Morning all.
Calum Chambers back up and running is a positive sight. We won’t see him for a while yet, certainly not for our final few fixtures this season but maybe before Christmas. The running is the easiest part of any players return but the twisting, turning and tackling is the tough part. The part which demands so much more from a players body, especially the part which has been injured. That’s when the niggling injuries might occur, the struggles along with plenty of frustration. Something which Rob Holding has found out this season. Both he and Calum have age and time on their side so should eventually return to 100% fitness. Mind you, I probably thought the same about Abou Diaby at the time but we know how his troubles went on and on.
Whilst we might have to wait a few months before seeing Chambers make his return, the situation for Holding could be totally different. He’s not injured so getting back into the first team is something only he can make happen. Hard work, listen to Mikel Arteta and his coaches and prove he’s ready to return. We know he’s good enough, he just needs to get back to the level he was at before Rashford bundled him into the hoarding at the old toilet.
As the newspapers fill their back pages with links of numerous players to Arsenal, it’s easy to forget how many we have in the background waiting to get a nod from Mikel Arteta when the season restarts. Players who before this lockdown was enforced, were either injured or simply being left on the sidelines by Arteta. Holding of course, AMN, Tierney, Kolasinac, Martinelli, Nelson, Cedric, Willock and even Lacazette who’d fallen out of favour over the last few fixtures. Also, if the recent tweet from Lucas Torreira is anything to go by, he too has got himself fit during this break and he’s ready to play. ‘I’m back Gunners’ was the loud and clear message.
Another big boost has to be the return of both Tierney and Kolasinac because having either one back in the first team means Bukayo Saka might get to play on the wing instead of filling in at left back. Ten games for him to realise that he’s at the best club, although he should know that already, and signing a new contract for Arsenal makes total sense. Just do it Bukayo!
Cedric has much to prove if he wants to make his loan deal permanent. It should be an easy deal to negotiate if things go well for him as only a financial package will need to agreed. Same with Mari really as Arsenal already have the ‘option to buy’ included in his loan deal.
All in all, Covid-19 and the vast numbers of lives it’s taken aside, this enforced break might turn out to be blessing in disguise for Arsenal as five or six first team squad players who wouldn’t have played had the season continued as normal, are likely to be fit and ready for selection when Project Restart eventually gets going.
Looking further forward, we have a number of players out on loan who potentially still have a big career at Arsenal. Mavropanos, Smith Rowe and Saliba are the big ones with Elneny and Mkhitaryan’s future yet to be decided.
I’m sure Arsenal will be involved in the transfer window despite the financial concerns surrounding the game at the moment but to what extent is likely to depend on who leaves this summer. Obvious I know as is where we finish in the league because a strong finish will not only award Arsenal more money but it might tempt Aubameyang into staying beyond next summer and as already mentioned, Saka too.
On the flip side, if the players who are desperate to leave in the summer excel over the final ten fixtures, Arsenal can increase their transfer fee. 💶 💷
That’s my Wednesday waffle over. Stay safe guys.
‘til tomorrow…..
New post up now
Rico.. 🤣🤣🤣
Great read Kev. Just goes to prove how much of a miss Dein was and probably still is. When he left, I think the best of Arsene Wenger did too. Arsenal suffered more than anyone at the club will probably ever admit the day David Dein was pushed out. Big big mistake.
You might not Sue, the rest of us would. 😆
Chambers is a good young player but if we want to be the team we once was then chambers ain’t the caliber of player we need.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/27/lauren-arsenal-invincibles-interview-wenger
Le Coq… we wouldn’t have you any other way!! You’ll always be bloody hilarious!!
Launch aborted, bad weather! Next try is Saturday…
Ad-lib,wit, irony, sarcasm, satire are my forte……………often gets me in trouble though! hahaha
I second that. Lc does get worse and by the day…
🤣🤣 omg, Le Coq, I swear you get worse 🤣🤣
Guess I got that one wrong Sue. Lol
I flew in a plane once and never again!…………..shit me up so much that now I have to wear a parachute if I play paper planes with my grandkids!
Will anyone be watching the SpaceX Astronaut launch later? If we look out around 21.45ish, we may see it….
Godspeed to them both…not something I’d want to do, bad enough on a plane!!
Not according to Sky, Rico, although there is time I guess… he’s keen on staying in the capital. If he does end up going, I’ll be quite sorry to see him go, as I’ve always liked him.
Cicero, that is quite a hefty wage… and our purse strings need tightening!
Le Coq… 😂😂 – that is all I seem to say to you!!
Why is there a “D” in Fridge but not in Refrigerator?
Goodness only knows Kev, but I suspect every player could potentially be up for sale at financially struggling clubs as you say. Especially the championship and the clubs who end up being relegated after spending too much last summer.
I thought Luiz had agreed another season Sue?
I guess Rico, with the uncertainty surrounding the financing of football clubs that many players we thought were settled at Arsenal for now are in fact available, it might mean more senior players leaving than the club really want to release but have no choice due to the recession.
Therefore more opportunities for our youngsters…
Evening all and thanks Rico………………………Crap, I missed yesterdays FA Cup post, it`s by far my favourite cup of all and we are the record holders……….big thanks to Arsene there!
😆
I`ve been out gardening for what seems like forever these last few weeks or is it months ?………..and if I`m not gardening I`m ripping it up in the gym, had some birds in my gym the other day……….the feathered kind, (yes I know the other variety would like to get at these muscles , but I`ve had to put a mine field around my property to stop the WI and SAGA admirers getting to me, I should never have posed topless in SAGA magazine! hahaha)………i opened the door and these 3 little birds were fluttering about, due to my son leaving the window open on the gym, a couple flew out when I opened the french doors and one little blighter just would not go through the door, eventually I cupped it in my hands and let him out, it then flew back in and attached its self to my vest……….obviously admiring my abs! …………..took him/her out again and finally flew away!
