Morning all.
For the first time this season, Arsenal have submitted an official request to have a fixture postponed, a combination of Covid 19 cases and injuries believed to be the reason. Also for the first time this season, as far as I’ve read anyway, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville are strongly objecting with both saying the game should go ahead. Injuries, suspension and the ACON should not be a reason for requesting a postponement they said. Mikel Arteta should call on his under 23 squad players to fill the gaps is their view, but the did stress that their comments were not all, or only about Arsenal. Really?
Because so many fixtures were being postponed before Christmas, the Premier League published a new set of rules explaining match postponement protocols and these factors are considered when deciding whether to postpone a top-flight game:
- The impact of COVID-19 infections on a club’s squad, as well as injuries, illness and those isolating, and the number of players available on the squad list and any Under-21 players with appropriate experience. Where a club cannot field 13 outfield players and a goalkeeper either from its squad list or its appropriately experienced Under-21 players, the match will be postponed.
- The status of any COVID-19 outbreak within a club, including the number of individuals affected, the sequence and source of infections and their proximity to the match in question.
- A club’s ability to safely prepare its players in the lead-up to a match.
- Medical advice as to whether there is any unacceptable risk to the health and safety of players and staff by playing the match.
- Any advice from UK Health Security Agency and other public bodies.
- Any other exceptional circumstances.
So there it is, in black and white and printed on Sky Sports website, the same company who employ Carragher and Neville. Injuries do count, as does the level of experience of the under 21 players who Mikel Arteta could be expected to call upon.
If Arsenal, or rather Mikel Arteta, had fielded lots of under 21 players in the domestic cups, one could argue that he should call on those same players for tomorrow’s match, but he hasn’t. Charlie Patino is the only one if my memory serves me right and he’s only experienced about an hour of first team football in total. Flo Balogun can’t be counted as he’s on loan.
I know I was critical of Liverpool for requesting a postponement for our League Cup fixture but that was different because Jurgen Klopp had been fielding a younger and less experienced team in the previous rounds whereas Mikel Arteta hadn’t.
Bearing in mind Burnley’s home game against Leicester City, due to take place today, has been postponed because of Covid-19 cases and injuries within the home team’s squad according to the BBC, the PL are going to look rather stupid, inconsistent and biased too, should they force Arsenal to play tomorrow.
See you in the comments.
Well Gary Neville used to deliberately injure players in order to gain an advantage. Him and his brother dirty ********
Didn’t they just.
Morning all.
Well as you know carragher,scouser,& Neville,manure on their sky platform have a vested interest to ensure the game goes ahead regardless of any precedents.Simply it’s another opportunity to stick it to an improving Arsenal that they def don’t want.They’re worried.Still I fully expect the prem to insist it goes ahead at the behest of Liverpool,manure,chavs & spuds.Because as we all know there one rule for Arsenal & another for everyone else.The only surprise is that they haven’t roped in Mike Dean to ref,just to make sure.
Or brought Riley out of retirement…
Breaking news.. Tottenham Hotspur requesting postponement of their entire history since 1961
🤣🤣🤣
Ha ha…
Nice one, Rico. Well with only (?) Odegaard sidelined with covid, I fully expect to have to play tomorrow. I don’t understand all the hoo-ha over it though, isn’t like we’ve asked to postpone on a regular basis. The Spuds are moaning, yet they have about 15 games in hand 🤣
They’re not in great form – the right time to play them?! I’ve not heard anymore on Saka.. Will he make it? We’ll find out soon enough.
Glad to hear Auba is ok:
BBC: Arsenal’s doctors have spoken to Gabon’s medics who have said Aubameyang situation is NOT serious and he is feeling well.
In other breaking news
Thomas party has changed his name to Thomas work event.
Breaking News, Breaking News.
Arsenal have signed 25 year old Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius .
Okay, okay don’t get too excited SHE is not an Aubameyang replacement. 😉
Good morning Rico.
The Premier League looking “stupid, inconsistent and biased”? When have they ever looked anything else where Arsenal are concerned?
It’s being reported that Fifa have banned Marseille from buying players for 2 transfer windows. Guendouzi will return then… and leave for nothing?
Morning Rico and all
I think all clubs need to be careful about asking for matches to be postponed as the PL could retaliate by canceling all matches for the next month.
That’s not going to happen Geoff, they would have to refund millions in broadcasting fees to the tv companies.
One reason why Carragher and Neville are making a fuss . As Wrighty said NO SKY SPORTS SUPER SUNDAY
Morning Cicero, Geoff.
Thanks Sue, I don’t understand all the fuss either. Arsenal either have enough players or they don’t.
Cicero – never.
Guendouzi is under contract with us until 2023 so there’s still time to sell him Sue.
Thanks Rico, we shouldn’t miss out on our peanuts then!
Can’t believe we still haven’t heard anything about tomorrow…
With a bit of luck Sue, well make a profit. 😆
I too thought we’d have heard by now. It’s ridiculous.
Optus sports still advertising Tottenham v Arsenal so at stage looks like match still on
Arsenal FC.com are too which until there’s a decision made, they will I guess. They’ve no other choice.
KDB had to score didn’t he?! 😝
Stunning wasn’t it.
It’s postponed, Rico
Just seen on Twitter Sue. Good.
The only thing Chelsea didn’t do to help Man City today was score an own goal.
It amuses me that KdB was once a Chelsea player.
Balogun on the bench for Boro.
Agreed, Rico and we didn’t have to fake tests to get it. The 20th game that’s been postponed…
He’s class, Rico.. one of my favourite non-Arsenal players. Love the fact that he always haunts the Chavs! Surely it’s their title now
Is tomorrow match on or not as nothing on Arsenal fc saying it’s been canceled
It’s just been announced, Geoff. It’s off
Thanks Sue, I am not sure if it was a good decision, I recon it will put more pressure on us .
The Arsenal game postponed is tomorrow’s WSL game against Reading.
Cue the opprobrium , The media will have a field day.
Now both games are off.
Now what am I going to do tomorrow? I suppose I can watch Amazon Video, all episodes are showing The Sweeney. 😉
You’d think so Sue. City are the best of a rotten top three imo. I think I’d rather West Ham jumped above them all if we can’t…
The media will have a field day but they’ll have to be careful because of the 19 other fixtures which have been postponed.
Rafa’s getting sacked for sure.. I can’t believe we lost to Everton
Me neither, or Utd for that matter.
Too right, Rico.. speaking of Utd, did you see Martinez’s howler?! 🤣
Haven’t seen any footie this afternoon Sue, only the City game.
Sue, we dodged a bullet with Emi hahahahahaha
Leno would’ve save it 😉
Nah, kidding but what an absolute shocker that was!
I’ve never seen so many Spuds fan bitching on social media as is the case now, and it’s superb lol
Wankers.
I had Villa down to win, Scott – damn you, Emi 🤣
Apparently from today’s tests we have another positive..
They’re even harping on about being thrown out of the Conference League, like I care 🤣
It’s running rampant here in Oz atm Sue.
We just delayed the inevitable by locking down this past 12-18 months.
Emi was a loss, no question but I’m sure nearly fans would agree we ended up better off with Ramsdale.
Coutinho-opportunity missed?
Early days and we will know more come seasons end but he’s a quality footballer.
Rafa looks gone.
Wasn’t long ago some Arsenal fans on social media wanted him to replace Arteta hahahahahaha
Really pi…d off no match today, Yes the players health has to come first and know no one can predict Covid but some times I wonder if we have trimmed our team down to much.
New post up now