Yes, it’s back to work they go, no bucket and spade or however the adaptation of the Dwarf song you once sang went, but instead it’ll be fitness and social distancing which I couldn’t make rhyme. The players are heading back to training this week, kind of. According to reports from Sky Sports. That rhymes.
A club spokesperson confirmed yesterday:
Players will be permitted access to our London Colney training grounds next (this) week. Access will be limited, carefully managed, and social distancing will be maintained at all times. All Colney buildings remain closed. Players will travel alone, do their individual workout, and return home.
Other than to get back to the training centre and chat with teammates from a distance of course, I don’t see what the benefits are of returning to the training ground, only to train alone. Nothing which can’t be done at home really, or during the permitted daily exercise away from home. All this means is more cars on the road and increased chances of the virus spreading because there is no way the players will keep up the social distancing in my opinion. Unless Mikel Arteta is present blowing his whistle every two minutes like a lifeguard on duty on a beach with rough waters. These guys have gyms, fitness rooms, swimming pools etc with the boundaries of their own homes so unless the season looks like it’ll resume again, what’s the point? Anyway, if reports in this mornings newspapers are to be believed, other clubs are set to follow suit.
But it does make me wonder if there is optimism for this season restarting. Goodness only knows how it’ll be possible though because social distancing throughout a match is impossible. Perhaps the plan would be to test every person involved on a match day which sounds ideal but as far as I know, results aren’t immediate. Body temperature can be tested and if it’s higher than the required level then off home they go but as we all know, even the correct temperature on one day means nothing if a day later, someone falls ill.
This is from today’s Sunday Mail:
“It is understood there are now detailed discussions with Sky, BT, Amazon and the BBC as to how to screen all 92 of the remaining fixtures, which will be behind closed doors.”
“Of those, 47 are already due to be aired live by BT and Sky. But the Premier League are discussing how to show the remaining 45 live, given that fans cannot attend. The Premier League would be expected to auction those games, as it will help make up the £200million in lost gate receipts. But if some were sold to the BBC, it would satisfy the Government’s desire to see live games on free-to-air TV.”
True? No idea but it does seem that the FA and clubs are really pushing for this season to be finished. I can’t think why……
Stay safe guys are stay healthy.
Good day Rico and all.
I read the other day that one of the options being considered by the EPL is to abandon the season and calculate the league positions on the basis of points scored against games played. the outcome, should this be adopted, would mean that as we have a game in hand over Spuds we would overtake them and claim a Europa League place.
Pure and simple :- MONEY.
Afternoon Cicero, Potter, all.
I read another version which would see up return to the CL.
Indeed Potter, money. And for some clubs, survival.
Hi All Heigh ho Heigh ho of to space we go Rico it sounds like there all be back at training soon and to keep space some in the pool some in the gym and some out on the training grounds with Matches maybe restarting behind closed doors in July in time for warm weather. Just keeping fingers crossed.
Morning all.
Is anyone else getting this stupid pop up advertising video in the bottom right hand corner when you log in???
Yes Scott, it’s a bit of an irritating nuisance.
But an ad for Harry’s razors covers it up so it’s not all bad….
yep I getting the same thing Scott the same video that is at the top as well.
When is your dog next run Scott
Seems like it Geoff.
Stop your moaning about the adverts, they pay for my half dozen eggs each week. 😜
Yes Scott. I just press the crosses, when they appear and they then disappear. Bingo. But they are really annoying, really annoying.
Finish the season? It’s a target I suppose but, I think it’s a faint one. There maybe a few behind closed doors games, followed by a lot of back slapping and self praise. Then, there will be a resurgence of the effects of this totally evil virus and we will find ourselves back in lock down till Xmas. Season 2019/20 will remain an unfinished dream.
Yes, my glass is a little more than half empty!
Hope I’m wrong but…….
If Dortmund really want Saka, we should let him go but in a swap deal for Sancho.
I seem to be in moderation Rico. Is that the equivalent of virtual social distancing??
Ha ha Wavy, you put a full stop after your name so that’s why you went into moderation.
I’m with you re this virus, do things too soon and it’ll be a terrible outcome. I really don’t understand why all the demands to lift the lockdown are coming from all corners. Whilst death are so very high, to return to ‘normal’ would be playing with peoples lives imo.
My feelings exactly Rico. For the sake of a few more weeks, months even, a delay for the sake of safety is paramount. Not much point in trying to rekindle the economy if you find you have assisted in the demise of the majority of the work units. In this instance it cannot nor should ever be just about the money.
Avarice, one of the seven deadly sins!
Need I say more….well yes…….the football authorities are just that, it is all about the money. If there are a few casualties along the way, why should they bother? So long as they are still lining their pockets everything’s cushtie. Except it’s not, nor, I think, will it ever be the same again. Heigh ho!😥
Read somewhere that Auba will be staying put. Is that good? I think so.
Keep your chin up from what I have read the virus does not like too much hot weather so hopefully you can start to beat the virus.
Rico is Saka not interested in a new contract, if he wants to leave for more money then he can go to hell or does he hate Arteta
I don’t think Saka will be allowed to leave because it would make Arsenal under KSE look a total shambles.
We’re already perceived as a club that’s a feeder for the really big guns, but losing Saka to Dortmund would make us and Raul look a joke.
All good, Rico.
Just wondering if it was only me seeing it.
Geoff, we have two dogs in at Albion Park Thursday night.
My luck seems to have run out just lately. Last week one of my very expensive hearing aids packed up, the supplying company asked me to post to an address in Manchester for repair. Not a word since.
