Morning all.
We already knew that Sporting Lisbon would be our Champions League quarter-final opponents but now we know the first leg will take place on Tuesday, April 7th at 8pm (UK time), at the Estádio José Alvalade. The second leg will take place at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, April 15th at 8pm (UK time) with both fixtures being broadcast by TNT Sports.
Before we return to European football again though we have a League Cup Final to focus on as well as trip to St Mary’s to face an in form Southampton team in the FA Cup. Sandwiched in between the two is an international break. Basically, a load of friendly fixtures in preparation for this summers World Cup. Whether the big tournament goes ahead or not I’ve no idea but all that is going on in the world, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it ends up being postponed.
A crucial approach in sport is to take one challenge at a time which for Arsenal is Sunday. It’s a trophy which we possibly need to win more than want to win in my opinion. That might sound bonkers because of course every Arsenal fan will want to see the players win the game, I know I do but for the players, it’s just as much about tasting success for the first time together. To go out and show the determination to get over that final line and to experience the feeling of success.
Individually, a number of players have already had their hands on a trophy but collectively, in the Arsenal colours, they haven’t. I imagine each and every one of the players, manager and staff, are as desperate for that to change as much as we fans are.
Man City have been there and got the trophy winning t-shirt too many times to mention. I’m sure they will go into this game as favourites, if not with the bookies, the neutrals because outside the Arsenal family, it’s become evident that fans of football would rather see a club which is waiting to hear the outcome of their 115 footballing breaching charges, than to see well run club lift the trophy.
Honestly, I think if Mikel Arteta’s players can replicate the kind of performance we saw against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, or better of course, we’ll have a chance but if the nerves kick in and mistakes are made, it could be a struggle.
A player who hasn’t struggled at Arsenal since his arrival back in the summer is Piero Hincapie. I love watching him as first and foremost he defends, strongly too, but other than getting forward on his side of the pitch when he can, he doesn’t stray from his defensive duties. I certainly don’t think I’ve seen him popping up on the right or centre of midfield. “Inverted” is the fancy name I believe but he doesn’t really do that. Arsenal.com has a great piece on him, his journey and football in Ecuador.
I’ve picked out a few of questions he was asked during his interview.
How exciting is it to be involved when the team is doing so well in all competitions – why do you think this team is doing so well?
I think we are a family and we stay united at all times, especially the tough ones, which is the key factor. This team has incredible conviction. I can’t help but admire it. I think our conviction and working hard to improve are crucial. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m convinced we can achieve something big.
Ecuador football looks in a great place, players at some of the best clubs in Europe in you: Pacho, Caicedo, Estupinan – why is it in such good health at the moment?
For a long time, we’ve had players coming to this league and many others as well. I think it’s down to the quality of our youngsters along with the ability to head to Europe and achieve success, leaving a legacy outside of Ecuador. Getting recognised for this is fantastic. I feel that many Ecuadorian players are on that pathway and long may it continue.
And producing lots of great young players – notably the Quintero twins who have signed for Arsenal, tell us about them?
I can’t really speak about their future, but I know they’re both incredible players. They’re such good footballers. They’re doing well and looking after themselves. I hope they join this huge club in wonderful condition [when they’re 18] and we’ll welcome them with open arms.
Edwin and Holger Quintero, who turn 17 in August will join Arsenal during the summer of 2027.
Edwin is left-footed, quick and a skilful dribbler. He operates as a right winger, likes to take on opponents and has a catalogue of skills. Holger is a technically gifted, right-footed, attacking midfielder who links play with his progressive vision and also possesses the ability to beat opponents with quick feet. (Arsenal.com)
The twins are recognised as two of the most exciting young talents in South America and both have been capped at under-17 international level for Ecuador. Arsenal have paid £9 million for both according to reports which could prove to be a fantastic double deal.
These kind of deals are important for the club as they are looking after the future. Not every player coming through the academy is going to be a success story so searching far and wide for talent/potential makes sense. Signing players before their valuation rockets makes sense.
Catch up in the comments.
Nice one Rico,
Yes Hincapie has been brilliant,great to watch. It feels like he’s gone a bit under the radar with all the other big signings. For the first few months Calafiori was the first choice left back,now it seems to be Hincapie,maybe because he’s more physically robust. To me he’s just the better defender.
Sky and the rest will hype up Sundays game,with the wisdom saying whoever wins will win the premier league. Expect them to go back on that if we win. They will probably say it’s only the League Cup and of no importance.
I
Morning Limey, thanks.
He’s one of my favs these days and as you suggest, he’s gone under the radar a bit. Perhaps because he’s on loan but thankfully, he’ll be ours in the summer when the deal is confirmed.
I’m trying to steer clear of the media waffle..
Jamie Carragher, that doyen of deep, insightful, even-handed thought has claimed that every neutral will be supporting Man City on Sunday, skilfully ignoring the fact that he and his profession (such that it is a profession) have been in the vanguard of demonising almost every aspect of Arsenal from top to bottom.
It’s why I’ve avoided most social media content and all NSM content.
I know what I need to know and the rest of the MSM and it’s spin offs can fcuk off.
