Firstly, I hope UEFA throw the book at Montenegro, I really do. In fact, if they want to put a stop to racism, set a precedence and throw the country out of the Europe and the World Cup. Or at least ban them for five years or similar. I’m not even sure why they’re in there, apart from being every other countries whipping boys! Seriously, something, or rather someone needs to set an example as what the black England players had to endure is disgraceful. It’s 2019, not 1920.
The Arsenal trip is over. They’re had their time in the sunshine and now it’s back to the grindstone. The final push towards the season’s end, eight matches to secure a top four spot. How many further fixtures we play is down to us and our battle in the Europa League. I’d love us to succeed in both, especially the latter because to win a trophy in his first season, would be a great achievement for Unai Emery. To secure a top four spot too would be even better. Pipping Toots to third place would be the icing on the cake. I’m getting carried away I know..
So what to make of yesterday’s match. Not a lot really I’d say bearing in mind the heat, the occasion for the home team and the mix and match team. But for the youngsters, they must have been proud, especially those who were making their debut.
The home team stunned Arsenal by taking an early lead. No doubt about it, we were caught napping. Jenks popped up with an equaliser, his initial shot was a cracker which rattled the bar, his follow up was equally as good considering it was on his wrong foot. We scored two more thanks to Lacazette and John-Jules, the latter a peach. Calmness personified from the youngster. I not think any of our youngsters let themselves or the club down, they all looked at home really but whether or not that would be the same against much stronger opponents only time will tell.
What stood out more than our youngsters though, Jenks too, was the likes of Mustafi, Ozil and Suarez and their impact on the March. Or rather lack of it. A first start for Suarez should have seen him stamp his authority on the game but I personally was underwhelmed. Same with Ozil really apart from his involvement in our second goal. As for Mustafi, woeful is the best word I can come up with.
As said, international fixtures are done and dusted now so it’s back to our domestic campaign and Newcastle on Monday night at The Emirates. Another match to look forward to.
I’ll leave you with this…
What a peach. Right foot too..
Have a good one guys.
Morning Rico and all.
What a shot from Xhaka!
The World is an increasingly unpleasant place and the cavemen of Montenegro have only added to that. I agree. Throw them out.
Good morning Rico, the only effective way to punish those responsible for the racist abuse is a total ban, on the country or club involved, from all football other than their own domestic league.
Other than a drastic ban it will take a generation of education to overcome the ingrained racism inherent in so many emerging nations.
Let’s not forget that racism was prevalent, not just at football grounds, in this country as recently as the 1970s.
Morning Adam, Cicero.
I really don’t get the racism stuff. But I guess if I did, I’d have a problem myself. Cut us and we all bleed the same colour. The Montenegro fans are a ghastly bunch.
Xhaka’s strike was a peach. Jenks was too and I admire the calmness of John-Jules.
I’m not sure if it’s something which comes natural for our younger players or it’s being taught but they all seem so calm, laid back even. Well, apart from Pleguezuelo… 😜
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico and Adam.
I think as a bonding exercise the trip to Dubai was a success, some training in a warm environment won’t have done the players any harm and the club did it’s brand (ugh) no harm at all, so all good news on that front. Oh yeah, bringing Holding, Welbeck and Bellerin back into the fold was also a great move by the Head Coach.
The game was a slightly uptempo training exercise, or that’s how it started out against opposition who saw it as their cup final. It took our players awhile to come to terms with the fact that it was a competitive game, but overall I thought we did ok. To me, coming away from the International break injury free is the priority and fingers crossed we’re ok on that score.
It was interesting to see that Emery left Sheaf on for the entire 90 minutes, young Ben is out of contract next summer (I think) so the club has a decision to make on him and if he has a future or not. We weren’t dominated in midfield considering we had two novices there in Sheaf and Gilmour.
What that game showed was the need for some of our young players to go out on loan as the jump from U23 to Premier League is huge. We’ve got some really good young players but with every game at Arsenal being life or death, there isn’t the patience or time for our young players to develop in the 1st team. Medley is a left footed centre back, not a left back, but he battled away in a position that left him exposed at times, I thought he did ok. We looked more comfortable in the 2nd 45 when we switched to 3 at the back. Full back is definitely an area Emery has to look at in the summer whether he plays a back four or back three.