Right back in the garden!……………………lubbly!………………………so glad I`ve got my own spring water supply as it would cost a fortune for the amount of watering I do for my plants!
That right Sue, salt never fails, throw it after someone you don’t like and they don’t come back…
So I’ve been told.
Snap…
I got your drift Cicero 😉
I see that Arseblog News are reporting that David Luiz is on a one year deal with one year optional and that Arsenal show no signs of triggering the extra year, so is Luiz off this summer, to Benfica?
Now if true, then where does that leave Ornstein’s assertion that Holding, Mustafi and Sokratis are available to be sold?
Maybe it’s a case of perm two or three from four, then sign Mari and Soares – and then does that mean that Ballard moves up the pecking order as well?
Sue, according to the Mail, Luiz contract expires at the end of June, but Arsenal have an option to extend it for another year. However, there may be some reluctance to renew it as his wages are said to be £125,000 per week.
Sky are saying that Luiz only had a year long deal with us, rather than 2, which was widely reported, with no negotiations over a new deal planned….. hmm the plot thickens…
I hope Ozil gets that memo Cicero. 😂
That’ll still only leave Saliba, Luiz and Mari Kev. Chambers won’t be fit and Mavropanos is still to prove himself. Luiz will be another year older too.
Sorry that’s “”is”, not I
Hi Kev, football.london?! Well that says it all!! Where’s the salt?! 😂
I Boulder John Stone’s big brother? 😉
Maybe Mari is that signing Rico, he’s not our player yet?
As for Buyako, I’ve heard that Boulder and Zhaka speak very highly of him.
From the BBC. Premier League clubs have unanimously voted to resume contact training as ‘Project Restart’ moves to phase two.
Players will be able to “train as a group and engage in tackling while minimising unnecessary close contact,” a statement said.
Discussions continue on plans to resume the season when “conditions allow”, it added.
Premier League players and staff will continue to be tested twice a week for coronavirus.
So far eight people have tested positive after 1,744 tests across the league. The third round of results is expected to be released on Wednesday.
The decision to return to contact training was agreed following consultation with clubs, players, managers, the Professional Football Association (PFA), the League Managers Association (LMA) and the government.
Plans for the third phase of Project Restart include a step towards normal training and build-up to competitive games.
Hi Kev, having five subs makes sense to me as we’re heading into the middle of summer, although I do wonder whether we are having our summer right now.
If Holding, Mustafi and Sokratis are up for sale, Arsenal must have plans to sign a central defender or two.
Hi Cicero.
I thought we’d have to wait until next season to see Torreira, Tierney and Kolasinac so it’s a huge boost if all are ready to play once the season gets going.
Morning all.
This little break could be the best thing to happen to Holding.
He was back playing obviously, but not at his best so the little spell will hopefully have him physically right back to his peak again.
Can’t wait to see him on the pitch.
Buyako, is this some new player I’ve not seen before? You mention him a few times, he must be good.
There was a worrying rumour from The Athletic that Holding was available for transfer alongside Sokratis and Mustafi this summer as Arsenal desperately try to generate some funds for signings, not sure of the source but I think it was Ornstein?
Surely it would make more sense to loan Holding rather than sell him?
Soares and Mari might lower their financial expectations due to the oncoming recession so Arsenal might benefit from signing them. After all as Raul said last summer, Arsenal have to be smarter in the market.
Yes Sue, it could well be a Premier League jamboree if the Mirror is correct – a bit of a stretch I know but you never can tell with the Mirror, they’re the mob who run that bunch of click baiters Football.London, click on that site and enjoy a feast of adverts, pop ups and videos to your hearts desire. ☹️
Afternoon All…
Nice post Rico, has anyone noticed that the injury rate increased in the Bundesliga, so maybe the idea mooted by the EPL of clubs being able to use all 5 subs in a match is a positive move and no VAR will help enormously as our referees aren’t at the required level to use it properly so it makes sense to dump it.
Good day Rico and all.
Have Arsenal stumbled on the way to reduce our injury count? Isolate the players no physical contact in training and no actual football. Although, didn’t we have a goalkeeper who injured himself picking up the tv remote control? No system is perfect. 😉
Hi Geoff. We only have one injured player right now and that’s Chambers. Bearing in mind 4th is still possible, I don’t think now is the time to throw the younger players in. Imo, now is the time to play the strongest team, or rather the strongest team for the opposition on the day.
If the fixtures are crammed into a few weeks, I’m sure Mikel will use most of the squad if fitness dictates.
Hi Rico and All If you look at the last six months approximately due to a new coach / virus and players attitude I don’t think there will be any better time then now for new young players to force there way into a team while some of the older players in injured players may find them self not only fighting for there spot but also there careers.
Those poor pampered footballers won’t cope.. lol
Yes, a lot to sort out… the Mirror are saying there could well be 5 games shown on Saturday and Sundays, 12, 2, 4, 6, 8pm kick off times – I’ll never leave my living room 🤣
And 6 and 8pm in the week! Wow, football overload 👍
Thanks Sue. This restart seems to be taking ages and it still remains in doubt, albeit unlikely that the season won’t finish. I believe there’s another discussion today.
Agree re transfers and rumours, such a bore fest….
Nice read, Rico 👍 Good to see Chambers up and running… surely it won’t be too long and MA will have the whole lot at his disposal!! He even has Matt Smith training with the first team, so things are looking good. Now we just need to sort Saka and Auba! I seriously doubt Auba will get the money he’s after anywhere else (bar China of course)…. so he may as well stay with us, right?! 😁
I can’t wait for the window to open, so then we will actually see who was really interested in who, rather than all this media codswallop 😄 it does become tiresome after a while!!