Morning all.
It’s not just the big boys who have been representing their country this last week, some of the youngsters have been flying the Arsenal flag around the world too.
Calum Chambers played 61 minutes and claimed an assist in England Under-21s’ 1–0 win over the Czech Republic.
Serge Gnabry was a second-half substitute in Germany Under-21s’ 2-2 draw against Italy. Good for him to get some playing time and he could yet find a starting place for the first team before the season ends.
Hector Bellerin was an unused substitute in Spain Under-21s’ 2-0 win against Norway. He needed a break so I’m not fussed about him staying on the bench.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles played the final nine minutes of England Under-18s’ 1-0 win against Switzerland and Chris Willock was a 60th-minute substitute in England Under-17s’ 2-1 win over Romania.
Krystian Bielik played the full 90 minutes of Poland Under-17s’ 1-0 win against Ireland.
England under 21’s face their German counterparts today so it’s Calum Chambers up against Serge Gnabry. Not literally of course but the two Arsenal players will want to earn bragging rights for the changing room… It’s all part of the fun and banter amongst the players.
A happy changing room makes for good football.
Alexis Sanchez played 90 minutes for Chile yesterday afternoon and the poor chap took a lot of rough stuff from the Brazil players and Martin Atkinson did little to stop it! Thankfully he finished the game without injury.
Olivier Giroud also played 90 minutes for France, a game in which he continued his purple patch in front of goal.
Mesut Ozil also played the entire match for Germany. All three players should head home today for a few days rest before Saturday.
England play their final game tonight against Italy and with Danny Welbeck ruled out, Theo Walcott could start and I hope he has a cracking game. Kieran Gibbs might get a run out too.
Back to Chile. After the game Charles Aranguiz was asked about the rumours linking him to Arsenal:
They’re a great team, and it would be a dream but for now that’s all it is, a dream.
I don’t know anything about it. I’ve heard about it through the press but nobody has talked to me.
He’s a great little player and just like Alexis, his work-rate is immense but as Bob pointed out yesterday, this summer sees the Copa America takes place in June/July and it’s highly likely Chile will be involved right until the final stages of the competition so would another South American signing be wise?
The final takes place on July 4th – the 2015/16 season will kick off 6/7 weeks later which will have been enough time for the players to rest and as long as we have a strong/deep squad it shouldn’t be a problem playing them sparsely over the first few weeks of the new campaign.
After all, it’ll be no different to last summer when the World Cup took place only this time, just two players (three with Charlie) will be action….
Maybe four if we sign Luiz Adriano whose name won’t leave the Arsenal transfer rumour pages…..
That’s Monday done. The sun is shining so have a great day all…
Super Post, Rico. 🙂
When you see the numbers of Arsenal youngsters coming thru, in various international levels and a number of different countries, it makes you think that, as a club, we are not doing too badly. 🙂
Morning rico, doesn’t look too bad on the injury front so far. Unless we see a headline tomorrow, Ramsey/Welbeck 6 weeks out!
Thanks Henry..
I wonder how many will push on and have a career at the top…
Morning rico. Doesn’t seem too bad on the injury front. Unless tomorrow’s newspapers have headline of Ramsey/Welbeck out for 6 weeks.
Rico,
The fall out of the kids is very high — but that is why the ones who make it, very quickly become multi-millionaires — the lucky sods!
They are all paid far too much imo…
I am surprised that Crowley who always seems to get good comments/praise when he plays for our youth teams never gets a look in at international level.
If he can get toe-hold in the senior Arsenal squad, I think he will do very well, Of course if he just disappears never to be heard of again – that would not surprise me either.
Where is everyone this morning — clock changing must have thrown out their schedules. 🙂
Good read Rico..
I would love to see Serge come back stronger after this long lay-off.
To me Aranguiz is a top CM; the closest to Roy Keane I have seen for awhile. I love him the first time I saw him play against England over 2 years ago…
It now looks like the M. Schneiderlein bus has passed for us; AW now has little options in the DM role with the engine and passing ability the likes of Alonso or Arteta can offer; Camacho or maybe Asier are options; Geoffrey is definitely out of our range as I would be surprised if AW were to spent £25m on a defensive minded player..
How old is Crowley Henry?
Thanks Ts, as you know I think he’s a tad small but he’s a tough nut, that’s for sure..
Charlie is valued at £5 million, how can that be….
Test, nothing appearing from me since setting up PC with Win 10 Preview!
Test – trying IE Compatibility mode. All my PC posts are disappearing!!
