspapers are genuine quotes from the player, he thought about leaving Arsenal back in the summer.
Honestly, it’s difficult. I’m at one of the best clubs in England. I could have played somewhere else every weekend, but that wouldn’t have been the right solution for me. It’s a personal decision [to stay at Arsenal]. I wanted to give myself another year to stay at Arsenal and then see what happens. At the end of last season, I almost snapped, I called my agent to ask him if staying at Arsenal was a good idea. He comforted me in my choice, even though I know I need to start more often to develop.
I always believe that talking to the media is the worst thing any player can do if what’s he’s got to say is negative about the club or manager. Especially when that manager and club is Arsenal because it’s become very clear that Mikel Arteta won’t hesitate to get rid of any player who isn’t toeing the line. Sambi is clearly a talented player but he’s still young and the best thing he can do is keep working hard, improve and as said, be patient. Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny will very soon need replacing and if Lokonga is smart, he’ll realise the potential is there for him to have a big career at Arsenal. Keep talking negatively to the media though, and the choice of staying in north London or not, might be taken away from him.
Lastly, well done to the Under 21’s who came back from a goal down to beat Northampton 3-1 last night in the Papa Johns Trophy, and good luck to the ladies team who are up against Lyon in the Champions League tonight.
See you in the comments.
Some valid points. I’m also glad we’re not the team playing City next as they’ll be like a bear with a sore head after losing to Liverpool. And let’s be honest, what are the odds of City losing two on the bounce? Dodged a bullet, methinks.
I lifted this from LG
Some good intel on tomorrows opponents: https://twitter.com/adamvoge/status/1582384715893329921?s=12
Yeah Pete, really sorry to see Highfield Road go, as you say the locals up there were ok, not really a hooligan problem at all, people with that inclination went elsewhere in the Midlands…
I didn’t realise that Millwall was North of the Watford Gap Rico. 😄
Morning Rico and all.
As one who wanted Arteta to sign Lokonga, or any young player,
my advice is for get the media and let your actions on the field do all the talking you need.
Good post Rico, one of your best, Lokonga is under contract until 2026 so maybe a loan to our nursery club Marseille could be the way to go with Bertie.
Get the group done and dusted, take 4 points from PSV andthen play the U21’s with Xhaka as capt vs the Swiss
Another post in the ether somewhere .
We certainly could have a sprinkle of under 21’s but Holding, Vieira , Turner and Lokonga himself need playing time
First however we have to get past PSV and as the twitter post indicates these are no push over either tomorrow’s match could define the way things pan out after the world cup break.
Thanks Kev, nor Totts. 😂
Sorry about that Potter, really don’t know why that happens.
Hi Geoff, exactly. The media are not footballers friends…
In hindsight, perhaps Sambi could have gone out on loan last season but for having injuries early in the season, perhaps he might have.
Evening Rico and the House
What a great first half in Lyon
Lyon1 Arsenal 3
the 3rd goal a Beth Mead specialCome on you Gunners
Evening Rick, I wasn’t expecting that at all.
It got even better Rico.
Lyon the Champions 1 Arsenal 5.
Everyone of the team were brilliant,
Lyon had won their last 13games and this was the first time
since 2013 thet they lost by more than 1goal
I think it could have been more.
Excellent win by our ladies, beating the reigning champions 5 – 1 puts down a marker which will cause consternation among the other teams in the group.
4 points clear and a game in hand .
A bit glad Man c match called off, after losing to Liverpool and being 4 points behind us Pep will have them fired up and I can’t remember when they last lost 2 in a row.
New post up