Morning all.
Last nights game against Dinamo Zagreb couldn’t have started any better than it did for Arsenal as with just over a minute into the game, Declan Rice hammered home our first goal of the match. Gabriel Martinelli played the ball into Kai Havertz inside the box, the big German knocked the ball back into the path of Rice who finished like a seasoned striker. Soon after his goal the Zagreb fans pelted Rice with plastic cups as he about to take a corner. Stupid, just stupid behaviour.
By the time halftime came, we really should have been further ahead, but a lack of conviction in front of goal was again evident. Gabriel missed an excellent opportunity to head home a Martin Odegaard corner and a shot from Martinelli went straight to the keeper. Zagreb on the other hand, failed to register a singled shot on target.
Both Raheem Sterling and Jurrien Timber picked up a booking early in the second half so when Mikel Arteta made his changes, it was no surprise to see both replaced. On came Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri. Just over the hour mark, we doubled our lead. Martinelli, who looked bright all game I thought, curled a wonderful pass into the box which Havertz rose highest to head home his 14th goal of the season so far in all competitions. Rice should have scored his second of the night ten minutes later when Nwaneri crossed a lovely ball into the box but he totally cocked up the angle of his header. Our third came right at the end when substitute Leandro Trossard crossed from the left into the box for Martin Odegaard to score. It was nice to see Nathan Butler-Oyedeji make his debut, just a shame he wasn’t given more than a couple of minutes.
Before the game I was slightly concerned as Zagreb not only had a new manager but they’d enjoyed a two week break which as we know, can reinvigorate players. However, I thought we looked more like the team who’d just had a break. Myles Lewis-Skelly missed out through injury, not a serious one said Arteta although reports in the media suggest otherwise, but it meant Oleksandr Zinchenko got minutes on the pitch. Jakub Kiwior too who partnered Gabriel in defence and of course, Jorginho who just went about his business with little fuss.
The result pretty much confirmed our place in the knockout stage which is great. Our points tally cannot be overtaken by any of the chasing pack and our goal difference is superior to them too. One point in Spain next Wednesday would be enough. Only a heavy defeat and a host of other clubs all winning matches could potentially put our knockout place in jeopardy
Reflecting on his side’s display against Zagreb, Mikel said:
I’m very happy because it’s job almost done. We have another game and probably need something to achieve what we want. It was good. We had some big chances that we didn’t score. In the second half, we lost some control and were a bit leggy, that was the feeling that I had as well. Overall, we got the job done and well done. We didn’t concede a shot on target which is really positive again. It shows that the team is really well-rounded.
Overall, scoring three goals, winning in the Champions League at home, another clean sheet at home – four in a row – and having made some changes as well. We rotated players that didn’t play that many minutes and they responded really well. Overall, I think it was a positive night.
Next up for Mikel Arteta and his players is Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The striker/forward transfer rumours carry on and they will do until Arsenal actually sign one or when the transfer window slams shut on the 3rd February. The names linked to Arsenal so far this winter are Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Marcus Thuram, Dusan Vlahovic, Bryan Mbeumo, Sverre Nypan, Evan Ferguson, Viktor Gyokeres and Igor Jesus.
Who we sign or if indeed we sign anyone, Arsenal need to get a wriggle on as there just ten days of this transfer window left..
Catch up later.
Good morning Rico.
Our fastest C L goal since Sanogo got, and still holds the record for his goal against Dortmund November 26th 2014 in 73 seconds.
Sanogo eh? Whatever happened to him? 😕 juy
Think he’s over in China…He was a bit of a punt by Wenger. Seem to remember he was close to winning the ‘Golden Boy’ when he was young then injured his back and spent over a year out. We got him for a compensation fee but I don’t think he ever recovered from the injury.
Morning Cicero, Hobart.
Sanogo is a blast from the past…
I see City have announced a new attacking player, wish we’d do the same..
We are banking on Sesko for the start of next season . I doubt that we will sign anyone this season . Next week we go to Girona and I should imagine that the substitutions should start earlier . It’s a dangerous ploy as one injury to Martinelli , Havertz or Trossarrd and we are seriously in trouble.
Morning Rico, and so, the Chinese postman.
I’d imagine that the kind of asking prices for forwards this window, particularly given our predicament, are through the roof.
I did read that Wolves are talking in terms of £80m for Cunha and I’d suspect that Leipzig aren’t far off of that figure for Sesko?
We have a tad just over 12 days to do some business so it’s quite possible that Wolves might blink first as Cunha will be into his last year next season. Sesko signed a new deal up to around 2029 so no urgency there!
Failing that there isn’t a lot else on the market. Interesting that Sesko and Gyorkeres faced each other in the Champions League yesterday and both scored, interesting that Man City recently signed two quality players for the price of a Gyorkeres…
Good afternoon all.
A great game to watch but a little bit frustrating as well. Havertz links the play well and Zincenko was on it last night but Martinelli answered his critics.
As I’d hoped and stated last night, I was pleased to see Sterling go off, I hope he never starts another game.
Afternoon Kev.
All the time the transfer window is open, I remain hopeful.
To go with who we have for the rest of the season, many of them who must be knackered, would be stupid. Not only will it hurt us in the next few months but next season too.
But you know he will Berg…
Agree Potter..
Yep Rico and he’ll likely ignore a striker and continue his pursuit of Zubamendi to replace Jorghino
I’d imagine that Sterling will start in our last Champions League game not least because it’s almost a dead rubber.
Man City wont be able to rest anyone in their final CL game as it’s a must win tie.
