Morning guys.
Still seething? I just have this feeling of vast disappointment but not just because we were beaten by Fleetwood Town but the manner in which the defeat came about. We can all argue about the starting eleven for a long time but in my opinion, had every single player been as committed to the task ahead of them as the League Two club players were, the end result would have probably been different. Perhaps next season, if a tie like this one comes around again, Mikel Arteta should ask his players if they are up for such a game or not and if they are not, leave them out. Then sell them! I hate seeing professional footballers simply going through the motions on a match day, it’s disrespectful to the fans and the club.
Arsenal are reportedly going to appeal the red card awarded to Max Dowman, understandably I think. Yes he reacted but after a challenge which on another day left him with a really bad injury but a challenge which is deemed unacceptable in the game these days. This isn’t 1970’s football. Ex referee Dermot Gallagher reckons the appeal will fail, the rest of the footballing world, those who are impartial I mean, seem to think differently. We’ll see, 1pm today is the appeal cut off time.
I don’t think Dowman’s age has any bearing on his reaction to the challenge because regardless of whether a player is 16 or 26, being constantly fouled throughout a game is enough to tip the coolest of cucumbers over their anger threshold. It’s said we humans mellow with age but I’m not convinced that’s always true, certainly not in competitive sport. What made the incident with Max worse in my opinion, or certainly highlighted more was Arteta’s reaction on the sideline. He was in the wrong and I hope he realises that.
I watched some of the Liverpool v Chelsea game last night which ended with Liverpool going through to the next round of the League Cup after penalties. In fact all the goals on the night came from the penalty spot. Iraola fielded a rotated starting eleven but by the time the match ended, Isak, Barcola etc were on the pitch. van Dijk played most of the game so hopefully his legs will feel heavy on Sunday afternoon. Very heavy.
On paper, Sundays fixture is one of the toughest fixtures of any season. This season we go to Anfield without an in form striker, without Bukayo Saka and possibly without Noni Madueke, Declan Rice who Arteta said picked up knocks last weekend and Christos Tzolis. Our attacking unit was light at the start of the season but right now, it’s looking close to empty. I wouldn’t expect Dowman to start in any case but if Arteta was thinking about it, a failed appeal of his three match suspension would scupper that idea.. Both Havertz and Gyokeres played 90+ minutes on Tuesday, a decision which in hindsight looks crazy. One or the other, but not both.
Maybe Arteta will surprise us all and go with Mikel Merino. Praying Madueke is fit is something I never thought I’d write but hey, it’s true, I am. He is pretty much it when it comes to pace up front. Other than Dowman of course.
I know Arteta often strays from the truth when it comes to player availability and I never expected to see Gabriel, Rice or Madueke play on Tuesday in any case so perhaps will provide positive news tomorrow during his press conference. If he and his players can come away from Anfield with at least a point, then I’m pretty sure we’ll soon forget what happened in Lancashire. Well, maybe..
Alessia Russo, a striker out of form as far as scoring goals goes this season thumped three past Benfica in the WCL last night.. She needed that, Renee Slegers needed it and the Arsenal women needed it.
We just need Arsenal’s male strikers to follow suit. Mind you, being in the right place and receiving the right pass helped Russo. The penalty kick was the icing on the cake..
I’m waffling, catch up later.