This morning one of the arms on my glasses fell off. The opticians is closed but asked me to put it through their letter box and it should only take about ten to fifteen days to repair.
Also this morning my Amazon Fire tablet has switched itself into a semi dark display mode, despite the brightness control set on maximum.
To cap it all there’s a bloody mole turning my back lawn into a fair imitation of a WW1 battle field.
Still, mustn’t grumble eh!
Been far away, over the sea, for a while, but how I love reading/snuggling in to HH I cannot tell you!!
The Post may be short and sweet, but it is nirvana to me, thank you Rico.
The rustling in the undergrowth seems to indicate there may be some football to watch in the near future – however imperfect – and I am drooling at the thought!!
Come on you Gunners!!
Everything seems to be working out well for you then, Cicero?? 😜
Apart from that — it’s good to hear from you!! 👍
I hope Saka sees his future at Arsenal.
Wavy, I read Arsenal have withdrawn from contract talks with Auba. I just hope we don’t give him a contract similar to Ozil.
Overseas Ra, I’m surprised you were let back in.. 😂
Hi Redders, are you on a government early release scheme?
Oh sorry I missed “over the sea” bit. 😉
Still it’s nice to hear from you too.
Cicero time to buy a water pistol and every time the Mole pops it head out of the bunkers shoot it
Auba’s dad has advised him to sign a new contract and stay at Arsenal.
Rico maybe Arteta has decided that we don’t need Auba any more and is cashing in on him why we can and if we sell Saka as well should bring in some good money
Rico, and Cicero — 😀😀
The Saka situation is more worrying to moi than the Auba rumours.
I do not blame Saka, to be candid, if he sees his career progress lies more with a club with better chances of the CL, and no doubt he is being given advice by an agent/family member, and that can be the real pressure on him to leave, regrettable as we all might see it.
Auba, having reached the magic age of 30, could be seen as wavering on the top of the slippery slide, from a professional footballer’s career perspective, and with it the commensurate reduction in his sale value from the club’s point of view. All told, I think he will go.
Perhaps Geoff.
Cicero hire a compactor plate from a plant hire company .A couple of days walking up and down apart from the exercise and the flattening of the hills they won’t like the vibrations and should go elsewhere.
As for Saka we should do what we can to keep him but there is a limit and like Auba we have to tick to our guns and under the present circumstances do what’s best for the club.
If Saka leaves, he’s a disgrace!!!
What is with these kids who think they’re too good for the club that’s taught them?
Why not be part of the answer to improving us rather than taking the soft option?
Little shit, even if he stays now, he’s shown his character!!!
Auba-I’ve believed for 12 months or so he’d not extend, so its time to move on and plan for his departure, Imo.
Saka sees himself as a winger but is being used as a make shift left back, where he is third choice after Kolasinac and Tierney. At his age he should be concentrating on improving his attacking skills but is being forced to learn to defend instead. I don’t see him as robust enough to succeed, long term, as a fullback so his first team appearances will be curtailed when both Kolasinac and Tierney are fit again. I can’t see him getting more than a bit part as an out and out winger, so it’s probably best to cash in now before his value drops as a result of becoming a fixture on the subs bench.
Having said all that, I’ve not been much impressed by Tierney’s defensive abilities and his injury record is pretty poor too, so maybe Saka could get minutes if he stays after all.
If you believe The Mirror, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea are all interested in Aubameyang so the competition for his signature should drive his price up nicely. Forty or fifty million? That will do nicely. 😉
Scott, without knowing what is going on with Saka, is it not harsh to be abusing him by calling him a little s**t? He may have agreed a contract extension for all we know, his advisers and the club might be thrashing out a few minor details, or some something similar.
Yes, he has shown his character and that is to play over 30 matches this season at 18 years old and in a position alien to him and not once has he shirked his responsibility on the pitch.
Disrespecting him now is really not a nice, or right thing to do and totally contradicts your views on player abuse which you’ve previously championed against on here.
Cicero, if Saka stays and I hope he does, I think he’ll have an even bigger role to play. He’ll be on the wing where there’s likely to be a big hole should Aubameyang be sold. Martinelli is likely to play a more central role and as we’ve seen so far this season, Saka can provide an excellent cross. I’m looking forward to Martinelli playing central if he does, because unlike our other strikers, he seems quite keen and able to use his head.
I too think Saka is a tad lightweight, but he’s 18 years old and strength isn’t necessarily key to a winger being a good player imo, pace, skill, trickery and the ability to cross a ball is. He can sometimes look a bit laid back imo, but that’s usually when he’s defending but attacking, I think he’s going to be a great little player. Just hope it’s for us.
Just checked Sky Sports… their top story -.Gerrard: The story of the slip 😄👍 happy days!
Arteta needs Saka to sign a new contract, If Saka leaves and says he does not see the club winning any trophies thats why he is leaving it will look bad for Arteta in the media. At the end of the day I don’t think it will be any thing to do with the club I think it will all come down to money.
It was funny Sue. 😂
🤣🤣 And then a week later watching them surrender a 2 goal lead at Palace, which was all too much for Suarez – what an end to that season, Rico, superb!!! 👌👍
I’ve just seen that Newcastle are after Cavani, Koulibaly and Fekir 😳 sheesh, dreaming about all that Arab money already!!
Shame it wasn’t us who benefited Sue.
I don’t believe those Newcastle rumours any more than I believe the Arsenal ones.
New post up now