Afc.com are rubbish – they have England down as playing tonight, it’s tomorrow!
Rico,
Dan Crowley is now 18 1/2 — he is quite small, but very gifted. Whereas I am very big and totally ungifted. 🙂
I wonder if the club really realise that those responsible for Arsenal.com are a total bunch of idiots…
There are simply zillions of IT around, many of them proper Arsenal fans, who would love to work for the club…
And we end up with a bunch of IT jerks more akin to Fred Karnos Army…. 🙄
Morning All
Morning Rico. Good post btw.
Joe had problems a day or two ago too Andrew, no idea why though…
🙂 Henry
Morning Kev. Thanks. Bad mistake to make eh… 😉
Me too, Rico — screen froze and then comment did not turn up on HH.
Actually, that has happened quite a bit over recent months, and not just with HH — bloody WordPress is the guilty party, I guess.
I get ‘server crashed’ on mine Andrew….
Nipping out with Fido before the heavens open…
2 tickets block 10 lower tier on exchange for Liverpool match. It’s taken me 1 1/2 hours to get them listed. As usual .com and ticket office not working too well.
the reason why Daniel Crowley has not been in recent England youth squads may be down to the fact that Ireland are trying to get him to declare to play for them. He has played at youth level for both England and Ireland.
I hope crowley plays for ireland, easier to get time
Might affect his status as a non English player in the new Greg Dyke rules.
They’ve probably shut for Easter Potter… 😉
Afternoon house . …… I like aranguiz but like you I think we need height and I think Morgan or gonalos would be good options. …. .. Nice read Rico
Thanks Snaparse, guess we’ll just have to wait and see in the summer. Just hope AW finally addresses the midfield gap…
Eduardo,
Re Crowley — I did not know that he was qualified to play for either country. Thanx.
I hope whichever he chooses that it works out well for a very good player.
Definitely Rico don’t even want to believe arsene won’t address our midfield issue I love coq to rely on him next season would be a gamble imo as he still has a lot to learn arteta is getting on plus I can’t see flamini staying around beyond this season
Snap- what is happening with Cabaye? is he injured?
I was surprised Gonalon did not get any game time against Brazil and Denmark. Morgan was very effective; but I think Koeman will be cheesed off Morgan played 2 90 minutes games…
Snap- Makelele was short but it did him no harm… lol 😉
Cabaye was injured the last time I checked…… I think for now Morgan is ahead of maxime but gonalos has been performing better this year Deschamps rewards his performing players that’s why sakho even starts ahead of kos even tho we all know kos and varane is arguably the best partnership re makalele you are right but I just think as a team we are too small in height I’m not saying it’s a bad thing but I would just like some height
Ts what did you think of fekir last night… … surely he makes it into our best eleven? What a player
I like him just for his name Snap… 😉
Can’t see Arteta being at Arsenal next season, nor Flamini…
Hahaha I’m sure you do Rico France is beginning to look like where we should turn our attention for talents again we have some very good up and coming players
Snap- you know I rate Fekir…
Is he a new Nasri or Zidane? lol
Payet looked good too with Kondogbia…
Lol I hope he is more Zidane than nasri but I would say he is like a nasri with more goals….. Payet has been playing really well under beilsa but he usually disappoints for the National team yesterday was one of his better games for us.. . I think we know kondogbia is a very good player I think he needs to move to become a better player imo….. Why do you think wenger won’t spend that much on a defensive midfielder? I think we are going to get a good holding midfielder this summer (Morgan?)
Not sure Deschamp has ever rated kos and varane combo… both CH instead of CB and CH combo imo…
Oh and I am changing my mind about Alexandre… his all round game is very good; better than Trezeguet imo…
Ts that was our pairing before the world cup qualifiers where sakho scored two after kos had been sent off in the previous match I think varane and Laporte are going to be the best pair coming forward but for now I very much prefer kos to sakho and zouma
I hope its Morgan Snap.
I just think Shitty need a replacement for Yaya and Fernando so we will have competition.
I see Maxime or even Asier more in our territory
I’d rather South America Snap, the players seem to have a great work ethic…
Ts lacca has been performing well for the past two seasons so he isn’t really a one season wonder I like him alot and he compliments Giroud well both were very impressive yesterday you could see he likes playing with a Giroud type partner
I like illaramendi too…….. Rico you have a point I don’t mind south Americans also
Rico- a younger, fitter Arteta is coming back to take Le Coq’s place… lol
Rico do you rate RM’s Silva? Their DM…
What did you think of Elias and Gustavo pairing…
Asier’s is not getting games with Lucas Silva, Modric, Kroos making the double pivot.
