Morning all.
Having decided to skip the World Cup opening ceremony in order to watch the final episodes of Bridgerton, I tuned into the first fixture of Euros 24 just in time to catch the start. I thought Scotland were good for five minutes but once the hosts Germany scored, it was pretty much boys against men. Scotland’s best player was in my opinion, Kieran Tierney. When the half-time whistle blew, Scotland were 3-0 down and down to ten men. By the end, they’d been battered 5-1.
Much fuss is being made of Scotland’s defeat in the media but surely, sometimes one has to recognise that the opposition is better. Germany, who let’s face it, were always going to put on performance in their own country and in front of their own fans, were simply too good, just as they probably will be for most opponents they come up against during this tournament. Scotland, well, the less written the better I think. Talking and walking are two different things.
Three fixtures take place today so we as football fans are spoiled for choice. Hungary v Switzerland kicks off at 2pm, Spain v Croatia is at 5pm and the last match of the day is Italy v Albania at 8pm. Thankfully, other television channels and sports options are available…
For England fans, the biggest game this weekend is tomorrow when Gareth Southgate’s men take on Serbia. The game kicks off at 8pm.
Back to Arsenal, as I commented yesterday, David Ornstein revealed that Reiss Nelson has informed Arsenal that he’s looking for a new club this summer with Crystal Palace, Fulham, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United among the teams interested in him. I think Nelson is being sensible here as he’s too good to not be playing football. ‘He’s not good enough for Arsenal’ is something I’ve often read which is fine, everyone is entitled to their opinion but I’ve a feeling we’ll only see how good (or bad)he truly is once he’s settled at a new club and playing regularly. £20million is the reported fee Arsenal want for him.
Also in the news yesterday was a story about Aaron Ramsdale telling TalkSport:
No footballer wants to not play, I’ve had a tough year personally not playing and I never want to do that again.
His comments would suggest that he too will be moving to a new club this summer.
No surprise really about either, or Eddie Nketiah who is expected to move on this summer. Theres a huge difference between being a squad player who actually plays and being a guy who just watches from the bench. To be overlooked week after week and month after month must be demoralising. No matter how much a player loves a club, one day enough has to be enough. As said many times before, a footballers career is short. It should be enjoyed, not endured or regretted ten or fifteen years later.
I end this article on a dreadfully sad note as Kevin Campbell has passed away aged just 54.
Kevin Campbell began his career as a trainee with Arsenal, joining the club on schoolboy forms in back in 1985 – scoring 59 goals in one season. He helped Arsenal win the FA Youth Cup in 1988 going on to make his senior debut against Everton on 7 May 1988, the club he would go on to join.
His senior career saw him win the First Division title (1990-91), FA Cup and League Cup (1992-93) and the European Cup Winners’ Cup (1993-94).
RIP Kevin – like so many football fans I’m sure, my thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones you leave behind…
Catch up in the comments.
Sad news about Kevin ,
The common denominator re the players mentioned Nelson , Nketiah , Ramsdale and add in Smith – Rowe they are all English . Should they all go the squad will have to be supplemented with English players or at least ” home grown ” .
Does this mean promotion for some of the youth to become bench warmers or will they get the chance to play ?
I echo your comments about Kevin Campbell; he made a great contribution to the winning of those trophies under George Graham, and always conducted himself well on and off the pitch. Far too soon to lose him. RIP and thanks for all the memories.
That’s anyone’s guess.. Maybe that’s why the three academy players are still in talks about staying. Trouble is though, they’ve seen how things are and know their chances of playing will be low.
So sad about Kevin Campbell,so young too. He played when I was going,popular with the fans because he always gave 100%.
That’s a good point about the homegrown quota,one of the reasons I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sczesny return.
The players Rico mentioned could all be sold,depends on the fee I suppose,you can’t blame any of them,surely any young players wants to play.
I will be watching the cricket later,except England to win – it’s the Australia- Scotland game that could be crucial,Australia are sure to rest a few.
That’s the hard part Limey, getting another club to pay for our players, or at least pay a fair fee.
I too will be watching the cricket, both games. Can’t see Scotland getting anything for their game but after the football, they might try even harder. Just hope the weather doesn’t end up being the reason England are knocked out.
