Morning all.
After thrashing Rangers 6-0, Arsenal’s women needed another victory yesterday to have any chance of making the Champions League proper. The performance was convincing although like the men, converting chances into goals was missing but the one they did score was enough to beat Rosenborg BK. They still have two more qualifying fixtures, a home and away match against one of Juventus, Sporting CP, BK Hacken, Fiorentina or Paris FC. Who they play will be decided tomorrow when the draw takes place at midday.
Back with the men, it’s pretty much one down and one to go as far as the international fixtures go. Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were part of an England team which defeated The Republic Of Ireland 2-0 with Rice getting on the scoresheet.
Speaking to Sky Sports News after the game Rice said:
Coming back to Arsenal late I’ve not been feeling 100-per-cent fit so far. I’ve had my pre-season in the Premier League. But today I felt like I took a real step. I could feel it in myself, I was feeling springy, I felt like I could run around the pitch and I was feeling more powerful. I got sent off in my last game and felt a bit rusty in my first two games, I know when I’m playing well and I felt I did really well today. Hopefully now I can keep on pushing.
Germany defeated Hungary 5-0, Kai Havertz with one of the goals from the penalty spot and Netherlands won their match against Bosnia-Herzegovina 5-2 with Jurrien Timber playing 66 minutes. Oleksandr Zinchenko came off the bench during the second half as Ukraine were beaten at home by Albania.
Only David Raya and Jakub Kiwior are likely to be in action today for Spain and Poland respectively then both should be making their way back to Arsenal, hopefully unscathed.
I’m sure that like me, you’ve read a lot of positive things about Raheem Sterling and his time at Man City whilst working with Mikel Arteta. The players stats suggest that period in his career was probably his best. Even Arsenal.com has a table of stats showing how well he did during that time.
The article includes:
Thanks to our friends at Opta, we’ve analysed Raheem’s numbers before, during and since his time with Mikel, and there’s no doubting which period saw him at his most dynamic. Interestingly, the England international has played roughly the same amount of games in each of those three stages of his career, but his time working with Mikel saw his output rise significantly. He recorded way more goals and assists during this golden period, leaving his minutes per goal involvement sitting at one every 117.6 minutes:
What stands out in my opinion is his goal and assists which were clearly at its best during his and Mikel Arteta’s time at Man City and whilst it might be easy to suggest he had great players around him, he has great players around him now. Equally as important for him will be that he’ll now feel appreciated and know what his role is as well as what is expected of him under a coach he knows so well.
Of course Sterling was a lot younger when he teamed up with Arteta the first time but having watched the training videos, his burst of pace doesn’t appear to have left him. Sportsmen and women who keep themselves in top physical condition can go on well into their 30’s. Ronaldo, Giggs, Messi, Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, Young, Cole, there are so many I could mention.
Whether or not Sterling can emulate his stats from his time at City remains to be seen but I’d love to see him do so. If he has one great season with Arsenal, this deal will be worth every penny spent.
Catch up in the comments.
Morning Rico, I’ll read the post in a minute, just gotta say about how many times I noticed Alexander Arnold giving away possession yesterday, particularly near the end when England were running down the clock. You could see what he was trying to do with those long passes but the execution was so poor especially when we needed to just keep the ball and kill the game.
I thought Rice looked back to his best and England in general looked far more progressive in moving the ball forward and attacking.
Morning Kev, that’s just how Rice said he felt. The after effects of the Euros clearly…
I guess we’re kinda hoping that Sterling can be as influential this season as Trossard was last season Rico.
I notice that the usual Spanish rags are beginning to wind up the expected Saliba to Real Madrid campaign/storyline, no doubt with the tacit acquiescence of the Madrid club itself. Maybe Arsenal should put a price tag of £200m on the head of Bill and begin to negotiate a new long term contract.
I certainly am Kev. There’s no reason really to think he won’t, after all, he was good in a Chelsea team which played like it didn’t know its backside from its elbow.
I’m not fussed over the Real rumours and Saliba. He’s just signed a new contract but yes, stick an enormous get out clause into a new deal.
Well Big Bill is tied to us until 2027 so there’s nothing to worry about in the short term but theses things can gain momentum of their own with the underlying aim of unsettling the player so we need to be proactive.
