Morning all.
Not quite the Hakka but there’s little doubt Lacazette was making his thoughts clear. There is no room for racism in life and certainly not in football. To position himself where it did and to then go on and play a big part in our 4-0 victory proved actions really do speak louder than words. The picture above will live on. And on.
Little did Lacazette, or Arteta and Arsenal probably know was how his and his teammates actions would earn support. Steven Gerrard loved everything about the game. Incidentally, Arsenal will play Rangers on July 17th at Ibrox in a pre season friendly as part of the SPL’s league champions 150th anniversary celebrations. A Rangers club statement read:
Rangers and Arsenal enjoy a long, rich history and first played each other in 1933 in what was known as the “Game of Champions”.
Back to Thursday and Steve McManaman clearly enjoyed watching us play too as his commentary made that clear. In fact any person who believes in equality would have enjoyed watching Arsenal play Slavia Prague off the park. The Slavia v Rangers fixture in the previous round was full of controversy resulting in a three match ban for ex Arsenal man Glen Kamara and a whopping ten match ban for Salvia’s Ondrej Kudela so no wonder Gerrard loved watching Arsenal knock them out in style.
I loved everything about the game, I loved the Arsenal performance, the way they went about it. I admired how they approached before the game, during the game, and after the game. I’m sure Glen did as well. I was really proud watching Arsenal’s performance last night. Everything about it, the way they prepared for the game, the way the manager spoke, the way the players behaved before, during and after, and then to back it up with that level of performance, I sat there are really enjoyed that performance. I thought it was sensational.
Well it was wasn’t it?
That’s two good performances on the trot but we need more. Ten more before the season ends. Tomorrow we have a great chance to close the gap between the two clubs above us, Toots and Everton who last night faced each other and had to make do with a point each. Arsenal simply have to take advantage of that result. I know there’s only seven fixtures of this weird season left but that’s 21 points. The gap between Arsenal and West Ham in fourth place is just 10 points, 9 between us and Chelsea in fifth place and 7 between us and Liverpool in 6th place.
Two Europa spots are still very much up for grabs.
See you in the comments.
Tremendous performance on Thursday but disappointed in all this race baiting nonsense. The Slavia players did nothing wrong, they stood against racism whilst our lot knelt in support of it. If we want to rid the game of racism then we should call out all forms of it, including black racism. BLM are a bunch of Marxist black supremacists and The Arsenal should have nothing to do with them. At least Lacazette didnt make a Black power salute like our normal captain usually does. I often wonder what would happen if a footballer started making White power salutes? The double standards are sickening. As I say, if we want to rid the game of racism then we should call out ALL forms of it.
Good Morning Rico and all
yes we are gaining friends, however, I still believe that those who hate us in the media far outweigh those who love us. Because at the end of the day the end line will always be their love of Dippers, Spuds and United.
Last Thursday was a performance that even the class of 2004 would have been proud of.
I do not think that ESR and Saka will be risked against Fulham. I have a feeling it will be a different line up and some players like the above two, plus Partey and Pepe will be rested. Laca will surely play seeing that its either him or Nketiah Baologun a long shot) who is available atm. Auba will not be ready.
so expect a team like the following……Leno; Soares, Holding, Gabriel, Xhaka; Elneny, Ceballos; Martinelli, Willian, Nelson; Nketiah. (if Odegaard is fit he will replace Nelson)
Then again….Arteta might spring a surprise by naming a full strength team for the game against Fulham.
It takes a brave man to face up to a team the way Lacazette did and his point could not have been clearer. It’s precisely that bravery and leadership, on the pitch, that has been missing for so long. He gets my vote for immediate promotion to Club Captain.
What about the previous round Johnno?
Morning Devil. I get what you mean, for some reason, Arsenal are and always will be dislike by many but hey, who cares?
I fully expect to see one or two changes tomorrow too. Hopefully still a strong enough team to beat Fulham who are fighting for PL survival.