Khedira not having a great season…
what do folks think of Neuer taking throw-ins now?
I think it was good Elias started having troubles when fekir came on……. I like gustavo too but I don’t know how he has been doing lately… .. . Asier didn’t make the best move in going to Madrid he isn’t really the most flashy player so they hardly gave him any credit I have always like him but thought he would have stayed at real S.for another season before leaving……. Never really liked khedira anybody would look good next to alonso or shweini imo
Hahaha when was that ts?
yesterday against Georgia.re Neuer
http://t.co/SeYctZsj5M
Gustavo’s team is playing well in Bundesliga. He is playing better with Josuha next to him at Wolfsburg.
Ts, I haven’t seen him play so no idea…
I don’t have all the free time to watch football like you…. 😉
Good on joshua I watch him live when he was playing for St. Etienne he was good then I a thought he would be good for us…
Gotze is now Germany’s striker.. no world class strikers are coming through… Gomez??
Kevin Volland, Kruse I like too…
Stefan Kiessling vs Low conundrum is a disagree in modern football. Big egos
ha ha ha Rico… what are you trying to say? 😉
Reus a false could also work remember he played as a striker for borussia monc
As*
Nowt Ts… 😉
He did for Mong’bach… I would have thought Muller was the natural successor to Klose…
Reus played upfront against Oz…
But I think Low wants to accommodate Gotze so the easiest position would be as a striker…
Muller and Reus offer better protection on the flanks me think since low is playing young midfielder Rudy at RB and the new Poldolski Hector as the LB…
Did you see poldi’s goal
I didn’t, not really watched much of the international stuff. Saw a bit of Chile v Brazil and Englands match…
What with all your Irish fans Rico you didn’t watch the Republic of Ireland last night that hurts that really hurts. 😉
Same here Rico watched just the Chile and France matches…….. Rico do you think we have any chance of signing sterling? With the going the other way knowing wenger he would probably spend the chunk of our budget on another no10
Afternoon all.
Sterling, I think has already had his head turned! He’s been tapped up, filched, agentised! I doubt it was the Arsenal, we don’t usually play those sort of underhand games. Look abroad, Real, Barker, Yoovay, PIGS! Etc.
I mean, we never tap up children, do we?
Lol Wavy…only if its from Barca B..
I see Sc19 got only 16 minutes; excellent news for us.
Whilst I’m about, all the players that have been mentioned above will not be at Arsenal next season, apart from those that are already Gunners! I believe Wenger may shore up one or two positions, sell and replace with squad players he will not. Go out and buy superstars, unless they are cheap deals! I think he reckons he’s got enough and project youth will ‘provide’. In fairness there a few very tasty players that he could move up from the junior teams. Bellerin and Le Coq have been this year’s tranfers in! Next year? Gnarbry, Maitland Niles, Bielek. Plus a few others, Wellington? Toral? Plus ? ? ? Oh, I forgot Wilshere!
Not so many new faces and none of those we think are superstars, unless……….hell freezes over!
Good blog Rico, on yet another really boring no news day!
Yeh Ts, but we always send the stolen children back……eventually!
Watch this space they’ll be back for Bellerin’s dna sooner than we think! Oh, and Toral! Have we nicked any more recently? I’ve lost count!
I think we have forgotten how to get to La Masia… no more poaching… lol
🙂 Joe…
Snap, if the Dippers want Theo, then I think Sterling is a possible but if it’s cash only for their player, can’t see him joining us..
Thanks Wavy, a very no news day. If it wasn’t for the international games I’d have nothing to write about… 😉
So much for Sturridge being out for a month, he could face us on Saturday….
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Super post Rico but you missed some Chuba came on as sub in the 2-1 win over USA, Maitland -Niles played 85 mins at no8( where he should be)in the 6-1 win in the return game against Switzerland and Glen Kamara played 85 minsfor Finland u21 in their win against Luxenburgh.
In the next few days England U16 are playing in the Montaigu tournament in France. We have 3 players in the squad, Tolayi Bola, Charlie Gillmore and Reiss Nelson.
Rico make a note of the name Reiss Nelson.I think he is the most exciting young player that Hale end have produced for a very long time. He was 15 in Dec but i believe he will be fast tracked into the U18 next season and maybe the U21 s as well . I really think he is that Good.
Afternoon Rick, thanks…
My wrists gave been slapped… Lol
I got the list from Afc.com site so I’ll blame them, good for Chuba and I take it that was for England?
