Afternoon guys.
When I woke at 5-30am this morning feeling like I’d drank a couple of bottles of the worst red wine in the world the night before, no way was I getting out of bed. Seven hours and four ibuprofen later, it’s still there. Like a hammer squatting in my head.
Don’t get me wrong, yesterday, I had a good reason to crack open the best champagne but no, not because of the season Arsenal have had, the women becoming European champions or because the season is finally over but because Gary Linekar will no long be hosting Match of The Day.
Mikel Arteta’s team won their final game 2-1 thanks to goals from Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard but the game itself was a typical end of season non event between two clubs with nothing to play for in terms of the league. Southampton knew their outcome weeks ago, Arsenal had known they were not going win the league for a while longer.
The highlight of the game for me was Tierney signing off with the kind of goal this team has been crying out for all season. A good cross from Ben White, a fine finish from close range by our left back. A simple kind of goal really.
Raheem Sterling started the game, much to every Arsenal fans disappointment I would imagine and the best part about his movement on the pitch was when he walked off to the dugout for the last time in an Arsenal shirt. An awful loan he proved to be and not the kind which needs repeating ever again. I can’t help but wonder what might have been, had one of our academy players been given the minutes he played instead…
I suppose I should mention David Raya bearing in mind he won the Golden Glove award again. However, I find the award a bit of a joke really because its not just him who prevents the opposition from scoring goals. Anyway, he was pleased. Woo hoo.
With the season now done, some of the players have a couple of international fixtures to get through and then they can jet off to sunny shores and rest. As can we, after all, it’s exhausting watching Arsenal from behind the sofa.
Mikel Arteta sat alongside Josh Kroenke to watch the match. Hopefully, the Spaniard was telling the American to dig deep into his pockets this summer because we as a club need a few cracking players. I jest of course, they will be talking about that over the next few days and before Arteta goes away with his family.
Talking post game, the manager had a word for the fans:
A big thank you for the way they have supported the team, the club. They will have travelled throughout Europe, in the country and the manner and the energy they put in has been incredible again. Hopefully they feel pride and that this team gives absolutely everything and I’m telling you that they’ve done it. There is nothing else to squeeze, there is not a single drop. I don’t think there is more to give. Hopefully they value where we are, where we have brought this football club and of course make sure that that’s decided that we all have to make the next step and that is the percentage that we need. Between all of us, we can achieve it and be very positive and enthusiastic about what is coming and be constructive especially.
Now it’s all about the transfer window, who goes, who stays and who joins us from another club. Every club in the Premier League will strengthen their squad, Liverpool seem to have started their business already. Arsenal cannot afford to picking up the scraps late in August. As a club we need to be smart, proactive and determined in the way we do our transfer business. Sign our plan a players as soon as possible but if there is no deal to be done, move to plan b.
Who knows, a couple of plan a options are all but signed and sealed as I type. I hope so because we know how Chelsea operate. Other clubs too who seem to find an extra few pounds behind the sofa.
Lastly, thank you, all of you who contribute to this website each season. Without you, there would be no Highbury House. Ok, off you go then. 😂
Catch up in the comments.
One for you Kev. Going the same route as Jude..
Jobe Bellingham in talks with Eintracht Frankfurt
Latest from Sky Germany & Sky Sports News’ Keith Downie:
Jobe Bellingham is in Germany for talks with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Frankfurt are one of three German clubs interested in signing him this summer. The other two are Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. Dortmund have already held talks with the player and his representatives on a visit to England’s North East earlier this month.
The 19-year-old helped Sunderland to promotion through the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United on Saturday.
The player wants to decide his future this week.
Good afternoon Rico, thank you for all the effort that you have put in throughout the season, keeping us up to date and entertained in your own inimical fashion. It’s certainly much appreciated by us all.
Good afternoon Rico. Its always a pleasure to read your posts, especially those which report a trophy win. And moreso when they are accompanied by a glass of Italian wine or homemade wine for that matter. Rosso Puglia or Vigneto delle dolomiti are exceptional ones. Unless its the homemade variation by my uncle which is even more awesome.
That is interesting Rico and quite understandable given the success of his brother, I’d imagine that Real Madrid will be monitoring Jobe’s development very closely.
I guess we’re at a stage where we really need oven ready players rather than young prospects.
Nice post Rico, I recorded MotD but ended up fast forwarding most of it as I’d seen the goals on YouTube. The Arsenal highlights on the BBC left out a lot of Arsenal’s best moments and made the game look closer than it was, Arsenal camped in the Southampton half for most of the game.
The tribute to Gary Lineker was one of the longest parts of the programme and was nauseating, all his mates at the BBC might think he’s amazing but the majority of the football public think he’s a tosser, as do I…
I also fast forwarded the tribute but even then I could see it was sick-bag levels…
Echoing Cicero and Dev, thanks for all you work during the season Rico, with so many blogs dropping off it’s comforting to still have HH around, now go and have a nice holiday…
Afternoon Cicero, Devil, Kev, thank you.
Jude Bellingham, his brother Jobe, Jamie gittens, Michael Olise and other players who play in the Bundesliga all began their career in England. So how come we play in England and we dont scout these players.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgvwv3r49do
he had the world at his feet as a youngster now look at him
As I do Kev, an awful and awfully biased presenter who football will be better without. Just a few on Sky who needs ousting now, especially that idiot on the morning show who often looks like he’s crawled straight out of bed to the studio.
I agree re signings, the key ones need to make a difference to Arteta’s strongest eleven which could mean a few were used to seeing, on the bench more often next season.
Bad news about Tomas Rosicky being rushed to intensive care this morning with a suspected heart problem , We can only wish him the best and speedy recovery.
Apparently he’s fine and back home. No surgery required but needs to take things easy..
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/videos/cm23dk4kl3yo
Rico and Kev…..dont fret and don’t worry. GL will be back in a couple of years time. When the present issue has been conveniently forgotten. It will begin with a phone in to ask him an opinion here and there, then it will be as guest and finally he will be asked to host a show on sports.
So enjoy this sabbatical while it lasts. It will not last forever…just don’t hold your breath.
Not on the BBC he won’t Devil, I doubt he’ll be welcome anywhere come to that.
36 years ago today, Pa and I yelled to high heaven in unison with millions of Gunners around the world. Pity North London Forever wasn’t around yet
Along with the entire world of Arsenal fans I’m sure.
Pa and I watched many games together, FA Cup finals, League cup finals, title winning games, Cup winners cup finals. We enjoyed them together and even cried together when we lost.
However I can assure you all that out of all the games we watched together I dont think there was any win in which we went ballistic as that of 1989 at Anfield. Our neighbour, who was a dipper, even called the police station to report us (that is me) for putting out the stereo in the front balcony and playing Queen’s We are the Champions at 23.00 hrs. By the time the police came the song had finished and the stereo was back inside. The following days, my dad’s red car and my white car were always parked in front of the neighbours’s house. he did not speak to us for three months, lol
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cn5xnlkegz0t
Morning Rico nd all.
Cicero, totally agree with your 3:09pm it can’t be easy trying to find somethink different to write about every day. Well done Rico
Morning Geoff, all.
Thanks Geoff.
New post up.