Harry Clarke stunner.

Morning all.

It’s weird not having a European fixture to talk about during a week when other clubs are playing. In fact it’s the first time since HH began in 2010. Those eleven years have gone by so quickly haven’t they? During those eleven years, Arsenal Football Club has not had such a sort out of players as it’s had this during the last 12/18 months. It really has been a case of out with the old and in with the new. Out with the troublesome too I think. It’s likely we’ll see more exits in January in my opinion with four players out of contract in the summer. Mo Elneny is close to securing a winter move to Galatasaray according to headlines on NewsNow and considering he’s going to be on international duty in any case during January and February, it makes sense to let a different club pay him during that time.

Alex Lacazette is a wanted man too, by Newcastle Utd according to the same website headlines but in all honesty, I think there’s more chance of him signing a contract extension at Arsenal than him going up north. Unai Emery isn’t heading to Newcastle either according to Spanish football reporter Guillem Balagué who alleges that our old manager has yet to receive an official approach from the club and in any case, doubts the way the Newcastle want to move forward. I’d imagine their idea is to throw money at the squad and hope it works but it won’t, not unless they pick the right man to manage/coach the players. Still, that’s their problem.

I was reading about on loan players yesterday and some of them are doing well. Harry Clarke helped Ross County win their first League match of the season with a cracking goal and an assist as they thrashed Dundee 5-0. Both William Saliba and Matteo Guendouzi featured for Marseille with Guendouzi coming off the bench to grab an assist. Marseille now sit third in the top French League. Youngster Nikolaj Moller scored twice a created one as his team won 7-1 but there was bad news for Dinos Mavropanos as having suffered an injury, he missed this weekends game. Daniel Ballard and Matt Smith both played the full game for their respective teams and Reiss Nelson is finally getting minutes on the pitch too although not many. It’s a shame Nelson isn’t on loan at an English club because it’d been better for him I think. Mind you, I’m not sure where his career is going and I suspect he doesn’t either right now. Thinking about it, his contract expires in the summer too. I wonder if Mikel Arteta will bring him back to the club in January bearing in mind Pepe will be away playing for his country?

Obviously, we’re all keeping an eye on William Saliba ahead of his anticipated return to the club next summer but Harry Clarke is another who could be part of Mikel Arteta’s plans for next season. The midfielder turned defender is playing at right back for Ross County. Tomiysu Takehiro’s future understudy perhaps?

See you in the comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35 thoughts on “Harry Clarke stunner.

  1. Ferk says:

    Morning all
    A right cracker that. He is a Unit too isn’t he?Like Calum on roids.
    Speaking of crackers. Have you seen the U 18s highlights on AFC.com. Charlie Patinos goal celebration….. 2nd to none. Be great to see that at the Ems in years to come.

  2. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico, a post on our youngsters and no Rick, just doesn’t seem right.

    Morning All, it’s a bit on the chilly side again today.

    Unai Emery at St James’ Park just seemed like an accident waiting to happen, I’m glad he seems to have parked that one because our horrible media would have chewed him up, again.

    Dani Ceballos just seems a step backwards, I know that the rumour is most probably a load of old BS, but you never know with Mikel, better the devil you know etc. Even taking him on a 6 month loan, is that where we want to go?

  3. Ferk says:

    Worth 5 mins of anyone’s time Rico
    We really do have a lot of prospects out on loan now. Some hardly ever / never featured for first team so we’re not so excited about their progress. Hopefully they are all Growing in stature and experience and will all be given a fair crack, not only the higher profile ones.

  4. rico says:

    Morning Kev, not seen Rick here for a while so hope he’s ok.

    I hope we swerve Dani Ceballos but Arteta clearly likes him. Is he the midfielder we need to cover for Partey? Not imo.

    Ditto re Emery, steer clear I say.

  5. Ferk says:

    Kev . Absolutely no way to Dani . He’s been injured most of the season aswell. Better the Devil. Surely AMN is ahead of Ceballos.
    Shorts weather in Wales Bud

  6. Wavy says:

    Morning all. Kev, Rico, Fern et al

    I’m with you Kev about the lack of Rick just lately. His insights have been second to none. A real eye opener into the club’s younger groups. I hope he’s alright and still taking interest in all things Arsenal.

    Of Unai E I think he’s done really well at the yellow submarine, speaking his native language and generally comfortable with his lot. He’d be a fool to even consider going to the toon. This year, no matter what happens in the January TW they’re doomed. It’s going to be a fairly torrid and long rebuilding exercise there, I think.