With Aubameyang expected to be out for a while Cicero, I imagine he will be captain. Bellerin certainly doesn’t appear to be captain material.
Johnny makes some damn valid points.
Tackle ALL abuse.
Racism is simply one form of it.
Act accordingly at the time it happens, but let’s not be like a coiled spring waiting to explode every time an incident occurs that’s racially motivated, because it’s always going to be around, and it does go both ways whether it’s popular to admit it or not.
Morning all.
Hi Rico and all I agree every one should be treated equally but I must admit I am starting to get a bit sick of seeing the players being forced to kneel before the match. Any player or fan that abuses some one because of there raise or colour by know will never change.
looking forward to Sundays match and hopefully Balogun may get 20 minutes to show us fans what he has to offer next season
Hi Geoff.
Newcastle shocked West Ham today, our boy Willock with the winner again.
Listening to the Arsecast yesterday and it was mentioned that the emergence of Saka and Smith Rowe have potentially saved Arsenal some £100m, because that’s how much young English players of their quality would cost.
Add Martinelli, a £6m signing who would cost considerably more now and Balogun who also has huge potential and our Academy and youth scouting is doing a fantastic job.
With more talent on the cusp…
I reckon they’re worth more than £100m. I’d imagine if a wealthy club wanted to sign them, Arsenal would be asking in excess of £100m each.
Just watched the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, very moving ceremony, but run throughout with military precision.
Congratulations to the Canaries, promoted back to The Premiership. 👍 Put on hold all hope of signing Emi Buendia or Todd Cantwell.
I reckon that even Willock and AMN would save Arsenal a few millions. Obviously not 100 million each but I still wish Arteta would keep them. First and most important they are English. secondly they would benefit from playing in the cups from the first minute. And also be used to give players like ESR, Partey and Xhaka cover whenever they are in need to be rotated and rested.
I would love us to keep Odegaard, however, if we dont get him with us I dont see any reason not to keep Willock who will rest ESR from his role as creator. Willock is doing well at NUFC as much as AMN at WBA. And this loan period for them could be what they needed to see if they can cut it. an opportunity which they have taken with both hands. The goals Willock scored against the Spuds and hammers will no doubt increase his confidence.
Johhno, I think you make some interesting points, but nobody wants to listen to them in this day and age and others would rather avoid them for fear of being accused of prejudice.
That’s not too say that you are wrong, because the cynic in me believes you are closer to the truth than many would like to admit, but it’s easier to avoid the whole issue.
And so while one of the woman, who began the BLM movement in the US spends £1.4m on a sparkling new house in a neighbourhood that it almost entirely white you have to wonder why she didn’t invest some of that dough in her old community?
It’s seems that ‘race’ is big business and certain individuals want a slice of the pie.
Haven’t Real Madrid said he’s not for sale Devil?
Me too Cicero, the military bands were awesome.
It’s interesting Rico how Smith Rowe has come more to the fore again since Odegaard dropped out of the team, ESR is once again linking and creating from the half space instead of being out on the wing.
As much as I’d love to see Arsenal sign Odegaard I suspect that Real will want an awful lot more than what Arsenal can afford, so we should go wit( what we have in midfield and look to develop Azeez next season whilst gradually bringing through Cirjan, Hutchinson and Henry Francis, three huge young talents.
Home made is best for me.
It is Kev, I’m glad too. I prefer one of our own. He makes us play quicker I think.
I don’t think Odegaard is a priority either. If the club had a few hundred million to spend it’d be different but we need two full backs and a midfielder to cover for Partey imo.
If Leno goes, a keeper too.
I like Odegaard Kev. He has real skill.
However, when he came I was against it…..as immediately I realized that ESR would either be dropped to the bench in his favour, or else shunted to the wings or another position. And I was not mistaken.
A case of square pegs in round holes. Granted, a skillfull baller can play anywhere. However in this case I feel that ESR should always play as the most advanced midfielder. That is why I feel that Willock can be his understudy. To be there becasue I feel he will always get games. And he will not cost a penny since he is produced by the club.