Granit Xhaka is having a good game for Switzerland against Hungary, as a deep lying playmaker. I would describe his style as languid. What’s more he keeping out of trouble both with the opposition and the referee, politely drawing the official’s attention to the transgressions of the other team. 😉
Good afternoon Rico and all
PA always liked Kevin Campbell. Tbh he always had a very soft spot for Arsenal players who came through the system. Going back to 60/70s he loved Rice, Armstrong, George, Kennedy etc. Then Brady, O’Leary, Stapleton, Rix etc. Further forward it was Rocastle, Campbell, Thomas. He used to like players we bought like Macdonald, Ball, Woodcock, Bergkamp and Henry. However he always said that nothing compares to an Arsenal product. He always felt it like a hot knife through butter when they left for other clubs….except for Cole who he detested. And when Rocastle passed away he felt it very deeply.
I guess I inherited the love for homegrown talent from him. Rocastle is a year older than me while Campbell is two years younger….so for me its easy to identify with them as they are my own age.
And this is even worse……
Montenegro and Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic has died at the age of 26, his club and national football association announced on Saturday.
The Montenegro Football Association said he “died suddenly early this morning”, calling him a “beloved member of the ‘Brave Falcons’, an eternally smiling guy.”
Grimsby-born Sarkic played nine times for Montenegro. He made his debut against Belarus in 2019 and started in goal in a friendly against Belgium on June 5.
His twin brother Oliver is a midfielder with Montenegrin champions Decic Tuzi.
He started his club career in the youth academy at Anderlecht before moving to Aston Villa in 2015.
He had loan spells at Wigan, Stratford and Havant & Waterlooville in England, and Livingston in Scotland, before joining Wolves in 2020. After further loan spells at Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke, he moved to Millwall.
“Millwall Football Club is completely devastated to announce that Matija Sarkic has passed away at the age of 26,” his English Championship club said in a statement.
“Sarkic, The Lions’ number one goalkeeper, made 33 appearances for the club since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers in August 2023.”
“Everyone at the club sends their love and condolences to Matija’s family and friends at this immensely sad time.”
The Montenegro football federation echoed the sentiment.
“In the jersey of that iconic London club, he left a mark, which was yet to become part of a bigger and more beautiful story. Premature death stopped that and caused great pain to the Sarkic family.”
SArkic collapsed at home and died on the spot. Probably a heart attack
Swiss win 3-1. It was a good game however Swiss were pragmatic and stronger.
So far so good…..I enjoyed the two games I have seen. I will miss SPain but will watch Italy tonight.
RIP Kevin, one of the good guys. Watched so many times when a regular back in those days, along with kids as Junior Gunners. So sad, you just don’t know what’s round the corner.
Afternoon Rico.
I’m minded of reading about Kevin Campbell when he was in the Youths/Reserves and being coached by Pat Rice, who if I recall managed the 1988 FAYC winners.
Apparently Pat Rice had a bet with Kevin, a £5 bet, about how many goals he’d score. I think that Kevin was about 17 at the time. There was a picture of Pat handing over the £5 note to a smiling KC.
I think that 1990/91 was his finest season, the almost invincible season.
Kevin along with the prolific Alan Smith (Golden boot winner that season) the mercurial Anders Limpar and Paul Merson scored the goals that finally broke the hegemony of Liverpool.
KC was never quite the same after Ian Wright arrived because Wrighty was so good but I’m not sure that Arsenal were so good, from a league winning perspective.
Campbell, Alan Smith and Co all lost a bit of their edge due to Wrighty being such a dominant character.
Leaving Arsenal to join Everton saw Campbell regain some of his goalscoring prowess and he had a few good years at Goodison.
Kevin Campbell was a thoroughly decent and humble guy, I can’t remember anyone ever saying a bad word about him. 54 really is far far too young. RIP KC.
So nicely put Cicero, for you. 😜
Afternoon guys by the way.
I’m with your dad Devil, nothing better than seeing one of our own playing for the club. A rarity these days though..
Amy Lawrence writing in The Athletic:
Super Kevin Campbell, as he was known in song, in nickname, and in personality, absolutely merited the prefix.
There is a reason he was loved, and held in such esteem, in every dressing room and at every club where he spent time. Few in football, or in life, manage to embrace being positive quite like Kev. Every day, every person he encountered, was a chance to make a connection, to spread a good message, to shine some light. If you were lucky enough to be in his company, the warmth always stayed with you.
