Morning all.
Roberto De Zerbi has left Marseille with immediate effect, the Ligue 1 club have announced this morning. The Italian has been linked with the Man Utd job since Amorim departed but not for one minute did I see things turning sour at Marseille this quickly. Apparently an exit from the Champions League at the hands of Club Brugge followed by a 5-0 defeat to PSG was too much.
What now for Ethan Nwaneri? Do Arsenal recall him or just wait and see who replaces De Zerbi before making a decision? Personally, I think we could still do with him at Arsenal and always have but with Odegaard and Saka injured, it makes even more sense for him to return.
The plan for our midfielder/winger was made clear by Mikel Arteta, it was about De Zerbi being the manager. Now it seems there will be an interim manager appointed and who knows what his plan will be for Nwaneri. One thing Arsenal cannot afford to do in my opinion is let him stay in France and sit on the bench because like many Arsenal fans I’m sure, I think he’d better off sitting in Arsenal’s bench alongside his mates.
I guess this is a watch this space moment.
As for De Zerbi, I hope he doesn’t end up at Totts should they sack Thomas Frank after he oversaw a home defeat at the hands of Newcastle Utd last night. At least not until after the NLD. In other results last night, Leeds came back from being 2-0 down at Stamford Bridge to take a point against Chelsea. West Ham let a 1-0 lead slip in the 96th minute against Man Utd to draw 1-1 and Bournemouth defeated Everton 2-1 on Merseyside.
Both Aston Villa and Man City play at home this evening against Brighton and Fulham respectively. I can’t see either club slipping up in front of their own fans so it’s likely we’ll head to Brentford tomorrow with just a three point lead at the top of the table.
It matters not though because if Arsenal are to be crowned league champions in May, I want it to be because we deserve it. Because we have won the points to win it rather than others collapsing or referees giving us a hand. Mikel Arteta and his players can only focus on what they are doing and who they are playing. Don’t look down, look up.
Keeping players fit, rested/rotated as much as is possible is key to the three and a half months of football and if that means being sneaky when the international break comes along, then do it. After all, most of the international fixtures next month are friendlies in any case. Personally, I think it’s a ridiculous idea to have international fixtures at this stage of the season.
Lastly, the women are back in action tonight with a trip to OH Leuven in the Champions League quarter-final play-off. Kick off is a 5-45pm in case you’re planning on watching and it’s being televised on Disney. Highlights tomorrow it is then..
Catch up in the comments.
Well that was prescient Rico. Frank sacked a moment ago….. de Zerbi in the way???? Who knows? May be a more testing game to come against the tots?? Hey ho
Good morning all
Twas written in the stars
I think Nwaneri should be brought home. The plan has not worked out due to Zerbi’s sacking, who may well end up at Tottenham as Frank was sacked this morning.
Ha ha Wavy. Shame they’ve sacked him though..
It was, relegation is a real threat right now. I was hoping we would be the club to put the final nail in Franks managerial coffin.
Morning Rico/all
I didn’t know that about De Zerbi,seems a bit harsh but dropping out of the Champions league is costly I suppose.
In my opinion he’s way too good to end up at Spurs (Ryan Mason is available I think)
I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes over at Man City after Pep,although Vincent Kompany must be favourite.
I’m trying not to laugh too much about Chelsea until we have dealt with Brentford.
Morning Limey. I know what you mean about Chelsea, powder dry and all that..
I too think it the CL, especially a 3-0 defeat to Brugge. As you say, it’s costly.