Morning all.
If the sight of Thomas Partey pictures back in training doesn’t brighten your morning, I don’t know what will. Actually, I probably do. The news that Stan Kroenke had agreed to sell the club, or even that Mikel Arteta had decided it was best for the club if he moved on. Sadly, neither is happening any day soon.
So the next best thing is Mikel Arteta having a fully fit squad for the weekend. Thomas Partey has been a huge miss, as has Gabriel but it now seems they’re both ready to face Norwich City. Pepe, White and Lacazette too. Granit Xhaka is banned of course but I can’t imagine too many tears have been shed over that.
Takehiro Tomiyasu plays for Japan later today, 4pm UK time so at least he’ll have a few days at the club before the weekend. A long flight from China beckons soon after the final whistle blows. Ten hours in the air I think but he should be used to it, certainly the recovery process too after playing for Bologna for a couple of seasons.
Takehiro isn’t the first Japanese player signed by Arsenal but he might be the first to do something more than just sell shirts in Asia. Takuma Asano’s move to north London was little short of a disaster, Junichi Inamoto faired a little better with three appearances for Arsenal, albeit not in the Premier League but poor old Ryo Miyachi managed just one run out in a Cup match.
Not Japanese, but from the same continent, Park Chu Young arrived in the summer of 2011. A funny story comes with his arrival at Arsenal as he was reported to be half way through a medical with Lille when he was made aware of Arsene Wenger’s interest in him. He subsequently quit the medical and hot footed it to London. That’s how the story goes at least. He appeared seven times in an Arsenal shirt and not all were domestic cup matches.
I’m sure Takehiro Tomiyasu will sell many shirts, certainly back in Japan but I’m quietly confident his Arsenal career will be a lot more successful than the Asian players Arsenal have signed previously. I know, that won’t be difficult!
At least he can defend…
Se3 you in the comments.
Good morning Rico.
If our new player is as good as the you tube video makes out we have a serious talent on our hands. His use of upper body strength is exceptional, he’s not easily knocked off the ball and has good awareness and passing ability.
Could be a winner if Riley’s minions allow..
Morning Cicero. Must admit, YouTube certainly suggests he’s a cracking player.
I like the fact that he’s got height so on set pieces etc, he and White can switch giving us more height in the centre. It’s not like White will out jump someone like Lukaku.
Morning Rico and all
It will be great to get all our injured players back, then we will see how good / bad Arteta is. As he will have no excuse if we don’t start winning
Morning Geoff. Agree. Couldn’t have been easy with so many players missing but now it’s about him and what he can do with the squad he’s built.
Morning Rico and all
Actually Gilberto was my 2nd favourite after Petit. Both were good and intelligent readers of the game. And neither of them had brain farts like Xhaka.
Morning Devil. Oh to find a player like them around these days. There must be midfielders out there who the club could pick up for a good price. We just need our scouts to work a lot harder.
Morning Doomers 😉
Morning Rico, nice video, our new Japanese defender looks to be quite a decent defender, with the major emphasis on the defending.
That’ll do for me and although it’s a small sample size he seems to have all the attributes that our other right back candidates lack, he looks good in air, he’s got good upper body strength and can hold off an opponent, he’s an intelligent tackler who reads the game and just steals the ball at the right moment a bit like BFG, he’s got decent pace, can cross a ball and his passing is ok.
In conclusion a defender has to be able to play that game properly and responsibly to play regular in Serie A where defending is still taken seriously.
So he should be decent in that regard and we must just hope that Arteta and his underwhelming coaches don’t knock that out of him?
Morning Kev, I like the look of him too. Wonder if he’ll start against Norwich baring in mind he’s yet to meet his new teammates.
Not sure Rico, it’s a big ask to fly all the way to the U.K. from China, have maybe one or two at the most training sessions and be chucked straight into the mix even if it’s only (only!) Norwich.
I mean, I wonder if Ramsdale will start on Saturday?
I’d like to see Ramsdale start but I very much doubt he will.
Rico agree it can’t be easy for any coach who has several injuries but at the same time it gave Arteta and Edu a get out of jail free card, Now let’s hope this is the change us fan have been promised but yet to receive.
Once we get all the injured players back will hopefully show not only if Arteta is good enough but also show the fans weather or not Arteta has the support of the players.
It did Geoff, but that card is in the bin now. We nee£ to see much improved performances I think.
Neither China or Japan is on the red list, so Tomiyasu should be able to enter the country without the need to quarantine.
The last time I flew from Beijing to London the flight time was a little over twelve hours.
Hi Rico.. Nice read! The China/Japan game is being played in Doha, so a little closer.. Still wouldn’t fancy all that time in the air though..
Wonder if it’s being shown on Sky/BT or Hesgoal, as I’ve not seen him play…
Partey/White/Gabriel back.. just the job!
Chris Wheatley is reporting we’ve turned down an offer from Galatasaray for Elneny; their window closes tomorrow…
I think Galatasaray turned down Elneny over his wage demands, but that was last month. Fernebache have also backed out of a deal for our Egyptian, also over wage demands.
Doha to London only 7h 15m.
Hi Sue, thanks. Shame about Elneny. I read his wage demands stooped him from moving. Who knows eh.
Oops, I didn’t see your comment Cicero.
I thought Besiktas weren’t willing to give in to his demands? I really can’t imagine Mo demanding anything, doesn’t seem that type of guy. Galatasary are probably offering peanuts, but seeing as he could potentially leave for nothing next summer, peanuts are surely better than nothing!!
Kola stay too
Last time that Elneny went on loan the club for whom he was playing were not paying him his wages. Infact payments had fallen by three months. And he refused to play until he was paid. It was only when Arsenal stepped in that Elneny had to play again.
On a positive note….we didn’t drop any points last weekend so let’s hope that the trend continues when we play Norwich. Infact it’s ten days since we last dropped points. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I can’t see him making a fuss either Sue, his agents perhaps but the club are bonkers if they don’t take money for him now. January he’ll be free to talk to who he likes.
Evening Rico and the House.
Its 1-1 at half time at Swindon wher the U21s are playing
in the Papper John trophy.
I also hear that ESR has been sent home from the
English U21 game because of illness.
said to be not covisrelated.
Finished 2-1 to Swindon
Winner o/g KTH.
20 fouls by Swindon most of them against Charly Patino.
The only way they could stop him from cotro;ing the game
China 0 – 1 Japan. Tomiyasu played full ninety minutes
Morning all.
New post up now
Hi Rick, disappointing for the under 21’s, ESR too. Hope it’s nothing nasty and he’s ready for Saturday.