Campbell, who has died at the age of 54, first came to prominence at Arsenal, where his exploits in the youth team generated plenty of excitement. He scored a remarkable 59 goals in a single season and spearheaded the team to victory in the FA Youth Cup at 18, pushing his case for a first-team debut.
He was a powerhouse striker and also carried with him the homespun determination that underpinned an extraordinary generation of young players from south London at the club. Campbell was the latest in a line from Paul Davis, David Rocastle, Michael Thomas and, before long, Ian Wright, who together symbolised a very special and important bond.
Campbell was a boyhood Arsenal supporter. He remembered being taken to his first match at Highbury in May 1977. It wasn’t a classic, Arsenal drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough, but there was a memorable atmosphere — the punchline Campbell always threw was that Tottenham Hotspur got relegated that same day. “It was amazing! Everyone had their little radios going and it was a party,” he recalled.
His passion for the club was infectious. But more than that, Campbell could play, and was always geared up to compete. He was a handful, too. Even before he was a fixture in the first team Campbell’s nickname was ‘Rambo’. Because of his muscular frame, he was identified by manager George Graham as a particularly useful member of the squad from a young age.
When Steve Bould, a hard-edged centre-back, arrived from Stoke City, Graham explained that he would have to play against Campbell in training for a while to get used to what was expected. Bould was confused. Arsenal’s main forwards at the time were Alan Smith and Paul Merson. “Who is Campbell?” Bould asked. The reply said it all: “You’ll find out.”
One of his favourite moments as an Arsenal youngster was being invited to join the travelling party when Arsenal went to Anfield on the last day of the season in 1989 to win the league title. Rocastle picked him up in Brixton outside the town hall at 5am and they made their way to Highbury and helped the kit man to load up the coach. He was next to the dugout celebrating one of the most famous goals in the club’s history, and by the time he and Rocky returned at dawn the next day, they sat on the steps of Highbury’s Marble Halls with a fan and talked about the best day of their footballing lives.
Campbell was a goalscorer who had speed and strength, making him so tough to knock off the ball. He profited from an excellent loan spell with Leyton Orient, helping them to promotion, and a period with Leicester City, before returning to Arsenal to make his mark on the team he loved.
Campbell was integral to the team that won the 1990-91 league title, and went on to collect domestic and European trophies in 1993 and 1994. He faced a challenge with typical positive determination when Wright joined and quickly became the favoured striker. Campbell analysed the situation and realised that he needed to adapt. He and Wright were more similar as dynamic strikers, so he set about reassessing his game to be able to complement him, rather than be an understudy.
“I didn’t go knocking on George’s door,” he recalled. “I got on the training ground and asked Pat Rice, Stewart Houston and Geordie Armstrong (Graham’s assistants and coaches) to help me to become a better player. They obliged, no problem. George realised I improved. That’s how this game goes.”
‘Super Kev’ was loved and respected by all at Arsenal. When it was time for him to move on, he went with warmest wishes. From a distance, all his friends at Highbury were proud of his impact, most notably at Nottingham Forest and Everton, clubs who also fell for his mixture of attacking clout, dependable character and upbeat charm.
The beauty of Campbell was that this enormous bull of a player had the hugest heart. Positivity was his way. He loved to feel it, speak it, spread it.
That became even more of a touchstone after his playing career ended, as he made it his business to communicate with fans of his old teams on a very genuine level. He never carried any airs or graces, he never came across as superior just because he had been a player. He loved to talk football, life and positive vibes with anyone and everyone.
That legacy will live on with everyone he encountered.
I’m the soul of discretion, Rico, at all times. 😉
From what I’ve seen so far the no talking to the ref rule is working well, no mobbing of the poor old referee so far and that can only be a good thing.
Spain 3 – 0 up against Croatia half time .
The weather is better in Germany than the West Indies. India / Canada t 20 game abandoned without a ball being bowled. England v Namibia threatened by rain.
Latest report from Antigua, rain hammering down.
The official West Indies hurricane season starts on June 1st . What numpty decided it was a good time to schedule a cricket tournament in the region?
