Morning all.
Arsenal are soon to jet off to the USA for pre season training along with a number of friendly matches. I say friendly but considering Liverpool, Man Utd and Bournemouth are the opposition, no doubt there will be a few tasty tackles going on.
As it stands, Arsenal will be without a first or second choice goalkeeper for the trip as David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale are enjoying some down time after the Euros. Ramsdale was at Trent Bridge yesterday to watch England play against West Indies.
Karl Hein will no doubt travel with the squad, eager I’m sure to show Mikel Arteta why he doesn’t need to sign a goalkeeper if Ramsdale leaves. Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus have already been training which is great for them and the club but whether our midfielder will be at the club when the transfer window closes remains to be seen.
With a number of senior players still on their holidays, it’s an opportunity for some of the younger players to make the trip to America and be a part of the squad. Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are likely to join the squad and perhaps Ayden Heaven too. All three are 17 years old and have already been involved in first team training this summer, as have Charles Sagoe Junior, 19, 20-year-old Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand and Zane Monlouis.
This is our our schedule in America looks:
- Arsenal v Bournemouth: July 25 – 3:30am BST,
- Arsenal v Manchester United: July 28 – 1am BST
- Arsenal v Liverpool: August 1 – 12:30am BST
Then it’s back to the UK for two more fixtures:
- Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen: August 7 – 6pm BST
- Arsenal v Lyon: August 11 – 2pm BST
That’s a lot of games in a short space of time but it’s what the players need to return to full fitness. In any case, I very much doubt any player will play 90 mins of a game. It’s typical in pre-season for a manager to have unlimited substitutions so everyone should get minutes.
From Arsenal.com – Individual match passes will be available as we approach the fixture dates. This includes our first pre-season game against Bournemouth on July 25 at 3:30am BST, which is not covered by our pre-season pass. The early bird offer runs until the morning of July 27, after which the pre-season pass will be available to purchase for £14.99.
Think I’ll skip the USA games live unless I suffer a bout of insomnia, but catching up the following day is at least an option. We often talk about the younger players so it’ll be good to actually see them in action against a PL side.
Not only will it be interesting to see which players travel to the USA but those who don’t too because if any first team squad players are left behind, it’s a good indication that their days at the club are numbered. Although I’m sure ‘injury’ will be the reason they don’t travel. Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe are rumoured to be attracting interest from Marseille, West Ham and Fulham respectively with offers for Smith Rowe having already been rejected according to reports. So I guess it’s watch this space when the squad is announced.
Lastly, according to The Athletic, Theo Walcott and Gilberto Silva will be travelling to the USA in ambassadorial roles. Anything for a freebie eh….
Catch up in the comments.
Arsenal vs Bournemouth @ 3.30am might be just a bit too much of a stretch for me, I’m not as young as Geoff and I need my beauty sleep, in fact I need it more than ever these days to retain my matinee idol looks…. (No Rico 🤫)
But you never know, I might get gripped by all the excitement and stay up to watch an Arsenal XI and watch the dawn break?
Ha ha Kev, maybe the highlights the following day. If there are any. 😂
Ayden Heaven.
AFC.com:
A versatile player capable of playing in defence and as a box-to-box midfielder, Ayden is adept at progressing the play and imposing himself on matches with his physical presence. Previously known as Ayden John, he joined us from West Ham as a 13 year old, and made his first two appearances for the under-18s late last season.
https://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2024/07/14/ayden-heaven-stakes-claim-for-first-team-involvement-for-arsenal-in-pre-season/
Afternoon Rico and all.
Our pay tv station don’t show practice matches, in OZ
What I would like to see, is a football show with reliable reports dureing the transfer season discussing all transfer and what they and fans fill the club need to buy / sell.
Afternoon Geoff, you can still purchase the pass on afc.com. At least the USA fixtures are a better time for you..
If reports are anything to go by it sounds like Party wants to stay and run his contact out so he can leave for free. If true Arteta should leave him on the bench for the whole season
I disagree Geoff, if he stays, play him if he’s fit and focussed. I don’t think it’s in his interest to run down his contract because there’s no guarantee he’ll be fit next summer so no club is going to offer him a bumper contract imo.
Good afternoon Rico and all. Just back from lunch at my favourite pub a delicious Cromer crab salad eaten at one of the outside tables of The Heydon Earle Arms. Finished off with a second pint under the shade of a massive, old oak tree on the village green. Don’t tell anyone about this beautiful unspoilt Norfolk village.
Just a word of advice to anyone thinking of visiting Heydon, The Earle Arms is closed Monday’s and Tuedays.
Even Steven in the test match, and superb summer weather here in Norfolk. Life couldn’t be much better. 😉
Afternoon Cicero, sounds perfect..
Did you see Wood’s bowling speed this morning? Incredible..
I did Rico, fast but no wickets.
If Partey is intent on seeing out his contract, then we should let him go on a free transfer now and at least get his wages off the books.
I’m pretty sure we are basically “there” with Bolgna. The only thing holding the closure up is moving out Kiwior. Nobody knows this but our side and maybe we’re telling Bologna to please be patient.
Good afternoon everyone
Alvarez has refused a contract at City and asked to leave this summer. He has scored 36 goals and add 18 assists in 103 games the majority of which came from the bench since he is understudy to Haaland
Is that the real reason or its that the players are begninning to jump ship because of what’s may be coming?????
How many of you would like him at Arsenal???
Yes Cicero, he deserved a wicket and can’t believe Root dropped a sitter off his bowling..
Nigel, let’s hope so if Arteta really wants him.
Potter and I mentioned him a few days ago Devil, yes please..
Devil a few of us said a while back the same thing, about Man City players may get a bit nervous and wan’t out before the ship sinks and it’s too late to get into the life boats.
I would look at Alvarez as he is the right age and has premier league experiance behind him.
I think if we let Partey leave on a free, then aren’t we liable to pay up most if not all of his remaining year plus we’d have to bung the agent as well, as per normal, that’s why I just keep and play him as Rico suggested and who knows, he might have a Theo Walcott ‘end of contract’ season?
It’s in his interest to Kev, if he wants a bumper deal on a free move. Even if we sign another midfielder, we’ll need rotation options in the domestic cups.
Just back from a cream tea by the river near Wroxham , interesting being a tourist for just a day .
You Norfolk folk live a high life 😂
AS you said Alvarez would be a good signing but I doubt he would come cheap.
I was born in London and never saw the sights , there was always a queue and I thought that I would go back another time. In Norfolk on the broads though it’s nice to get out and enjoy the surroundings . Rivers and seaside , when the weather is nice get out and enjoy it in places that you know , when the weather is bad leave it to the tourists.
Especially not now we’re challenging City. They will want the max I’m sure.
I’m hoping to do similar albeit not born in London but the south coast is my aim…
Arsenal have offered to pay €40m (£34m) to Barcelona for Spanish defender Alejandro Balde, according to reports in Spain.
Does that mean that the deal for Califiori is dead?
If it’s true, perhaps. He’s a left back..
☹️
I don’t think we’re buying any defender unless Kiwior, Tierney go. Especially Kiwior. Tavares gone is a start. Kiwior going is a must because he will lose value with much less playing time unless Gabriel misses a lot of games for any reason.
New post up.