Morning all.
England defeated Switzerland last night but needed extra time and penalties to do so. Having gone 1-0 down, Bukayo Saka, who’d been excellent throughout, equalised with the kind of strike Arsenal fans are used to seeing. England’s penalty kicks were perfect, Ivan Toney’s incredible. The Netherlands scraped past Turkey in the later game so on Wednesday night it’s they who stand between Gareth Southgate’s team and a Euros Final.
I shouldn’t laugh as Harry Kane could have suffered a serious injury but when he fell into Southgate and took a bit tumble, I did chuckle. A lot. On a serious note though, Kane is having a pretty poor tournament. Yes, he’s got himself on the scoresheet but he could so easily have scored more if his movement in the box was sharper. Actually, moving would be a start. Southgate seems too frightened to drop him, pundits like Lineaker suggest he’s just waiting for an opportunity to score but the harsh reality is, unless a scoring opportunity is put on a plate for him, he’s not scoring goals. I know he’s the England captain but I’m pretty sure either Watkins or Toney would give England something more up front.
Much is being made about Bukayo Saka’s penalty and it being a ‘special redemption’ for missing his spot kick at Euros 2020 but that was then, when three players didn’t convert their penalties, this is now, a different tournament and a different game. A game England wouldn’t have won had it not been for his equalising goal. But that’s the media for you, alway dragging up the past when it’s more positive to look forward.
Over in the USA, Uruguay and Brazil played out what’s reported to be an “ugly” match. 41 fouls shared between the two side, four bookings each and a red card for Uruguay. Penalties were again needed to settle the score. Brazil lost. Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli will now be off for a well earned rest.
David Raya, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale are the only players still involved in football this summer and with the Euros final this weekend, all four will soon be off on their holidays. One of David Raya or William Saliba will be off on their break sooner depending who wins on Tuesday night.
Back at Arsenal, Brian Okonkwo, Arthur’s younger brother has signed a professional contract with the club. How often do two brothers become goalkeepers I wonder?
Josh Nichols has also signed a professional contract with the club and I love this from him:
When they confirmed my scholarship I ran down the road with excitement!
In an interview with Arsenal.com earlier in the year, he spoke about his journey to Arsenal.
The first academy I got a trial for was West Ham when I was around six or seven years old, but I didn’t get signed. Then I went to Chelsea, and I was close to signing for them as they invited me back after my trial, but the journey was just too far from where I lived, so I never ended up joining. After that, I went to Tottenham, and I was there for a while. Just as I was about to sign, I got a trial at Arsenal, so I went and did it but I didn’t get in, so I went back to Tottenham. Believe it or not, two weeks later Arsenal had a change of heart and decided to sign me. I was so happy because I’ve always been an Arsenal fan, and my whole family was so happy. It was a great moment! I joined young at under-9s level, so the only players I remember that were there when I got there were Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
The striker, turned winger, turned right back is already playing for the under 21’s despite being just 17 years old.
I know these youngsters are probably a few years away from Mikel Arteta’s mind let alone the first team squad but it’s good to see the talented players sign up to professional contracts because like it or not, they will either play or be sold for pretty much 100% profit.
With the pre-season tour of the USA not far off, perhaps we’ll get to see a few of the younger players in action.
Catch up in the comments.
Good post Rico, interesting how many players join Arsenal as forwards and end up as defenders/midfielders.
Jeorge Bird was singing Nichols praises last season so he was on the money again.
Arsenal are being very cautious with the Bologna deal, being aware of Fat Bohley hoovering in the wings.
Gazumping is in the Chav dna.
Regarding those rumours surrounding Saliba and Saka it’s simple really, If Arsenal don’t win anything substantial this season then it may become increasingly difficult to hold onto our very top players, Wenger kept his best (Vieira, Henry, Pires) by winning trophies, Arteta needs to win a trophy or two in 24/25.
Wages aren’t an issue as Arsenal can pay as well as any team in europe and PSR contains the idiot clubs in England up to a point, but our best players need to feel that they can win the top honours at Arsenal.
Real Madrid are experts at using the Spanish press and certain Spanish journalists to unsettle players, they did it for years with Patrick Vieira but didn’t get him because David Dein wouldn’t play ball.
Arsenal are well aware of Madrids tactics so be prepared for many years of shadow boxing across the Internet because it’s a lot worse now than it was back at the turn of the last century.
Thanks Kev, JB is usually on the money isn’t he…
Said similar on the last post Kev. If Arsenal are competitive then there’s a good chance players will stay.
I hope we see a number of academy players making the trip to the US and they play.
Good afternoon Rico and all.
Man u have agreed personal terms for Zirkzee but Bologna are holding out for his full release fee of £34 million. We are in the same boat as Bologna want their full fee of £42.3 million for Calafiory. I think both clubs are going to have to cough up if they want to sign their targets.
Kev, our players such as Saliba and Saka are young enough to stick around unlike Kane who went for trophies at Bayern Munich and look how well that move went. 😉. They have several years in which to fulfil their ambitions with Arsenal before needing to move on.
Afternoon Rico and all.
I can see Saliba looking elseware, but as for Saka I think he may think twice about moving too far from his family and he seems too happy and will hang around for a bit longer yet.
Afternoon Cicero, Geoff.
I don’t blame Bologna at all, if both players are that good, Utd and Arsenal need to pay the price or move on. White was nearer £50m…
Rico I with you, if Calafiori’s as good as they claim, and Edu and Arteta really want him then just pay the full amount after all 50 Mill is not much for a player that has the quality that he is meant to be.
I just hope that Edu and co have not fallen back into the old ways of dragging negotiation out that in the end some one walks in and offers the full amount and we miss out.
Geoff, I don’t think this current board has shown any sign of dilly dallying with transfers. Those days seem to be behind us. What appears to be simple for us is probably more difficult for clubs when it comes to transfers.
Plus, we don’t truly know what’s happening, as it’s just paper talk.
Morning guys.
Interesting article imo.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5596080/2024/07/08/arsenal-academy-players-chances/
New transfer gossip post up.