Cicero, I’m still chuckling over your comment late yesterday evening. 😜
England are coming home I suspect. Crazy that there aren’t spare days available during these tournaments.
that was a brilliant piece of writing by Amy Lawrence on Kevin Campbell. Especially the part where he was loved by everyone at all clubs he played for. He was humble and in his humility I dont think he expected to be called that. He was the person who anyone would want as a friend. And that is the highest praise one can receive
Great piece by Amy Lawrence…
Great balls up by the ICC
It’s like the ashes when rain stopped England winning in Manchester…
well well well
that was rather pathetic schoolboy defending by Italy. Albania forge ahead with their very first attack inside the first minute…… Italy 0 Albania 1
Italy drew level from a well worked out corner. Bastoni headed in the equalizer. If they score a 2nd early they will demolish Albania
Italy didnt take long to forge ahead….Barella with a thunderbolt rocket that the Albanian keeper didnt even have time to blink.
England put in to bat, their doing well they’ve only lost two wickets for 18 runs in an eleven over game.
And now it’s raining…
Absolutely gutted to read that Kevin Campbell has passed away .
Around here, all Euro games are televised on a sports channel and several on a free-to-air channel.
England thrash Namibia, there’s no stopping us now…
Good morning everyone.
Make of this what you will…….
According to 𝗕𝗜𝗟𝗗, Arsenal have joined Chelsea and two more European clubs in the race to sign Stuttgart star 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝘂 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘆 this summer.
The Gunners are on the search for a marquee striker and they recently suffered a setback with Benjamin Sesko opting to prolong his stay at RB Leipzig.
The club are keeping tabs on alternative targets and BILD report that the Gunners are among four clubs in the running to sign Stuttgart’s Guirassy.
Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan are the other teams in contention to land the Guinean ace, who netted 30 goals in the recent campaign.
The 28-year-old has a low release clause between £15-17 million in his contract. He wants to have clarity over his future before the end of the month.
I take it we haven’t signed anyone yet! 😉
Slovenia play Denmark at 17.00 today, a chance to see what we missed in Sesko.
Guirassy at twenty-eight has been round the block a few times, has scored a lot of goals but has had a lot of injuries too. He’ll want a pension pot filler wage for what could be his last big move.
Morning Devil, Cicero..
That was a close game between Scotland and Australia 😂
I doubt I’ll be watching Sesko, not now he’s not signing for Arsenal. Lol
He’s reported to be earning €35k a week so his wages might not be too extortionate. He’s more the kind of striker I’d anticipate Arsenal trying to sign. A bit like when we got Trossard instead of Mudryk and Jorginho instead of Moises Caicedo.
Rico, you said that you skipped the opening ceremony, I’ve just realised that I did see a bit of it but thought it was a pitch invasion by Just stop oil, extinction rebellion or some other bunch of loonies. 😉
I thought that Australia was going to let the Jocks win…
Fathers Day today so I have been summoned by my son and grandkids to attend their abode.
I know absolutely zilch about Mr Guirassy but maybe he’s the Trossard type striker we need to replace Eddie and provide Arteta with a squad player that he’s actually confident to use?
The transfer fee is less than what we paid for Lokonga, solves an issue whilst leaving plenty in the pot to upgrade elsewhere. We can’t spend like Man City so we have to be imaginative in how we close the small gap between us.
Now we need to convince Obi-Martin to stay and signing a 28 year old might just help us assure him that there’s a definite pathway to the 1st team for him at Arsenal?
😂😂 Cicero, they were probably in there too.
I said that earlier Kev. 😝
Good afternoon all
Rico and Kev…I have to say I agree with what you say on Serhou Guirassy. It makes sense to sign him on a three year contract because that means he will rotate with Havertz while not standing in the way of Chido Obi. At 28 years old he has enough experience, his low salary will not provide a stumbling block and the fact that he has had playing experience in France and Germany with various teams also meansthat he is experienced on a good level. He averages a goal every three games and stands at 6ft 2 a good size for the CF foil Arsenal under Arteta want.
Seems that Zirkzee is going to Milan…….great. His agent is requesting 15 million as payment AFTER the club pay 45 million euros for him. I just hope Arsenal STEER CLEAR
Agents are the scum of the earth . They are meant to represent their clients who should be paying them for their services.
kacper urbanski….still only 19, playing for Bologna in Italy and today giving a good account of himself today playing for Poland.
I detest agents and I’m surprised they’ve not been stopped from asking for such vast payouts but now.
