Morning all.
What is there not to love about Arsenal’s new kit? Ok, the colour, I detest blue! Where’s the yellow gone Adidas? Seriously, it’s a great design which I believe the players will be wearing today in the game against AC Milan.
Back to last night though and another late late show from England.. Honestly, I thought the ladies were out of the tournament when 6 minutes into the 7 of added time, Arsenal teenager Michelle Agyemang scored an equaliser. The tie went into extra time and the same player nearly gave England a 2-1 lead but her lob over the keeper from a wide angle, hit the crossbar. I’m sure penalties were on every England fans mind and the game drew to a close but then Beth Mead was hauled over in the box and the referee didn’t hesitate to award England a spot kick. Up stepped Chloe Kelly, her strike was saved but she pounced on the rebound and England held on to win the game.
At 1-0 up, Italy deployed every dark art in the game. Going to ground whenever they could, time wasting, feigning injury, you name it, they did it. In the end, it didn’t matter but my goodness, England left it late. Sarina Wiegman left it late…
We should see three of our new summer signings in action later today as I’m sure the agreement will be for unlimited substitutions. One, perhaps our most important so far, is Martin Zubimendi. The Athletic has an article about him and his journey to Arsenal printed today.
“It’s a different change for me. It’s the change I wanted. Since the first day I’ve been here, I’ve noticed the greatness of this club, and I’m adapting.”
Zubimendi had an opportunity to leave San Sebastian last summer when Liverpool were prepared to meet his €60million release clause but after some deliberation, he declined.
“It wasn’t an easy time. I wanted to stay at La Real, but when offers come in, you start thinking about your options. The first question I had to answer was whether I wanted to leave — and it wasn’t the right time. I felt La Real offered me more opportunities and that I still had a lot to learn, so staying was the best decision.”
At the same time, in came Arsenal and the rest as they say, is history…
“I don’t know what he (Mikel Arteta) saw in me, but I saw him as one of the top coaches in Europe. I wanted a quality coach when I left Real Sociedad. I think I’ve found him. In the few days I’ve been here, I’ve seen how meticulous he is about every aspect of the game, so I think he’s the one.”
Admittedly, I’ve only seen Zubimendi play for Spain but I like him. He’s not a powerhouse in the mould of Partey or Vieira but he’s a top quality player in my opinion and I’m glad he waited for Arsenal.
Another player waiting for Arsenal is Viktor Gyokeres, well, he’s waiting for Sorting really because by the sounds of it, they’ve been a dreadful club for Arsenal to deal with. Of course the media are going to make out Arsenal have been penny pinching but it seems more likely to me that Sporting kept moving the goalposts.
As long as Viktor arrives and continually finds the gap between the goalposts, I’m sure this transfer debacle will soon be forgotten.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning everyone
Good post Rico. With Zubimendi, as you rightly pointed out, we will not see Parteymendi but rather Xavimendi . He is that type of player. He can dictate play from midfield. He has a touch of Gilberto about him in that he thinks before the ball arrives and that allows him to tidy up.
I am ok with playing Milan in the preseason. But Man Utd and Spuds?? seriously??? dont see why we should play them. We shouldnt be playing them in the charity shield. even in that we should be playing against someone else let alone those two clubs. distasteful.
Martin Zubimendi on Arsenal: “The most important thing about this club is that they learn from previous seasons. The lessons they’ve learned from how last season ended will be key to getting even closer to this year’s targets.”
“Football comes down to details, especially in the Champions League. Arsenal were the only team who truly stood up to Paris Saint-Germain & they let it slip because of minor details.”
And with regards the first comment when I spoke of the charity shield, I know we are not taking part in it this year. But I love it so much that I think we should be taking part in it every single season. Whether we win it or not is another matter buts the one trophy that I want us to participate in every.single.season!
Morning Rico and all.
Just repeating what I said the other day about the away kit, I like but not sure if the red stripes would look better in white, also take away our logo’s it’s a bit close to Chelsea shirt.
Morning Devil, Geoff.
I’d rather we weren’t playing Utd and Totts too. In fact no PL opponents imo.
Don’t think it looks like Chelsea’s kit Geoff, it’s too jazzed up for that. I just like brighter colours, especially the old yellow kits.
The Gunners have named Riccardo Calafiori at centre-back alongside William Saliba, with Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
There are two 15-year-olds – Max Dowman and Marli Salmon- on the Arsenal bench, alongside Zubimendi and fellow new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Calafiori, Zinchenko, Norgaard, Rice, Nwaneri, Martinelli, Saka, Havertz.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Rojas-Fedorushchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Salmon, Nichols, Kiwior, Copley, Merino, Lokonga, Zubimendi, Kabia, Nelson, Trossard, Odegaard, Harriman-Annous.
A fully fit squad might have stood up even better to PSG but they were superior to us on both nights imo. Other than the opening 20 mins in France. Their big keeper made a big difference too.
Mosquera arrives at Arsenal’s pre-season tour
Latest from Sky Sports News’ Dharmesh Sheth:
Cristhian Mosquera is in Singapore ahead of his move to Arsenal being announced.
Sky Sports News reported yesterday that he was joining up with the squad for their pre-season tour.
Mosquera is understood to have agreed a five-year deal that includes a one-year option.
Arsenal will pay Valencia an initial £13m plus add-ons.
Devil to appear in the Charity Shield ( Community Shield } you have to win one of the two major domestic titles first.
