Morning all.
The Football League bottled making a big decision yesterday. Instead of telling Liverpool to use their Under 23 players to boost their squad numbers so our League Cup semi-final fixture could go ahead tonight, they took the easy option, or rather the best option for Liverpool, and postponed it.
Arsenal ave now had their fixtures juggled in order to suit the EFL meaning that we now play five fixtures within fourteen days. Three domestic cup matches, with the noisy neighbours in the middle and Burnley at the end.
Sunday 9th – Nottingham Forest. A
Thursday 13th – Liverpool. A
Sunday 16th – Toots. A
Thursday 20th – Liverpool. H
Sunday 23rd – Burnley. H
Then there’s a two week break, however, if Covid keeps spreading at the rate it is, will that break go out the window?
With tonight’s game being postponed, Gabriel will now be available for both matches against Liverpool as his ban will be served on Sunday.
Sky Sports have been talking transfers this morning, something they love at this time of year. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the main talking point which is understandable as he’s in the naughty corner at Arsenal. Also, the team are playing better without him so the big question being asked is, is there a way back for our ex captain at Arsenal? Not right now of course as he’s on international duty but I can’t see him coming back after either.
Sky Sports also suggested that Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari and Eddie Nketiah could all leave permanently this month. Add in AMN on loan to Roma and that’s two potential replacements for Thomas Partey gone. An injury to either Granit Xhaka or Sambi Lokonga, or a positive Covid test and Mikel Arteta will have a problem. A big one I think, and certainly one which is bigger than we already have. Ben White is an option too but if Chambers and Mari both go, we’re suddenly short at the back. But does anyone truly believe that Edu and Arteta would allow this to happen without a plan in place? No, me neither. I’m convinced the club are going to do some transfer business this month and not just exits.
Football fans are impatient though, I know I am. If Arsenal are going to sign a player, I want them through the door on day one but of course, it’s not that easy. We’re not City, Utd, Chelsea or even Newcastle who have money to burn so its probably more difficult to get deals over the line.
If Brighton really do want Nketiah, I hope Arsenal do all they can to get Yves Bissouma included in the deal. I know he’s at the ACON but I doubt he’ll be there long. Whichever club wants Chambers, push hard for the best fee possible because he’s English and English players cost more.
The headlines in the newspapers quote Jack Wilshere as saying he’s fit and ready to play. For sure he’s fit because he’s been training with Arsenal over the last few months but could he be the answer to our midfield shortage? My heart says yes but my head says no. I’m sure there are other Arsenal fans who think similarly about Aaron Ramsey. If either or both signed until the end of the season, would this Arsenal squad be stronger? On paper perhaps. But I always believe in life that one should never go back. Move forward and start a new chapter in life because going back is seldom the same and hardly ever better.
Better is what Arsenal need going forwards in my opinion. There’s little point in signing players who are not better than who we have. Unless they’re a younger player with great potential and that does seem to be the direction in which Arsenal are heading. For the rest of this season though, a bit experience within the squad would do no harm at all imo.
What do you think?
Lastly, both Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli are on the short list for the Premier League player of the month award. David James said the latter should win it because watching Martinelli gives him a buzz.
See you in the comments.
Morning all.
I’d be very interested to see Ramsey coached by Arteta, but I don’t really think it’ll happen and yes, it’s a step backwards.
Saying that, if Jack played on a pay for play deal only, and we have the room, I’d be happy with that.
Bissouma-yes please
Good afternoon Rico. According to the Telegraph Arsenal, now that the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final has been postponed, have the advantage of playing the second leg at home. Is that an advantage?
On sentiment alone, I would bring Jack Wilshire back, but not in reality. As to Aaron Ramsey, as I’ve said on numerous occasions, not in a million years.
Apparently Auba has just tested positive to Covid.
Afternoon Cicero, Scott, all.
I think Liverpool now have the advantage because of the away goal rule.
Ramsey is a no from me too.
Just read that too re Aubameyang. Things aren’t going his way right now.
The away goals rule doesn’t apply in the Carabao Cup Rico.
I think if the 2nd leg ends with us all square there is no extra time and away goals it simply goes to penalties and that suits me.
I see that Charlie Patino, Salah-Edine and Omari Hutchinson are involved in training prior to the Nottingham Forest game.
With 5 subs available I wonder if we’ll see one or all of them on the bench?
If Chambers, Mari and Nketiah are up for sale I wonder if any of them will miss out on the Forest game?
I think that signing Ramsey, given his expected financial demands, is a pipe dream.
I suspect that Aaron might end up at Newcastle?
As for Jack, the thought of him signing until the end of the season is a lovely thought as most of the fans would love to see him in an Arsenal shirt again, myself included, but I reckon that Jack is probably looking for a longer term deal and as he’s only 29 that’s quite understandable.
Just watching a recording of last night’s game and having looked several times at the Sarr/Kane collision I think the yellow card was a bit harsh, certainly never a red.
I didn’t know that Cicero, good news, thanks.
You’re probably right Kev re Jack.
