Morning all.
As the saying goes, when it rains, it pours…
First it was Mikel Merino to suffer a nasty injury during training, then came the news that Riccardo Calafiori had been injured whilst on international duty, bad enough for him to return to Arsenal and then yesterday, Martin Odegaard limped out of Norway’s Nations League game with Austria after suffering an an ankle injury. It must have been bad as he needed assistance to walk off the pitch.
It looked bad in the dressing room, too,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken told broadcaster TV2. He didn’t have the chance to continue.
Solbakken had already told the media that our captain had picked up another knock so why on earth was he even considered for last nights game? Of course, he only cares about Norway and not Arsenal.
We’re going into a hectic period with a game pretty much every three days and it’s not looking good. We’ll find out more once Mikel Arteta has held his pre NLD press conference.
September 15: Tottenham (A), Premier League, kick-off 2pm
September 19: Atalanta (A), Champions League, kick-off 8pm
September 22: Man City (A), Premier League, kick-off 4.30pm
September 25: Bolton (H), Carabao Cup third round, kick-off 7.45pm
September 28: Leicester (H), Premier League, kick-off 3pm
October 1: Paris Saint-Germain (H), Champions League, kick-off 8pm
October 5: Southampton (H), Premier League, kick-off 3pm
If Odegaard is ruled out of Sunday’s fixture, perhaps Oleksandr Zinchenko will step into his position as I can’t see Mikel Arteta throwing Ethan Nwaneri in at the deep end. He’d be absolutely fine I’m sure but it’s a lot to ask of a 17 year old. Might Bukayo Saka switch positions with Raheem Sterling playing on the right or will it be Kai Havertz? I’ve no idea of course but options are limited.
It looks like Thomas Partey will have plenty of options when his contract expires next summer as reports suggest Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Saudi clubs and Juventus are after him but it’s the latter who are winning the race according to Caughtoffside.
For now though he’s happy at Arsenal and the most important thing for all is that he stays fit. Ghana played their final fixture of this break last night with our midfielder playing the entire game. France played their last fixture too, a 2-0 victory over Belgium with William Saliba playing the full match too so at least they will both return in good shape.
Tonight, England, Germany and Ukraine play so it’ll be fingers and toes crossed that all four of our players either be rested or return to Arsenal unscathed because we really don’t need any more players injured.
Catch up in the comments..
Morning Rico and all.
Looking at the games above, let’s pray for a win but be happpy with a draw, also I would select all our bench players and then fill the rest of the team with our under 21 for the Carabao cup, and pray some of our injured players aree back sooner than later.
Worrying times Rico, that old chestnut about International managers borrowing your players, ruining them and then sending them back without any recompense.
Until clubs unite with the players’ unions to work out a strategy this will not change…
Of course footballers themselves have the power, they can also say that they’re not fit to play and don’t want to risk their health!
Which of course would lead to the foreign media’s attacking them as Ben White has discovered and not many footballers have Ben’s strength of character so it’s going to continue.
Morning Geoff, Kev.
It is a worry, a big worry. I fear the worst with Odegaard…
Good afternoon Rico and all
I think that with Odegaard its a rolled ankle….which means ankle ligaments….which means 12 weeks to recover fully for a normal person. Odegaard might get less. I am not holding my breath about the length of time.
If its just a sprain of the plantarflexion and inversion at the ankle then all it needs is a week’s rest. but if its rolled and the ligaments have been stretched a lot then the above 9-12 weeks kick in.
What is important is that he gets a week rest.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Odegaard missed the City game…
This season is on the verge of unraveling before it’s even got going, never mind City, Liverpool are really flying and the man closest to Haaland for goals, Salah, is looking for a new deal and is likely to play like superman.
There’s always the FACup
G’day all, Rico this morning I was having trouble with the mysterious disappearing comments box. Now fixed. I tried to e-mail you but the brief message could not be delivered as it was too big for the recipe mail box. ????
Recipient’s !!!
A F C should sue the Nowegian F.A. for failing in their duty of care to the players temporarily in their charge. The Nowegian manager knew Odegaard was carrying an injury when he joined up with his squad, yet he played him in the first game where he picked up another “knock”. Again it did not stop the manager starting him in the second game. That shows a callous, couldn’t care less attitude to the wellbeing of his charges.
Afternoon all
With our captain injured who will replace him, or who should have replaced him?? Oh yes you’ll find him at Fulham!
Sorry to say and, I hope I’m wrong, but the depth of our ‘reserves’ appears to be painfully thin.
The two outstanding midfielders are both missing for one of the most important games of the season. Not a good start to any NLD. Still, never say die! You never know the ‘reserves’ may come up trumps. It has been known, you know!?
One thing in our favour for the NLD is Toots are not playing too well at the moment and I believe they has injuries them self.
Cicero,I agree that they should pay for Odegaard payments untill he returns but on the other hand Odegaard should have spoken up and refused to play.
It may sound unfair but Raheem Sterling could start and be made Captain only due to his experiance, I know Arteta uses Saka some times but is it worth putting the pressure on him.
You and me both re the comments Cicero but it’s being looked into.
I thought the same Wavy, selling ESR doesn’t seem as smart right now.
Hi Devil, I’m hoping Arteta brings good news in a couple of days time whilst Odegaard is just a good actor.
Jarred Gillet on Sunday 😳
Saka and rice start tonight
Are we getting Liverpool’s finest every other week this season.?
I dont think that Odegaard is a good actor. Solbakken himself said that it didnt look good in the dressing room.
If Odegaard has an injury he should not be risked. If the ankle is weak all it needs is a kick or a change of direction. And the consequences will be very very long. It means that unless it is healed properly we will not be seeing him anymore this side of Christmas.
Seems that way. Gillet has to be one of the worst..
All we can do is wait to hear from Arteta re the injured.
Well at least the Finns didn’t try to kick Saka off the pitch, and he got off twenty minutes early. Why was Kane wearing golden boots? What a poser!
Just in case anyone still isn’t sure about the PGMOL being a corrupt organisation, which they are, they send us the same useless referee we had a couple of weeks ago, whose going to get strangled this time? And regardless of how many other officials we could have had?
The whole thing reeks of favouritism and two-tier refereeing and that on top of what the Premier League have insisted this Sunday and that is Arsenal must wear our black shirts at WHL, apparently our new red shirt design has too much white in it – let’s see what colours Bolton wear in a few days time?
What a absolute bunch of jokers these fecking wankers are, of all the problems we have and they focus on our colours, it’s all a diversionary tactic to take our attention away from the chronic standard of our officials…
Just another way the PGMOL are doing there best to help Liverpool and city beat us. even their latest review says Rice yellow cards was correct but no comment on the brighton player kicking the ball away.
New post up guys.
Just a short one today.