Our tie vs Girona on the other hand, whilst you should never disrespect a CL opponent should be a comfortable win and at the very least a draw, leaving Arsenal in a top eight finish.
Kiwior did ok against Dinamo and may well keep his place for Wolves this weekend.
Great to see Tomiyasu on the subs bench alongside Saliba, maybe the injury nightmare is coming to a close?
Quite likely Berg and perhaps another defender in the summer too. 😜
A right sided defender Rico 😊
Talks with Juventus over the signing of Vlahovic have broken down. I guess that means they want too much money.
Ha ha Berg.
Me too Kev re Sterling, Tierney, Jorginho and Kiwor too unless any leave.
Good afternoon Lady and Gentlemen
Good match report Rico.
Cicero….Juventus only want a straight sale. no loan. I follow the Italian media a lot and many at Juventus want Vlahovic gone so that with his money they would buy a new forward. Vlahovic is a good player however his attitude is not top notch. When he doesnt feel like playing he just hides. and when he is moody he misses even the easiest sitters. Many players are like that mind you.
I think Arsenal are trying to get a striker on loan for the rest of the season with an obligation/option to buy in summer however other teams dont want that.
tbh I think that Arteta only wants Sesko and no one else. And he is prepared to wait until summer to get his man.
Kev with regards Cunha, however much good he is, I still think that at 60+ million is too much for him. Not more than 50 imo. Keep in mind that Cunha, although listed as a forward is more of a winger/2nd striker than a proper CF. So a the end of the day we still need a monster CF with a killer instinct. That is why Arteta wants Sesko (and I want Gyokeres). both are tall and very mobile despite their height. Plus a good technical level.
Afternoon Devil, thanks.
Waiting until the summer would be foolhardy imo and a waste of another season. A striker, as long as he’s not cup tied, could be the difference between getting to Wembley or not and chasing down Liverpool. IMO, the club are almost saying we can wait because this season is over. The Champions League is a lottery…
Sesko is CL cup-tied Devil so as long as he’s in the bag so to speak then I can wait until the summer, likewise Zubimendi.
Cunha would be an instant upgrade, he’s PL tested, can play across the front and would do a job similar to Jesus. £60m is probably too much but we need him now and Wolves need him so you’d need to pay over the odds, needs must.
Will it happen?
I haven’t a scooby
Good morning all
No Sesko is not cup tied.
On 27 March 2018, UEFA announced that it would phase out the cup-tied rule for the Champions League and Europa League, starting in the 2018–2019 season. The main current exception is the UEFA Super Cup, contested by the winners of the previous seasons’ Champions League and Europa League.
The last player to be cup tied was Auba when we played in the Europa league. From then on no player is cup tied. So if Sesko is bought/on loan now he can play for us.
UEFA has confirmed that clubs competing in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League will be allowed to register up to three new players after the group stage and before the start of the knockout phase.
The UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League knockout hopefuls are allowed to register a maximum of three new eligible players during the winter. Since 2018/19, it no longer matters whether those players have already played in the competition for another club, even for another club still in the competition.
Each UEFA Champions League team left in the competition was permitted to register three new eligible A list players by midnight CET on Thursday 2 February.
Cheer for that Dev
Arteta confirmed Myles Lewis-Skelly’s has suffered “nothing serious” after missing Wednesday’s Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb and “today, we will have a meeting with the medical staff”, while William Saliba “is something similar”. The defensive pair “will definitely be in for next week” but for “tomorrow we will see”.
Defender Ben White remains unavailable but his recovery is “very good”: “He hasn’t trained with the team yet but I think he’s very close. He needs to tick a few boxes and, if all goes well and smoothly, I think he will be with us very soon.”
On continued links with signing a striker: “My opinion is clear – we lost two very important players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. We lack goals, we lack people and we lack options. It’s clear – if we can get the right player. That’s why we are actively looking at it. Someone who makes us better. We need some help.”
On whether a deal can be done in January: “You have certain resources, the ability to recruit certain players, develop certain players, use certain players from the academy. It’s a balance of what we can do.”
Arteta confirmed terminating the loan of winger Raheem Sterling or goalkeeper Neto and sending them back to parent clubs Chelsea and Bournemouth respectively is “not an option”.
No mention there of the departure of Zinchenko who is highly likely to move to Dortmund in the next few days, for an, as yet, undisclosed transfer fee.
No mention either that Tierney is close to signing a contract to join Celtic for free at the end of the season.
Two left backs out, we have to hope MLS and Calafiori can stay fit for the rest of this season and for seasons to come.
On Sterling, Chelsea probably put clause in the loan agreement which said the player cannot be returned under any circumstances whatsoever before June. 😉
A horrible thought occurred to me, Arteta’s “not an option” comment could refer to the loan agreement containing compulsory buy clause at the end of the loan period. SHOCK HORROR!!! 😕
Cicero, I really hope not. Hopefully he means the contract is to the end of the season.
Another explanation could be that as Saka is out for so long he needs him as backup si it’s not an option.😒
Arteta didn’t actually say “not an option” it was said by the journalist following a couple of previously dumb questions…
I’m not certain but I think you cannot force a player you take on loan, to return to his club.
But imagine, Arsenal send Neto back to Wolves then on February 4th Raya does his ACL and we end up with Tommy Setford in goal…
Morning guys, I read in the Athletic (I think) that neither Neto or Sterling have an obligation to buy within their loan agreement. Personally, I think Hein could come back to challenge Raya and Sterling will head off to the USA or Saudi.. 😂
New post up.