Morning Kev. Pretty much how I saw the trip too. Success all round I’d say.
Agree re Medley. He’s a calm and good defender imo but he’s not a full back. I still think he has the makings of a very good central defender and with his composure, if it came down to him or Mustafi, I know who I’d opt for.
Talking about Mustafi. Mavropanos was more assured after Mustafi went off. I reckon the German causes panic for others around him, he’s a nightmare.
Morning all and spot on Rico.
I find it ironic that a country with negro in their name are a bunch of racist c##ts……………………………a great time for UEFA FIFA to hit them the hardest that any country has ever been hit, time for zero tolerance !
Morning all.
There is little point in trying to understand racism.
There is little point in trying to understand a lot, these days 🙂
Morning all
I see the newspapers reckon we’re to sell Mkhitaryan in the summer to raise transfer money…
Xhaka was Swiss cap yesterday (!) Where I was watching the game, they said his wonders.
Myhtariam has now 30 years old.
Ah Rico, what a liability that Mustafi, we really need to move him on next summer, that’s where we could raise some funds. Agree with you on Mavropanos and Medley, put either of them alongside Sokratis and Koscielny and gradually bring them along. It’s so difficult for young defenders, if they make a mistake and we concede then Twitter goes mental, no patience anymore.
Not sure where the Mkhitarayan stories came from, shit stirring from the press or the club putting out feelers? I thought he’d done ok this season, but I guess his wages are the issue if the rumours are true – a big if…
He’s dreadful Kev. Possibly one of the reasons we seem to look so panicked in defence. Imagine playing alongside him…
I too think Mkhitaryan stuff is garbage. Since he return from injury he’s been decent.
Mustafi must be the biggest waste of money in Arsenal history,however we paid £35m is just inexplicable.If we do manage to move him on,we will get nothing like that much.
I saw the game yesterday, every single youngster did well I thought.Most reports I’ve seen say Suarez played well,sure he dribbles nicely,but he looks lightweight to me,with zero end product.Like loads of Arsenal players over the last 10 years.
I’m already looking forward to Spurs losing at Anfield ! thanks
Limey. I saw a few positive reports on Suarez too and whilst he showed some good things, I expected more. Especially as he says he wants to stay at Arsenal.
I know it was a first for him and all that so perhaps I’m being harsh..
He’s been used so little that I wonder what was the purpose of taking him on loan in the first place. He had played for Emery previously so was known to him, so why hasn’t he featured more often?
But not in the PL which is very different to the Spanish League. I still have a hunch there’s something in his contract about starts whilst on loan.
Afternoon Gooner’s
Afternoon Rico.
The only fly in the ointment during this past Interlull has been the slight thigh injury to Ramsey and the slight abductor injury to Xhaka. With the best part of 5 days rest it’s expected that both will be available to face Newcastle, which is a relief as Lucas Torrieira is suspended until the Watford away game.
Maybe Mo Elneny will come back into the squad during the 1 game every 3 days schedule of next month, he could certainly be used off of the bench to prevent fatigue related soft tissue injuries to our regulars if the state of the games allow?
Matteo Guendouzi will have had a nice rest so he should be primed to come back into the fray, then at a push Ainsley Maitland Niles could switch into midfield although that would leave a worrying gap at right (wing) back, but all areas seem covered as we move into April and a classic English end to the season grind of matches. Last man standing…
Afternoon Kev, quiet old day… lol
Hopefully Ramsey and Xhaka will be fine. Maybe Suarez will start this one if not. I’d imagine AMN will be at right back.
Now Ole has the job, perhaps Utd will carry on drawing/losing. Chelsea too.
There will always be racism where there are differences It’s human nature to be wary of differences and to stick together with things that make you feel comfortable which is why you have enclaves all over Southern Spain .Germans in Calafell, 5 kmsAway in Cunit Dutch , not to mention the English towns all over the Costas. Birds of a feather as they say. Racism is inherent throughout the world It’s the way it’s handled.
Rico, it won’t be long before # OleOut is trending on Twitter…
I’ve a hunch you might be right Kev.
New post up now