Morning all.
England got off to the perfect start at weekend with a victory over Croatia. I thought Gareth Southgate’s team looked very good in the opening minutes but with temperatures at a high, there was little hope they’d keep the pace up for too long. Having hit the post and the Croatian keeper making a fine save from Kelvin Phillips, Raheem Sterling finally scored the only goal of the game. Tougher tests will come for England, Scotland on Friday being one of them although they got thumped by the Czech Republic yesterday. If that 51 metre strike doesn’t end up being the goal of the tournament, I’ll be surprised. You too could have a strike of the summer at best Australia online casino. Good luck.
Holland and Ukraine played out what I thought was an entertaining match later the same day. Ukraine were 2-0 down and looked out of it before a stunning free kick made it 2-1 and soon after, the score was level. Holland nicked a winner although I thought it should have been disallowed.
As said, Scotland were beaten yesterday and so were Poland. By Slovakia. Sweden will be kicking themselves after missing a fantastic opportunity to beat Spain in the final minutes of the game.
Just the two fixtures today. The first is between Hungary and Portugal, the second is the big one as France and Germany face each other. That should be a really good game. I think that’ll be the first round of fixtures complete.
Not much is going on in the world of Arsenal. A season ticket price freeze has been announced but in theory, it’s a price rise as the fixtures a season ticket offers is less. If the club wanted to do something good for the fans, they could have reduced the cost. After all, it’s not just football which Covid has had an impact on. In the real world the virus has been costly for many.
Transfer talk continues to be just that, talk. Rumour and speculation too. I think Untold Arsenal have the count of players linked to Arsenal this summer as over 60, at least it was the last time I read. 24 have been linked with a move away. I admire them for keeping both lists going as I’d have given up ages ago. Some of the rumours are just ridiculous.
Both Rob Holding and Calum Chambers have been linked with a move away in order to raise funds for Ben White. I can’t remember where I read it, probably on NN and by read it, I mean the headline. Those click bait headlines won’t fool me. Lol
Whilst Ben White sounds good on paper, after all, we all love an expensive signing, is he any better than Chambers, whose been at right back, or Holding? Have Brighton been better defensively than Arsenal? Considering Arsenal had the third best defence (I read) in the second half of last season, I’d say the answer has to be no. Plus we already have William Saliba joining up with the squad this summer and he might just take to Premier League football like a duck to water. Then again, we might have to wait for Arteta to select him so real money online pokies might a way to fill the time.
Just my opinion but have though Arsenal’s priorities this summer are in the full back position and midfield. Kieran Tierney’s fitness must be a concern for Arsenal although less fixtures next season will should him and others rest well between games.
Leicester City are close to signing Boubakary Soumaré from Lille for £23m. Perhaps Arsenal should nip in and offer Lille £24m, after all, Brendan Rodgers or the Leicester City scouts seem to be on the ball.
I know, I’m an old cynic…
See you in the comments.
I reckon we should hire Lille’s head scout, Rico.
That guy, or scouting team, are doing a ridiculously good job in recent seasons.
Morning all.
Ha ha Scott.
I think it shows though that good players are available for a realistic price. Rogers really does sign or has signed some good players over the years.
thanks for a good post Rico.
Do you remember when I suggested Weghorst a few weeks ago? Yesterday he scored the 2nd goal and led the line well for Holland. Even though he is 28 years old I would still go for him as he is experienced. He plays for Hoffenheim and is not on a big contract so he will not cost heaven and earth. However he will do a good job as a CF. Sell Auba and Laca and put him and Balogun for the CF spot. He is a late developer like Ian Wright. So he is still full of enthusiasm. And I love his movement off the ball.
Thanks Devil.
I hope Arsenal steer clear of older players this summer, imo, the team needs more energy, more pace and a lot more enthusiasm.
Instead of Soumare, Bissouma and any other player…..why dont we go for Ben White and Kalvin Phillips? Both are English, have EPL experience and were good for England. And KEEP Chambers and Holding.
Rico, there are hidden gems everywhere, no doubt.
The trick is finding the one that will flourish at our club.
Lille are as adept at this recently as any club in the world, and on the back of smaller clubs like that, guys like Rogers then upgrade their squad.
Good business for all involved.
I guess we have the advantage of a great academy that is starting to really produce the goods, and that must continue, but scouting still can make the difference.
Of course Scott but do Arsenal have any scouts now?
Data, YouTube and an odd game on television tells only a low percentage of what the player is really about imo.
Good morning Rico and all.
Most journos seem to operate on the tombola system. Chuck all the players names in the drum, spin it round and pick a few at random.
