Morning all.
I’m liking the story about Alexis Sanchez heading off to PSG in January especially as Julian Draxler is reportedly heading our way in exchange. I actually think that’s one of the best deals, if not the best, we could do. But I guess the stumbling block would be either player refusing to move. PSG have a glut of super players, and are tipped by Coral Bonus Offers to do well in the Champions League, as do Man City which is supposed to be Alexis preferred destination but who would turn down the chance of playing alongside Cavani, Mbappe and Neymar? Oh, and there’s a few more classy players behind them too so it’s not like they aren’t a top notch club. He’d probably get the wages he’s reported to be after too.
However, it seems Real Madrid have become his latest preferred destination according to those in the press who think they know everything. Well I guess it won’t be long before we find out where he’s off to because the January transfer window will be here before we know it as time seems to pass so quickly these days.
One place Alexis Sanchez won’t be and that’s in Russia next summer as his Chile side were battered by Brazil last night. All the time Columbia were winning, they were ok but apparently Ospina made a cock up and with Columbia then drawing, Chile were out. I doubt Ospina will care much though as his country celebrated knowing their place in the World Cup was secured.
So that’s that for another few weeks, international football is over, although the next two week of boring friendlies return straight after we’ve played Man City at The Etihad. That could be an interesting fortnight eh……
The squads looking thin for the weekend as it’s now reported that up to seven players could be missing for the trip Watford. Ozil, Welbeck and Coquelin remain doubts despite having returned to training according to The Mirror although I’ve no idea where their information comes from. Santi remains out and Mustafi is likely to miss the next couple of months. Koscielny too is a major doubt and Calum Chambers being injured makes up the seven. Then there’s the concern over what condition Alexis will return in both mentally and physically as his air miles have again clocked up over the last couple of weeks. Ramsey too might have the hump after his Wales side were dumped out of the World Cup. Sead Kolasinac and his teammates of Bosnia-Herzegovina were also knocked out last night despite winning their final game. Other results needed on the night in order for them to qualify didn’t go their way. Still, at least he’ll get a nice summer break, as will Ramsey. Olivier Giroud won’t though as his France side be Belarus to assure qualification. The big striker scored yet again but Alexandre Lacazette had to settle for a place on the bench. Switzerland were the final team on show with one of ours involved and having been beaten by Portugal, they’ll need to get through a playoff to do so.
I’m sure all footballers want to be playing for their country especially in a World Cup, but for us, the more who miss out the better it is. Selfish I know but Arsenal FC come before international football, for me anyway and being English, there’s little reason to have much hope of my country doing well, so I doubt I’ll even watch much of the competition. Two years ago watching the Euros was painful, although Iceland were a breath of fresh air but I doubt the World Cup will be make much better viewing.
Mind you, I guess having the American countries and the African too as well as Asia might brighten the tournament up a bit….
https://www.theguardian.com/football/video/2017/oct/11/89-trailer-documentary-recounts-arsenal-dramatic-title-win-at-anfield-video
That was a good year Kev…
Thank`s Rico.
I was expecting a record EPL score (again) against Watford, but after reading your post about the injuries and possible mental state of our players I`ve changed my mind and now expect to be on the receiving end and we will probably win only 5-0 and that`s because of Watford`s large group of International jet setting players will be exhausted aswell !
🙂
“We were a family” said MT.
Now we’re more like a family heading for the divorce courts…..
How the game and our club has changed….
I reckon we might scrape it 2-1 Lc, if we’re lucky….
I dont care how many injuries mental or bodily we have got, it`s fcuking Watford ! hahaha
Only 2-1 Rico ……..bit of a doomer aren`t you ! hahaha
Just a realist Lc. Thanks to Wenger I expect very little from each game we take part in….
Morning Rico. As you know, I wasn’t a doomer until I met Kev. 🙂
Ye of little faith, Rico, the man has over 2000 games of experience at top level and numerous trophies, awards and massive bank balance of where he is a favourite customer, winning favourite customer of the year award on numerous occasions………..what a guy !…………
😆
Afternoon Adam. Meeting Lee did it for me, Wath too…. lol
He does Lc, you’d think he’d know how to assemble a strong squad by now eh……?
You lot are ……………………………..The Legends of Doom………..Masters at your craft……………….I`m just an apprentice !…………
hahaha
I dont think Wenger will ever assemble a strong squad capable of challenging the big guys, Rico, it`s past him now, the game, tactics and the richer clubs have left him behind !………………dont like to wish my life away, but roll on the two years !
I agree Lc, I was being ironic… ?
I would love to think that he could win the PL this season.
I’ll get my coat……
You can think it Adam, although the men in white coats might be round if you do, but it’s not going happen… 😉
Glimmer of hope ?………………..well for me anyway !…… 🙂
In an interview with Turkish outlet Fanatik, per the Metro, Sogut (Ozil`s agent) revealed “Ozil wants to play another 2-3 years in the Premier League.
Talks with Arsenal are ongoing regarding a new deal, what I can say right now is that negotiations are going well.”
If we could get Ozil and Alexis to sign on again and we dont get any injuries to our CB`s, I think we can win the league !
I bet that’s because no other club appears to want him Lc…
Calum Chambers has signed a contract extension apparently.. not sure if that’s good news or not…
Good news Rico
Well, your thoughts on that are good enough for me Kev.. 🙂
I class it as………….couldn`t give a fcuk news ! 🙂
Hasn`t really set the world alight has he !……………………….we are back to the days where we extend for the average players, but lose our best one`s………………..you remember the Cesc, Nasri, RVP days, the days that were supposed to be behind us, but what do we expect when our number one head honcho has so far invested £0………………………………must admit I love putting up that bit (£0) about Kroenke, it`s such a definative statement on non intent……… hahaha
At least most of England`s young teams are having a good year………
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41586172
It’s just so typical Arsenal Lc. I accept he might one day be great but so far, I’ve not seen much to suggest he will be..
Seems to me, Rico, that other clubs do a lot better shopping at Southpoundland than we do !…………………..you know the story……………….Brady goes there to look over Walcott and comes back raving about Bale……….Darth Wenger has other ideas ! hahaha
Walcott might have been a good player had he never met Wenger or Sven!
Night guys.
Chambers and Holding could make the centre back pairing we need . Hopefully they will get help from Per in his new role . If he can impart his experience to them it could be invaluable.
Morning all.
Can’t wait to hear from Arsene Wenger this morning. Wonder what pearls of wisdom he’ll have for us today….
New post up.