Morning all.
More departure news from the women’s side of Arsenal FC as like Beth Meth, Katie McCabe will leave the club when her contract expires at the end of this campaign. 300+ appearances over more than a decade, with one FA Cup, one WSL title, three League Cups, one UEFA Women’s Champions League and one FIFA Champions Cup to her name.
That’s two big players, big game players who the club will have to try and replace. Big boots to fill that’s for sure. I wish Katie all the very best, she’s been great for Arsenal and great to watch.
Burnley interim boss Mike Jackson has been speaking to the media before their Premier League fixture against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium:
The outcome is already decided in everyone else’s eyes, but we’ve got to go there with some belief and have a go. Go and thrive in that environment. You’ve worked your whole career to get in that sort of environment – then go and do it.
I think these kind of fixtures can be the hardest. Burnley know they will be playing Championship football next season so they have absolutely nothing to play for. Or do they? Yes, I think they do. Pride is one thing of course, the fact that it’s their job is another but on top of that, what about the players who hope for a move this summer in order to avoid the drop? Let’s not forget either, when footballers play without fear, stress and literally, nothing to win or lose, they can feel free to express themselves.
Jackson went on to say:
You look at a game like that and the importance of it to everyone in the competition but, from our point of view, you have to look at it as an opportunity. One – to be involved in a game like that; two – to be excited about that as a platform to go and perform. We can’t influence everything that’s going on around it and all the noise about this game, but what we can do is make sure, like we did against Villa last week, that we’re still taking this competition really seriously. That’s what we’ll do.
I read a bit about Burnley’s game against Villa with the general consensus being Unai Emery’s team were awful. Admittedly, the game was at Turf Moor whereas on Monday night they will be playing in front what I hope is a loud, proud and raucous 60,000 Arsenal fans but still, there’s a job to be done for Mikel Arteta’s players. Points have to be fought hard for and Monday is no different.
Mikel Arteta was giving very little away as far as the fitness of Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori goes but the latter is reported to have been training yesterday which is good news. Here he is modelling our new kit for 2026/27.
Visit Rwanda has gone from the sleeve and its place is “Deel” after the leading global payroll and HR platform and Arsenal FC agreed a long term deal. No pun intended.
Catch up later.
Good morning Rico and all
Good roundup Rico. Mead and McCabe leaving mean only one thing….depends how you look at it. Either its a cycle coming to an end OR a new cycle is about to begin. Its better if they leave while they are still at the top and leaving as legends then outstaying their lifespan with us and tarnish their status as club legends.
Time is going so slow. Can’t wait for Monday to be over and done with. It still is a disappointment that we can’t win the EPL title at the Emirates. It would have been a significant landmark winning the first Emirates era league title at the home stadium itself.
22 years ago today we beat Leicester City at Highbury to become EPL champions and also INVINCIBLES
I still think and also feel that with the squad Arteta is building, another unbeaten season will always be possible.
Morning Devil, I’d say it’s both..
One chink of light re the departure of Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord has signed a contract extension.
The management are making a concerted effort to reduce the age of the squad. I think there may be more departures in the pipeline.
Where are my manners? G’day Rico and thank you for another fine post. 😉
Afternoon Cicero, as has Leah Williamson which is good news. Just think 30 is very young to be given up on. Unless it was their choice of course.
Good evening Lady and fine Gentlemen
I just tuned in to watch Villa vs Liverpool and marvel of marvels, miracle of miracles, unbelievable but with less then two minutes of me watching WHO do you think the commentator mentioned???? Yep you all are right. ARSENAL. Nothing to do with the match. Just mentioned them and asked whether we will be able to hold out for two wins in the last two games.
We DO live rent free in their heads.
Going through your article again Rico and reading about the press conference Arteta did, a thought crossed my mind……can Arteta refuse to do a pre/post match conference? Can anyone enlighten please??
D G, I believe pre and post match interviews are compulsory.
Good night Gooners, everywhere. 😴
It’s Cup Final day! Where’s the World of Sport wrestling? Steve Logan and Mick McManus. Vs Bert Royale and Vic Faulkner. Billy Two Rivers, Johnny Kwango and all the others, not to mention the great commentator Kent Walton.
