Morning guys.
Last night’s League Cup draw saw us land an away fixture against newly promoted Premier League club Ipswich. The date of the fixture is yet to be confirmed but early September is most likely.
Later today, the Champions League draw takes place and because of the new ruling, we cannot be drawn against Inter Milan but we will definitely playing one of Arsenal will definitely be playing one of Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid away from home. Not that I think the draw is fixed, heavens above that would be a ridiculous suggestion but I wouldn’t bet against us ending up in Spain. Atletico if we sign Alvarez which of course I hope we don’t, or Barcelona if Viktor Gyokeres ends up moving there as has been suggested in the transfer gossip pages.
The league phase fixtures are scheduled as below:
Matchday 1: September 8-10
Matchday 2: October 13/14
Matchday 3: October 20/21
Matchday 4: November 3/4
Matchday 5: November 24/25
Matchday 6: December 8/9
Matchday 7: January 19/20
Matchday 8: January 27
Just four days of this transfer window remains thank goodness as I for one will be glad when when the rumours have stopped, Alvarez is still is Madrid and with a bit of luck, Gabriel Martinelli is still an Arsenal player. I know it’s unlikely, but a girl can dream.
Al Hilal, the club trying to sign Martinelli have agreed a deal to sign Ollie Watkins so at least there will be a familiar face to greet him should he move.
What worries me though is what happens if this Alvarez fiasco goes into the final day of the transfer window and he ends up staying in Madrid or Atletico buckle and sell him to Barcelona, Martinelli has gone and Nwaneri has been sold too or gone out on loan? Worse still would be the Gyokeres exit rumours becoming a reality. We, and I mean Arsenal football club would be left looking rather silly. I’m sure the club wouldn’t allow that to happen but it could.
Alvarez missed Atletico’s training session yesterday, through illness allegedly but I’m pretty sure he’s sulking after being booed by his own fans at the weekend and not getting his dream move. If I’m right, I don’t think it’s good behaviour from the player, or any player really when this happens and my concern is if Arsenal do sign him, this time next year he’ll be doing the same kind of thing because I truly believe he would be using us to get to Barcelona. He’s been in England before and clearly didn’t like it so why anyone thinks it would be different this time is beyond me. There’s no doubting his talent but personally, I don’t think he’s worth the hassle.
Or the money Atletico are asking for him. Arsenal’s problem if this falls through is time because it’s running out. If Alvarez says no, where do the club go to replace Martinelli, or will they simply not bother this summer?
I guess there’s always Jesus….
Catch up in the comments.
Yes Rico, a day to forget, problem is I tend to remember the disappointments more than the successes, that kick in the gut feeling never leaves.
Was that the Ipswho Cup Final Kev? We lost 1 – 0. 😥
We’ve gotta keep Tzolis fit Rico…
I can’t recall Arsenal playing Ipswich in a cup tie of any description since 1978
Just checked the news and that’s so awful what is happening to our most loyal of allies Nepal also Tibet one of the most peaceful countries in the world.
I hope the British government divert a lot of the money away from illegal migrants who hate us and sent it to Nepal along with any logistical help we can muster.
That’s what I hope too Kev, plenty of spinning plates because I don’t think Eze or Madueke playing on the left is the answer, both would leave our left back too exposed.
We may not necessarily hear or read about it but Berta will be spinning plates and a lot can happen over the space of a couple of days. Talks about salary will have already taken place and agreed with agents so no hold up there, Arteta will know who’s in the pipeline all it needs is for the selling club to agree a fee.
I did read that Atletico had reduced the fee to a more ‘realistic’ £111m but as Sporting discovered Berta drives a hard bargain on fees particularly if the player wants the move. That’s the major hold up, Alverez hasn’t indicated that he wants the move, so I’d hope that Berta is spinning plates to pivot to when he needs to, Igor for example?
Morning Geoff, all.
Mine too, what’s happening there is awful. Tragic..
Morning Rico and all,
I know it’s football, but my heart goes out to all in Nepal.