Morning all.
Liverpool dropped three points against Leicester City last night which is not only great for Man City, but the rest of the clubs floating around the top four too. As was Southampton, playing with ten men from the 39 minute mark, holding Toots to a draw.
There is now just six points between Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool and we still have to play both clubs. I know there’s a big difference between going to Ellen Road and Stamford Bridge, but Arsenal should look at that table and believe that hunting down second spot is doable. Beat Man City on New Year’s Day and… ok, I’m getting carried away.
The club has a decision to make, although I’d like to think they’ve already made it and that’s whether to stick with the squad they have until the end of the season, or add to it in January. It has to be the latter surely? Speculate to accumulate and make sure that this time, the top four in May has Arsenal’s name in it.
The three clubs above us have Champions League fixtures to focus on in a few weeks time and two of the three below us, have Europa League fixtures to get through and at least one postponed fixture to fit in. As do we, along with a two-legged League Cup semi-final. Plus, the FA Cup kicks off next month.
Whilst the fixtures have been hectic over the festive period, January is set to be even more busy for Arsenal with six matches in 22 days. If we beat Notts Forest in our first FA Cup fixture of this campaign then we’ll have another match on the 5th February but if not, we’re scheduled to have a two week break. That’s if Covid-19 doesn’t cause more postponements which I’m sure it will.
Granit Xhaka has been talking about the current captaincy situation and according to The Athletic, has said:
At the moment Laca is our captain and I am more than happy for him. He is a very important person for us on and off the pitch. He is a lovely boy. He has a lot of respect from other players and a lot of experience over the years. I believe you need a player like this: He is always here. He is never too late. A lot of discipline. He is a funny guy. He is very open and you can speak with him whenever you want. I believe at the moment he is the right person to be our captain.
If ever I read a sly dig at a fellow teammate, it’s in the above statement. Lacazette has discipline, he’s not late and he’s clearly well respected. I know Xhaka had his issues when wearing the armband but I hope by now, The Emirates faithful have forgiven him a tad and if reports about the atmosphere with the ground are anything to go by, perhaps many of them have. Berating players during a game does the team no good whatsoever. Mikel Arteta has the fans right behind the team and that’s how it’ll stay all the time the team/squad are giving their all.
Long term though, Mikel Arteta will need to appoint a different captain as Lacazette will be gone. That’s for another day though, another year too. For now, all we can ask for is more of the same from the Frenchman.
As for Xhaka, well he reflected on his own time as captain under Unai Emery and how there’s still a way back for Aubameyang:
I have been in this situation and I know how he is feeling, Mine is a different story, with different problems to Auba. Sometimes, maybe, this is not a step back but is a step forward. I think Auba is strong enough and has enough experience to be back and to be better than before.
I believe everything happens for a reason. It doesn’t have to be something to bring you down. You have to think positive and believe you can turn it around. I believe he can. I had some very, very dark days and nights. Everyone can run away. That’s so simple, you open the door and walk out. But I was never that type of person. I knew I was the right person for this football club. I want to give them something. I will do everything for this football club to win games and with a lot of passion.
Xhaka has his faults, plenty of them but can any of us honestly say that he ever looks like he’s not trying to help the team? Would we be better with a quicker, stronger and more dynamic midfielder instead of him? Yes, I’m sure we would but are we better, with the squad as it is, with him in the team than we are without him?
That’s the million dollar question….
Guys, the next couple of weeks are a bit crazy for me so posts are likely to be few and far between. I’m sure you’ll chat amongst yourselves though, it’s what you good people do.
See you in the comments.
Morning Rico, thanks for the post.
According to the club website Arsenal have three fixtures to reschedule, Wolves (h), Liverpool (h) and Chelsea (a), not sure how the last one became unscheduled but there ya go…
It’s January soon Rico, we’ll have plenty to talk about, transfer rumours, who we’re selling, who we’re loaning, who we’re signing, we could critique the odd Brazilian midfielder for example?
It’s all good…
Looking at the fixture run in January it’s congested by cup matches doing to us what European matches have done to our rivals
Tottenham are now out of Europe so are on an even footing with us having F.A and Carabao to contend with. Similarly Chelsea and Liverpool although both have European matches as well.
West Ham are the dark horse one cup and league matches .
Reckon that if we are there or thereabouts at the middle of February we may well be able to surprise everybody ourselves included.
Morning Kev, I’d forgotten the league game against Liverpool. Is the Chelsea fixture meant to be on the day of the second leg perhaps?
I can’t wait for all the stupid rumours 😜
Morning Rico and all I hope what ever is happening Rico it’s not too serious.
This season has been strange for all clubs one minute you are 4 bottom next thing you know you are fighting for 4 place, same as some teams sitting comfortably at the top of the ladder now there fighting for 4 place. The next few months are going to be interesting.