It’s just not Cup Final day without them!
Might be some wrestling going on in London later Cicero. 😜
Morning Geoff. Two very big characters too.
Good morning Rico and all
74FC vs 115FC. Who’s going to bottle it today?
Rico. It’s true that two very big characters left. It’s up to the remaining ones to step up and lead while helping the newcomers settle down
I love the FA cup,so many special memories but today’s game has to be the most corrupt ever,a new low. It’s one of those games where you don’t want either team to win. Best hope is that City pick up some injuries,nothing serious,enough to keep them out for the rest of the season.
All a distraction until Mondays game,seems to be taking forever. We can’t win the league Monday but could go a long way and seal the win on Tuesday.
I just hope it doesn’t go to the last day,the tension is unbearable.
Morning Devil, still a lot of big characters left in the squad who will keep on carrying on. Could be the season for Agyemang to breakthrough once fully recovered.
Spot on Limey. PG is playing his strongest today according to him, let’s hope for a few pinged hamstrings 😜
Arsenal to be crowned PL champions on Tuesday evening… 🙏🏻
Arsenal Women doing well against Liverpool, three nil up at half-time. Russo with two goals and Caldentay with the other.
Expect to see some changes soon.
No chicken counting please, Lee.
Jolly well hope so Lee. Good to see you..
Three goals scored, one conceded, three points confirmed second place in the W S L and confirmed entry to league stage of W C L. 🔔🔔🔔
Never in doubt at Anfield 😂
I’m a little behind with the cheat’s F A Cup. Half-time I had to chop the onions and dice the meat for this evening’s Madras.
Chelsea had more than enough opportunities to win it. They’ll be kicking themselves I’m sure.
Well the cheating scum were beaten one nil by the bigger cheat cheating scum.
I sincerely wish that when the two clubs are finally punished for their cheating, then today’s Cup Final can be wiped from the history of, what was until today, the finest club cup competition in the World.
Well said..
Is it Monday yet….
That’s a bit like “are we there yet”? To which the answer is “no” then comes the complaint “but I’m hungry”, “so eat your packed lunch”. “I already did”.
Heh ho, long gone school skiing trips. 😕
😂
Last half hour of peace before the family arrive for an evening meal to celebrate my eighty-third birthday.
Good wine, good food, good chat and very good company. Who could ask for anything more?
Wow, many happy returns Cicero, have a lovely evening.
Wow. Many happy returns on your 83rd birthday, Cicero.
You must have a seriously wealthy bank of fantastic memories of the Arsenal over the decades, and for you to be connected with the Arsenal community is fantastic.
Do you like me, think the whole Terry Neill/Don Howe era was a surrendering of ambition and a completely pointless decade, and what was the Clive Allen signing all about?
Have a great day, Cicero, here’s to many more!
God bless you, Cicero. 83 and still trucking. Happy birthday, mate and thank you for your coherent, interesting and eloquent posts on HH.
Many Happy Returns Cicero, there’s hope for me yet. 😉
Looks like West Ham are going down..
At least we will get a St Totts day again.
Cicero you are 4 1/2 years in front of me , Enjoy your birthday , there’s a lot of water gone under Potter bridge between the two of us .
Hi Potter, you too, at 78!
My first memories of Arsenal are of Bertie Mee, 1970, ’70-71, and Charlie George timing his comeback from an injury-plagued season perfectly.
I was sad to hear of Peter Simpson’s passing, solid dependable defender alongside captain Frank McLintock.
What did annoy me during that period was selling Ray Kennedy to Liverpool, and later Charlie George to…Derby!
I personally think it’s great that their are older generation Arsenal fans here to share their wealth of football knowledge and experience.
Cicero Happy Birthday, may you many more
Morning all.
New post up now.
Dennis, similar timeline as me. I was never fortunate to get to Highbury back in my younger days. Elm Park was the constant in my early 20’s. Loved going but it wasn’t Arsenal.