Morning all.
As sad as it might be for Remi Garde, I’m quite pleased he’s been sacked. Harsh I know but had he done well and spared Aston Villa from relegation, I wouldn’t bet against the Arsenal hierarchy looking at him to replace Arsene Wenger. Young, French, not known to be a big spender and of course, he once played for Arsenal and learned from our current French manager. A big ‘phew’ I say.
On the international front, England were sent back down to earth with a huge bang having been beaten by Holland 2-1. A few dodgy decisions helped the visitors but I guess so many changes upset the balance of the team a tad. Roy Hodgson has a lot of pretty good players at his disposal for the first time in in a long while and this summer could just be a good one for England. Where Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Theo Walcott fit in remains to be seen but at least Walcott got a run out last night but the trouble for him is he’s not getting much playing time for Arsenal and that’s pretty much of his own doing. If he really wants to be on the plane to France in the summer, he needs to step up his game for is club.
A lovely touch last night was the England and Holland fans coming together on fourteen minutes into the game to remember the late and great Johan Cryuff….
That’s it for international fixtures now for the season so it’s all hands to the pump as Arsenal try and chase down Leicester for the Premier League title and even if they can’t manage that, they simply have to pip the neighbours for second spot.
Here’s how the fixtures line up for the sides currently in the top four.
| Leicester | Man City | Tottenham | Arsenal |
|---|
| Southampton (h) | Bournemouth (a) | Liverpool (a) | Watford (h) |
| Sunderland (a) | West Brom (h) | Man Utd (h) | West Ham (a) |
| West Ham (h) | Chelsea (a) | Stoke (a) | Crystal Palace (h)
West Brom (h) |
| Swansea (h) | Stoke (h) | West Brom (h) | Sunderland (a) |
| Man Utd (a) | Southampton (a) | Chelsea (a) | Norwich (h) |
| Everton (h) | Arsenal (h) | Southampton (h) | Man City (a) |
| Chelsea (a) | Swansea (a) | Newcastle (a) | Aston Villa (h) |
Looking at the above list, there are plenty of fixtures where points could be dropped for all the clubs involved. Our most difficult are West Ham and Man City away from home, Sunderland too as they are fighting for survival in the top league, but if the players can replicate the kind of football and discipline they showed at Goodison Park from now until the end of May, there’s no reason why they can’t win those tricky away fixtures. We also have a game in hand over the two clubs above us. The rest are at home.
Hopefully the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and Southampton can do us a huge favour too by taking points off the other three.
There’s still a lot to play for that’s for sure but if Arsenal want to win this league trophy, they sure have a fight on their hands starting at the weekend against the side which knocked us out of the FA Cup…..
Bit of juicy gossip to end with:
Arsenal have won the race for Granit Xhaka, according to German newspaper Bild.
The Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder has long been linked with a move to the Emirates, although Liverpool are also keen on a move. However, it is now claimed Arsenal are in pole position and it is likely they will get their man this summer.
Go on Arsene, you know we want you to!
There looks like the possibility of dropped points from all really. Hopefully, we can convert chances against Watford and Liverpool can spank the stains. We COULD win it, but I think we would need 6 wins and two draws minimum. I think Manure will get at least a draw at the shit stains and Stoke should have enough too – I also think that the chavs will want to win all of their remaining games. As for Leicester – their fate lies in the remaining three.
We are long overdue a good run Iceman, hopefully it starts now….
Yes – and I believe now is the time. Welbz, Iwobi, Elneny, Coq all have fire in their guts – and if Alexis finds the net his confidence will return.
Agree…
Cech should be back too… Not that Ospina has done a lot wrong…
Yep – Ospina is not a bad keeper at all, trouble is for him, Cech is one level up.
He’s certainly been a good reserve keeper this season (apart from the CL) but I suspect he’ll look for first team football in the summer…
Morning Rico and all. Has anyone told Arsene how much Xhaka will cost?
Morning Adam.
The same as Alexis isn’t it?
Good Morning Boss and Peeps.
Granit Xhaka or Naby Keita (Red Bull Salzburg)? Either one or both? The plot thickens.
He will cost around Eur15.
With MA, MF and TR leaving dont bet on AW getting both. That would give us Coquelin, Elneny, Xhaka, Keita, Cazorla, and Jack for the two midfielders plus Aaron who can replace Ozil or play on the right.
Naby Keita is 21 years old and he has been watched by Arsenal scouts. At 5ft 8′ he does not scare the shit out of the opposition does he.
Xhaka is 6 ft 1′
Petr Cech is thinking about retiring from international football. Good… lol
Morning Devil.
Good old Metro, since when did they know what’s going on… 😉
Keita compares to Mane they say, well if he’s as good, then who knows….
Xhaka’s contract is up 2017…..
Morning all.
I simply laugh when I read them Rico. Even if its reported that we have signed a player. I only believe it when I see them playing with the shirt on. Otherwise its only anticipation and illusion.
yes we can speculate and dream but its far from reality as well.
tbh I would love AW to buy both. First of all even though we have Jack he is always injured isnt he. so imo he does not count. Second I have always felt that Aaron is limited in the DM or B2B role. Imo he is more suited to the Ozil position or on the right. And why not rotate him with Ozil??
Imagine having Coquelin, Elneny, Cazorla, Xhaka and Keita for the 2 slots in midfield. Aaron rotates with Ozil, imo I would sell Theo and buy two right backs. Why?? I would stick Bellerin on the right wing and get in 2 new RB. Ola Aina (chavs) is free in the summer. He is English, still 21 years old and refuses to sign a new contract. If Jenks steps up then he could be the 2nd right back. Replace Per with another CB. Try to persuade Gibbs to stay.
And buy a CF to replace Ollie (unless he steps up) and let him fight it out with Danny.
Morning Scott. Or Evening in your case.
Imagine is the key word Devil… lol
Hi Scott…
Mohamed Elneny has been named the Arsenal Vitality Player of the Month, the club announced on Wednesday.
Elneny, 23, was in fine form for the Gunners during the month of March and has duly been rewarded for his efforts – topping the club’s online poll, beating Danny Welbeck and Mesut Ozil to the accolade.
His first goal for the club, a stunning strike against Barcelona at Camp Nou, was also voted as the Goal of the Month, completing a clean sweep for the Egyptian international.
The former Basel midfielder returns to club action this weekend, having helped the Pharaohs to the brink of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Alex Iwobi’s Nigeria in Alexandria on Tuesday.
We will loose him for a month next season. The good thing is that Iwobi will not go next year. Nigeria failed to qualify.
Just why AW must sign another DM in the summer imo, ACON’s…
Shut up you lot…. 😉 😉
Catch up tomorrow…
Night all.
Morning Rico and the house
Rocky is 15 years dead today
Had the privilege of meeting him
Top man
Today we remember the main man…………………..
RIP Rocky……………….. You may be gone but you will “Never” be forgotten…!
RIP Rocky.
Never met him, but just looking at Facebook each yet on this day shows exactly how loved, appreciated and respected he was, and not just as a player.
One of those days when really there is nothing to add. OOOOH Rocky , Rocky.
Morning you all.
You are right Wath, never ever forgotten….
New post up now..