Morning all.
The good news kept on coming yesterday from Arsenal Football Club. First up, Renee Slegers signed up to a deal which will keep her at the club until 2029. Then came the news that Jodie Taylor, once an Arsenal player herself, had been promoted from Technical Services Manager to Technical Director.
Having led her players to Champions League victory in her first season at Arsenal, it was inevitable Renée Slegers would be offered a new contract at some stage. Like Mikel Arteta though, she’s probably desperate to add the WSL trophy to her name although this season, sitting eight points behind leaders Man City with just 11 games to go, it’s unlikely to happen. The women play Man Utd at The Emirates today with kickoff at 12.30. Sky Sports are broadcasting this one.
Good news then turned to the men’s game when late afternoon, David Ornstein announced that Bukayo Saka has agreed a new five year contract with his boyhood club.
I’m sure many of us were 99% sure Bukayo would extend his deal with Arsenal but until it’s done, there’s always a few nerves jangling around. Arsenal haven’t yet made an official announcement but Ornstein’s word is good enough for me.
Bukayo is yet to hit his peak years, those years will come in an Arsenal shirt. I think it’s inevitable that one day he’ll be wearing the captain’s armband and go down in history just like a number of Arsenal players who during their time were the heart and soul of our club. Those who we remember like they were playing yesterday. Perhaps right now the likes of Bergkamp, Vieira, Henry etc are going through your mind but I was thinking more about our ex academy players, those who loved the club before playing for it. Players like Charlie George, Pat Rice, Ray Parlour, David “Rocky” Rocastle, Michael “1989” Thomas, Tony Adams, the list is endless. I’m hopeful that both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri will become two more names on a forever growing long list of Arsenal academy players who make it big in the game for the club we love. Marli Salmon and Andre Harriman-Annous appear to be the next in line but as we know, a few brief appearances at 15/16 years old doesn’t necessarily mean a career at Arsenal is guaranteed but it’s a great place for these young men to be.
This weekend is all about the FA Cup. Last night, high flying League One side Wrexham knocked out Nottingham Forest. Wrexham took a 2-0 lead into halftime before Forest one back in the second half. Wrexham then regained their two goal cushion, however, a double from Hudson-Odoi made it 3-3. Straight to penalties and Forest were out with ex Arsenal man Okonkwo the hero after saving two spot kicks. Ironically, one was from old north London academy buddy Omari Hutchinson.
I love the FA Cup, always have. Arsene Wenger had a knack of doing well in it and it would be great to see Arsenal win another this time around. It doesn’t matter who plays who really because league form goes out the window. The lower league clubs love playing a Premier League side because they know an upset is possible as other club managers rotate their players heavily. It’s also a big pay day for those lower clubs too when they face a top club. Most of this rounds fixtures take place today, two big ones are Totts v Villa and Newcastle v Bournemouth.
Arsenal take on Portsmouth tomorrow and if the weather is anything like it is today down this way, conditions will be perfect.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico and all.
It’s good news that the lady’s manager is committed to staying.
The good thing about Saka committing to the club that it only takes him to 29 years old and if any clubs come sniffing around before then, they better have a large checkbook with them.
Morning Geoff, absolutely. Even at 29 he’ll have another contract in him. I’m thrilled he’s agreed a deal as I’m sure we all are.
Arsenal Women kick off in a few minutes at The Emirates against Manchester united.
Leah Williamson CBE starts for the first time since injury.
C’mon The Gunneresses.
All quiet on the Arsenal front apart from a concerted campaign to vilify Martinelli .
All of the usual suspects are chiming in but so far apart from saying that he left the field on a stretcher with a knee brace , no news on his injury has been released.
The calls for Martinelli to be suspended are beyond ridiculous but it’s just the latest in the long line of attempts to unsettle the club..
Still it’s taken the focus off the lamentable display , so in one way it might be a good thing.
The only suspension should be Gary Neville!
Even that muppet Dermot Gallagher said yesterday that Martinelli can’t be punished further because he was yellow carded.
Wouldn’t surprise me if they make an exception for Arsenal though.
Anoher draw 0-0……
Too many draws for Renee’s side in the league.
Blimey, Macclesfield have knocked Palace out of the Cup..
Villa have knocked Spurs out. That could mean Thomas Frank will be unemployed by Monday.
Had a couple of relaxing days down in Sussex so I’ve not seen any of the furore surrounding Martinelli, thankfully and I won’t be searching it out. It’ll all be forgotten on the back of a few FACup upsets and the media getting excited about City scoring 10 goals against the giants of the West Country and the Chelsea resurgence under Rosenior.