Morning all.
Arsenal played a behind closed doors friendly fixture against Luton yesterday. They won the match 3-0 with David Raya in goal and Leandro Trossard on the scoresheet twice. I don’t know who else played or for how long but a friendly is more beneficial to players better than a training session in my opinion. I know the season is already long and hectic but I’m sure neither set of players played at full throttle or flew into challenges recklessly. It’d be different if we’d played Utd, City, Chelsea etc but it was Luton, a club which needs all its players kept fit as much as we do. Also, there’s just as much chance of a player picking up an injury in training as there is in a match. (Bad tackles aside) Anyway, it was good that Raya had a proper match to play in.
The last kit release of the season and I’ll be honest, I absolutely love it. Our three Gabriel’s look great in it.
The loss of Jurrien Timber for what’s probably going to be the entire season is awful. He’d slotted into the team with ease and looked a fantastic signing but like a number of players in the Premier League, his suffered a big injury. Oleksandr Zinchenko is close to full fitness and Kieran Tierney, pictured in the new kit on the official website, is fully fit too. The chances of both staying that way for the next ten months are in my opinion, slim to none. Yes, there’s Takehiro Tomiyasu but he too has fitness issues of his own and in any case, he’s now our only cover for Ben White unless Thomas Partey continues in that position. Hopefully not because all which was good about Arsenal’s defending last season, didn’t involve Partey playing in defence.
There’s the option of dipping into the transfer window of course as there’s just under two weeks left to sign further players but there’s also an option to bring Lino Sousa into the equation. Just like Omar Rekik is an option in central defence and Reuell Walters at right back. But, Mikel Arteta doesn’t seem to work that way does he? I kind of get the feeling he likes the much younger players to prove themselves elsewhere before they join the first team squad properly and by that I mean being a real option from the bench. I understand why though because it’s such a risk, especially as it’s been so long since the club has looked like proper title contenders. It’s one of those damned if does and damned if he doesn’t scenario’s.
Personally, I think the club are more likely to sign another player who like Timber, can cover both left and right back. Perhaps even on loan if finances are an issue.
What do you think, promote from within or dip into the transfer market?
Catch up in the comments..
Afternoon Rico and all,
As I said before I don’t mind the 3rd shirt either Rico,
Not sure what to make of Timber’s injury, one minute he out for the year then it’s only the first half, either way let’s hope Arteta can give him plenty of time to fully recover.
Hi Geoff, all.
I’m going for the season out including recovery. A bit like Martinelli, it’s a long road back.
G’day Rico, how about Kiwior wasn’t he supposed to be a defensive player who can cover fullback?
As for the new kit, it couldn’t be worse than that yellow one with wobbly black lines.
Hi Cicero, yep, there’s him too who I overlooked..
If Arteta does go with Kiwior let’s hope he takes full advantage, but I think we will buy someone else to replace Timber especially if he is out for the season.
Dipping into the market is fine providing it’s not a trolley dash , We don’t want to buy because the only ones available are the ones just reaching their sell by date or have a crumpled box which makes them cheap.
We have to ask at this late stage of the window whether the players that other clubs are happy to discard add anything to the abilities of the ones that we have groomed ourselves. E.g. and I am not recommending this , would Cucurella at £ 50 million be better than Tierney or Kiwior ?
I don’t want to buy for the sake of buying .
Perhaps a season long loan for Cucurella?
Sky Sports.
Chelsea keen on Arsenal’s Balogun
Chelsea are interested in signing Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.
No formal bid for the USA international has been made yet by the Blues.
Monaco remain in talks with Arsenal over the signing of the striker and are expected to go back in with an improved offer after having a bid rejected.
Arsenal standing firm on their £50m valuation, with Monaco working towards a structured deal that would be accepted. Inter Milan are no longer in the running.
No thanks re Cucurella…
I agree Rico, he looks too much like Guendouzi. 😉
Don’t want to give them any more money either Cicero.
An open letter to Arteta. Can you just give Balogun shot, even if as a plan B, until January? The kid’s potential is immense.
Money talks Obi the asking price is £50 million, that’s not chump change but I totally agree with you. The price will be higher if we keep him until January and he has a chance to show how good he is.
Ditto Obi.
Just watched some of the Totts game, Sarr is going to be a very good player in my opinion.
Manchester United are a complete shambles, they are so bad they even make Tottenham look half decent.
Must admit, I switched off after a while. Saw the first goal and that was it.
New post up