Yes I’m quite optimistic that Sterling could turn out to be a bit of a gem for us Rico – will that be enough to usurp City? I’m not sure…
Regarding the 115 boys, if it’s true that Haaland is close to signing a new contract then that kinda points to Guardiola staying at Wastelands.
Morning Rico and fellow gooners. Big of Declan to admit that he’s been feeling the after effects of the Euros. I was mortified at his sending of last week but I have a funny feeling that this forced break on account of the suspension may well do him (us) the world of good in the long term. Yes, he’ll be missed against Totts but hopefully Jorginho or Timber will step up and give us the necessary cover. Pity about Merino being injured. Lets hope too that Calafiori has recovered from the freak injury sustained against France. As I’ve said before, I “hate” these international breaks because invariably one of our lads come back with “knock” of sorts.
I’m not sure either Kev, but hoping the case against has an impact although it could galvanise them. We need Merino fit and healthy so we can see what difference he makes. Martinelli needs to up his game too.
Morning Mark, the rest will do Rice good but just wish it wasn’t the NLD he’s missing. All part of the PGMOL agenda no doubt.
Good afternoon Rico and all.
Letting not forget that there’s another game on Tuesday, plenty of time for the cloggers to “finish” off a few of our players. finish, we’re playing Finland. Geddit 😉
Afternoon Cicero, I’d like to think Carsley will apply a bit of common sense on Tuesday. However, after his Ben White comments, I doubt it..
Watching Lawrence bat is painful, wafting at the ball outside his off stump. He needs a decent score to have any chance of keeping his England place. OMG, Ducket goes for a big off drive mad is caught for 7 off 8 balls.
Surprised they are playing, it’s wet here..
Afternoon Rico and all, Rice would have been better off to claim that he has a slight injury and is tired, so he could rest for his first match back,
My concern is Saka and all these games he is playing and the small injuries he is picking up, will he see the season out
There’s only one side playing at the moment Rico, England are 71 for 6 just 133 ahead with a day and one session to go. 😕
I’ve been watching Cicero, not so good either but wait until we bowl. 😜
Afternoon Geoff, I think Rice and Saka love playing for their country..
Calafiori has left the Italy camp, last seen on crutches apparently.
Evening Rico. I agree Sterling is a good addition on loan because he can play in the position Saka does and we needed his back up / rotation very badly.
The real problem, if it happens, would be Sterling replacing Martinelli. I would hate to see it but I have a feeling we are going to end up like that. Do you think the LW is Martinelli’s?
Evening Ambarish, at some stage I think we’re likely to see Sterling on the left I guess..
I believe Sterling was signed precisely so he can back-up on either side. Whether he can still do so effectively remains to be seen. Neither Saka nor Martinelli need to feel threatened by Sterling’s presence in the squad.
I guess Bazball has taken a holiday judging by the sloppy England second innings. Unless the weather intervenes a humiliating defeat for the home side seems inevitable Rico.
I’ve had sole use of the tele for most of the day but now my wife has taken it over to watch the U.S. Open men’s singles final. I’m now ensconced in the summer house with James Lee Burke’s The Glass Rainbow.
Perfect peace. 😉
I hope that Carsley has pissed off Ben that much that he’ll pass up any invitation to join the national team.
Next up Odegaard . Anyone else ? Looks like Nwaneri gets a start.
Partey, Jorginho and either Havertz, Zinchenko, Kiwior or a youngster at WHL?
Good morning Lady and Gentlemen of the house
Odegaard has rolled his ankle. I dont think he plays against the spuds. will be amazed if he does.
Midfield seems a bit light atm. So either Nwaneri plays in Odegaard’s position or else Havertz drops in his place and Martinelli plays up front while Trossard goes on the left.
I found this article on BBC with regards match fixing. Interesting read. That’s only one type of match fixing though….the simple type. There are other more professional ways and means to fix a match. And unless people are caught red handed or else emails or messages intercepted, it can be difficult to prove and catch.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cd05385k722o
Morning Devil, all.
Odegaard’s injury seems nasty. Fingers crossed it’s not though.
New post up.