I’m not sure Rico, could be, I don’t mind putting Chelsea back a few weeks, back to when they’re playing CL again…
Only a couple more days Rico, did you know that Aubameyang is off to Newcastle on loan, or is it Barcelona, decisions, decisions?
Morning Geoff, thanks but nothing serious.
Ha ha Kev, he’ll probably end up staying at Arsenal.
That would ideal wouldn’t it, Chelsea right in the middle of CL fixtures.
At least by the time European football returns Potter, our League Cup fate will have been decided.
Good read rico, morning. Arteta down with COVID again!
Good day Rico, I hope it all turns out right for you, no need to worry about The House I’m sure there are enough regulars on here to knock out a comment or two that will keep the conversation going.
The fixture congestion is going to affect all the teams but I think our squad is going to be able to cope, our younger players will have the energy of youth on their side, the older ones have the experience of how to conserve that energy and use it when and where it is needed.
There could be some “interesting times” ahead.
Interesting about Arteta and Covid. I see that the French government have ruled that all professional sportsmen must have a vaccination certificate in order to enter any sports venue. The same rules should be put in place in this country too.
Afternoon Rico and all
Beat man city and we’re only 9 points behind the best team in Europe.
Wasn’t there a small team 9 points clear of us at the start of the season.
In my little world anything is possible (well almost anything).
I’ll put that comment down to, to much Christmas spirit.
Or should that be spirits.
Morning Rico,
It’s an odd time trying to keep up with everything going on matches postponed strange results like Leicester beating a Liverpool and the Spurs draw to a mostly 10 player team. And now we’ve got the Transfer window, I know January is supposed to be pretty uneventful but I can’t help thinking that this will kick the trend and end up being pretty busy. With Covid, ACON and injuries it looks like it will be a busy one. So who would you like us to sign and I’m assuming the Holding Midfielder and a striker?
Afternoon to you all.
As Mikel Arteta has Covid, we’re likely to hear of a few more players with it imo. Just what we didn’t need whilst things are going well.
Thanks Andrew, Cicero.
Chelsea drop two points at home to Brighton.
Danny Welbeck got the equaliser in injury time.
Goo morning all.
The fact that Arteta has for the second time tested positive for Covid, suggests that he is unlikely to have been vaccinated. This does not set a good example for players and staff who may themselves be wary of the vaccine. Currently, Chambers, Tomiyasu, Cedric and AMN are also believed to be suffering from the virus and are unlikely to be available for Saturday’s game against Manchester City. I wonder how many of our players and staff are ignoring their moral duty to protect both themselves and others from contracting the virus by getting vaccinated.
We will again be without Aubameyang on Saturday, he is in Dubai with his Gabon teammates preparing for the ACON.
Not quite sure how you’ve arrived as that conclusion Cicero. The Boris Booster saviour vaxx is far from full proof. There are many in hospital or currently in isolation who are fully vaxxed and boosted but have now contracted omicron. I can think of several folk, all octogenarians who have covid 19 as I write, fully vaxxed and boosted, one carol service and boom, half a dozen of them poorly, no hospitalisations yet though!
Why should our manager not be in the same boat? Ie fully vaxxed and boosted but caught up by the fast moving new strain. He mixes, closely with players who have recently missed games because they have tested positive, it’s little wonder he’s caught another dose.
I think you may have reached the wrong conclusion about Mikel’s vaccination status. Never mind, it’ll all be over soon……..or not!
I don’t know if Arteta is vaccinated or not but one thing for sure is it could not have come at a worse time, with players sick with Covid and others going away for ACON and not to mention how many matches there are in such a short time.
When does Runarsson return?
At the end of the season, I believe JM.
Never I hope Jm..
I was just scrolling through various things and I came across an Arsenal video showing current players playing Darts, air hockey, 10 pin bowling. Martinelli. Lokonga and Lacazette against Adams , Winterburn and Parlour
Of course it’s an advertisement but team building or club building?
Happy and safe new year everyone
Currently 39 degrees getting down to 30 degrees at midnight then back up to 38 degrees
Thanks Geoff, a Happy New Year to you and your family.
14 degrees here with heavy overcast and raining. Haven’t had more than a brief glimpse of the Sun for about three weeks. Wanna swap? 😉
Cicero only if it comes with snow
Sadly not Geoff. 😕
See that the media is trying to link Saka with Liverpool. I have a box of noughts that Edu can borrow to keep adding them .
Just click bait Potter.
Happy New Year to Rico and the gang…
Potter that story is just plain bollocks.
As I said “” The media “” are trying to link him .I think he’s on a long contract anyway .
Happy new year folks let’s hope it starts today
Some say I have had to much to drink, and some say I am. Dreaming but I say Arsenal 3 man city 0 let’s start the year of with a Big Bang
Morning all.
Happy New Year to you Kev. And all of course.
New post up now