Morning all.
With the Euros over, it’s back to pre-season and for Arsenal training has already begun and the fixtures kick-off tomorrow. Mikel Arteta and his players are in Scotland where they’ll face Hibernian tomorrow evening and Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
Results don’t really matter in these pre-season fixtures as they’re little more than minutes on the pitch, building up fitness before the new campaign and summer signings getting to know their new teammates. For Mikel Arteta it’s about trying to put right the things which went wrong last season. Getting Aubameyang back to where he was before he signed his new contract. Ok, that might be asking a bit too much of the manager.
Nuno Tarvares has been training with the squad, a squad which is missing those involved in summer competitions. Xhaka, Tierney, Saka and Leno and any under 21’s who’ve been away with their respective countries.
Whilst much has been said and written about William Saliba going out on loan, perhaps Omar Rekik has slipped through the media net. Recently given his debut for Tunisia, he’s yet to go out on loan so it could be he’s one to watch in the domestic cups this campaign. Rekik is in Scotland with the rest of the squad so it’s possible that we might see him in action sooner rather than later.
Hector Bellerin has told the club he wants to leave this summer, that is if NN headlines are to be believed. I think they could be as I think for both he and Arsenal, change is needed. Bellerin has been at Arsenal for a long long time so a new challenge is probably right for him at this stage of his career.
In other transfer gossip, mostly from NN or the back pages of England’s finest, Arsenal are reported to be in talks with Wolves over signing Ruben Neves and just in case you’ve been sleeping for the last few months, talks with Brighton over Ben White continue too. Plus of course, Albert Lokonga is set to be announced any day now. I think the transfer market will get going now that the summer of football is over so we could see number of players leave the club as well as one or two more join. Who knows, maybe more…
See you in the comments.
Morning All and thanks for the post, back to football…
I wonder how much of Joe Willock were going to see during pre season, quite a bit it seems if the rumours of an Arteta change of heart are anything to go by?
Newcastle’s hopes of taking Joe on loan again are fading fast as their reluctance to talk a permanent transfer are ebbing away and given the Newcastle owner that isn’t really much of a surprise.
Interesting to see that Mathew Ryan has joined Real Sociedad for a reasonable £1m, but I wonder what the asking price would have been from Brighton if Ryan was moving to Arsenal, not a £1m I’ll wager?
Good post Rico, I’ve not seen anything of Rekik but Jeorge Bird talks highly of him so I’m keen to see how the lad shapes up.
Willian Saliba has been pictured in Marseilles at their training ground holding a Marseilles scarf so I guess that’s a bit of a clue concerning him.
Still a lot of work for Edu this summer, Torrieira, Willian, Bellerin, Xhaka, Kolasinac, Maitland Niles, Nketiah, Nelson and where they’ll be plying their trade when the transfer window closes next month?
Good Morning Rico and all
Thank God that the majority of the boys are back. I am glad because my mental life nowadays revolves around Arsenal’s football….whether its good or bad results. I feel more calm and happy when Arsenal are training/playing. And NN is not boring as it is after a season’s end.
Just seen the rise of Kalvin Phillips. If there is any proof in what many of us have been saying with regards the talent in the lower divisions, one needs to look at him. He burst into the England team having never played through the English youth national system (because he never played for a top club) and has always been with Leeds since season 2014. Now he is a firm rock of the national team. And I must say I am impressed by him, his attitude, his spirit and his humble, humane character.
And he came from a lower division. And if Arteta and co look there they can surely find a handful of such boys. And English to boot. And better still they can find them on lower fees and lower salaries.
Its true that he does not have the skill level of Barella, Verratti and Jorginho. But his attitude is 2nd to none. And I love watching him play and dictating the game from the centre. Since last year he has already played 15 times for the national team.
Yes we can criticize Southgate for lacking some knowledge needed at the top top level. But we must commend him for having the courage to believe in youths, for knowing what types of players he wants and gets them, for not going for names but going for those who can do the job needed, for changing the team and adapting it to fit the game instead of being arrogant and expecting others to adapt and keep on playing the same way, for believing in youngsters and throwing them at the deep end. Southgate has shown many managers how it should be done, and whilst England did not hold the trophy aloft, it has to be pointed out that they exited the tournament unbeaten and for having lain the foundations for future tournaments.
There is only one criticism I feel I can fling his way…..that of keep choosing spud players. He should have learned by now that you can take the man out of Tottenham but you cannot take Tottenham out of the man. England will win something when there is no spuddy in the whole squad. No not even ball boys/girls. Or coaching staff.
Good morning Rico, thanks for the post. Yep it’s time to get back to the reality of life, football!!