It is reported, I know just another rumour, that the Xhaka to Roma move has hit the buffers, we want more than they want to pay. Arsenal must stick to their guns, if Roma want him make them pay!
Signing any England qualified players will be next to impossible, 1) Their nationality, alone will raise their transfer value. 2) Their wage demands will be beyond Arsenal’s limited financial resources. 3) With no European football Arsenal are just not attractive enough for ambitious young players.
Morning Cicero.
Whilst we seem to have a settled defence, I don’t personally see any point in signing another young centre back when there’s a chance Ballard and McGuinness might have what it takes to make it at the club.
Any English players Arsenal go for would surely be much younger and from one of the lower leagues who are rough diamonds in the making.
Arsenal might not be attractive to the big name players but in some ways that’s not always a bad thing imo.
Rico, I genuinely don’t know who or what we have as far as scouting is concerned now.
Cicero, if the money is right, European football is irrelevant to players imo.
Plenty of clubs have shown that.
Our problem is the money often is not right lol
I don’t either Scott, last I read they’d all been made redundant.
Devil, if I had my way, neither Auba or Lacazette would be at Arsenal next season. I think their best days are long gone. But that’s me playing football manager because I’m not daft enough to think every player you/I/we hope to be gone, will be.
yes I know what you mean Rico. Yet Weghorst is a different animal. he might be 28 but he is still a team player. We signed Ozil when he was, what, 25??? Yet he turned out to be what he has been Rico. We signed Alexis when he was young as well…but it turned out that he thought the grass was greener.
You all know I love Laca and prefer him to Auba….but there are two things which keep bugging me a lot……why are Benzema and Giroud still chosen for France and usually lead the line while Lacazette is not even selected? Plus, is his heart in the Arsenal team or is he simply doing his job? Personally I feel he is being professional nothing more nothing less.
Weghorst has been first choice selection since 2018 while his goalscoring ration has been a goal every two games in the German Bundesliga while it was a goal every game and a half….two goals every three games in the dutch league.
Yes he is 28 but I feel he would give us a lot of experience.
And he is 6 ft 6 inches….and is a tidy player on the ground.
Cicero….we found Holding. He is English and cost only 2 million. He was an ambitious lad who has turned out to love Arsenal. And he gives his all. As Scott pointed out….there are hidden gems. Kalvin phillips was once a 20 year old. He did not explode now. Ben White the same. Nathan Collins of Stoke is a good player…I had noticed him when he was still making his debut (more by coincidence than looking out for him as I was bored and was browsing the internet and the Stoke game was being shown) and he stood out.
Yes there are gems, and Blackburn and Forest have quite a few of them who are English as well. So why dont we raid them? Is it possible that they have nothing to offer?
Rico…..Even if Ballard and McGuiness have what it takes to make the grade, and I am sure they would, I would still go after White….and sell Pablo Mari and Gabriel. Saliba I would keep though.
It’s interesting though Devil as I’d keep Gabriel and Mari. Second season for Gabriel should be better.
Its good to play Football Manager Rico. I love it.
I have Southend United competing in the champions league. lol.
I still have to win it though. Never been past the QF
It is for a bit of fun Devil.
The benefit of White though is he can play right back, centre back and central midfield. He’d solve the ACON problems 😜
I like Mari and Gabriel Rico. And honestly want them to succeed and be a strong option for Arsenal. However you know my stance on the issue of English players versus foreign ones. I prefer an all English/UK defence. And would love to see Arsenal go down that path again.
I’d love an all British team Devil but those days are gone…
Seems that we are going after Sambi Lokonga according to articles on NN And the difference in valuation is only £5m. so it seems we are near.
I prefer Locatelli but he would cost 30-35 million.
They will return gradually Rico….because of Brexit and the requisites that the EPL will make on the clubs. Right now its 8 homegrown I think but in 5 years time that will be different. I have a feeling that eventually (since UK is out of the EU) the EPL will make a gradual increase of UK players in each team. For example from the beginning of 2022/23 it will be increased to 10, then 2023/24 it will be increased to 12 and so on.
the success of Saka, ESR, Foden, Bellingham etc will eventually see other kids wanting to copy them. They see what those youngsters have achieved and will think….I can make that step if I work harder.
So I feel that in a few years time we will once again see a return to majority of English players in each team.
I do think the balance will be better Devil, but all the time overseas players are cheaper, they’ll be signed imo.
Afternoon Adam, do I detect a hint of cynicism in there? 😜
Afternoon Rico. I seem to remember hearing that the club knew exactly who they wanted to buy and sell and how they were going to go about those things. Apparently this was the result of endless strategy meetings between the manager and the director of football.
No Rico. Just the point that most clubs make it up as they go along,
I suppose they have to to a degree Adam, certainly when the selling club says no. But there must be a plan in relation to the type of player the club need. Surely.
