Morning all.
It’s a big day here in the England as the first stage of lockdown restrictions being lifting begins. For the older generation, especially those who’ve spent the last year on their own, they can see family and friends. Limitations are still in place but it’s a start. The weather here in England is forecast to be warm so perfect timing. Hopefully this is the last time we go through a lockdown for many years but I wouldn’t bank on it as flouting the rules seems to be the norm for a number of people.
Onto football and there’s just one international fixture left to play for most of our players and that’s it for the season. Now it’s domestic and European football until the end of May. For Arsenal, chasing a Europa League spot is the aim along with winning the competition this year. Both are tough challenges but not beyond our reach.
Kev posted a YouTube clip yesterday in which Mikel Arteta was being interviewed. I found it interesting, especially as the questions put to him were sensible and probably the kind of questions many Arsenal fans would like to have asked.
The crux of the interview was that he and Edu had one hell of a mess to sort out and they’re doing their best to sort it but it’ll take time. Also, the younger players coming through the academy are very important to the club. I thought Mikel came across very well and made a lot of sense and the interview is certainly worth listening to. He’s very optimistic about the future. It’s hard not to share his optimism although I’m sure there are still a vast numbers of fans who don’t.
But look at what Arsenal have done since Mikel Arteta started working with Edu and the rest of the board/staff.
He gave experienced players their chance, a long run in the team but not many returned the favour by playing well. Ozil, Kolasinac, Pepe, Aubameyang, Lacazette and Willian – flunked. Ozil, Sokratis and Mustafi are gone. Ozil, gone, Kolasinac, Torreira and Guendouzi all out on loan, probably never to return. The decks are being cleared and I think that’ll continue this summer.
Pepe and Willian aren’t starters, not when Saka and ESR are fully fit. Even Lacazette was dumped in favour of Nketiah for a while but when he came back into the team he seemed different. More willing.
Partey arrived during the summer and not only does he add another string to our defensive bow but also gives us something different in transition. He’s a ‘pick it up and play it forwards’ kind of player. Meanwhile, Xhaka, albeit still prone to the odd mistake, has found his passing game. Xhaka hasn’t really improved in my opinion, he’s just got a much better player alongside him.
Ahead of both Xhaka and Partey we now have energy, enthusiasm and a big chunk of skill in ESR, Saka and since January, Odegaard. Three players who I could watch all day yet never get bored. Plus Lacazette who like Xhaka, hasn’t improved as a player as such, it’s just his attitude which seems to have changed and he certainly seems to enjoy playing alongside the younger guys.
But of course, there’s still an issue with playing out from the back, not being focused from the first whistle and not always taking easy chances to score. Plus there’s the odd occasion when we’re simply dreadful, like the Olympiacos match at The Emirates. The kind of things which will keep us grumbling away but in time, perhaps those errors will fade as certain players leave and others either join the club or come through the academy.
Yes, I suppose I’m quite optimistic about the future.
See you in the comments.
Good Morning Rico and all. Thanks for the post….I will bring over the comments from the previous post and then go to read what you have written.
Yesterday I saw two games. Italy against Bulgaria and also Sweden against Kosovo.
Locatelli had a very good game and scored for Italy while Belotti also scored and lead the line well.
However, Isak of Sweden caught my eye. A towering CF who is also fast, who scored and lead the line very well.
He is on around Eur1million per year at Real Sociedad…..and has till 2024 contract. I think we should try and get him.
All three players I mentioned are all on low to medium wages. So they will not break the bank to try and buy. Locatelli is 23 and plays for Sassuolo. He can play as a pure DM or as box to box midfielder. Belotti is 27 years old, has a good goal ratio (although he takes pens as well) and is a good leader of the line. But I am more excited by Isak, a Swedish international who is a giant, runs fast and can lead the line well. And he would not break the bank if we were to go for him. the only snag with Isak and Belotti is that they can only play through the middle or as a 2nd striker. They never play on the wings.
Ideally we would keep Balogun as he knows the club inside out and is highly thought of. As Kev pointed out earlier, we are not hearing anything again atm since the attention of bloggers and papers is elsewhere. If Balogun is really that good then I do not think that MA will keep on faffing about……he will stick him in the 1st team. Its not a question of having to remove one of Laca or Auba……Balogun is not even ahead of Nketiah, and he does not get regular call ups to the bench. Look at ESR and Saka, they got in and kept their place even though ahead of them there were record 72mill buy Pepe, Willain, Auba and Ceballos. And to cap it all they are keeping them out of the side as well. Can you imagine the line up without ESR and Saka?? No because they are good. And they are so good that we keep on praying that they are given a rest because they are playing all the time. But if Balogun was as good as we are led to believe, I feel he would be keeping either or both Auba and Laca out of the equation.
And onto one of our own……..Seems that Daniel Ballard might soon be part of the first team squad. Next season hopefully……
https://tbrfootball.com/huge-talent-arsenals-daniel-ballard-lauded-for-international-display/
Morning Devil and all.
One match doesn’t tell much though Devil, even Gervinho looked good, once. Lol
I hope Ballard can make it at Arsenal, at least he’s playing well at international level as well as on loan.
Rico he has already clocked up 10 appearances for his national team
Another player who played international game…..although not ending with rave reviews like Ballard did.
https://dailycannon.com/2021/03/greek-media-konstantinos-mavropanos-debut/
Yes Devil, I know.
Can you post Kev’s link yesterday , I never saw it and I only found todays on an email link.
From what you have said it seems that the club has made a plan and is working within it. and that is progress in itself. I always thought that since the Wenger years we have been reactinve rather than pro and towards the end of his time I think Gazidis having a power struggle with him dragged the club down. I felt that they were not communicating with each other.
Cant say much more until I have heard it so I will wait until I have .
Regards all and don’t go mad in the sunshine, take your time to get back into the social whirl , I think too much too soon and we are back at square one . Having said that the river banks and staithes are rammed this morning apparently.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QlRsCdFwOrg
It’s here Potter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJFJlQ8ext8
Portugal were robbed of a very good goal yeterday. No Var was present. very weird
I see that Elneny scored for Egypt.
And what a goal it was! He only scores worldies..
https://twitter.com/ChrisWheatley_/status/1376571048469147649?s=20
That’s a cracker,Thanks Sue.
Limey 🙂👍
Moss on var on Saturday 😖 Atkinson refereeing…
Claude – once of AFTV – has passed away… shocking, only 58. RIP
Afternoon Rico and the House
Are you all enjoying the sun
Its 23 ln kent
Afternoon Rick, all.
That’s terribly sad Sue. RIP Claude…
Lucas Torreira’s mother has passed away after suffering Covid.
https://highbury-house.com/2021/03/31/remembering-rocky-who-is-the-best-pl-striker-to-date/
New post up now