Morning all.
120 minutes of football yesterday afternoon in the earlier game and to be honest, I thought much of it was really disappointing. Spain were disappointing from start to finish and struggled to break down or through a well organised Russian defensive setup which probably contributed heavily to the boredom. But who could blame Russia for playing in such a way really as if they tried to go toe to toe with the Spanish team they’d probably be out of this World Cup. Instead though, they now face Croatia. Their game against Denmark was also pretty dire. The opening minutes brought two goals but after that I could have easily drifted off to sleep. Love Island spared me from watching extra time and subsequent penalties.
Hopefully todays matches will be a little more exciting as the bottom half of the draw fixtures kick off. Brazil v Mexico is up first, followed by Belgium v Japan.
Away from the World Cup, Sokratis Papastathopoulos is widely reported to have undergone a medical over the weekend and today should see him confirmed as our third summer signing. The Torreira deal is yet to be concluded apparently but considering the comments from the players current club, I’d imagine the deal for him is just a case of waiting for Uruguay to finish their World Cup campaign which by the looks of things, could be a while yet.
Unai Emery has been talking to a number of Arsenal fans and has compared them to a table leg. Yes, sounds bizarre doesn’t it but not when his analogy is read in full.
“For me, the supporters are like one table with four legs. All the legs are very important. One leg is the organisation, the second leg is the team and the players, the third is the media who broadcast our success all around the world, and the fourth is the supporters.
“The four legs are very important for the table and likewise for Arsenal. If you lose one leg, you break. I’ve used this metaphor many times to describe our relationship with the supporters.
“I am very excited for everything to do with this club, with the staff, the supporters and the players at training on Monday,” he added. “This event is all about the supporters and I want us to be together here because the supporters want to know all about me. I am here for them.
I don’t think the Spaniard has to concern himself too much with the fans support, certainly not right now as I reckon we’ll all be right behind him when the new season kicks off. The dark and stormy looking clouds which lingered over the Emirates for a few seasons now will have moved on, hopefully to another new stadium in the local vicinity. The sun will be shining in August, the stadium packed and hopefully the fans will be in full voice as they get right behind the new manager and his team.
But I think it’s nice that he’s made reference to the fans and recognised how important they are to the club because it feels like we haven’t really mattered for a number of years. Wenger’s way or the highway seemed to be the message we received, we should be grateful for all he’d done in the past rather than complain about what he was destroying in the present.
Unai Emery clearly respects the role everyone plays inside the club and out, including the lady/gentleman who makes him a cuppa in the morning. I’d imagine that as much as we welcomed the change with open arms, so did those who work within the club. A new smiley face around the place must be like a massive breath of fresh air swirling through the buildings.
Anyway, pre-season training begins today and the new manager/coaching team have quite a few players to start working with and Sokratis Papastathopoulos might just be one of them..
Have a great Monday guys…
Good morning Rico, thanks for a sunny post on a sunny day. ?
I’ve just spent th a last three and a half hours enjoying breakfast and the morning papers in the garden, but its getting a bit warm out there so I’ve moved indoors.
Two crap games yesterday Spain’s tiki taka has hit the wall and they have no plan B. I feel sorry for their manager, having to take over with the squad already in Russia he was on a hiding to nothing.
The other game was entirely forgettable.
I hope for a bit of entertainment from today’s games, sadly most of it will be of the theatrical variety rather than from skilful football. I do hope the refs get their acts together and stamp out the dissent which has become tedious in the extreme.
Finally someone who gives a crap about the fan base. Wenger looked down on us “condescendingly” for years. His disdain to us was world class. Glad we have a new man at the helms who atleast understand the value of supporters. It’s refreshing to hear an arsenal manager say such glowing things about us. The next season ‘ll be phenomenal. Can’t wait. Bring on shitty. Morning HH.
Finally someone who ‘ll set up according to the opposition. A plan, tactics to nullify the opponent and players actually knowing what they are actually doing on the pitch. Pinch me someone ?is this my arsenal??? COYGS.
Afternoon Cicero, Goonie, all.
Hard not to be sunny Cicero, I reckon we’ve got a lot to look forward to… 🙂
Afternoon all and thank you Rico.
Yes, yesterdays footie was probably the worst (apart from pen` shootout) day of the WC so far so lets talk Love Island instead !……………………………….cant wait to see Wes` face when he finds out he has been dumped by Megan for the Hunkier Alex !…………….he deserves it after what he did to Laura !
🙂
Arsenal !……………………..yep, lets get behind Dick at least untill after the first two games !……………hahaha
In Dick We Trust !…………………………….for the mo`
I hope Laura doesn’t save him Lc, I wouldn’t. What a rat!
May have said it on here, Rico, but If I was Laura I would push him in the swimming pool, not the deep end, but the shallow end and see if he gets the irony !
😉
Sokratis Papastathopoulos confirmed…
TORREIRA ARSENAL MEDICAL AFTER WC
Arsenal target Lucas Torreira will have a medical with the Gunners after Uruguay’s participation in the World Cup is over, according to his father.
“I want the best for my son and I also know that Arsenal showed a lot of interest in him,” Ricardo told Radio Crc as quoted by Football Italia.
“It’s not done, neither is it official, because he hasn’t signed anything, but there’s a great chance that Lucas’ future will be in England.
“There was no problem in the negotiations, and the latest is that as soon as the World Cup ends, he’ll go to London for a medical.”
Uruguay face France in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Or wait until it’s been emptied Lc.
Do they still charge by the number of letters on replica shirts at The Armoury?
? They probably do now….
Good morning all, what a day for sports lovers. Clear blue skies, blazing sun, tennis at Wimbledon, first crash bang wallop match of the series against India at Old Trafford and Ingerland v Columbia in Moscow, where the weather will be cloudy and 18c.
On top of that comes the news that the doping charges against Chris Froome have been dropped leaving him free to ride Le Tour starting Saturday.
But best of all it’s my granddaugter’s last primary school sports day before she moves up to the high school on September..
Gotta go to grab front row seats on the school field. Have a great day, all of you. 😎
Have a great day Cicero.
New post up now.