Morning all.
England will play Slovakia on Sunday in the Euros last 16 round. Slovakia finished 3rd in their group winning 1, losing 1 and drawing 1. Their victory came against Belgium. Win and either Italy or Switzerland will be their quarter-final opponents. Win that one and one of Romania, Netherlands, Austria and Turkey could be a semi-final opposition. Ok, I’m getting ahead of myself now.
Here is the draw in full:
Saturday June 29th
37 Germany vs Denmark (Dortmund, kick-off 8pm UK time)
38 Switzerland vs Italy (Berlin, kick-off 5pm UK time)
Sunday June 30th
39 Spain vs Georgia (Cologne, kick-off 8pm UK time)
40 England vs Slovakia (Gelsenkirchen, kick-off 5pm UK time)
Monday July 1st
41 Portugal vs Slovenia (Frankfurt, kick-off 8pm UK time)
42 France vs Belgium (Düsseldorf, kick-off 5pm UK time)
Tuesday July 2nd
43 Romania vs Netherlands (Munich, kick-off 5pm UK time)
44 Austria vs Turkey (Leipzig, kick-off 8pm UK time)
The Euros isn’t the only football tournament going on this summer though as over in the USA, the Copa America is underway. Brazil kicked off their tournament with a goalless draw with Costa Rica on Tuesday. Gabriel Martinelli made a late appearance from the bench but Gabriel was an unused substitute. Next up for Brazil is Paraguay followed by Columbia.
A bit of transfer gossip:
Nuno Tavares, a player I think most of us expect to leave this summer, has his heart set on a return to Arsenal. Talking to Desporto Ao Minuto he said:
My priority is to return to Arsenal. Then, there, only the future will tell Everyone knows that I have another year on my contract with Arsenal. I have people I trust taking care of my future. There have been some approaches, but I always leave it to whoever is in charge of taking care of my future.
I read that Arsenal have slapped a £50million price tag on Eddie Nketiah. If true, I can see him still being an Arsenal player next season because I very much doubt anyone will pay that amount for him.
It looks like Joshua Zirkzee is heading to Man Utd as Sky Sports the deal is on the verge of being agreed. Zirkee was heavily linked to Arsenal earlier in the summer. Another player linked to Arsenal is Serhou Guirassy but he’s decided to join Borussia Dortmund instead.
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia will soon be an Arsenal player, according to Barcelona journalist Gerard Romero. Garcia is just 23 years old but from March through to the end of last season, his 7 clean sheets in 13 matches helped Espanyol gain promotion to La Liga. Garcia has just been called up for the Spanish Olympic team so one to keep an eye on perhaps although just how credible Romero’s information is I’ve no idea.
Lastly, The Athletic has a piece on Martin Zubimendi and Joao Neves and what one or the other would offer this current Arsenal team should either be snapped up this summer.
Well, we need a midfielder don’t we?
Catch up the comments.
Well done Rico, my wife often goes for an early morning walk over the meadows she gets up long before I do.
My chore of the day is done, painting the part of the garage floor that my son re-screeded Tuesday. I’ll be recording the cricket to watch later, tennis from Eastbourne will be compulsory viewing for my wife.😉
Tavares is wise to avoid upsetting the apple cart. Could there be a spot in midfield for him?
Arsenal have kicked off their pre-season preparations early by holding a training camp in Marbella.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta and most of his coaching staff are currently in the Spanish city with six members of the first-team squad – Ben White, Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Jurrien Timber and Reiss Nelson.
They will be joined by captain Martin Odegaard next week, with Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey also due to link up with the group at some stage.
Sporting director Edu is also intending to fly out to Spain and be with the group for part of the training camp.
Arsenal are planning to work out there until a week on Friday, with Arteta and his players eager to hit the ground running ahead of the new season.
Players will be worked hard during sessions in Marbella, but they will also have time to relax and spend time with their families.
Such a set-up is often employed by Arsenal for training camps, such as when they visited Dubai during the middle of last season.
Arsenal hope that the camp in Marbella will get those players not at the Copa America or European Championship in top shape before they begin pre-season in earnest next month.
The Gunners are heading out to the USA for a tour and they will have matches against Liverpool and Manchester United. A third game is due to be arranged, with Bournemouth – who are in the USA this summer – a possible opponent.
Arsenal will then round off pre-season with matches at the Emirates Stadium against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon.
Tennis here too Cicero, not for long though as a quick switch of channels looms…
Gosh, Arteta and Co do like their training sessions in the sunshine. lol
They’re back earlier than usual though. Normally it’s around the second week in July.
Sambi Lokonga heading off to Sevilla on loan according to reports.
Start delayed by rain, that’s what you get at this time of the year in the Windies. 😕
No spare day either so India will go through if there’s no game played.
He’s only got one year left on his contract, surely we are not going to let him run it down on loan and then leave on a free. Sell him to Seville now or at least put an obligatory purchase clause in place for the loan period
Seems that way unless he’s signing a new contract before leaving. That’s if the loan story is true.
