Morning all,
Thank goodness that’s over! Now Mikel Arteta can focus on the league and Europa Cup. Just two months left of this crazy season, nine league fixtures and twenty seven points to play for. Wouldn’t it be a great end to the season if Arsenal could take the full 27 points from the remaining matches. Anything over twenty and I reckon we’ll be in Europe next season. Throw in a big cup and the season will have been a good one. A girl can dream right?
I’ve not seen any reports of injuries to Arsenal players after the internationals so that’s good news. Odegaard was the one concern but in the end, he recovered and continued to play for Norway. Knackered legs will be the main concern ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Liverpool.
England under had a rough time of it during the last two weeks, so much so, ESR and Eddie will enjoy a long summer break.
The countries involved in this summers Euros are: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales.
Not many Arsenal players will be deprived of a rest this summer. Off the top of my head only Xhaka, Saka and Leno from the first team squad. A few of our younger players though might be involved in the Under 21 Euros. So as we go into next season, we’ll do so with a well rested squad.
Next season should also see one or two of the Arsenal academy pushing for a place in the first team. The club currently have a hefty number of players out on loan who might believe their time is coming. Ballard is one. Already an international regular for Northern Ireland, playing in the Premier League should faze him really. With Luiz out of contract this summer day everything crossed that Arsenal don’t offer him another year, there should be a gap in central defence. Mark McGuinness is another central defender pushing for a first team squad place but at just 20 years old, next season might be too soon for him. Zech Medley is the oldest central defender of those on loan but I’ve no idea how he’s getting on at Kilmarnock but at least he’s been playing.
Jordi Osei-Tutu is just coming back from injury. A 22 year old right back who if good enough, could deputise for Cedric if Arsenal decide to sell Bellerin. Better still would be him being good enough to replace all of our right back options. Pre season friendly fixtures will be his time to prove himself, as it will be for a number of the younger players I think.
Not forgetting of course we also have players on loan who have already featured for the first team. Eddie, Willock, AMN, Torreira, Guendouzi and Kolasinac. I’m far from convinced that any of them will be at Arsenal come the start of the new season. Their Arsenal ship has sailed I think although I’m hoping Saliba still has a future with the club.
In the absence of a few of the first team over the last couple of weeks, a number of academy players have been involved in training with Mikel Arteta. Jeorge Bird confirmed those players are: Miguel Azeez, Nikolaj Moller, Folarin Balogun, Tom Smith, Kido Taylor-Hart, Jonathan Dinzeyi, Tolaji Bola, Catalin Cirjan, George Lewis, Tim Akinola, Ryan Alebiosu and Trae Coyle.
There’s a lot of talent in there, or a lot of money to be made. Either way, the academy players really are important to the club, as are those out on loan. Just a great shame Folarin Balogun hasn’t committed to the club. Yet.
See you in the comments.
We have Luiz, Gabriel, Holding, Chambers, Saliba, Mavropanos next year.
Even without Luiz, there’s no “gap” at CB
at RB, there’s is chambers and AMN who could both play there.
And you know they’ll all be at Arsenal next season how A?
Morning Rico, the post popped straight up today, is it because it’s April 1st?
Off to have a read
But Arsenal is taking too long to negotiate contracts to players. I dont know who is responsible for that because we cant keep loosing our talents just like that and i believe we have some one who is appointed to do that .
I wouldn’t read to much into the fact that so many youngsters were training with the 1st team, making up the numbers I reckon in most cases, for me only Azeez is currently 1st team quality.
I can see Arteta involving Miguel with the squad next season, in League Cup games and maybe some of the lesser european matches – if we have any?
Rico, I wouldn’t worry too much about Saliba, or Martinelli, I think that both will have big parts to play over the forthcoming seasons.
April 1st and I woke up to the news that Arsenal have approached Sergio Aguero…
Isn’t Aguero 32..?
Isn’t he on mega wages at Man City?
It did make me chuckle… 😀
Sergio Aguero will be 33 this June, he’s scored;
2 goals in 5 Champions League appearances and,
1 goal in 8 Premier League appearances…
He’s currently on a wage of $24m per annum…
I reckon we should offer him a 4 year contract….
Morning Kev, let’s hope not. 😂
G’day all.
