Morning all.
Thomas Partey and his Ghanaian teammates slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Angola in the opening ACON’s qualifying fixtures yesterday. I won’t shed a tear if Ghana lose their remaining qualifying fixtures too, not if it means our midfielder doesn’t go off on international duty in January.
David Raya played for Spain last night but the newly crowned Euros Champions could only manage a goalless draw against Serbia in their opening Nations League game. Jakub Kiwior played a part in Poland’s 3-2 defeat of Scotland thanks to a very late penalty from Nicola Zalewski.
Tonight’s fixtures involving Arsenal players are:
Kazakhstan v Norway (Odegaard)
Nations League | Pavlodar | 3pm
France (Saliba) v Italy (Calafiori)
Nations League | Paris | 7.45pm
Kieran Tierney is back on the training ground which is great news for him and of course Arsenal. Yes, we’re flush with left-backs but Tierney is more than capable of playing left wing should the need arise once he’s fully fit. Also, one just never knows how our players fitness will go throughout the season. Tierney has been named in both the Premier League and Champions League squads. Just because the Scotsman has been out on loan, it doesn’t mean he’s suddenly become a bad player. He’s a very good defender when fit and firing on all cylinders. I know I harp on about the domestic cups but Tierney is another who will be a great addition in both.
Arsenal have received two nominations for Player of the Month and one for Manager of the Month from the Premier League in August. My money is on Arne Slot for the managers award and Haaland for the player award having scored seven times already. Bukayo Saka and David Raya will be overlooked I’m sure.
Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has revealed that Martin Odegaard has picked up another knock while on international duty.
I don’t think that [the Brighton knock] is what it is. I think it’s another bang, I was about to say. I think it is something other than the bang, so to speak.
I’m sure Arsenal would have stopped Odegaard from going away on international duty if there was a doubt over his fitness, just as I think he’d be on his way back to Arsenal by now if this supposed new injury is serious. Norway play tonight so we’ll soon see.
Sticking with injuries, I’ve not seen any official update on Mikel Merino shoulder problem although speculation is that he would be missing for up to two months. One of those months worth of football, including this two week break will be chewed up by international football which is good as far as Arsenal is concerned. The next international fortnight comes after our home fixture against Southampton on October the 5th. If my maths is right, he could be back in time for our home fixture against Liverpool on the 27th, or our away trip to Newcastle Utd on the 2nd November. Assuming his recovery goes smoothly of course. Hopefully it goes better than smoothly and his “up to two months” becomes less.
Lastly, Potter sent me this yesterday. It’s an article from Untold Arsenal which as always is in depth and rational. I didn’t want to just copy and paste the article as it’s theirs, not mine but it’s certainly worth reading.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico and all
A very good post. Things to chew about and ponder. Plus an article from Untold which is an eye opener. I still feel that City will emerge triumphant from all this. However, I might be wrong and they will be banished. City have not batted an eye taking on UEFA and certainly will not flinch at taking on the EPL knowing that at the end of the day no one can compete with them.
I feel certain that if the EPL is disbanded and clubs form another league without city, the latter will not hesitate in forming their own super league….and you can be certain that Real, Barca, Chelsea, Juventus, PSG and others will all follow suit and leave their leagues (or compete in that super league and in the process play their under 21 in the their countries.
Onto something different which hopefully might make you smile…..
Jurrien Timber –
“The [injured] knee is stronger than the other one. Sometimes it still feels a bit stiff after a match or training, but in my head it is no longer an issue at all.”
“When I trained outside for the first time, I immediately threw myself into tackles again without any fear. You can’t just participate half-heartedly, because then things go wrong.”
“My body has to get used to the intensity of top-level football and the Premier League again. It is much higher and tactically a lot is demanded of you. Your brain also has to work hard, especially during training and meetings, so that things are automatic in matches.”
Morning Rico and all,
Man C will be worried, but just don’t want to show it, if they loose they know the premier league will not only through the book at them but will also seek reimbursement of there legal cost.
Tierney back, does not get me excited, he will more than likely get injuried putting on hit boots.
Morning Devil, Geoff.
I don’t, I think City will be found to have breached a high number of the rules.
I agree with you Rico. But then City will take the EPL to court who will judge that the EPL has no jurisdiction on City. And they get off scott free me thinks
Hmm England put in to bat 191 for 3, It looks like the England batsmen are been told to go slow in the hope that the game will last into at least the fourth day and with luck even the fifth day. Ticket sales have been very slow. Even on this the first day there are a fair few empty seats.
I don’t Devil.
Calafiori injured as Italy beat France 3 – 1. He was caught as to players clashed and one put his studs in the back of Calafiori’s leg. He tried to play on but had to be substituted. No further news available. 😕
That our two major signings injured within weeks of their arrival.
Martin Odegaard played the full ninety minutes of Norway’s nil nil draw with Kazakhstan.
By the sounds of it, Odegaard is not too badly injuried , and Party had to be rushed of the field with his team mates after fans started throwing rubbish on the field.
Luciano Spalletti reckons Calafiori could play in their next match so I’m hoping he’s right, not that I think it’d be wise to play him.
Morning guys.
Morning Rico and equally bored Gooners, the Interlull is almost over only another few days of tedium.
I haven’t watched any of the internationals so far and doubt that I’ll bother before next weekend, but the cricket has been ok.
Odegaard and Califiori are just two more injury concerns we could do without as this early stage of the season, whoever is responsible for the current international calendar is a complete dummkopf.
Apparently there is going to be a major Hezbollah type march in London which is just what all the shops and businesses need, it will finish outside of the Israeli Embassy by all accounts which is some amazing safety first planning by Mark Rowley, the man who’ll knock your microphone out of your hand if you ask him awkward questions, dummkopt springs to mind.
Fortunately I shall be in Maidstone so good luck with all that Met Police, I’m sure your two-tier policy will be in full view.
Morning Kev, I’m bored too. International football is little more than a time for all club managers to worry about how many players will return injured. Unless of course those players withdraw from playing for their country.
I wonder what would happen if the players refused to play these international friendlies due to the amount of games they have to play as a health and safety issue.
They are beginning to speak out .
Bernardo Silva has slammed the football schedule after learning Manchester City will be forced to play two games in three days.
City already had three games in eight days when they return from international duty, including their most difficult Champions League match against Inter Milan followed by their biggest Premier League rivals Arsenal. For reasons beyond their control, they must now face Watford in the Carabao Cup 49 hours after they walk off the pitch against the Gunners.
With a trip to Newcastle at lunchtime the following Saturday, a Wednesday fixture in the League Cup was the only day that would allow adequate rest for the players. However, UEFA were unwilling to move a Europa League fixture at Old Trafford on that night – the competition is normally reserved for Thursdays – and Greater Manchester Police do not have the capacity to host two major games a few miles away from each other on the same night
In this case they are competitive games in the UEFA Nations League. Which is just another money spinning Mickey Mouse competition.
I guess nothing will change until all player from different countries go out on strike, that’s why I say matches like the Carabao cup should not involve the top 8 or 10 teams in the premier league
England win 2-0 goals from Irish Declan and Irish Grealish talk about rubbing salt into the wound.
Oh I forgot insult to injury managed by 40 caps for Ireland Carsley.
Well Seamus O’Carsely finally hooked off the two Old Harrys, he just needs to get them carted off to the knacker’s yard now.
One more thing he must do is give both Rice and Saka a night off against Finland.
Chance would be a fine thing
No chance is more likely…
New post up.