There are special clause in the playing conditions which only apply to India, and they strongly favour them. Times of matches, advance knowledge of venues, and most tickets sold prior to the release of the general sale. The whole tournament is geared to getting the fullest possible coverage in the sub-continent. Money, money money and it stinks!!!
I saw that too, bonkers. Money ruins sport in so many ways.
Good afternoon Rico and all
So we are signing a man mountain in Joan Garcia. Standing a whopping 5 ft 11 (according to Google, Wikipedia and Transfermarket), he can catch high crosses with the ability of a Samurai who catches flies with a chopsticks. Lady and gents….they cant even beat us on crosses and corners anymore.
On another note…….theowalcott: “The turning point for me in terms of how I viewed Mikel Arteta was an experience I had with him as a player at Arsenal. It was at a time when we weren’t making the top four. We had training in 30 minutes & he locked all the players in the dressing room, as if he was the manager.”
“He was taking control of the whole space & telling us how it is. In that moment, it was like he was the manager & that was the turning point for me. That’s when I thought he could go on to be a manager.”
“Arsène Wenger was waiting for us to come outside for training but we weren’t coming out because Mikel stopped the training session. He was such a strong character that even Arsène was afraid of him.”
If Arsene Wenger, who wasnt afraid of Mourinho or Ferguson, feared Arteta then its no wonder that Mikel dealt with Auba and OZil the way he did. Strong character is an understatement.
Afternoon Devil, Gracia is 6’ 3” – you didn’t by chance stumble across the actress? 😂
Interesting comments from Theo by the way..
I dont know but I am sure I saw 5 ft 11 inches. and on all three sites of them. not just one by mistake. I am checking again now and as you said….6ft 3
That height makes a whole lot of difference. 5ft 11 I wouldnt even have batted an eyelid….as that is too short for a keeper.
I doubt Arsenal would sign a 5’ 11” keeper either Devil.. lol
It’s not going well Rico, 35 for 3. 😕
Nope, not well at all Cicero. ☹️
Make that 4 down…
It’s getting worse 49 for 5. 😢
and worse still 72 for 7.
Won’t be long now 94 for 9
Disappointed to say the least…
Night Cicero..
All over, Beaten by 68 runs. That’s not even close! 😤
I’ll stick to proper cricket in future! 😉
Sleep well Rico, tomorrow should be fine for an early dog walk. 😴
Morning Rico and all.
Is there any movement on the transfer front, as I have been in bed for 4 day with covid, just trying to get some food down then back to bed
Morning Geoff, nothing as yet.
Sorry to hear you’ve been really poorly with Covid, get well soon.
Anthony Gordon fell off of his bike while riding on the pathways around the England hotel, he grazed the knuckles of his right hand. Now Southgate has banned the whole lot from using the bikes, just like naughty children. Talk about wrapping up in cotton wool!!!
You couldn’t make it up really….
Gareth Southgate, “ok lads. From today no one is allowed to ride a bike.”
The next day Aaron enters the building riding a skateboard. Southgate banned that as well.
A few hours later Aaron was demonstrating his parkour skills. As Southgate was going to speak Aaron chimed on, “what boss. You’re surely not going to ban me from bringing my legs now”
😅😅😅
Devil, didn’t you mention that Arsenal will get a percentage of any transfer fee Ipswich pay for Omari Hutchinson?
I just hope that this new goalkeeper wasn’t (with Runarsson in mind) recommended by ‘you know who’…
Looks as if Tavares is angling for a Bosman in 12 months time.
If Hutchinson does end up making a permanent move, wherever he ends up, it would be good news for Arsenal.
Back in 2022, when the Gunners sold Hutchinson to Chelsea, The Athletic reported that they’d only brought in a relatively modest fee.
However, the deal included a sell-on clause, so Arsenal will take a cut of whatever Chelsea earn for Hutchinson’s sale. The exact value of the clause is unknown.
Answered my own query…
Apparently we are after Garcia from Espanyol to replace Ramsdale that Makes Raya, Garcia , Inaki Cana , Arteta . Are we seeing a pattern ?
Raphinia and Ferran Torres seemingly available, surplus to Catalan requirements, but not at bargain prices I suspect and most certainly with unsustainable salaries to boot. Not for me amigos…
Valencia looking for an option, Arsenal looking for an obligation at €12m for Bert Lokonga. I hope we play hardball…
Good morning everyone
Kev……Omari Hutchinson left Arsenal for Chelsea for £4M with add ons and a large 50% Sell On Clause. If Chelsea receive £22M(?) from Ipswich then Arsenal make £15M total from the deal including original £4M . Chelsea receive £11M minus his contract pay out of £3 M
That is how I see it. It might be different but as far as I know that’s the situation
Then again FAbrizio Romano has stated that the sell on clause is 20% so that is a bit confusing. because I dont know who is correct.
Good morning all, I’m not too confused by the varying terms of players contracts simply because those purporting to know what goes on behind closed are usually either guessing or are out right liars desperate for clicks.
Morning guys.
I’m with you Cicero, it’s all b****x until it’s not.. 😜
I see it Potter…
Good morning Rico, Devil and the cartel.