I don’t want to rain on your parade, Rico, but wasn’t ESR injured in pre-match training yesterday? Don’t Saka was injured before the Interlull and may not yet be match fit.
Don’t forget Saka.
I’m not worried about either Kev. Martinelli is going nowhere imo and Saliba will either come back or generate funds. Win win really.
I do hope that was an April fool Kev.
Yes Cicero, Physioroom.com has Smith Rowe as a 50% chance of playing and Saka at also 50%, but don’t you go worrying yourself up into a lather mate because you’ll be delighted to know, as will every Gooner, that Willian is 100% again – hurrah….
Thanks for that Cicero. Lol
Kev, I am so relieved to hear that Willian is 100% fit. In my playing days, about sixty years ago, we would have used him to slice the half-time oranges. 😉
Yeah, I get that Cicero, problem is he probably would have sliced one of his fingers off. 🙂
rico, I keep my comment from yesterday. 20 years have passed, but it is never too late to “repair” what should have been done.
Joaquim , If we had retired the number 7 we would never have had the pleasure of seeing Pires and Rosicky wearing it. . I think Rocky would have been pleased to see players of their ability sharing it with him.
Afternoon Rico/everyone
I always go in to Highbury house through the link on Newsnow – one of the headlines said – Lampard lined up to take over at Arsenal – work of fiction.
Yes a good old fashioned unbeaten run would be great right now.
There could be a big turnover of players in the summer, it will be interesting if any younger players come into the main squad. From what I’ve seen on YouTube Moller would be good, we often seem to put aimless crosses in to Mr Nobody. Also James Olyanika who has just returned from injury, a lot of people in Essex are hoping he helps Southend stay in the League.
potter, better, because it means, that the legacy left by the shirt with the number 7 was not in vain. Twenty after twenty, nothing prevents it from being done.
I think the ship has sailed Jm.
Afternoon Limey, I think there has to be a big sale in order to generate funds if we don’t finish in a European spot.
April 1st Likely. 😉
Limey.
Good Evening everyone.
Retiring the number 7?? nah. TBH I never agreed with any number being retired. If we retire numbers because of the players who donned it we will soon have no number left from 1-11 plus number 14.
I would rather the club be careful and give the number to someone who merits it. Imo a player has to earn the right to wear the number 7. Pires earned it. Rosicky earned it as well. Saka is on the way to earning it and I dont mind him wearing it either. But giving 10 to Gallas?? ffs.
Aguero to Arsenal?? That is hilarious imo. I never take any notice of certain players which are mentioned in NN. The moment I see well known names who will either command a large fee or a large salary I just dont click on the link. But if its an unknown name or youngster then yes I will read it. But only with a slight pinch of salt. And tbh it needn’t have to be April 1st for the press to mention Aguero and Arsenal in the same breath. In that case it would be all year round April 1st because we keep getting associated with all the superstars in the world.
Now I have just read about Auba to be sold. Dont know if its April 1st news or its seriouis. But I would love it if he buggers off……and fetches a good tidy sum which can be invested. Can he take Willian with him?? You know buy one get one free 😂😂😂😂
Instead of retiring the number 10 because Bergkamp wore it, I would give it a really good wash after Ozil wore it. Infact it should be washed every day till the end of the season until every trace of his effect on it wears off. Granted, there will be no sweat from Ozil on it as he barely broke into a run, but his deodorant needs to be washed off properly.
Number 10 to Gallas was an insult to the shirt Devil.
Yes and coming soon after DB10 retired it stank the place out as well. We had better players who could have worn it.
A front player for a start. I don’t know what Wenger was thinking.
Evening Rico and the House.
What a weird day it has been.
With the prison sentance (sheilding) over we decided to pay
a visit to our local supermarket. It was the first time in a year that we
have been there and could not believe how every thing has changed.
When we arrived plenty of space in the carpark went straight in and when we came out after 15mins the car park was filling up and there was a long queue
waiting to go in
Now we know what a lot people have been putting up with when they go shopping
Evening Rick, that must have felt weird. Things are much easier now than they were a year ago though. Queues were long for much of the day whenever I went but now it seems between 2-4pm, it’s pretty quiet. Glad life is getting back to some kind of norm for you both..
Yes, I tend to agree with those who are against retiring a shirt, what about the players who wore it before, like George Armstrong, it was more his shirt than anyone’s.
Morning all.
New post up now
llnk please