Morning all.
I would say this international break is dragging but it’s not, not for me anyway. There’s cricket going on, the rugby World Cup and the US Open, albeit the latter has now finished, so yes, it’s been happy television viewing for me. Handy really as I’ve just had cataract surgery. Yep, me, me, me!
As far as Arsenal on international duty goes, Gabriel is back training with Brazil after his little scare which is good news and with England playing a friendly tomorrow, hopefully Southgate will rest Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice. Wishful thinking though I’m sure as he seems so very stuck in his ways. Who else would still be think Maguire is the future for England, or Henderson – this should be a game in which he uses players who are younger and on the fringe of the first team, not those who by the time the next big competition comes around, will be even slower or less match fit than they are now. If ten Hag has a fully fit Utd squad, Maguire doesn’t even make the first team.
Anyway, more importantly is Arsenal and the busy schedule which kicks off this coming weekend with a trip to Goodison Park.
- Sunday – Everton away
- Wednesday – PSV home
- Sunday – Totts home
- Wednesday – Brentford away
- Saturday – Bournemouth away
Five fixtures before the end of this month. Five fixtures in thirteen days.
We know Mikel Arteta will rotate his squad, he’s told us that but when do you think he would be best to begin that? At Everton, or Brentford?
This is just a bit of fun by the way. Me, I’d like to see ESR and Trossard against Everton and Nelson on the pitch earlier than we usually see him.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico and all,
Hope all went ok with your eyes Rico.
I would prefer Arteta to make changes against Everton as we will need to be at full strength for PSV and Toots
Good afternoon Rico, can we expect a few less typos now? 😉
At my last eye test I was told that I had cataracts but they were slow developing so I probably wont need to do anything for ten years at least, at eighty years old I guess I can forget about them. 👍
Afternoon Geoff, Cicero.
I hope so Cicero although it doesn’t feel like it right now. 😂
80 is the new 50, best to get them done I say. 😆
Thanks Geoff, one down, one to go.
Me too re Everton, Brentford too but PSV and Totts, strongest 11 which right now, I don’t think includes Havertz.
On yesterday’s post . Islington council are dead set against any expansion as are transport for London To get a deal no doubt we will have to pay one massive bribe after all we are not Tottenham or West ham who both have had local government hand outs in recent years..
As far as England is concerned , I lost interest some time ago , I am more than happy if none of our players get selected as I don’t trust Southgate . As much as he would like his first cap I hope that Eddie doesn’t get a look in as it’s Scotland and tagging it as a friendly is an oxymoron in itself .
Agreed re Scotland game, friendly it will be not. They never are.
Hi Rico, hoping the cataract surgery went well. If not for the Totts rivalry, every game is worth 3 points. And Everton away has recently not been good for us. Full squad against them, then he rotates as he (Arteta) seems necessary. Only problem with Arteta being that he is so poor in rotating. He may continue his power show with Harvetz and forget that ESR and Viera also need game time.
I don’t like friendly matches especially during the season as players who are not known will do anything to get noticed and will not think twice about injuring a top player during a tackle.
Hi Daniel, it did, thanks.
I agree re the points etc but the players we have available are as good as those they replace. In some cases, perhaps better.
Pogba has failed a drugs test… oops!
Hope cataract recovery all goes well rico. I’ve had two cataract ops this year, two detached Vitreous, and recently a torn retina leaving loads of black dots and permanent cobweb! On the bright side, the cataract ops gave whiter whites than I knew existed (seemed almost bluish white till I adjusted rather than warm crème) and ability to not wear glasses or contacts for driving and tv for the first time in 53 years. Amazing how they replace front lens!
Surely Saka be rested, hobbling last game in first half. I’d like to see Ramsdale, as at least we have good cover, but who knows with dopey Southgate.
Thanks Andrew, hope all your surgery has made life better for you too. You’ve been through it..
Gabriel was training as usual today so the “injury” sustained playing for Brazil could not have been as serious as first reported.
Saka getting a rest , he’s on the bench with Eddie ,. Ramsdale starts though.
As does Rice. 😕
Bellingham is a supremely talented but he is a hot-head too ready to get involved in situations he should stay away from. Two games this week, two bookings. He could have a problem in a tournament.
It looks as though Southgate has told them to hold on to the two goal lead. All the good attacking football, in the first half, has been put on hold and England are allowing the Scotts back in the game.
Another goal for Maguire, unfortunately it was at the wrong end of the pitch. What on earth was Southgate thinking bringing him on at half-time?
Tierney booked for a shirt tug on Saka.
Bellingham sets up a tap in for Kane, probably his only significant contribution in the game and he is instantly subbed.
Agree re Kane Cicero, until he scored, all he did was jog around on the halfway line. Bellingham is a fantastic player I think and it’s hard to believe he’s only 20 years old.
New post up