Morning all.
Apparently, Rio Ferdinand has been to London Conley for a day out. He chatted with staff, players, coaches of the academy, and the big man himself. Per Mertesacker. What about I’ve no idea but he liked what he saw. Impressive I think he said, as everyone at the club is on the same page and the atmosphere is a positive one. Whilst I really don’t care what Rio has to say most of the time, after all, it’s his job to knock Arsenal at any and every given opportunity, it’s good to hear such positive comments being made about the club from someone like him. In his interview, he even admitted he’s always liked Arsenal. Fibber!
There was talk about Arsene Wenger returning to the club during yesterday’s press conference. In what capacity, Mikel wouldn’t say but it’s clear he’d like him back and soon. I think the return of Arsene is when rather than if although I have mixed feelings about it. I very much doubt he’d have anything to do with the day to day running of the club as those times are well and truly over but if he’s someone Arteta can lean on, then would it be all that bad?
Mikel Arteta was in a positive mood yesterday. He was asked about whether or not he’s seen a determination in training among the squad to bounce back this weekend after Saturday’s thrashing at Anfield.
Not only there, I really liked the reaction that we had already in the dressing room at Anfield after the game. How some players took leadership and described what happened in a really honest way, and looked forward. This is not something that in a season it will never be like this, there are always bumps in the road, there are results, there injuries, there are issues you have to deal with and I really like how the team has reacted through the week.
Mikel Arteta said that talking about what had just happened on the pitch after a game didn’t happen before which if true, is quite strange. I know we all deal with our emotions in different ways but I’ve always assumed there would be a lot of talk after a game regardless of the result. I don’t mean mud slinging when things have gone wrong but just reflection on how it went wrong. Or how good it felt after a convincing victory. Perhaps a lack of post match communication supports the theory that the changing room was previously divided but now those divisive figures are somewhere other than at Arsenal.
The Arsenal manager was upbeat about Granit Xhaka’s return date too. He’s recovering quicker than expected and could even be back before the end of the year, which might sound a long way away but it’s only five weeks. As said many times before, what we think of any one player is irrelevant if he’s key to Mikel Arteta’s plans and Xhaka is in my opinion.
Apart from Sead Kolasinac and Xhaka of course, everyone else is fit for tomorrow’s lunchtime kickoff against bottom of the League Newcastle who already look like they might be fighting back from where they were under Steve Bruce.
Lastly, again from the manager’s press conference, Christmas and the hectic fixture schedule it brings with it is just a few weeks away. There will need to be rotation of the players if we’re to get through this period of time in the best physical shape possible. This should be where we have a slight advantage over clubs who’ve been involved in European football. I did say slight.
Can we expect to see rotation?
Absolutely, the minutes and the performance level of the individuals and the impact that you can have off the bench, the moment you want to change the team, the alternatives that you need because normally in this period injuries start to come, suspensions, we already have a few players close to that, so everybody has to be ready because it’s going to be key, the contribution that they can make to sustain the level and results.
Arsenal fell off their horse at Anfield but tomorrow, they need to get right back on it again. Newcastle won’t be an easy opposition to face as Brentford found out last weekend and they won’t give up. I think they had something like 25 shots at the Brentford goal before needing a late one to nick a point.
Anyone know how the Europa Conference League fixtures went last night?
See you in the comments.
Good morning Rico Spuds, disastrously, lost 2 – 1. Totally humiliated according to the Telegraph.
Morning Cicero, yes, I read they were humiliated. Hilarious really.
Morning Rico and All
I am really hoping we can win by 4 so our goal difference will be back to nil, but I don’t think it will be an easy match
Morning Geoff. As long as you’re not expecting Aubameyang to get all of them. 😆
Is there a European Norwich Hospital Cup they can enter next year? Stolen from another site.
Ferdinand may have said that he always admired Arsenal because many players of other clubs did. There was a respect for the way we ran our club , that started to disappear when the foriegn player invasion started. I have read a few times that players of other clubs were in awe of us when our players got off the coach fully dressed in their club blazers .No headphones there then.
When he was bought up at West Ham the facilities he trained at were little more than a park pitch , no wonder he had an admiration for our club and latterly when the great changes took place at London Colney we were ahead of the field as well .
Eric Cantona has announced, on his Instagram account, that he is the new manager at Man. U. There has, as yet, been no confirmation from the club.
I made my thoughts on the return of Wenger clear yesterday.
I find it a little worrying that Arteta appears to be pleading for backing from an outsider. It looks a little disrespectful to Edu who has so far given him unconditional support.
Rico I wasn’t counting on Auba kicking any if he does that will be a bonus
Looking at this weekends match at least Arteta will get to see if there are any Newcastle players that may be worth thinking about buying if the get relegated.
Joe Willock?
Ha ha Potter.
Perhaps Arsene will just be given a ST, that’ll get him back at the club. Lol
Saint-Maximin Geoff, he’s pretty good.
Utd are appointing Rangnick aren’t they?
How about employing Wenger as chief scout on a roving basis. There is a vacancy for that role I believe.
Am I serious? I’ll let you judge!
I reckon you’re being serious Wavy. He might find a French gem or two..
I just popped in to laugh at Tottenham, 😆😆😆
Cheers Rico and all, have a good one. 👍🏼
Going somewhere Kev? 😂
Appointment of Wenger in any capacity IMO is purely retrogression for the club! Thought the club had been trying to turn a new leaf since his long overdue departure..
Sometimes you’ve got to disconnect from the past so as to move forward..
New post up.