ESR has good level of composure and also an acute sense of when to play the ball. That is something which cannot be coached or learned…..it is innate. DB10 had it. Ozil had it but fluffed it with his moods.
Personally I would have no qualms if the three behind the CF would be Saka, ESR, Martinelli and the alternatives are Pepe, Willock, Nelson. Certainly not Willian nor PEA.
The most important thing is that I would love it if Arteta stopped playing square pegs in round holes once and for all. Yes you need ballers who can adapt to the needs of the team….but very much often we have seen (especially from the days of AW) players forced to play in a position which they did not enjoy or were not that suited to it. We need versatile players but not ballers who are used in a position which is different to what they want week in week out.
ESR was still enjoying himself on the wing…. but as you said….he came to the “fore again since Odegaard dropped out of the team, ESR is once again linking and creating from the half space instead of being out on the wing.”
I don’t think we have a hope of signing Odegaard, Real are strapped for cash and need to up date their squad, they will want far more than we can afford and more than Odegaard is worth.
Rico I dont think Leno would go…..Arteta would look a prized chump if he allows him to leave after letting MArtinez go. So I do not think he will be allowed to go.
So we need two full backs, another midfielder and a striker if both Laca and Auba are sold.
The only way that Arteta would allow Leno to leave would be if he was to sign a top keeper. And remember…if Leno leaves it has to be a homegrown Goalkeeper or a top international who has played lots of games for his country.
How would you feel if, say, Arteta signs Pope from Burnley? Would you rate that as good business?? Pope’s contract has till 2023. He is a good height….6ft 3′. And is an England international having played 7 times for England.
Devil, all depends on whether Leno pushes for a move imo. Last thing we need is a keeper who doesn’t want to be at the club.
Evening Rico and the House
Was Chelseas win a surprise or was it expected
Evening Rick, I didn’t even know the result. Lol
Pope is pretty good Devil but I’m sure other options are out there. If Leno wants to leave. Don’t forget, we’d probably get a good fee for him.
If it were me making the signings now I would focus more on homegrown talent because of the rules post brexit. That is why I suggested Pope who is still in his twenties and as you said is pretty good.
We have a few of them coming through.
Pope is a great shot stopper but because of the Burnley style DG I’m not sure about him playing out from the back and that seems to be a basic requisite for any top six goalkeeper, or in our current case top nine, but you know what I mean…
And no English goalkeeper is going*to come cheap, maybe we should copy Liverpool and Man City and look for a Brazilian?
maybe our academy need to spend more time trying to find an unknown keeper and bring him through.
I don’t think any one will be interested in buying Auba he is not consistent enough and too
expensive but I can see Arteta selling Laca.
Morning all.
New post up now
According to what I read on Jeorge Bird, Artur Okonkwo is probably our most naturally talented young goalkeeper, but he’s had a lot of injuries and missed a lot of development time.
He almost certainly needs a year or two out on loan, but his contract runs out this summer so we could lose him for nothing unless there’s some agreement in the pipeline?
Karl Hein is usually our 3rd choice, in front of Runarsson, he seems pretty reliable but if I’m being frank, we wouldn’t have got Mat Ryan in on loan if we had the right level of talent among our young goalkeepers. Goalkeeper is a thankless position and fans are unforgiving if they mess up, young Henderson at Man Utd looks a quality goalkeeper, but a couple of mistakes and the Manc fans want him out, it’s not easy.
Also goalkeepers mature at a different rate, normally, to outfield players, so you get Emi Martinez going out on several loans and looking quite average but when he gets a chance he suddenly blossoms into the goalkeeper we see now playing at a rather chuffed Aston Villa.
Both Szcsesny and Fabianski have developed way beyond what many of us imagined when they were at Arsenal, but then they many more years of experience under their belts.
Kev, I always said Szczesny would be a world class keeper and was laughed at by most but what would I know 🙂