There can be no excuses this season , we have improved the squad and rung a few changes to the style . As of yet Jorginho and Partey have left although I can see Vieira and Nelson going but should Zincheko and Jesus stay as their salaries are probably making it hard to sell them. as members of the squad we are much stronger .
Hopefully this means that we will get the charity gig next time , I would prefer that coupled with a good money maker in the European Champions league and another run close to the final would make for a good season.
The good news just keeps on rolling in and that’s despite the best efforts of a few click-bait sites, the usual suspects, trying to find or invent a negative narrative that they can run with because those are the narratives that always it seems generates the most traffic and therefore the most profit.
Looking forward to todays game, hopefully I can find it?
G’day Rico and all.
Just a note on last night’s game, both England goals came about from low shots rather than high ones that were meat and drink to the Italian ‘keeper. Kelly’s penalty was aimed at the bottom corner and she kept the rebound low too. Agyemang also kept her shot low.
I was surprised that we kept lobbing high balls into the Italian box for so long, I would have expected the coaches to have told the players to keep the ball low when ever possible.
A feeling of déjà vu so far … 70% possession or so, our football is soft on the eye, but lacks bite, venom, where it matters – in or just around Milan’s box (except for Ethan, whose half-volley from 20 yards out after a brilliant first touch forced their keeper to a brilliant save).
I like what I’ve seen of Nørgaard – no BS DM, reading the game well enough never to have to commit fouls, he can vary the tempo a player in his position is supposed to set; I can’t pretend I remember anything about him playing for Brentford, but he looks like an excellent addition to the squad …
When I saw the starting XI, I had the tiniest of hopes that Bukayo would play central, and leave the RW to Ethan, but it was not to be; I keep thinking that’s where our starboy-skipper has a future.
Not too many conclusions to draw from this, obviously, the lads must have been working very hard physically since they landed in Singapore, and Milan are as well organized as the best Italian teams can be – just looking forward to getting a not-too-short glimpse of Dowman now.
COYG
btw …
the one and only away kit !!!
https://www.gettyimages.fr/detail/photo-d'actualité/the-arsenal-team-line-up-prior-to-the-fa-cup-final-photo-dactualité/454246620
6 changes …
(Kepa)
White – Saliba – (Kiwior) – (LewisSkelly)
(Zubimendi) – Rice
Saka – (Ødegaard) – (Trossard)
Havertz
Saka makes it 1-0
66:00
Kepa
Nichols – Salmon – Kiwior – LewisSkelly
Zubimendi-Merino
Dowman – Ødegaard – Trossard
Havertz
Must be one of the lowest average age of an Arsenal XI, ever …
Everyone has been subbed off except Havertz
Have needs game time though Carmelsson
Arsenal currently have 18-year-old Josh Nichols at right back, 15-year-old Marli Salmon at centre back, 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly at left back and 15-year-old Max Dowman on right right side of attack. Amazing amount of young talent and of course Ethan Nwaneri also 18 started
Hath100….call me Dev (short for Devilgunner). Carmelsson is in honour of my late father.
Well, that was pleasant
Were it not for this brilliant young Italian keeper, we’d have added one or two
Kiwior’s assist was awesome, and Bukayo popped up at exactly the right moment out of his … RW!!
I liked Reiss’s cameo a lot; as for the youngsters they were as unafraid as Cesc was the first time he played with the first team. What a fearsome Youth League XI we could have this season, should we take the competition seriously …
Full time 1-0.
We murder them. 23 shots 9 on target. only 1 goal scored. 14 corners.
Milan had only 1 shot on target and only 2 corners. And they played 5-4-1 with a low block.
a few minutes before the end 15-year-old Marli Salmon with not much to do, pinged a 60-yard pass like it’s nothing to Reiss Nelson. A terrific pass….especially coming from a 15 year old
What i hate is Geokeres transfer taking too long maybe until a team like Man U may show up and hijack the player, second is always playing friendly with our direct opponents which always cost us at the start of the season. I’m will not rest until Geokeres is announced as Arsenal player. Good day Rico.
As an exercise in fitness, sharpness and getting up to speed it was a success. A disciplined opponent who wasn’t going to roll over, exactly what we needed.
Pleased with all the players, happy for the youngsters, enjoyed the penalty shoot out, impressed by the substitute Milan goalkeeper, loved what Zubimendi brought to the table, pleased to see Arteta make 11 substations without any discernible drop off in the performance level, more talent to come, very satisfied.
We won then. Disappointed to have missed it but won’t miss the others..
So it’s Spain in the final. They beat Germany 1 – 0 with a goal in extra time. They are going to have tired legs on Sunday.
Still no official announcement re Mosquera.
Aitana Bonmati from San Pere de Ribes . England better win or I will never hear the end of it.
Just read Tomiyasu story about him leaving in the express, He seemed very well spoken and enjoyed his time with us and how much the players really like him. Hopefully he can get fit and restart his career somewhere else,
Morning Rico,
yeah Geoff, I wonder if he’ll relocate back to Japan and try to rebuild his career in the J League?
For £16m he was an absolute steal, a player who had the capacity to become a major player for us, hopefully Mosquera can now fill that void?
Gabriel has a knock and Timber is still recovering from his ankle operation, other than them Arteta has a full strength squad to choose from for Newcastle on Sunday. The Geordies are probably the perfect opponent to get Zubimendi up to speed against Premier opposition.
Interesting that Arteta played Zubimendi with his old mucker Merino in the previous game.