This is what being in Dubai is all about isn’t it? Relaxing, first team and Academy players bonding, having a laugh, a bit of sightseeing and enjoying the warm weather. Football too of course but without the pressure the Premier League and Europa League brings with it. I don’t recall Arsenal taking a warm weather break during Arsene Wenger’s managerial days. Perhaps it’s something he didn’t believe in, or maybe because during an international break, he was more often than not playing pundit for a television/radio channel overseas somewhere. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many photographs of the young and older players training together either as I have this season but I think it’s great. Great for the younger players to be learning the ‘senior way’ and for the first team squad, well they should proud to pass on their knowledge to the guys who’ll one day replace them. Hopefully anyway although I doubt all will make the move up. There’s too many for a start… lol
On a serious note though, it’s a tricky time for Unai Emery and the club regarding our youth. While some might get their chance, not all can at one time. Football doesn’t work that way. If they get into the first team and hit the ground running then any decision should be a lot simpler to make but a poor start and the pressure will grow. On the player as well as Unai Emery. Patience and football fans aren’t words which don’t go together, not really. We’ve seen it this season with AMN and to a lesser degree perhaps, Guendouzi and Iwobi. On a good day, great but on a day when things don’t go so well, the critics are on them like a ton of bricks. I know I’ve been guilty of doing just that with Iwobi. Not with the other two though. Don’t ask because I dont know the answer.
Emery has stood by Iwobi, AMN and Guendouzi regardless of what we might think of any one of the three and there’s a reason for that. He knows more about their capabilities than we do. He sees them train every day whereas we just see them on a match day for however many minutes they get.
That’s why I enjoy fixtures like today’s and pre season. It’s our time to get a glimpse of what our clubs future might look like. Spot the ones who stand out. The ones who make us go ‘wow’ and look forward to seeing in a couple of seasons time in the first team, or next season even if Emery believes they’re ready. It’s another chance for Emery to work with them too before a summer transfer window. Perhaps a loan spell beckons for a few, for others it might be a summer when they have to cut ties with the club and move onto pastures new. Any big offers which come in for our players will no doubt be considered. It’s a way for the club to make money to invest in the squad. For others though, it could just be the beginning of the next chapter in their Arsenal career.
Personally, I think there’s little better in football than seeing one of our own come through the academy into the first team and become a regular. For a long time that player was Jack Wilshere but for many reasons, his career didn’t go the way so many of us hoped, expected even. Iwobi looks set under Emery now and AMN certainly seems to be heading in the right direction.
Who’ll be next I wonder. Perhaps it’ll be someone we see playing today, after all, there’s plenty to choose from. If Hudson-Odoi is old enough to be playing for England, maybe there’s a chance for a few of ours too. Not based on today’s game of course, but by overcoming tougher challenges ahead.
Enjoy the game. I’m pretty sure I will…
Good morning Rico, the final few games of the season would normally be the time to blood a few youngsters, but with the pressure of fighting for a Champions League spot and Europa Cup success increasing Emery would be taking an enormous risk should he do so.
Substitute appearances, when the game is all but won, should provide an opportunity to give minutes to youngsters if only our defenders could avoid the kind of slip ups that so often lead to them conceding late goals.
Warm weather training and a low key friendly against a low ranked team won’t provide much of a chance to see how our future stars cope with the rigours of a competitive game, but it will be nice to see some of them in action just the same.
Morning Cicero. It keeps them interested too, training with the first team, feeling part of the first team squad. All very different to how it used to be.
I’m sure only good can come out of the trip, Rico.
Me too Cicero.
Shant be able to watch it but I will be interested to see who gets on and for how long. As they are all Arsenal trained I expect to see them all technically sound , good passers and neat and tidy . The acid test is to see who grasps the chance to do a little more like taking on an opponent or a defender that tackles well , a forward with an eye for goal .
That’s how we tell . When Cesc first happened , in the crowd we said that playing for him was easy , get the ball and give it to Vieira or Bergkamp simple . But after a few minutes he started dictating the play telling the experienced players where to run even bossing Henry about . That’s when we knew that he was a diamond that the club should have done everything to keep but unfortunately only one man knew how to run things and instead of building a new squad around him allowed him to go and play his best years elsewhere. I will never forgive those responsible for that.
Lets hope todays game is worthwhile and that we do get a glimpse of the future , in many ways it’s a shame that it only lasts 90 minutes because with all the players present there will not be enough time to evaluate the new ones and give the older ones a run out in the sun.
Afternoon Rico and the house.
The starting team today is
Leno, Jenkinson, Mustaafi, Mavropanis, Medly
Gilmour She3af Amaechi, Ozil Suarez, Lacazette.
Enjoy it Rico I know I will
c u latter
The subs are
Cech, Kossy , Niles, Pleggy, Tutu, Thompson, Olayinko, John Jules.
Afternoon Gooner’s
Afternoon Rico, interesting team, 3 at the back perhaps or is Medley playing left back?
That’s a good start 1 nil down already.
C’mon Cicero, the extra sunshine might lighten up Mustafi……….?
Another inclusive, thought-provoking article Rico – you have a knack for ticking the right boxes. Any chance of some numbers for next weeks lottery? Lol!
Afternoon everyone…….looking forward to the match and seeing some fresh players.
I warmed to the idea of blending the youngsters in training with those who are established, it made for some important camaraderie and bonding.
More of the US and not just individuality.
Afternoon Rick, Kev.
I blame the heat for this performance.. lol
Jenks to the rescue 😉
Afternoon Rico and all. I gave the match 20minutes but the heat got too much so I switched it off.
Afternoon Adam.
Really disappointed Suarez isn’t bossing this game.
I know Rico, but it does look like Mustafi has found his level.
He’s been awful Adam
Too many passes going astray. I know he scored but what business did our right full back have being in the position he was. Not that I’m complaining of course. 😉
He must surely be on his way at season’s end. One of Arsene’s worst signings and there have been a few.
Well Zach Medley most certainly isn’t a left back, but he’s done ok’ish.
Mustafi diving in and opening the space for their guy to score a good goal.
Great determination by Jenkinson and well taken and deserved goal.
Amaechi started slowly but came into the game more, Lacazette is getting fouled a lot but the ref is missing it, glad to see Mavropanos back on the field, a couple of loose passes but overall very sound.
With Mustafi, it’s only what we’ve long come to expect.
If Mustafi is at Arsenal next season, I’ll be amazed
Nice goal
Laca, Laca, Laca!
John Jules makes three. 🎶
An 88 minute penalty makes it 2 – 3, a nervous couple of minutes to come
All over. Plenty of good things from the youngsters.
I missed most of the 2nd half but saw our goals, great work by AMN to create the space for Ozil and Lacazette. John Jules, very cool, good composure and finish.
2-3 is just the right result diplomatically…
Why all the Mustafi bashing ?………………………….Wenger was assured that Mustafi was the new Beckenbauer !
Wenger would have probably played Bekenbauer on the wing. 😉
Yeah, have to agree Le Coq, lets bash Man Utd instead, first time in 29 years a Utd player ain’t stepped onto the pitch for England for 2 games in a row and they smash in10 goals, long may it continue hahaha.
See one of our old boys Serge done ok during the week as well, scored a cracker against Holland, must admit he’s getting on a bit now, must be at least 23, still probably better than anyone we have in our midfield at the moment but we got silly money for him, how could we turn down 5 million !
Roll on Georgia.
Georgia on my mind. 🎵🎵🎵
New post up now.