Morning all.
What a day of weather we had here in the UK yesterday. Wind, rain, sunshine and snow, big flakes of snow. Snow in March? Well, Alex Lacazette did score a hat-trick the day before…
Not a good day for the Arsenal women though as Wolfsburg ended any dreams they might have had for winning the Champions League. A 2-0 defeat leaves Jonas Eidevall and his players chasing the league and FA Cup double.
Mikel Arteta held his pre match Press Conference yesterday. “Togetherness” is the key at Arsenal.
For me it’s crucial because it’s the platform and the cement that you can build on. Then obviously you need the players, you need the quality, the understanding. You need the club and the supporters to be on board with what you are doing, to support it, encourage it. This is what we try to do.
Together they will all be today as players return to training after the international break. Bukayo Saka should be in the group but Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Ramsdale are still recovering from injury. Saying that, Mikel Arteta didn’t 100% rule either out of Monday nights fixture.
Mikel Arteta also talked about Flo Balogun and what’s next for him.
I think Flo is doing what he needed to do, and probably we should have done it a little bit earlier. It is always a bit difficult to time when is the best moment to do that. But he’s having the right exposure, he’s playing in a different formation and sometimes a different role under a manager and a club with a huge history. You can see how he is developing, so this is giving us information. This is going to give us more detail about what is the next best move for him to keep developing, because he has (developed) and we want him to be part of our future.
He’s been on the scoresheet for Middlesbrough and then England whilst on international duty. I’m glad to hear Arteta say Balogun is part of Arsenal’s future but ultimately, it’s down to the player to make sure he is. All he can do is continue to learn and work hard. Make it impossible for Arsenal to ignore him. Middlesbrough are two points off a Championship playoff place with either one, or two games in hand over the clubs above them, so their destiny is in their own hands.
Mikel Arteta was asked about the rumours linking Santi Cazorla with a return to Arsenal:
I spoke to him on my birthday, but we didn’t discuss that. I haven’t discussed anything like that with Santi. But of course if you ask anyone at this football club, or any supporter about Santi, they will probably have a smile on their face. He is still playing so I don’t know what he wants to do, but I’m sure it will be related to football because I know him well.
It is the 1st of April. I’m sure we’d all love to see Santi back at Arsenal but as Arteta said, he’s still playing so his coaching career is yet to get going. He might not even want to be a coach.
Another reason it snowed in England yesterday might be because common sense and football came together as the Premier League agreed to having five substitutes for next season. The rest of Europe continued with the rule after Covid, but the Premier League ditched it as soon as they could. I think it’s great for football and certainly for the squad players who might not otherwise step foot on the pitch. I think the ruling benefits every club and not just the rich with deep/strong squads.
Previously, a number of clubs had voted against bring in the five substitute rule but I guess with Covid still around and players being knackered this season, their decisions in the past backfired.
The Premier League also confirmed that the summer transfer window will open on Friday June 10th and will close at 11pm on Thursday September 1st. That is big change and one which will help Arsenal who’ve not always been the quickest club to get a deal over the line. Again, it makes sense because the 2022/23 season kicks off a little earlier than usual because of the World Cup later this year.
See you in the comments and don’t forget the date….
I read that Vladimir Putin is an Arsenal fan.
Along with:
Osama Bin Laden
Fidel Castro
Donald Trump
Any other horsemen of the apocalypse to add to that list?
Corbyn. 😂
Good morning Rico and all, the last thing we need is another rookie coach, leave Santi in peace let him “get his badges” and at least some coaching experience before talking of a return to Arsenal.
Morning Cicero. Agree, take out the emotion and nobody would be talking about Santi.
Great players don’t always make great coaches and vice versa.
Of course Rico, Jezza has appeared at Arsenal a number of times. I’m not certain of his supporter credentials, but he does live around the corner. Somebody that sits close to me worked closely with him and was in all the pictures of him coming to the ground in a big photo opp.
His successor Starmer is a season ticket holder I believe. I saw Miliband the elder sitting a few rows behind me a few seasons back too.
On the blue side I have seen John Bercow. I think he’s a season ticket holder. ORDERRR
I recall Tony Blair talking of sitting on his beloved Gallwgate End at Newcastle when he was PM. Only problem being the time he referred to there were no seats there…
Imagine Bercow and Corbyn sat together Pete. Nightmare…
Good afternoon Rico and all.
Artets has been named Manager of the month for the 2nd time this season.
I disagree regarding Cazorla. Playing in such a deep lying position and being loved by the players will make his job easier. And he will be a coach not the manager
Afternoon Devil, I’m surprised re Arteta, the PL don’t usually favour anything Arsenal.
Afternoon Rico and all
Any one remember the video of Santi’s son Kicking the ball after a match, I wonder how good he is now and if so are Arsenal watching him.
New post up.