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.

 

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading