Morning all.
It looks like Jack Wilshere could be on the move as Norwich are reported to have offered him a first team coach position. We all know he loves Arsenal but if he wants to test his coaching skills at a higher level then staying with our under 18’s isn’t really an option.
Norwich’s sporting director, Ben Knapper, who was the loans manager at Arsenal, is in all likelihood behind the move and possibly a reason Wilshere could say yes. He’d be replacing Narcís Pèlach, who left Norwich to become head coach at Stoke City last month and would be working alongside current Norwich manager/coach Johannes Hoff Thorup’s coaching team. Thorup is just three years older than Wilshere but has been involved in coaching since 2012. You never know, after a few years away from Arsenal learning more and more about coaching at a higher level, he might one day be back in the Premier League managing a team of his own.
This last international break has felt like a month as far as football goes. Having been utterly disappointed with England in their first match, I didn’t bother watching the second. Hopefully Tuchel will turn England a side worth watching when he takes over in January. I had to laugh at one of the headlines in the back pages about how Tuchel can get Kane back to his best. Having worked with him for a season at Bayern Munich, I’d imagine he knows Kane’s best years are far behind him.
Anyway, domestic football is back thank goodness.
Having taken a look at the official Arsenal website, many of our returning international players are in the training photos. Gabriel, Calafiori, Trossard, Kiwior, Raya, Saliba, Rice and I’m sure I spotted the back of Merino’s head. No sign of Martinelli though, nor Saka, White, Timber or Zinchenko but that doesn’t mean any are definitely ruled out for tomorrow’s match against Bournemouth. Mikel Arteta will be speaking to the media at 10am so we’ll know more then.
There’s some potential cracking fixtures this weekend which starts tomorrow lunchtime with Totts taking on Brighton. Aston Villa go to Fulham in one of the 3pm games and Brentford go to Old Trafford. I’m surprised neither have been moved for television viewing. Our clash with Bournemouth has of course, probably more in hope that Sky Sports can report on an upset for Arsenal later in the day and then on Sunday, Liverpool and Chelsea go head to head at Anfield. That one will be worth watching especially as we face Liverpool next weekend and Chelsea in just a few weeks time.
Still, they can wait as only Bournemouth matter for now. Hopefully Arteta will bring us a lot of positive player fitness news very soon.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico, nothing yet from Arteta’s press conference, but then arsenal.com staff are still working from home and haven’t got out of bed yet. 😉
As long as we have our mainstay trio available, Raya, Saliba and Gabriel, I think we can prevail in the teatime kick off.
Nice article about ESR in the Telegraph this morning, he says he is very shy off the pitch but becomes a beast on it.
Morning Cicero.
Just listened to Arteta.
All could be fit bar Tomiyasu.
That really is good news. 😁
Certainly is. Looking forward to tomorrow’s game..
As Partey is fit I guess he will start alongside Rice, but I would sub him at halftime because it’s in the second half that as he tires he loses concentration and the errors creep in. Replacing him with Jorginho will freshen up our midfield and add a new dimension.
Merino is available too.
I guess much depends on how the game goes re which one of the two could come on.
Afternoon Rico and all,
So glad the international matches are over.
Bit confused If ESR says he is shy off the pitch, that doesn’t sound like someone who would go clubbing with friend on the weekends.
Afternoon Geoff, indeed it doesn’t..
Afternoon rico, all. Remember against Soton, Arteta was hopefully for White, Timber, and Tomi, and following day, two were missing and Tomi injured during sub appearance. Partey was fullback. Hopefully White or Timber ok, but were hidden during training photos.
Are others still getting ‘submitting comment, then hanging?
YEP ! I control c then press refresh , if it appears I delete the saved post.
Thanks Potter, yes I’ve used CTR/C a while now for safely since a few vanished 😀