Trust issues! Everyone seems to have then these days.
But for me Fabrizio Romano knows what he’s talking about, he’s my transfer guru.
Along with Sami Mokbel, the self-styled ‘internet personality’ who never misinforms, er, deliberately.
I’m giving London a miss today due to the many road closures. Fortunately it’s a beautiful sunny day so I’m happy to stay home.
Devil, even 20% is pretty good if true and sounds more likely. That’s where the figure of £4m might come from.
I think if Hutchinson had stayed and gone out and had such a productive loan that he’d be in Arteta’s plans this season.
Compare Hutchinson’s loan to the underwhelming Charlie Patino, valued at £10m by Transfermarket.
Maybe the problem isn’t just in the quality of the young players we develop, although that seems to be getting better, it may also be in the clubs where we send our young players to?
Morning Kev. David Ornstein is the guy I think knows bits and bobs..
Rather than believe the many, so called, insiders I’d go with Mystic Meg.😉
Life will get progressively more complicated in the coming couple of weeks, Wimbledon, Tour de France, Euros climax, Grand Prix, England Rugby tour to New Zealand, thank the Lord the T 20 is nearly over and England are on their way home. Oh! I expect there will be some of that walking round a field with a stick and a ball too. Just hope the tele doesn’t go on the blink. 😉
Ah Mystic Meg, I’m still waiting for all her predictions to come true, I’m still waiting to go on that long journey, also waiting to come into money and to meet a tall dark stranger.
Why is it always a tall dark stranger?
Not the tortoise then Cicero? She’s predicted an England loss tomorrow 😂
Germany Manager Julian Nagelsmann defends Arsenal Kai Havertz: “If you look at it from the outside, a demand for Fülle is understandable, even though Kai comes off much worse in the public assessment. He has a clear job in many games, which means that he doesn’t have many ball actions because he should create space for others. He did that exceptionally well. In the internal assessment, Kai is ranked much higher than in the public.
“For the striker, it’s not always just about scoring a goal. If you’re substituted and the opponent is already tired, you might have a little more space. Fülle has a good rating, but Kai is an important player for us. We’ll see who starts against Denmark.”
I fancy Denmark’s chances against Germany if they play well.
The figure for Arsenal in the Hutchinson deal is £3 million.
I fancy every team’s chances if they play as a unit and play well to their strengths. Remember Greece
But in England’s case I fancy their chances if Southgate manages to think well besides the above…simply because England have a very good team. One of the best ever they had.
I thought it’d be more re Hutchinson..
Nice goal Switzerland
That’s what’s so frustrating about England. The best squad in years being ruined by a negative manager. The poor performances were inevitable imo.
yes it was a good goal from Switzerland.
Italy are scared to push the Swiss. They are lying back. This is the fourth game that Italy have played and in total they had have had just 4 shots on target.
Typical Italy though, boring..
Xhaka is running the game for Switzerland, we should have kept him. His passing is superb, he rarely misplaces one and has an awareness of where the spaces are.
It’s gonna be tough for Italy to comma back fromma two goals down.
Xhaka himself wanted to leave Cicero. Its not that Arteta wanted him to leave. Yes we should have tried all we could but if he wanted to go it was out of the club’s hands.
Italy are so negative. They need a total overhaul. I think that only less than a handful are Euro level players worthy of putting on the shirt. There are no creative players in this team. Heaven forbid Chiesa comes to Arsenal.
Italy were so dissapointing. I never expected to see them being so negative
It’s not so much that Italy have been negative, Switzerland came with a plan and executed it to perfection. They are a well coached team and are worthy winners. Also, Switzerland had by far the best player on the pitch….Xhaka.
Yes Cicero you are right about Switzerland. but comparing the present Italy to the past teams makes them look so negative. Switzerland will be tough for any side including Spain. But I still feel that Italy could have been more positive. Just 4 shots on target in 4 games. No space awareness and no space movement.
Spalletti is a very good coach. Mancini did the dirty on Italy leaving them when they had pratically qualified and Spalletti just had friendlies to get his own message across. but overall there is no creativity in the present Italian team
Always liked Xhaka. 😜
Bild, the German newspaper, have done a poll about the selection being made by Julian Nagelsmann. They did a poll with 138,000 – 90% responded saying Niclas Fullkrug should be starting ahead of Kai Havertz.
I wish that JN would listen to them as that would mean Havertz resting for the coming season.
I was thrilled when we signed Xhaka and sad when he left. Its a pity he spent more than half his time with us under AW and UE. Arteta convinced him to stay for a few more seasons but unfortunately he left. like Cicero Istill wish he stayed but his choice.
That foul was a very soft one. its a 50/50 call in my opinion
I can understand why Xhaka left and Arteta supported his move. It was the last time we’d get a decent fee for him.
Germany / Denmark game suspended due to thunder storm and heavy rain.
Havertz penalty and a great goal by Masiala, one of the best I’ve seen in the tournament, Germany through 2 – 0.
Good night one and all. 😴
Morning guys.
Cicero, that goal was superb.. I thought the first Swiss goal was pretty good too.
New post up. A site refresher.