Morning all.
We have a Euros winner in the camp as Emile Smith Rowe and his England teammates defeated Spain 1-0 in yesterday’s final. England’s only goal came from a free kick and a huge deflection but who cares, no one will remember that but everyone will remember the score. What’s pretty incredible though is that throughout the entire tournament, England did not concede a goal and not even a late Spanish penalty could change that. The game was feisty to say the least. Four red cards and a large number of yellows.
Before then, Arsenal confirmed that William Saliba has signed a new contract. Hallelujah! Seriously good news, in fact as far as extending contracts go, the last few months have been brilliant. Saliba, Nelson, Saka, Martinelli and Ramsdale.
Honestly the decision was easy because I had a really good season last season, but unfortunately I didn’t finish it because of injury. So I want more. I want to play more years for this amazing club. I didn’t achieve anything yet, so I want to win everything with this club.
It’s hard to believe that Saliba has been at Arsenal for four years already yet has only played for the club for one of them but, he really is the perfect example of how the loan system can work. Perhaps even how it should work.
It’s good sometimes to learn like this. I didn’t play when I [first] came, so I learned a lot. I became a new man. It’s important for the mentality and then I came back stronger last summer and I knew I would have a chance if I play well. I had the confidence of the coach and all the players so it was easy for me. But yeah, it’s a good experience because had it been easy, maybe I would not be happy as I am today. The first two years was hard and now I’m happy because I worked hard and I didn’t give up.
Much was written when Saliba headed out on loan, especially for a second time but now, for him and Arsenal, everything seems good. Very good.
Mikel Arteta’s team played a friendly match yesterday afternoon against Watford which finish in a draw. Marquinhos scored Arsenals only goal of the game. The result is irrelevant of course as all these pre season matches are about is regaining fitness before the new season kicks off. A number of younger players got minutes on the pitch as I’m sure they will again in our other pre season fixtures.
A lot of the younger players are being awarded scholarships with the club or in the case of the slightly older guys, pro contracts. Those youngsters must be super proud and excited but this is when the hard work really starts because they have a lot to improve upon and they need to remain patient and level headed. Hard work will get them to the top if they have the right attributes but think they can run before they walk and their career could spiral in the wrong direction.
Ismail Oulad M’Hand is one of the players who has been handed a pro contract. He’s just 18 years old and signed for Arsenal six months after his brother, Salah-Eddine. Both are able to play for either Morocco or Netherlands and I believe Salah-Eddine has committed to the latter. I’m sure Ismail will do the same should he be good enough. At 19 years old, Salah-Eddine is likely to feature in pre-season a lot although after an injury plagued 2022/23 season, I suspect he’ll go out on loan for this next campaign.
I think it’s great when brothers are at the same club. It doesn’t happen often but we’ve already had the Willock family, although all are gone now but other than them – the Xhaka brothers at FC Basel, the Neville’s at Utd, the de Boer twins, the Bender brothers and the Ayew brothers, I can’t think of many others. I can’t remember if Kolo and Yaya Toure actually played in the same team at City, probably but not many. Anyway, I hope Ismail and Salah-Eddie can be a brotherly success story for Arsenal in the future.
Meanwhile, Timber and Rice still haven’t been confirmed as Arsenal players although it’s reported online, at least on NN, that both have now passed their medical. As for the rumours about Flo Balogun going to Chelsea, please Arsenal, don’t let it happen. I know the club are going to sell players, they have to, but I can’t see the logic in selling Balogun, at least not until he’s had chance to prove that last season’s numbers in France weren’t a fluke.
Catch up in the comments…
Good morning Rico, brothers that played for Arsenal? I give you Leslie and Dennis Compton.
There was Danny and Dennis Clapton for Arsenal back in the late 1950’s, Danny was a regular 1st teamer but I don’t think that Dennis actually made it at Arsenal beyond the reserves?
Morning Cicero, Kev.
I’m far too young for them… 😂
I remember an incident in an NLD at Highbury involving Danny Clapton, a lightweight winger, Tommy Docherty a tough Arsenal half back and Dave Mackay also a tough half back. Danny had been running Mackay ragged who at last lost his cool and body checked Danny onto the track around the pitch. A few minutes later Tommy caught Mackay, also with a body check which left the Spurs man drapped over the railings with his head in the crowd.
Those were the days when retribution was part of the game . Peter Storey was another that looked after his team . .Some of his clashes with Giles and Bremner were memorable
Sounds brutal though. Lol
Don’t Millwall still play the same way though? 😂
https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1678099573623881729?s=20
Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri and Walters in squad for Germany calling….
Talking of brothers at Arsenal we’ve all forgotten Arthur and Brian Okonkwo.
With Matt Turner still playing for the USA in the Gold Cup there is an opening for Okonkwo senior to push his claim for the No.2 goalkeeping spot during preseason…
The Willocks , might have been three not sure.
Just watched the game against Watford on .com at least 3 minutes of it. Could find no information as to who the players were but 24 looked useful and we got caught by the old keeper roll out to a player that was being closed down.
Potter, I believe number 24 was Riess Nelson as he was named in the starting lineup.
Morning Rico and all
I am starting a roomer, Arsenal new recruits have signed and have flown out on private jets to America where they will be introduced with Arteta, Edu and Josh Kroenke.
Morning all.
New post up