Morning all.
Eddie Howe must be laughing all the way to the bank, or at least the owners of Newcastle Utd. After the protracted summer saga involving Alexander Isak and his move to Liverpool, Newcastle look to have come out on top. They had £125m in the bank, well, half that amount after signing Nick Woltemade, whilst Liverpool have themselves a player who not only looks lost, but he’s injured too. 39 fixtures missed for club/country in three years. Slot says he probably doesn’t need surgery but it’s an ongoing problem which must be concern. After signing Ekiteke, I’m surprised they snapped up Isak too but I’m really glad Dijk and Salah stayed put though.
A. I’m so glad Arsenal didn’t fork out such a hideous amount of money on one player, certainly one who has a history of injuries.
B. Give me a player like Viktor Gyokeres any day of the week because he’s a grafter as well as a goal scorer.
In fact I think that other than perhaps Chelsea, Arsenal had the best summer transfer window out of all the Premier League Clubs. Certainly the best balanced transfer window as we’ve strengthened in every area of the pitch.
Our squad is going to be tested over the weeks and months ahead, as is Mikel Arteta’s ability to rotate his players. Rotation must be one of the most difficult things for a manager because for every player who does make the starting eleven, another 13/14 are left on the sidelines. Five might get the nod during the game but that still leaves 8/9 who don’t get to play on a match day. Good job players suffer injury isn’t it as that number reduces. I jest of course but right now we have Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus injured so the rotating of players must be less stressful for Arteta.
What I’m looking forward to though is Arsenal having a fully fit squad and seeing how new partnerships unfold. Bukayo Saka and Madueke occupying the wings, or Gabriel Martinelli and Madueke, two players with pace to burn. What about Havertz when he returns, where does he fit in I wonder, Jesus too. Piero Hincapie – a no nonsense centre-back who is probably desperate to play.
I suspect it’s a selection headache many managers would love to have.
Like ourselves, this weekend’s opponents Crystal Palace have injuries of their own with Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad Dnanou and Caleb Kporha ruled out but on their official website, Palace have 30 players listed so I’m sure manager Oliver Glasner will cope. Mateta has scored 7 goals already this season and Nketiah, well our old player only scored 97th minute winner against Liverpool a few weeks ago. Good man…
Mikel Arteta is due to speak to the media later so with a bit of luck, he’ll offer some positive news on the injury front.
Catch up in the comments.
Dowman signs scholarship forms with Arsenal
Latest from Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
Max Dowman has signed scholarship forms with Arsenal.
The 15-year-old academy product has emerged as one of the game’s brightest prospects this season.
The scholarship officially starts next season but Dowman will become eligible to pre-agree a professional contract when he turns 16 on December 31 to take effect when he turns 17.
Dowman became the youngest player in Premier League history when he made his debut in Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds in August and has gone on to make a further two senior appearances.
“There is a kid here that has zero hesitation,” said manager Mikel Arteta after Dowman’s debut.
“He is so convinced that he can go at 15 and deliver that, which I’ve never witnessed in my life.
It brings us joy, it brings emotion and it’s something else that makes our jobs so great.”
Dowman has also been promoted to England’s U19s this season.
Morning Gooners, Rico, good post.
Dowman will be well looked after, he is surrounded by a good family who aren’t totally money motivated as we have seen with a couple of youngsters who left for Man United and have disappeared.
Yeah, nobody talks about Isak anymore and you know that some in the media are desperate to rub our noses in that transfer and that’s why they take pot shots at Gyokeres, well they did…
Morning Kev, I have to admit to wanting us to sign Isak but so glad we didn’t.
Agree re Dowman, he’s in the best place and long may he stay.
Good morning all. Welcome back Posta Rico, Kev for the moment you’re back on the bench. 😉
Good to know the club are keeping their collective eye on the youngsters. They are the future as transfer fees rise and broadcast revenues remain static or worse while PSR hovers like a dark cloud over the game.
Ha ha Cicero, morning to you. I’m hoping Kev keeps going for a long time as it means we’re winning. 😜
Woofa Walker, laters.
from Arteta’s presser, the only relevant bit as far as I’m concerned. “from the latest team news Big Gabi had to leave the pitch with an issue and he hasn’t been able to train yet, so let’s see how he evolves in the next 24 hours to see whether he’s available or not for the weekend.
Time to see how good Hincapie is.
Thank heavens for a strong and deep squad..
I’m quite happy being rotated Cicero especially as I have a tight hamstring. 😇
It’s great isn’t it because last season we’d all be really anxious about Big Gabby but now we just shrug and ruminate over which total quality international will take his place whilst he has a well earned breather. It’s great having a deep deep squad…
We would although Kiwior was pretty good stepping in when we needed him.