Does anyone care about 3rd place?

Morning all.

This World Cup campaign has flown by and by the end of the week we’ll see who ends up crowned champions regardless of whether they wholeheartedly deserved it or not.

There’s been moments of brilliance, many moments of boring and uninspiring football but above it all, the catalogue of errors made by the officials, especially referees has stood out.

The game which sticks out for me is France v Paraguay but not for good reasons. Paraguay players took the “s***housery” tactics in the game to another level and yet not one of their players were cautioned.

The first semi-final takes place tonight between Spain and France. Whatever the result, either William Saliba will be out of the competition or all of Martin Zubimendi, David Raya and Mikel Merino. Tomorrow, England take on Lionel Messi Argentina. My heart says Thomas Tuchel’s side will win but my head says Argentina’s name is already on the trophy.

Before anyone celebrates the fact that Arsenal players whose respective country gets knocked out today or tomorrow, hold your horses because there is a 3rd place playoff match on Saturday.  Who cares which country wins that and more to the point, players won’t care either I’m sure because all they are likely to be thinking about by then is being on a beach somewhere with those they love and doing absolutely nothing for a few days/weeks. Mentality and physically they need to switch off from the game.

Not being funny but I’ve never heard/read about clubs/countries celebrating coming third in a competition. Competitive sport is about winning and not finishing third, not if the aim from the outset is to be champions.

Whichever two countries end up involved in Saturday’s pointless fixture, I hope the managers use none of the players who have played the most minutes throughout this tournament.

I’m starting to believe that Arsenal’s transfer targets are still involved in the World Cup because I’m pretty sure Mikel Arteta would want new signings through the door by now otherwise.

Belgium were knocked out of the competition just a few days ago and now The Athletic reports that his move to Besiktas could be finalised this week. 

Arsenal’s 2025/26 season was a success story all round with the Premier League trophy being the pinnacle. I thought we were brilliant in Champions League too, storming to the final without losing a game. Not only that but our football was easy on the eye, something which hasn’t always been the case domestically. We know why – European clubs don’t often go into games with a back 10 parked in front of their keeper.

Arsenal have been criticised for playing boring football and yes, I’m guilty of muttering such things but the real boring clubs with are those with managers who are too frightened to “play” against us. One might be tempted to suggest it’s pragmatism at its best although others like me will think it’s simply awful football. Uninspired and boring football.

Now though, it’s up to Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff to find a way to get past such boring tactics played against us. Personally, I think it all starts from the back and being smarter with our passing, movement and the speed we do both. If we as a team/squad can improve upon that, perhaps the parked buses will begin to move away. Obviously I don’t want time to pass quickly but I’m looking forward to seeing quicker throw-ins, a different approach to our set-pieces and all being well, a bit more purpose to our game. Oh, and seeing a lot more of Max Dowman, I’m really looking forward to seeing a lot more of him…

Enough of my waffling….