Morning all.
The news surrounding Granit Xhaka after he suffered injury on Sunday isn’t good. A ruptured inner ligament in his right knee which is likely to keep him out of the game for the next six to eight weeks. Rotten for him, Arsenal and Switzerland. I wish him a speedy recovery.
Sadly, these things happen in the game but as we know, when one door shuts, another opens for somebody else. Thomas Partey, plus one of Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mohamed Elneny are Mikel Arteta’s options. In that order I’d imagine. Hopefully Xhaka will be back fit and healthy before the January transfer window opens ACON.
Talking of injuries, Brighton appear to have a lot. Danny Welbeck, Yves Bissouma, Adam Webster, Enock Mwepu, and Steven Alzate are all doubts for the Saturday evening kickoff according to Graham Potter.
Back to Arsenal, it’s that time of the month when fans can vote for their player of the month on the official site. My money is on Tomiyasu running away with it but doesn’t it make a change to have to think about it. Whilst our right back has been brilliant, so has Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel. All of our summer signings have done well so far which is incredible really as often it takes players months, if not a full season to adjust to a new League. Martin Ødegaard had the benefit of five months in the Premier League of course and Ben White together with Aaron Ramsdale are used to English conditions but for Tomiyasu Takehiro, Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares, it’s been a whole new challenge. Any fans who doubted our new guys quality must surely have changed their view by now.
Aaron Ramsdale was ridiculed from pillar to post when Arsenal signed him because despite his player of the season awards for the last few seasons, his club had often been relegated. He’s proving to be a quality signing. I love his attitude, his constant chat, the way he celebrates a clearance with his teammates and he just seems focused. His personality is the opposite to Bernd Leno.
Two more players, both signed last summer, who’ve really improved in my option is Thomas Partey and Gabriel. Both struggled last season, Gabriel because of Covid and Partey was in and out with injury. If both can stay fit and healthy, Ramsdale too, our core will remain strong. If Aubameyang can continue to play like he did on Sunday, I think we’d have to look back to the Petit/Vieira days to find a stronger core in an Arsenal team.
I’m trying to think of when we had better fullbacks than we have today. Lauren and Cole perhaps? In Nuno Tavares, the club have a potentially top notch backup left back too. On the right though, we’re not quite as strong as after Tomiyasu Takehiro, it’s Calum Chambers or Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
But it’s much easier for squad players to join a team which is winning. If Arsenal can continue to build on the last three games, the two League Cup victories too, confidence will grow around the club in general and not just in the players involved in the matches.
Are you starting to believe a bit more?
See you in the comments.
Seems that according to Football London ( cough , cough , splutter , splutter ) that Ramsdale is now being coached by David Seaman at Mertesacker’s request.
Now les get Tone back for the defence and Thierry for the forwards and we are good to go.
I am.
Though I’ve been waiting a while to be fair.
Dismissed first game , disappointed with resistance next 2. Happy with ugly climb out of muck, and then SUNDAY bloody glorious Sunday.
Brighton is 17.30 btw
Cedric is still in Mikes good books,
And Danny was a major outlet under Palace press, he will be missed.
Hope Bissouma doesn’t rise from the flames like a blazing gull after our chips
Three months out for Xhaka. AFC.com.
Surprised we’ve not heard more about that re Seaman if true.
Fred, Arteta needed a full squad to select from imo. The first three were shocking for all sorts or reasons but if things are changing because of them, perhaps it’s a good job.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10038721/Arsenal-legend-David-Seaman-joins-training-new-No-1-Aaron-Ramsdale-following-derby-win.html
That recovery time seems reasonable. Lots of variables in partial tears. I suspect he’ll be training well before that. “Back in action” I hope is their 1st team readiness projection. If there’s one thing we can rely on with Granit, it’s his drive.
I read that DS was invited by Per to help coach the kids. Great photo op with our new star tho.
Trouble is, at his age, recovery can take longer and have more of a negative impact on a player.
His Age? That’s a low blow . He’s only just over half my age!
Seriously tho 28/29 isn’t he? Its not ACL, I don’t think it’ll effect his performance once healed. But they can recur f pushed again too soon. Hope he doesn’t get into a funk on the sidelines.
Perhaps Fred, time will tell.
Unless things have dramatically changed , with Arsenal’s track record on injuries we better start looking for a purchase in January.
If he’s rushed back in November with another international break and Switzerland playing Italy and Bulgaria , we might find ourselves with a break down and a longer spell through the Acon.
Morning Rico and all
Player of the month I will go for Odegaard,
weather you like Xhaka or not show’s just how easy a top player can get a major injury from what looked like a simple accident,
let’s hope Xhaka will heal soon and looking at the photo of Xhaka daughter giving him first aid his good hands.
I’d like to think there’s a plan in place for a midfielder in January regardless of Xhaka being injured.
Hi Geoff. Interesting choice.
Arsenal Women beat Spurs Women 5 – 1 in the cup and go into the semi finals. 🔔🔔🔔🔔🔔
According to Razon in Spain Arsenal are offering Lacazette as part of a deal to sign 25 year old Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
I just watched a YouTube video clip of Youssef En-Nesyri, not sure if he is any better than what we have already.
A report I German tabloid Bild claims that the reason Bernd Leno was dropped to the bench was “not performance related” and that he wants to leave in January.
Fabrizio Romano is saying that a possible move to Inter Milan is off as the Italian club are interested in signing Ajax ‘keeper Andre Onana instead. Arsenal are also said to be interested in Onana.
It’s hard to say from just you tube clips Geoff but he looks a bit livelier and more direct than Pepe for instance.
Could be a busy January then Cicero.
Morning all.
Youssef En-Nesyri would an odd signing as he’d be a the ACON with Auba.
Maybe it’s not about better Geoff, just different.
He’s 5-6 years younger so if he’s of similar ability, he’s an upgrade of sorts.
Good morning Rico, it’s all just paper talk at the moment, but it maintains a bit of interest during the empty days when the European games are being played, sadly not by us. 😕
Morning Cicero. This no European football certainly leaves a void. Lol
Then it’s a two week break. Zzzzzz
More time for Arteta to bed the new players in though, Rico.
Most will be playing for their country though Scott.
En-Nesyri clips just showed him scoring from inside the box were I feel we need a striker who can not only score from inside the box but also sprint towards goal on a quick break and score from outside the box, how ever sayings that I would like to see his stats or better steal someone who has seen him play a few matches.
New post up now