A bit more gossip…Arsenal are edging closer to a deal for Lyon’s 23-year-old France playmaker Houssem Aouar.
Its exciting Cicero….the reality of life, football.
While on any other days signing a talent like Aouar would have us looking forward to it, were does that leave ESR and JW?? Aouar plays in the number 10 role….a role I would love to see shared between our own two products. I dont think Arteta will pay 20M just to play 2nd fiddle to those two. And I did not like the idea of ESR on the flank instead of the centre. He dipped when we had Odegaard. And when he played centrally his game was on a very good level.
Morning Rico and all
Let’s hope our new players settle in quickly,
Bellerin has been a good player for us in past but I recon the best thing for both us and Bellerin would be to sell him now while can get a good fee and he can restart his career
Morning Kev, Geoff, Devil, Cicero, all.
I’m glad domestic football is back, or at least pre season. As said the other day, it’s either all or nothing with sport.
I thought Aouar was heading elsewhere Cicero?
If we get Aouar then ESR will play off the bench.
I don’t know why but I get this feeling that ARTETA is still not convinced about ESR and he could easily sell him if a good offer comes
Can’t see ESR being sold Geoff, he’s apparently agreed a new five year deal, it’s just not signed yet.
I’d love it if Arsenal don’t announce his signing a new contract so Villa waste all summer chasing him….
I hope we don’t sell ESR but unless I missed it I have not heard Arteta come out and say ESR is not for sale, I guess it comes down to what players leave
4 years ago today my boy met and trained with the Arsenal players here in Sydney.
Damn that’s gone quickly!!!
I’m still dirty he carried the FA cup off the bus and I wasn’t allowed within 3 feet of it 🙂
Geoff, every player is for sale at the right price.
Afternoon Rico. As we know through bitter experience, we will have injuries, some more damaging than others. As far as I am concerned we can never have too many top players. How people can complain that Wilshere was overplayed and that led to his early departure and then believe that Aouar would impede Emile’s progress in this, his first full season, is beyond me. ESR will have plenty of opportunities, even if we do get a quality alternative.
There’s a long season ahead and we need more quality everywhere on the pitch and the cream usually rises to the top.
Adam the problem is the club is still taking about too many players on the books
It’s only a rumour Rico, not gospel. 😉
Geoff. That’s true but there are people at the club who are paid to re-adjust that problem surely. Arteta needs a clearer run this season with as many of ‘his’ players as possible. Then we’ll see what he can do.
It must be top 4 or bust now.
It’s all gone quiet on the takeover front and with Vieira employed by Palace the three wise men are down to two. Wot the Ek is going on? 😕
Cicero, possibly Stan has made it clear the clubs not for sale but still, silence doesn’t mean inaction, so who knows?
Adam let’s hope Arteta gets the players he wants after all we should be looking at a top 4 fingers crossed.
Any news on when Lokonga will sign and it sounds like we are going back in for Aouar
Geoff. I agree. We’ll need to hit the ground running. The Aouar rumours are predictable but who knows if they’re true?
There’s nothing on the grapevine from my end. That’s a good sign.
Afternoon Rico and the House.
Looking forard to the games north of the border.
Pleased to see the number of Hale End products in the party
I did not expect to see so many included, but it will give
us a chance to see how players like Harry Clark AMN Joe Willock
and Reiss Nelson could do their future a power of good
Hi Rico.. it’s matchday!!! 🥳 I wonder if Macey will play for them? And what number will ESR wear? So glad the boys are back.. COYG
Afternoon Adam.
I can’t see the arrival of any midfielder spelling the end of ESR. Odegaard didn’t get in his way. Two for every position would be ideal..
Hi Sue, it is. I mad3 an error in the post saying it was tomorrow 😇
Ha ha Cicero.
Afternoon Rick, do you know the full squad list of those in Scotland? I’ve not seen Balogun in the training photos.
Forget that Rick, just seen him in today’s photos.
I tend not to believe any rumours until I get it on the grapevine from Adam’s end.
But I’ll tell ya what I do know and that is that we definitely need a big unit in our midfield…
Rico.. I’ve just read Idris Elba is to narrate our All or Nothing series… he’s a gooner – even better!
Rico, all the goalkeepers (4) are from the Academy.
