Morning all.
Arsenal have confirmed a few fixtures changes ahead of next month. On Saturday 20th April, instead of kicking off at 3pm against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, it’s now a 7.30pm so Sky Sports can have their cameras ready in tin time. Our postponed home fixture against Chelsea will be played on Tuesday 23rd of April. This one is an 8pm kickoff and it’s live on TNT Sports. Finally, our last match of the month, the NLD, takes place on the 28th at 2pm. However, should we beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the Totts game will be moved to the Saturday instead with a 12.30pm kickoff.
What a tough few weeks lay ahead for Mikel Arteta and his players, but, that’s what life in the Premier League is about. The top tier in England isn’t like other leagues where as a fan, you can almost take three points for granted before the game even starts. At least that’s how it feels to me.
- Premier League – 11 points separate top and fifth..
- La Liga – it’s 17 points
- Primeira Liga – 15 points
- Bundesliga – 21 points
- Serie A – 25 points
- Eredivisie – 31 points
- Turkish Super Lig – 38 points
The gap between first and fifth suggests that the depth in other leagues isn’t as strong as it is in England. Even in Primeira and La Liga, it’s unlikely that current 5th place clubs will sneak into the top four but in the Premier League, until it’s mathematically impossible, anything is possible when it comes to the chase for top four. Arsenal are sitting pretty at the top of the league but only winning continuously will keep us there – sounds obvious I know but every single opponent we face between now and the end of April has the ability to hurt our league title chase.
- Manchester City (a)
- Luton Town (h)
- Brighton (a)
- Aston Villa (h)
- Wolves (a)
- Totts (a)
Ok, I might put 50p on us beating Luton… lol
In a way it’s probably a good thing because everyone will know there is no margin for error. No room for complacency and no counting chickens before they’ve hatched. Starting with Manchester City, it’s one challenge at a time.
I did actually watch some of the England game last night but only whilst waiting for Casualty to start. The England defending was abysmal, Maguire and Chilwell, dreadful. Southgate suggested the difference between the England and Brazil was just ‘one moment’ – the goal. I think he’s kidding himself. I smiled when Kyle Walker went off injured in the first half, not because he’s injured but because he probably isn’t. Declan Rice played the full 90 odd minutes as England lost 1-0. I’d like to think Southgate will give him a breather on Tuesday. However…
Italy play tonight so Jorginho could be in action, the only game which involves an Arsenal player. The rest play on Tuesday night then it’s back home to prepare for the City game.
Arsenal women take on Aston Villa later today but that’s it as far as our own club goes for today.
Academy news – According to Arsenal Insider, Charles Watts has told his YouTube followers that Ethan Nwaneri has signed a new contract:
Ethan Nwaneri’s new contract is going to be done very, very soon. He’s already agreed the new deal, it’s there. I think we had to wait until his 17th birthday before he could sign that first professional contract, his 17th birthday was in the last two days, but he’s away on international duty. It’s going to be announced soon. There is a new deal for Ethan Nwaneri, his first professional contract, which is fantastic news because he is clearly one of Arsenal’s best young talents at the moment.
If true, it’s great news as big things are expected from this young man.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico/all
Interesting points there,yes I saw Southgates comments,basically saying
England played well. He isn’t fooling anyone.
One of the most bizarre stories I’ve seen said that Man United are lining him up to replace Erik Ten Hag,that would guarantee failure for United so bring it on.
I see Kai Havertz scored again for Germany,Saliba was an unused substitute for France which is good for Arsenal anyway.
Only a week until the City game.
Good morning Rico, a busy schedule for the rest of the season but, hopefully the sick and lame will all be back in action to boost our chances in both remaining competitions.
There’s no need of an inquest into last night’s debacle, when you disrespect the banner of England’s Patron Saint the consequences are certain to be dire. At a stroke the run of unbeaten games came to a shuddering halt and the mystique of Wembley was exposed as just another mirage.
Bringing back the Cross of Saint George may go some way to appeasing the footballing gods, but Southgate’s time is up.
Morning Limey, Cicero all.
Maguire was shocking wasn’t he Limey, and Southgate is such a naive coach if he thinks Maguire will help his team to do well in the Euros. Had Brazil been better in the final third, England would have been thumped.
Pleased for Havertz, helps us..
Fingers crossed Cicero. The only positive about this break is more time for our injured and a rest for Saka, Gabriel, Martinelli and Jesus. Jorginho was used for 25 minutes and hopefully it’ll be the same on Tuesday. Rice is my worry but glad no minutes for Saliba.
Morning Rico and all.
Rico only 50P on us beating Luton, I’m sure you can afford at least one pound,
good to see a young player committing to the club hopefully we get to see him play at some time.
The fixture coming up is getting harder and harder, we defiantly don’t need any injuries now.
I watched the whole thing last night and did not feel that Rice was playing to his full extent and in fact neither were Stones and Watkins . Certainly Rice did not put himself into difficult positions and seemed to want to keep out of trouble. Having said that he was still one of the better players but a 3 or 4 nil would not have been unfair.
Walker going off was amusing but like you I suspect it was more by design than an actual pull . To me it showed that the players did not want this farce of friendly games and if you put the stars back into the Brazillians , we are miles away from any silverware . For the countries sake the quicker that Southgate goes , the better.
Morning Geoff, I can’t take the risk. lol
Potter, I agree re Southgate needing to leave, about the players too. It shows that these fixtures at this stage of the season are pointless and benefit no one other than the FA through ticket sales.
Southgate and Maguire are like two men on a sinking raft, if they both stay on it they will both drown, one needs to go over the side to allow the other the chance of rescue. Which will emulate Captain Oates, “I’m just going outside, I may be some time”.
I can’t think of another club who’d want to sign Maguire from Utd yet still he plays. Incredible really and no wonder Ben White looks on and says ‘no thanks’….
Actually, I have read that David Moyes (West Ham) wants him. Were they at United together?
The guy who came on for Walker, last night, looked hopelessly out of place. Southgate desperately needs Ben White but he will have one hell of a job to talk him round.
I don’t think any of the England players were fully committed and willing to give their best, except perhaps Maguire, but that’s a pretty low bar.
I think so, worked out well eh… lol
England will have a new manager before White plays for England imo.
Did he jump or was he pushed? Maguire has returned to his club and will take no part in Tuesday’s friendly against Belgium.
A comeback win for Arsenal Women after being one nil down at half-time three second half goals ensured all three points to keep us in the fight for the title. 🔔🔔🔔
The media are really out for Ben White, complaining about him playing UNO with his wife on holiday, while England are getting beat. I say let the players enjoy family time when they can get it.
Doubt he was pushed Cicero, don’t think Southgate has it in him.
New post up.