Afternoon guys.
I don’t think I’m over Englands performance against DR Congo, it was so bad. It was depressing. Harry Kane eventually came good, firstly with an equaliser and then a winner but honestly, I thought England were going out of the World Cup. England had been trailing since the 7th minute but finally equalised on 75 minutes then with just a minute of normal time remaining. Phew.
I watched the Belgium game on the same night and like England, they went behind in the game. On the hour mark, they were 2-0 down against Senegal and looked a certainty to exit the competition but two goals between 86 & 89 minutes took the game to extra time. A penalty, converted by Tielemans kept them in the competition.
Wimbledon and the Women’s T20 World Cup has since been a welcome distraction from the goings on in the USA.
Not sure if I can be bothered to watch Australia take on Egypt later and I’m certainly not staying awake to see Argentina go up against Cape Verde but I’m pretty sure I’ll be tuned in when England go up against Mexico. Thankfully, Reece James looks like he’ll be fit to start that one meaning Declan Rice won’t be used at right back. Having seen what condition he looked in towards the end of the DR Congo game, I’m not convinced he should be playing at all for a while.
I’m sure Arsenal fans have already seen reports about how Arsenal are reported to have walked away from a deal with Leicester City for Jeremy Monga because £10 million is considered to be too much. This has reportedly allowed Man City to nip and in all likelihood, cough up the money to seal the deal. Seems a strange one to me because this has been rumbling on for a while, long enough for Arsenal to have sealed a deal if they really wanted Monga, regardless of whether or not there was a couple of million pounds difference in price valuation. Plus, surely Leicester City would have made it quite clear right from the off how much they valued their player. It’s an odd tale that’s for sure.
Talking of young players, Arsenal have appointed Pascal De Maesschalck as their new academy director. He joins from Strasbourg where he was technical director and replaces Per Mertesacker who left at the end of the last campaign.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta said:
We are delighted to welcome Pascal to Arsenal. He brings extensive experience from some of Europe’s leading football clubs and has an outstanding track record in youth development. We are excited to have him with us as we continue to build for the future, developing young players and identifying the best emerging talent to join Arsenal on a journey towards professional football.
Perhaps Pascal will intervene and the club stumps up the extra money for Monga. I jest of course.
On the ladies side of the club, Georgia Stanway has joined from Bayern Munich. The 27 year old England international midfielder will wear the number 4. A good signing I reckon.
But where are the men’s signings? I know the club are sorting out the medical team but what about players who will strengthen our chances of retaining the Premier League trophy? Surely they must still be involved in the World Cup otherwise one would have expected the club to have been active in the transfer window by now. Lots of names are floating around but as yet, there’s nothing to suggest anything which is written in the back pages is worth believing.
Maybe this coming week will bring some good news on that front. After all, pre season training cannot be that far off. Andrea Berta needs to get a wriggle on… lol
Catch up in the comments.
Absolutely agree, we can afford both now. Arsenal I mean, not me. Lol
I thought so too Stuart, really good signing.
I hope so re City, it’s been far too long..
Nice place to visit Prague , the Christmas markets are worth a visit but you are there a bit early for that.
Thanks Rico. Great news about Georgia Stanaway. She is a class act and getting her on a free is a real coup. She’ll bed in seamlessly with the other England players in the squad.
As was mentioned in the previous post, surely we will hear soon about the charges against City, hopefully before the Monga deal goes through. According to a Leicester supporting mate the lad is something very special.
I am staying in a hotel next to Charles Bridge and was awoken by drunken Spain supporters in the early hours olaying their way past my window. I hope to hear English rather than Spanish voices doing the same in the early hours of Monday morning.
Afternoon Darren, all.
I feel that way too really, what is Monga, 16 years old? It’s a ridiculous price for a league one player. I doubt he’ll get a look in at City, he’ll probably go out on loan. Obi Martins? He’s just gone out on loan too I believe.
Smart arsenal not being held to ransom in this ridiculous market! Dowman is younger, a much bigger talent and has vision far beyond his years. Correct decision not to spend that stupid amount on monga, we have other super talent in our academy also, he is not needed. Overall, we missed out on nothing, city will ruin his carrer and he will be unheard of in a few years, anyone heard anything on the striker that went to united, cant even remember his name 🤣