    Avoid at all costs.. I noticed Willock was dropped last week. Last in, first out, perhaps?

  7. Ferk says:

    Rico
    Was it Bobby Robson that tried to stop Tina doing summersaults ? Crying shame. Knee slides are okay , but a proper 360 is the biz. He’d have flip his nut seeing Flores

  8. potter says:

    I’m surprised that there hasn’t been more thigh strains with the knee slide and the sudden stretch of the quadriceps .

    Maybe that’s because I am now old and get cramp raking the fire.

  9. allezkev says:

    Yes Ferk, that’s how I see it, Niles, Xhaka, Chambers at a push even if Arteta has never used him there, maybe even Odegaard even if he seems unsuited.

    A lot of teams will be losing players at a very busy time so it’s not just us.

    Yes Rico/Potter, I hope that Rick is ok, I always wonder about him when he goes quiet?

  10. allezkev says:

    Right from when he first arrived at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, he had issues with his fitness and the news that Mavropanos has broken down again just confirms why Arteta and Co have decided to cut him free. It might also explain why the transfer fee from Stuttgart isn’t more, because perhaps of those injuries. I liked him from the moment he arrived, he was big and he was rapid but he was always injured and it’s not wise to construct your team around players who have questionable fitness records, I think I’ve only seen him once in the flesh in a game (I hasten to add) and he’s been an Arsenal player since Wenger was manager, so go figure?

    I wish him well but I cannot understand why online fans constantly criticise the club for cutting him free given his history of injuries.

  11. Aussie Geoff says:

    Morning Rico and all
    I recon it’s crazy the way some of these players celebrate a goal, specially when the match has only been going for 10 minutes, let’s hope the club has a clause stating that any players that get injured celebrating a goal does not get paid while out injured

  12. allezkev says:

    Yes Rico, both Daniel Ballard and Harry Clarke have been impressing whilst on loan, Clarke is 20 and Ballard is surprisingly 22, 2 years older that Saliba, but I think it’s the Frenchman who’ll join our senior squad in the summer. I’d imagine if a big enough fee came in for Chambers in the summer that Ballard is a possible for the senior squad as well, but if a big’ish bid came in for him then Arsenal might be tempted to sell him.

    Clarke as cover for Tomiyasu is a great idea if the coaching staff think he’s good enough to handle the step up to Premier League football.

  13. potter says:

    I think Kev that not too many online fans take time to see the bigger picture , I don’y know much about Mavropanos other than he was a Mislintat signing but if he’s not going to be used by us then it’s best all round that he gets a chance elsewhere.

  14. rico says:

    Agree re Mavropanos Kev, it’s a shame really but we’ve been down that road before with Diaby and Rosicky.

    Same goes for Ballard, if an offer comes in I too expect his to go unless Arsenal move on one/two of Holding Chambers and Mari. Whoever brings in the most money I guess. Harry Clarke always looked youthful to me but since he’s had a sharp haircut and looks much more grownup these days.

  15. Ferk says:

    😂😂I’d say that if your skilful and flexible enough to do them your not gonna get injured landing one on the turf. Not ploughed fields anymore. 4 G would be iffy too

  16. Ferk says:

    I think they are one and the same Rico.
    Does make sense. Azeez been playing in a dominant, arrogant, Acadamy team , looking to play positively whatever the score line,,and it would take a while to become accustomed to a Struggling team mentality. That’s how I read his comments anyway.
    Learning to Fight. No wonder Arsenal happy, so long as the reviews are good.

  17. Cicero says:

    Unai Emery has turned down Newcastle’s offer.

    They’re going to struggle in their search Steve Bruce’s replacement. What manager would want to take over a club who look like relegation fodder.

  18. Cicero says:

    Apparently the contract offered to Emery contained a clause that said Newcastle could sack him if they were relegated. The offer of a lot of money would be for a very short while, Potter.

  19. Aussie Geoff says:

    Rico no got out the correct side just can not stand these players doing back flips and summer salts I just recon they go overboard sometimes with their celebration.

  20. Wavy. says:

    Big Sam ….back. The crowd chanted, “you don’t know what you’re doing,” when ever ha subbed an old favourite off and put someone else on the field!
    Somehow big Sam will not be returning to the toon!

    Imo.🥸

    I mean would any of you want to go to Newcastle, other than for a good night out?

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