Excellent post Rico thank you.
For me Pirero is likely to become the most valuable player of the three we recruited last summer. He had a difficult first few weeks at Arsenal, injuries and getting used to his new teammates as well learning about the rigours of Premiership football. Eze and Madueke may be getting the headlines, but for sheer professionalism they are no match for our Ecuadorian fullback.
Funnily enough and all being said, I’ve got a kinda feeling that Calafiori will actually start against Man City at Wembley. I also think that Timber will start and Odegaard will be on the bench…
Thanks Cicero.
I think Hincapie will start on Sunday because he was rested mid week. What a great position to be in though having three very good options in that position.
Trafford in goal for City on Sunday. Wonder if Arteta will stick with Kepa.
Thanks for the post, Rico. Great to read of the two lads from Ecuador joining Piero in the Arsenal set up. I wonder if he was instrumental in recommending them. If they both end up on the pitch together they will be a commentators nightmare trying to discern which is which.
I can’t think of any other twins who played for Arsenal. Kieran Gibbs is a twin but I don’t think his bro’ made it past the Conference league.
Tough call on the line up for the (hopefully) first of three finals this season.
I think he might go for Raya over Kepa, unless he has made a promise otherwise. If he wants to keep Kepa for next season, then he’ll pick him. And, a rested Hincapie would be the better option to keep Semenyo quiet. Timber would do a better job against Doku but Ben looked back to his old self v Leverkusen.
I’m picking…
Raya
Timber Saliba Gabriel Hincapie
Zubi Rice
Eze
Saka Kai Trossard
Bench: Only nine can be named, so who misses out from: Martin, Ricardo, Gyo, Max, Ben, Noni, Myles, Christhian, Christian, Kepa, Gabby M, Gabby J.???
What a squad we have.
Gavin and Justin Hoyte Stuart… lol
I reckon he’ll stick with Kepa.
If one has to be left out, I hope it’s Jesus but yes, a great squad indeed.
O yehhhhh. The Trinidad and Tobago boys. Great recall, Rico.
Morning Gooners, morning Rico, Gavin was the younger brother of Justin, they weren’t twins.
The only twins I can think of are the Futcher twins at Luton Town back in the early 1980’s who played in English football, although I’m sure that George Robledo who played for Newcastle in the 1950’s had a twin?
Not so great Stuart. 😜
You are right and morning Kev, doh! lol
Morning al
New post up.
Piero has all it takes to become a fans’ favorite indeed, Rico.
Moyes – who knows a thing or two about defending with ferocity – is very likely to have had our Ecuadorian’s 90th-minute-tackle in mind when he said our boys “were defending their goal with their lives” (actually, the look on his face after Calafiori’s otherwordly block in the first half, was one of utter disbelief, as well).
I’m with Kev about our Sunday lineup, though, I think Mikel will go with Ben ont he right, and Ricardo on the left – with Kepa between the sticks. I’d agree with Stu’s lineup if the CL final, not the Carabao, were to take place tomorrow, but the margin’s so thin between Raya-Kepa, Timber-White, Hincapié-Calafiori, that our gaffer has no serious argument to deprive the boys who played the previous stages, of a final they took us to – or so I think anyway.
Moreover, our first post-international-break game is our FA Cup quarter-final at the Dell. There’s every chance Kepa and Ben, who will be two of the few who won’t be away on international duty, will be starters then. Good luck to Mick if he really thinks he’ll be able to get the very best of them in training, or again to simply motivate them for yet another domestic cup game, if he benches them tomorrow …
About Sporting and impressive full-backs, now … I watched the Real-Sporting Youth League game last week. The Portuguese lads were impressive, deserved to win, but were denied at least one pen – the refereeing was a reminder of pre-VAR times, when knocking out Real required a titanic performance of their opponents, in order to make up for all the Real-biased decisions.
The “Green-and-Whites“ outstanding players were Bafdili, a BtoB midfielder, Gonçalves, a classy, elegant playmaker-forward (he scored their goal) and (MotM imo) their RB-RWB 18-y-o Costa, whose tackles were worthy of Piero’s against Everton, and whose crosses were a constant danger to Real as well.
Their performance goes to show what a well-run club this is, who could lose their emblematic head coach, and their main goal-provider without sinking, thanks to some die-hards like Trincao, Inacio, Hjulmand, and a few clever additions, while their academy’s graduates look like they’re about to step up onto the big stage any moment … We’ll have to be very wary, respectful of them indeed, in order to make it to the semis.
The Carabao wasn’t at the top of my wish list a the start of the season tbh. But this is a Wembley final, and I can feel tension building up now- and for what they’ve already done so far, the lads do deserve to lift that one. I have a feeling this’ll be Gyö’s day; I’d bet quite a few bucks on his brace giving us a 2-1 win …
COYG
Let’s hope you are right, Duc. On both fronts, the team choice would be honouring, and the brace for Gyo would go a long way to settling doubts about him being up to leading our line.
The result against Everton gains even more positive perspective after their dismantling of Chelsea this morning. Be grand to see them pinch a place in the CL, even if it’s just to see ‘pool or Chelsea miss out.
Morning guys
New post up.