Morning all.
It’s over and thank goodness for that. Not until 2019 will we see another international break disrupt our domestic or European campaign. Mind you, 2019 isn’t far away now but I’ve checked our fixture list and I can’t see a two week break scheduled until after the weekend of the 16th March. With a bit of luck, our planned away trip to Wolves will be postponed because that’s FA Cup quarter-finals weekend.
I’d really love for Unai Emery to win a trophy this season. It would be great for him in his first season at Arsenal and great for the team obviously. And what fan doesn’t enjoy a day out at Wembley? The one I’d really love him/us to win though is the Europa Cup. Still, all that’s a long way away and right now, beating Bournemouth is the only match we can afford to think about.
As far as I know, certainly from reports on the internet, none of our players have picked up an injury which is good news. Torrieira played 74 minutes of the 1-0 defeat against France last night and Ramsey came off the bench in the second half for Wales in their defeat to Albania.
England under 21’s and under 20’s both recorded healthy victories on Monday night in which Arsenal players were involved, while Guendouzi and his teammates drew 1-1 with Spain under 21’s.
Just Koscielny, Mavropanos, Lichtsteiner and Welbeck on the injury list now and the first three should be ready to play any day now. All is looking good as far as the squad goes. Well, apart from Ramsey who’s off in January hopefully and it seems he’s a wanted man in Germany and Italy. The man to replace him has been identified according to The Mirror and that’s Villarreal 22 year old midfielder Pablo Fornals. £17 million is his price tag which is reasonable if he’s a good as their write up suggests.
Not wanted at Arsenal anymore though is Giles Grimandi. He’s off to pastures new according to reports in the media. Nice and AC Milan are interested in hiring him apparently which comes as no surprise really. Firstly, because Sven Mislintat is now the main man and he’ll not be requiring a French scout who as far as I can recall, hasn’t managed to spot a French gem for years and secondly, we all know who is employed at AC and who’s rumoured to be their new manager in the New Year. Oh well, good luck to them both if that’s where they end up.
Finally, Sven Mislintat is set for a promotion to become Arsenal’s Technical Director. That rumour is also media talk so I’ve no idea if it’s true. I suspect it is as it makes sense.
Oh, just one more thing……
I am heartbroken right now… but I can’t thank the whole football world enough for their support and messages…I have been truly overwhelmed ❤️ – Jordan Nobbs on Twitter.
She and Danny Welbeck can recover together, speedily I hope.
Wednesday, have a good one guys….
Good morning Rico, another fine post and a vast improvement in he weather too.
Another Ramsey replacement identified? I don’t want just a replacement, I want a big improvement in quality and determination, someone with the work ethic of Guendouzi and the skill of Ozil.
The green credentials of football clubs and players is the subject of investigation today. In Arsenal’s case the stadium, training centre and the Academy are all powered from renewable energy. Bellerin and Ozil are vegans, while Cech and Bellerin drive Tesla electric cars. Now doesn’t that make you feel all warm and fuzzy? 😀
Morning Cicero, thank you. I was beginning to think I was home alone. 😅
Finding an upgrade on Ramsey won’t be too difficult I’d have thought.
Warm and fuzzy indeed, I’m a veggie so was always likely I’d be on their side… lol
If newspaper reports are true, what a dick Ali is. 5am and he wants to party. Barkley too.
Morning all.
Ramsey must have fallen from grace from a great height if he cannot even get a start in the Welsh first eleven! Sell in January? We’ll be lucky if we can get him out on a free! I suppose he could be reemployed as an apprentice tea trolley pusher at the training ground!
Cicero, I wasnt ‘Diss-ing’ Norfolk yesterday in a sense I was praising it. I think it’s a lovely place to visit. My daughter really enjoyed her time at UEA, I think, and she did very well in academic terms. I’m far too stuck in my ways and integrated into our local scene to seriously consider moving away. The only thing I miss is the sea. Still you can’t have it all.
Weather a bit better here today. Not raining although, it’s still cold but the cutting breeze has disappeared.
Ha ha Wavy, just rested I would think as it was a friendly. Bale was on the bench too.
Wavy, ever since moving to Norfolk forty-four years ago, I’ve always said that the two main roads into and out of the county, A11 and A47, should be upgrade to three lanes, one lane in and two out. My wife, my two sons, their wives and children are all happy in Norfolk and I’m happy to pull up the drawbridge.
Similar here. We moved to our small village retreat 25 years ago. It’s idyllic. A major upheaval would be traumatic, to say the least. We too are not long from London, 1 hour 15 mins. Plus Kev’s taxi fares!! The only way to travel! Black cab, exclusively!
Happy here, but happy to visit all other area of the U.K. Except the fearful Cornwall😀
North, east, south or west of London Wavy?
The only way is Essex, Rico… 😀
Afternoon Gooners/Rico.
Seems as if Raul is hinting at some business this January (Welbeck replacement perhaps?), and when you think about it, Emery only has a two year contract – so far, therefore can he afford to waste one of his 4 allotted transfer windows?
I don’t think so, so I’m expecting some business – both in and out, nothing stupid like Dembele as that’s totally unsustainable, but some low level business, you know smart Sven type Guendouzi/Mavropanos/Torrieira sort of business.
Settled in the East Midlands. It’s all very rural and usually peaceful!
I’m an Essex man too. b E17 and brought up in E4. Quaite naice reeally. Rorthah middul clarse😊
Didn’t know the head of North Norfolk’s tourist board was in the public bar of the feathers although I too agree that having moved to Norfolk 35 years ago I would never go back to London to live.
Hi Kev, I can’t see Emery missing out in January either. He’s had enough time now to see where we’re lacking. I think we’ll get one at least.
Hi Rico, depends on how many we can get out I reckon, I think that we’ve got some smart transfer operators now, more David Dein than Keith Edelman if you know what I mean…
Nketiah has until January 1st to show that we don’t need another forward, if not then I think we’ll get one in.
A midfielder to replace Elneny if he goes and maybe a young left back if we can source one, there’s still a lot of work to do to unWenger the squad and only 3 windows to do it.
We need to get back into the Champions League and we won’t do that by dithering…
Also, Arsenal need to take advantage of Tottenhams financial situation while they’re skint.
We could always buy a hotel and offer upgrades that should do it. Seriously we need players and cannot be picky where we get them from.
Won’t catch me taking the pish outta the spuds, they have a plan to pay off their 500 million plus debt for the new stadium, a couple of NFL games and 6 concerts a year at the lane, they could be back as soon as 2030 at that rate, sooner if the Spice Girls make their come-backs, Robert Plant turned down 750 million to reform Led Zeppelin and we all know he’s small fry compared to Scary Spice !
Maybe a couple of unknowns Kev, but I can’t see any big transfers being done.. Money wise I mean.
New post up now.