Totally agree that a buying club should not be paying them as well as paying for a player.
weghorst with a well taken goal, even though he was tightly marked, has put the dutch 2-1 ahead. The Polish deserve a draw for giving them a good game.
we have seen 19 goals in 5 games so far……and we have seen 19 different scorers. That’s 3.8 goal per game. I hope that average does not drop.
I’m watching the cricket.
Wow, Sesko fired a super shot just wide and then Eriksen scores for Denmark…
it finished 1-1. and for all their overall territorial possession and more shots on and off target Denmark could only manage to draw.
Slovenia, alhtough they gave Denmark a good run for their money because they are pragmatic, are not exactly a team which should be feared. I feel its more 2 points lost for Denmark than a point gained by Slovenia. I feel Denmark should have won.
I doubt whether England will lose any sleep about having to face those two. The game ending in a draw is great for England provided they win tonight.
Have you not watched England lately? 😂
the real test begins today. it did not begin lately.
I still remember the WC in 1982….Italy were BELOW crap for the group games scraping through with three draws and just 2 goals scored and 2 conceded. Then they went on to win the cup.
Saka and Rice both begin for England.
You’ve obviously lost your sense of humour today Devil..
Saka took just 12 minutes to get an assist. He gave a peach of a cross which someone called Jude headed in
Yes Lady…I am not in a good place today being my first Father’s day without Pa. Its hard….especially during and after games because we used to dissect and butcher every game on the phone or sitting near each other. Now its only me, alone and by myself.
Lucky deflection on the cross though. lol
Kane has been caught in no man’s land twice, Walker and Saka with super crosses.
I get that Devil.
Southgate’s decision to start the game with 10 men and leave Kane out seems to be working so far 😅😅 and he should tell Foden that it’s not working and sub the latter with a proper winger who cayrun behind the slow Serbian defence
Saka is off thank God. He should have been off at least 15 minutes earlier.
Interesting seeing Vlahovic at first he didn’t look anything and then one effort showed that there is something there.
Not £ 60 million though.
Did Kane actually touch the ball in the first half?
Kane was England’s worst player imo. Constantly falling over for a foul, Gallagher too when he came on.
Thought Serbia gave it a real go second half and but for Pickford, would have earned a point.
Hopefully Southgate will soon realise that he has better options than lazy Kane up front.
That performance showed why despite England having its best generation of players since the 1970 World Cup that we’re destined to fail because the manager and coaching staff lack the necessary imagination and ability to bring the best out of these players.
I thought as the 2nd half progressed that Kane became more of a hindrance particularly with his lack of pace and inability to stretch the Serbian defence, thus they pushed up on us and squeezed us into our half as we had nobody with the agility and speed to run into the wide open spaces they left in defence. I would have taken off Kane and put on the boy from Aston Villa and he would have terrorised them.
Foden had a poor 2nd half and as said above Saka should have come off sooner. Why not bring on the boy from Chelsea who’s been scoring all of their goals.
Southgate is useless, if he’d been managing any of the other big countries he would have been out long ago…
Good morning everyone.
Is it possible that out of a pool of Bowen, Eze, Foden, Gordon, Kane, Cole Palmer, Saka, Toney and Watkins Southgate lacks the imagination to give different options to England’s attack. I mean when you have all the above do you keep playing a knackered player (Saka), an invisible man (Kane) and a square peg in round hole (Foden).
Why not earlier for Bowen in the place of Saka?? I would have subbed him around the 55/60 minute. Why not Ollie Watkins in place of Kane?? Just because the latter happens to be the captain? Palmer or Eze could have replaced Foden easily. They are good as well.
And why keep it 4-2-3-1?? To accomodate Kane?? Personally I would have gone with Bellingham up front as lone striker (he surely would have done much more than Kane even though he doesnt play up there) and reinforced the midfield. Serbia were playing 5 players across midfield at various points in time during the game.
As Kev said…..”despite England having its best generation of players since the 1970 World Cup that we’re destined to fail because the manager and coaching staff lack the necessary imagination and ability to bring the best out of these players.”
27 years ago today, Arsenal completed the signings of Marc Overmars, Emmanuel Petit and Gilles Grimandi for a combined total of around £12M.
The divine pony tail still remains my favourite to this day
He’s blonde ,he’s quick , his names a porno flick Emanuelle.
Morning guys, new post up.
A page refresher that’s all.