Afternoon all.
I’ve been slacking, I know but honestly, an international break just kills my interest in football for two weeks. There’s another one next month, thankfully the last for this year. Not that there will be much of this year left by then. Jurrien Timber and Christian Norgaard should be on their way back to north London by now as both played their second fixture yesterday. Leandro Trossard, Ethan Nwaneri, William Saliba and Viktor Gyokeres play their second games tonight and then Spain, Italy, Brazil and England play tomorrow.
Then we can look forward to the weekend.
We won’t know who is fit for the short trip across London to play Fulham until Mikel Arteta holds his press conference but I’m hoping for some good news on Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie as well as Gabriel Jesus. Sadly, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard are looking likely to be long term absentees.
Our old midfielder Jack Wilshere has stepped into management for the first time with Luton Town. I say old but he’s still just 33 years old after his career was cut short because of injury. I think he’ll always remain a fans favourite regardless of where his managerial career takes him and who knows, if he takes to the role like a duck to water, he might one day be back at Arsenal FC.
Mikel Arteta and academy manager Per Mertesacker are his inspirations for this new chapter in his life, asking the Spaniard when he knew he was ready to take the big step.
I love this:
About a year ago, I asked Mikel when he knew he was ready,” Wilshere said during his unveiling press conference. “He laughed and said, ‘You just have to jump in and swim as hard as you can.’
“He’s done that really well and this feels a little similar. It’s a different level but Arsenal wasn’t a nice place when Mikel went in. The fans weren’t sure what was happening and he built complete unity and trust in what he was doing.”
Chris Powell will be alongside him in the dugout. Good luck Jack, you are going to need it. What football manager doesn’t really regardless of whether it’s their first or fifth job? A bit of luck goes a long way towards making or breaking a managers career.
I don’t think Mikel Arteta had any good luck when he took over from Unai Emery. But what he did have was owners/board who believed in him, who stood by him through a rocky first season or two and who have invested heavily in the squad. Finally we look like we can cope with the injuries, suspensions, etc, although I’d much rather we had none of both over the next seven and a half months.
Enjoy the international football tonight if you’re watching, I’m going off to see when Luton next play.
Catch up in the comments.
Jack had just a couple games as a stand-in manager at Norwich City at the end of last season so he’s not entirely untried. I hope he does well, he deserves a bit of luck.
Both games in the next interlull are friendlies so are likely to be played at half pace and will be riddled with substitutions. Pointless and unnecessary jeopardy for players risking injury for no discernible purpose.
Good night Gooners, everywhere. 🌜