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1414967558923591685?s=20
Love that kit
Excellent Sue, I love Idris, didn’t realise he was an Arsenal fan. I had visions of Lofty making another appearance. 😂
Good for them Kev. I’m not paying £7.99 to watch them though. Lol
That’s a bit harsh Rico, they’re up their in Scotland representing you…
The yellow kit is nice, I like the aqua one too…
Jaydon Sancho’s fee with add ons could reach €90m
Arsenal XI vs Hibernian: Okonkwo, Cedric, Clarke, Mari, Kolasinac, Nelson, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Willian, Nketiah, Aubameyang
Arsenal subs: Hein, Rekik, Hutchinson, Pepe, Partey, Balogun, Smith Rowe, Lacazette, Bellerin, Henry-Francis
Tonights starting 11
Okonkwo Soares Clark Mari Kolasinac
Nelson Elneny AMN
Eddy Abubaeyang.
Strong Sub bench
Macey starts for them..
Need to step it up in the 2nd. Eddie should’ve scored
Blimey, 2-0 down. Wish I hadn’t looked now. Lol
And a saved penalty… just hasn’t been our night ☹
ESR pulled one back
Oh well, only a friendly 😄
https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1414982954929967115?s=20
Nice touch
Did not see the game. But saw the line up and comments.
So cant say much about how we played.
BUT……
Kolasinac might be leaving. A high chance. So why play him?
Bellerin might be leaving. So why play him
Nketiah might be leaving. So why play him.
If Omari Hutchinson played, why not promote young players who will be staying instead of those I mentioned above? Lopez could have played no?
What’s the point of playing the above? some might say its a meaningless friendly. I understand we were not going to have Leno, Saka, etc. But at least play players who Arsenal will benefit from. Not ones who might leave and the only benefit is financial.
I am reading some comments on FB…and tbh some people are incredibly sick minded. Its the first preseason friendly but they are already sharpening the knives. some comments are literally disgusting.
That is a nice touch Sue..
Maybe Arteta hasn’t made his mind up about one or two, or maybe they’re just staying in the shop window.
Plus, they need to ease back to fitness gently otherwise injuries will occur.
I dont think that way Sue….its only a friendly. I respect your opinion mind you. But its not in me to say that.
I take each game seriously friendly or not. Even when I used to play I had team mates telling me to calm down. And even 6 years ago, at the age of 47 when I used to play with my work mates, they all say the same thing. And I presume that at that level these players should be professional.
I feel that certain players should not have been used….instead get the young professionals to play in their place. Arteta did it with Okonkwo and Hein. So why not at RB, LB, CF?
After the season we have had one should expect the club to take each game a bit seriously….at least get the fans on our side bit by bit
Also, what if we get to the day after DD and all those players you mention are still at the club Devil? They need to be match fit…
Second half we moved the ball quite well Cedric , Pepe , Lacazette and Smith Rowe were the stand outs .
Balogun was trying too hard and took weakish shots when Laca and Pepe were available for slipping in
. Both their goals were avoidable , poor defending in my book ,although I liked the look of Partey playing a bit further forward , unlucky with his free kick which hit the post with some vengeance. Pepe was too laid back with his penalty.
All the kids that had cameos showed good awareness and capability , they are positive on the ball but not ready yet but then I don’t expect them to be.
We lost but it was a fair work out .
Devil.. I may feel differently on Saturday if we lose to Stevie G’s Rangers!!
I would be disappointed if those players were still at the club after DD day Rico.
Potter…thanks for that summary. I did not see game but can only go by with stats I get on our coaches site plus comments by social media users
I imagine we all would be Devil but I’m just playing devils advocate. Wherever they play, they need to be fit and until they leave, they’re Arsenal players.
Morning all.
I just watched a video filmed during “the” penalty shootout.
The racist tones were clear for all to see.
It was sent to me via PM on Facebook.
It was 100-150 black guys chanting a racist tune, racist towards the white players.
Won’t see it in social media (except privately)
and certainly won’t hear about in the media.
Not to downplay or justify the disgusting comments Sancho, Rashford and Saka copped, but racism goes both ways, it always has and always will.
Bukayo Saka has been nominated for the Freedom of Ealing Borough.
Councillor Peter Mason: “I hope this will send a clear message that Saka is Ealing’s own, that we are proud of him, and that he is one of our heroes.”
(Chris Wheatley)
It was too bad, right?
If we’d won 4-0 we’d be saying no need to get excited, it’s just a trial match 🙂
I didn’t see the match but the main thing about practice matches is to blow of the cobwebs and see how the new player blend with the older players.
if some of the older players transfer roomers look like going through I would rest them and not take a chance they get injured and prevent any sale / loan
Geoff,
If they end up staying, we need them fit and firing.
We can’t sell players just because we don’t want them-someone needs to want to buy them so best we are prepared, imo.
We have another 2 weeks of lockdown.
16 months of good work by Gladys undone in a month.
Morning all
New post up now
https://highbury-house.com/2021/07/14/arsenal-lose-friendly-so-what/