Morning all.
Renée Slegers side did well last night in the Champions League. 1-0 down at home against Real Madrid before an Alessia Russo double secured all three points. Just what the women needed after last weeks surrender of a 2-0 lead against Bayern. Being super critical, we were a bit wasteful in front of goal.
So far this week, we’ve heard nothing from the horses mouth about Gabriel and whether or not he’s set for a period of time on the sidelines. Speculation has been rife of course with the worst suggestion being that he’s out until 2026 which of course, we all hope is not true. Because of this speculation though, Sky Sports have compiled a “with and without Gabriel” by the numbers.
Whilst every Arsenal fan would in all likelihood prefer Gabriel in our starting lineup, the above stats are historical and in my opinion, irrelevant. We’ve never had two centre backs like Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera as backups. I say backups but both are excellent defenders in their own right. In fact I’d go as far to say that in my time of supporting Arsenal, we never been as strong or as well equipped in central defence as we are now. It’s situations like this, if Gabriel is ruled out, Arsenal prepared for back in the summer. It’s why the club bought Ebe Eze, Noni Madueke, Kepa and Christian Norgaard too. Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres were a necessity.
Yes we are going into a north London derby potentially without one of our best players but what a great opportunity it might present for either Mosquera or Hincapie to come into the side and be a hero in their first NLD. They will be well aware of what this game means to the club and its fans, teammates too who have already learned about the clubs history and rivalry with the neighbours.
There are derbies in football all over the world, certainly in England and Britain. Celtic v Rangers in Scotland stands out, the two Manchester clubs as well as the Merseyside clubs. This season brings together Sunderland v Newcastle Utd, the Tyne-Wear derby again. Divisions often keep local clubs apart but when they don’t, there is usually something spicy added to the tie.
Whether it’s just because I’m an Arsenal fan or not I don’t know but I believe the NLD feels bigger than the rest, certainly in the Premier League. I think this fixture has had everything over the years, the good, the bad and even the ugly.
I noticed that a lot of red cards which were shown in the above clip came about because of two bookable offences yet nowadays, I’m pretty sure a number of them would be a straight red card offence. Especially with VAR reviews.
I had to smile when I saw Grimandi in the above clips because whenever I see him, I think back to the Dennis Bergkamp testimonial match… Hilarious…
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico, don’t be fooled ten minutes ago it was bright and sunny, now it’s overcast with a hint of sleet.
Excellent post by the way, thank you.
The business done during the summer has already proved to be perhaps the best in the club’s history.
I’m staying indoors as much as possible today.
Morning Cicero. Trust you. 😜
Thanks re the post.
I think so re the summer, we bought excellent players imo and not just who was available according to their agent.
Jesus is in the training photos this morning, a sooner return than expected perhaps.
Morning Rico, yes a fine post.
I have a hankering for Mr Jesus to make his comeback vs Crystal Palace in the League Cup, either as a starter or from the bench?
Stats, more stats and narratives…
We are well aware of the general Sky Sports narrative when it comes to Arsenal.
Maybe we worry too much as a fan base, I know we’ve been emotionally bruised but this isn’t a one off.
I was listening to a really good podcast series on Arsenal Vision called 1-0 to the Arsenal, it covers the 1993/94 Cup Winners Cup winning campaign and it’s interesting to recall how we lined up in that final in Copenhagen with key midfielders David Hillier and John Jensen injured, David Seaman strapped up in a corset and playing with cracked ribs, Ian Wright suspended, Martin Keown unavailable and from a much smaller squad. So injuries to key players isn’t new.
With the increase in fixtures and the advent of the pressing game I’m afraid that injuries are going to be more frequent so we’d better get used to it.
Morning Kev, thanks.
I reckon he’ll be on the bench this weekend and if the game goes well, get him on.
It’s all very well for stats to be put up but in this case, they are even more irrelevant than usual imo. Hincapie might start and do just as well if not better than Gabriel. Who knows but it’s not like Mustafi is our only option.
Afternoon Rico and all, totally agree with other in that this season is the first in how long that we can afford one or two injured players without panicking, and the best part is that we are also have a couple of younger players who can push to play the last 15 minutes.
Afternoon Geoff, yep, I’m pretty sure Nwaneri and MLS will have a big part to play in our season, possibly Annous too..