Good morning.
You build you own luck in life right? In which case, you must build your own bad luck too. Arsenal have certainly had their fair share of both this season with the bad luck possibly just edging it. Certainly in the injury department and to a degree, in other areas too. Harsh sendings off, goals, good goals being disallowed, with a few offside goals scored against us being allowed to stand. The worst being at Wembley just a few weeks ago. During our unbeaten run in the first half of the season though, Lady Luck was with us all the way. Then she ditched us for Man Utd and Toots because they’ve certainly had a few moments of good fortune since the turn of the year. Good fortune which might just have run out.
A Lloris cockup at the weekend meant Toots left Anfield pointless and then last night it was a mix up between de Gea and Smalling right at the end of the game at Molinux which meant the ten men of Utd left the midlands with nothing from their match against Wolves. Thankfully we don’t have to go to Anfield but we do have to go to Molineux so don’t laugh just yet. We’ve got to go to Watford too, another team in good form. They thumped Fulham last night, a result which confirmed relegation for the club Calum Chambers has been playing for all season. He’s done well too apparently and learned a lot playing in central midfield.
Sky Sports interviewed Chambers not long ago and it’s interesting to read about how he believes he’s improved his game. If Emery feels the same about his progress, then it’s got to be good for the team. Keeping hold of him might be a problem though. He’s 24 years old and English, he’ll be in demand this summer I’m sure. Also, he’s now used to playing each week, a return to the bench won’t be on his agenda I’m sure.
Another player clubs will be sniffing round is AMN, I’m sure of that because he’s been impressive in my opinion.
I bet those stats surprised you? AMN comes out tops in every department bar his passing which will only improve as he matures. With Carl Jenkinson back in the mix under Unai Emery and Calum Chambers, perhaps if there were any thoughts of signing a right back this summer, they’ll be put on hold for the time being.
And this is the thing with Arsenal right now, the reason that we could see older players join the club again this summer rather than those who are just hitting their prime, or about to. We have a glut of players between the 17-21 age group. We don’t know how they’ll integrate into the first team, whether they’ve got the stomach to battle hard, to have the inner belief that the top level in English football is for them, or the European stage whichever one we qualify for. We can’t afford a player like M’bappe or similar, not many clubs can so where’s the logic in paying big money for an unproved overseas player when we have so many of our own in an similar position?
I know Arsene Wenger used to suggest that by signing x, y or z it would stunt the progress of a, b or c but back then, the latter didn’t really show signs of having what it takes, or didn’t get a chance to show whether or not they did but in all fairness to him, I don’t think he had the kind of players coming through which we are seeing now. Also, Unai Emery has said that his teams need English players and it seems he’s not afraid to give them a chance.
Talking of which, Bukayo Saka was on the bench for the under 18’s last night. Our boys were trailing 2-0 to the Toots in a ‘six pointer’ with both clubs fighting for the title. On he came, scored one, made another before Ben Cottrell nabbed our winner.
A win over that lot at any age level is always one to be proud of…
Let’s hope Crystal Palace can do the same later….
Good morning Rico, it’s hard not to gloat over United’s Molineux misfortunes, so go ahead and join me in just smidgeon schadenfreude. 😉
Chambers has been used mostly as a defensive mid-fielder while on loan at Fulham, and has done quite well. I recall our previous manager predicting that DM would eventually be Calum’s best position.
Are you suggesting that we should cash-in on Bellerin this summer?
Morning Cicero. Not at all re Bellerin, just pointing out that perhaps a right back isn’t a priority signing this summer.
Easy to predict re Chambers as DM because that’s where it all started for him. Having now played at right back, centre back and in midfield, he’s benefited he says. All came from something Wenger said to him according to his interview..
Afternoon Rico and all. Depending on who goes, I would say a quality midfielder, a centre back, perhaps a left back and a goalie. Oh and a winger! 😁
Afternoon all and a fine read, Rico, especially the bit about The Spuds ! 🙂
Have had to turn Sky Sports News off for the day as the opening of the new shite hole is boring me to near suicide and The Samaritans hotline is being over busy and engaged from millions of fellow Gooners !……………………..trying to k
bludgeon myself to death with a soft Arsenal slipper is hard work…………………..
🙂
Afternoon Gooners
Afternoon Rico, was that a sponsored post, or all your own work?
I visited my son in St Mary’s Bay yesterday and as he has Sky TV I took the opportunity to watch all of the Newcastle game without all of the pre, post and half time BS.
I thought that we were superb, despite only a 1-0 lead for most of the game, Emery’s tactics nullified any threat from Newcastle and instead of getting anxious and doing anything stupid, we stayed calm and just wore them down and took the points.
Anthony Taylor was as appalling as everyone had said, but I thought he guessed it for both goals he disallowed. In my opinion they should have both stood, sorry Rico, I thought the Newcastle guy dived for the first one and the referee bought it, both players were holding and if you blow up for that decision, then as Adam said to me yesterday, every corner and free kick into the box should be stopped for fouls as they go on all the time.
He signalled hand ball for the second goal so he clearly had no idea, I don’t think he’s bent, I just think he’s not very good, never has been, never will be, but he was our ref when we beat Villa 4-0 at Wembley, so go figure?
To me Nacho Monreal had another really good game, after a scratchy period he’s found his form again, although I’m not sure that he’s still quick enough to play full back, but at centre back he’s solid. Even Mustafi had a good game, it must be our year… 😀
Now for Everton, that’s going to be tough, but we have a good record up there so we should do well and any success up there is going to add to our momentum and rack up the pressure on our competitors, who are bound to drop more points.
Chelsea’s luck must run out as it has done with Tottenham and Man Utd.
Man Utd will now have Ashley Young and Shaw suspended, Tottenham could also suffer new stadium nerves this evening?
So onwards and upwards.
A few weeks ago Rico, I was convinced that we needed two new young full backs, one on each side, as I didn’t feel that Kolasinac and AMN were good enough long term, but they’ve both proved me wrong, well they have at wing back anyway.
Kolasinac needs cover on the left and maybe an alternative who can play in a back four as for me Monreal should now be considered a centre back.
Whilst at right back AMN is making a real name for himself just as Adam kept telling me earlier in the season and he’s developed into a top prospect, at wing back anyway, so when Hector is fit we have two quality players for that position whether we play a back four or a back three.
As it stands we have Martinez who should solve the reserve goalkeeper role and AMN at right back, two positions I feel that we not longer need to spend money on next summer, not for now anyway and leaves more money available for other positions that do need attention…
Afternoon Adam, Kev, all. Thanks Lc.
Kev, all mine.
I’m in the left back, midfielder, central defender and winger needed camp too. But I would imagine a lot depends on who gets sold and who Emery thinks is ready to step up. We still have Bielik on the books. No idea how he’s been doing though.
Rico, central defender? What about Mavropanos, and there’s Holding about to come back, if we keep Monreal for another year we have sufficient cover should Koscielny finally conk out.
Much as I like his attitude I think El Neny could be on his way out in the summer to be replaced by Chambers perhaps.
Should we make it into the Champions League, how much difference will the extra money make in the way of pay rises for some of our rising stars. It may even ease the pressure to get Ozil’s wages off the books.
I always believed in both Kev. 😇😜
Cicero, Mustafi should go and Kos is knocking on a bit. Again though, much depends on what Emery thinks of Medley etc who are coming through.
I agree Rico. If Mustafi goes then a new CB will be needed, unless Mavropanos or Holding can really step up. But we’ve had 3 important players out for a season and that can always happen again in any position.
In the Dubai friendly, Medley was played at full back/wing back and was mighty impressive going forward,a bit shaky defensively but not his usual position.We really do have some outstanding youngsters,the best since the early George Graham era.They probably won’t all make it lots of reasons to be positive..
Guess who`s out of contract in the summer ?………………………………..
https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/1113192655251546119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1113192655251546119&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fdailycannon.com%2F2019%2F04%2Fsanti-cazorla-season-high-8-chances-barcelona%2F
I was hoping that Crystal Palace would take at least a point at the New Swamp. Sadly not to be. Still, we are only one point behind with a game in hand.
Where did my post go Rico?
That is so fecking annoying
I don’t know Kev… ☹️
New post up now