Who knows Rico. They say that even the most meticulous battle plan doesn’t survive the first skirmish.
I’ll try not to get over excited though as the transfers start to unfold.
I find it hard to get excited over football at all Adam.
Rico. If we can look at our new squad on the opening day and think, as we once did, that they have a decent shot at the title, you’ll soon get overwhelmed with excitement. I will too.
Honest😀
Ha ha, probably Adam, until October 😜
Rico. You’ve got to get more positive. 😎
I’m quite positive really Adam, I think we’ll sign a few quality players this summer. It’s the next bit I worry about. 😆
Hi Rico.. Nice read 👍 Ronaldo’s a machine!!
The prem fixtures are released tomorrow @9am
Hi Sue, thanks. I switched off at HT, just watching Germany v France. So far it’s about who gives the ball away the most.. lol
What’s the betting we’re away to City, Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea or Toots first game?
I bloody well hope not 😂.
Now we’re linked with Maddison.. jeez how many more?!!
Gee, with the Euros on, you’d think the media would have something to focus on rather than linking us with every professional footballer on the planet lol
Maddison??? 😂😂😂😂 Now that would be the coup of the century if it materializes. So the person who wrote this actually thinks that Maddison would jump from a club competing in Europe, jump from a club which is very well run and go to a club without European football?? Is the author that dumb??
While I would be over the moon over it because Maddison is a good player plus he is English, the chances of it happening are zilch. So not holding my breath.
But stranger things have happened.
Now imagine Arteta surprising us all and go out and buy White, Aarons, Maddison and Doig (Scottish). How much would that lot cost?? £150M???
Kroenke would have a fit and fart at the same time.
Good Morning by the way.
Still one hour and a half for fixtures to come out.
My guess??? It will be Burnley away for first fixture. Followed by spuddies at home.
Devil, we won’t sign anyone according the the media.
Then, according to the same media, we will sign EVERYONE.
Quality people, that lot hahahaha
Brentford away
Brentford, Chelsea and City in the first three games
14/08/2021 15:00 Brentford v Arsenal
21/08/2021 15:00 Arsenal v Chelsea
28/08/2021 15:00 Manchester City v Arsenal
11/09/2021 15:00 Arsenal v Norwich City
18/09/2021 15:00 Burnley v Arsenal
25/09/2021 15:00 Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
02/10/2021 15:00 Brighton v Arsenal
16/10/2021 15:00 Arsenal v Crystal Palace
23/10/2021 15:00 Arsenal v Aston Villa
30/10/2021 15:00 Leicester City v Arsenal
06/11/2021 15:00 Arsenal v Watford
20/11/2021 15:00 Liverpool v Arsenal
27/11/2021 15:00 Arsenal v Newcastle United
30/11/2021 20:00 Manchester United v Arsenal
04/12/2021 15:00 Everton v Arsenal
11/12/2021 15:00 Arsenal v Southampton
14/12/2021 19:45 Arsenal v West Ham United
18/12/2021 15:00 Leeds United v Arsenal
26/12/2021 15:00 Norwich City v Arsenal
28/12/2021 15:00 Arsenal v Wolverhampton
01/01/2022 15:00 Arsenal v Manchester City
15/01/2022 15:00 Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal
22/01/2022 15:00 Arsenal v Burnley
08/02/2022 19:45 Wolverhampton v Arsenal
12/02/2022 15:00 Chelsea v Arsenal
19/02/2022 15:00 Arsenal v Brentford
26/02/2022 15:00 Arsenal v Liverpool
05/03/2022 15:00 Watford v Arsenal
12/03/2022 15:00 Arsenal v Leicester City
19/03/2022 15:00 Aston Villa v Arsenal
02/04/2022 15:00 Crystal Palace v Arsenal
09/04/2022 15:00 Arsenal v Brighton
16/04/2022 15:00 Southampton v Arsenal
23/04/2022 15:00 Arsenal v Manchester United
30/04/2022 15:00 West Ham United v Arsenal
07/05/2022 15:00 Arsenal v Leeds United
15/05/2022 15:00 Newcastle United v Arsenal
22/05/2022 16:00 Arsenal v Everton
I do not think that fixture schedule is as bad as many may point out. If anything its good to have three difficult fixtures out of the way by the first 6 games.
We will be winning our first 3 easily 😉
Nah Scott…..we will be winning our first 13 games easily.
And its great that our final game is at the Emirates.
Devil, I love your confidence 🙂
Mikel is the man!!!
Morning all.
We’ll be lucky to get a point from the first three…. lol
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/06/16/sambi-lokonga-yea-or-nay/