Reiss Nelson, I’ll keep that name in my mind, good to hear we have even younger players looking good…. Not quite as young as Cruz though… Lol
Always room for improvement rico.
Plenty in my case Micko…
Rico you asked about Dan Crowley.
Dan signed pro forms on Aug3 last year on his 17th birthday and will be 18 next Aug. I think one of ( or Both) his Grand parents are Irish whitch makes him eligible to play for them.I understand at the moment he “Is not fit”
The England U21 game against Germany is being shown live on BT Spots 1 tonight so we should be able to see how fit Serge is (if he plays).
The highlights of the U18 draw with Blackburn are on the player If you can watch it Rico and look out for Harry Donovan for the pass to Robinson
and the punch up. He is my type of player.
I gave up on the main site a long time ago Rico they are always 3or 4 days behined .
I should have said Chuba was playing for England u 20.
I notice we have got Taylor as ref on sat, which of our payers will he send of?
Thanks Rick.
I’ll record the under 21 match I think and then watch it in the morning. Will be good to see Serge play…
No probs re Chuba, I’d forgotten he’d opted to play for England…
Taylor against the Dippers, deep joy!
He is not a Arsenal fan is he .
Thats my lot for today Night Rico.
He’s not Rick..
Night yo you, have a good evening…
I’m off to get dinner….
Anyone around or is it time to switch the tv on? Lol
rico, they’ve only gone and re-scheduled the England game for tomorrow nite !
🙂 Micko, I know, wish they’d told afc.com….
Yeah, yeah, I believe ya, enjoy the evening, take Two tomorrow.
Night Micko..
I’m off too, night guys….
Hoffman and serge are killing our u21’s
Are they Ginge
England 3-2 Germany
Jenkinson started.
Chambers & Gnabry came on as subs…
Possession
England U21 47%
Germany U21 53%
Shots
England U21 15
Germany U21 8
Shots on target
England U21 10
Germany U21 5
Corners
England U21 5
Germany U21 2
Fouls
England U21 15
Germany U21 13
For all the staticians…
It’s being reported that Hector Bellerin has signed a two year extension to his present contract…
Tying him to Arsenal for 4 years up to 2019.
🙂
But what does it all mean Kev? We won 3-2 that’s all we and all the historians will ever consider!
You know like I know stats are all lies and deceptions and all mean nothing………only the result is relevant, important and remembered!
I’m sick of stats, just as much as you are!
Morning Rico and all. Windy day in London Town.
Morning Brudder.
Super windy last night in North Essex! If the syrup’s in London Town I’d get some gaffer tape handy!! Just saying….
Lee. 🙂
Excellent turn around by our u-21’s. Southgate is proving to be a far better manager than Pearce imo…
Now to the big boys… will Roy starts Phil Jones ahead of Carrick in the no.6 position…??
We think we take football seriously but Antonio Conte has received death threats, , over the revelation that Claudio Marchisio injured knee ligaments in warm-up training for Italy. Sad state!
Verratti vs Carrick/Phil Jones.
Gibbs/Bertnand (spelling) vs Candreva.
Morning all btw
Morning Adam, Lee, Ts and all….
RIP David ‘Rocky’ Rocastle. 14 years…….
Wavy, lies, more lies and statistics eh?
Morning All
14 years, since we lost David Rocastle…
Bloody hell, where did go?
Where did ‘that’ go….
Hi Kev and Rico. We could never forget David. Still brings a lump in the throat.
Morning Kev, hard to believe eh….
Morning Rico…
Morning Adam, I can still remember Rocky as a 17 year old, making his way into the first team…
The goal at Anfield in the League Cup, when he lashed it in from the edge of the box…
The chip at Villa Park during Graham’s first title season.
The goal at WHL in the 87 League Cup S/F replay…
So many memories. They don’t make ’em like him anymore….
And his smile Kev, that was something else…..
When Rocastle was transferred to Leeds, Paul Davis recalled: “He cried. We spoke about it quite often. He couldn’t understand why they ever wanted him to go. The club’s line was that he was injured, he was struggling with his weight, he’d had a knee operation. I don’t think he ever recovered from the fact of leaving Arsenal, in his own mind.” still brings a lump to my throat!
The fans and the club have always remembered him with deep affection and respect. He was ‘one of us’ in so many ways.
Morning all.
RIP Rocky.
On holidays ATM, but his shirt was seen all around this part of Thailand today!!
Legend.
I hope all is well guys.
Hi Scott, hope you are having fun…
New post up now…