Maitland-Niles closing in on Roma deal – Sky Sports
Arsenal midfielder had his medical in London yesterday ahead of his loan move to Roma.
He’s expected to be at the Italian Embassy today to sort out his work permit before making his way to Rome.
If that is the case I think we must be very close to making a significant signing, a defensive midfielder I hope.
If we are not signing anyone then better the devil you know and if he proves his fitness he is in a better position to get a deal.
That’s what I think. There must be someone coming in soon.
Auba’s having fun , Is he still isolated in Dubai with all the other players at the party.
Which one, Wilshere or Ramsey?
3rd day in with Covid, huge improvement after day one, stalemate for two days.
The dry cough is just annoying more than anything.
Cicero, you really want Aaron back 🙂 🙂
Nah I’m with you.
We’ve moved forward, we’ve assembled a young squad so let’s not go backwards.
I would take Jack over Aaron because he still has things to prove . If he played until the end of the season he would greatly increase his odds of a deal either with us or somewhere else .
Aaron will want a secure deal that would tie us in .
As I said only if we have no other irons in the fire.
Potter, well said.
Pay to play deal for Jack-nothing to lose imo
Morning Rico and all
I don’t want Jack or Aaron back but if we have to pick one then I would pick Jack but on a special deal that he only gets paid if he plays and a bonus if he scores
Scott good to hear your getting better
Hey Scott and Geoff, what do you think about the Djokovic situation? Personally I think your Premier has done absolutely the right thing.
Cheers Geoff.
I have survived worse than this haha
Hi Cicero.
Ok, I’m not vaccinated.
I won’t go into that debate but thought I’d put it out there.
I’m a little 50/50 here.
Each new variant that has arrived in Australia was brought in by fully vaccinated people, so really, I don’t see the issue of him coming, as long as he’s testing negative as that is the key factor, surely.
The flip side is rules are rules, and we should all be treated the same way.
The silly thing is that these same politicians involved in this situation have openly manipulated rules and restrictions on previous occasions to suit other sportsman and celebrities when it suited them.
How did it get this far??
That’s the real question, as It’s become a farce.
Well done Jonny Bairstow.
Big innings Kev, especially gutsy after copping a very nasty blow to his thumb.
I thought he’d be headed to hospital.
Hi Rico.. Coutinho picked Villa – now there’s a surprise hey?! 😆 The Roma kit suits Ainsley, best of luck to him – he’ll need it! Couldn’t think of anything worse than working with Maureen!
We’ll be wearing an all-white kit against Forest to raise awareness of knife crime/youth violence.. 👍
And just so you know I voted for Odegaard 🙂
I see that we have a million loan fee for AMN . Some say pounds others say Euros and no doubt it will be paid a dollar down and a dollar a week.
I don’t think we should be interested in either Jack or Aaron. We definitely need defensive midfielders with AMN going, and Xhaka is coming up to his average number of games without a red card.
Eddie is a problem, he’s definitely a premier league striker, but I think they have Martinelli pencilled in for the Number 9 shirt next season. Eddie would be great for Brighton, for instance.
Cicero = Djokovic I think the whole thing is a bit embarrassing for all, I don’t understand how the government says he can come and then changes there mind when he gets hear. This should have been sorted out well before he arrived, know according to the media in Melbourne there may be even be another 4 more players who are coming that also are not vaccinated. it’s just another mess by this premier of Victoria
Sue the white kit sounds a good idea, anything that can wake these kids up. it seems the youth of today don’t care about throwing their life’s away in jail.
Hi Geoff.. knife crime is out of control over here. I’ve just been reading about London’s first murder victim of the year – a 46 yr old man. Stabbed to death after popping out to buy a packet of cigarettes and a 13 yr old boy has been arrested… horrendous.
You’re right – they don’t care
It’s being reported that Son will be out for the rest of the month with a muscle injury. He’ll miss the NLD…
Hi Sue, Geoff, all.
The white kits look weird.
AMN must be mad wanting to play under Mourinho and Arsenal must be equally as mad for doing anything which might help Mourinho too.
Coutinho to Villa is no surprise at all Sue. According to Sky, Villa want Bissouma too. Would be disappointing to see that deal happen, we need him.
Coutinho went to Gerrard ex mates,
Bissouma though would be an upgrade in our midfield , although there appears to be a tactic of clubs queering the pitch for their rivals .
At least Arteta has confirmed we’re signing someone for the midfield.
I see that Liverpool have this morning got their COVID outbreak under control. Just a few hours after cancelling their game with us . Smacks of a little duplicity here although not surprising from such a devious despicable club .
Well fancy that. Miracles do happen..
Sometimes I wonder if some of these players have a small injury but there club is calling it Covid so they can use it a an excuse to get matches transferred to another date that suits them.
Coutinho to Villa, we dodged a bullet there.
Good morning all.
It’s nice to be back, I couldn’t access the house all day yesterday due to a “we value your security” pop up which couldn’t be removed.
Cicero @ 7:31, for sure. I watched him when he was at Bayern for the entire season on a stacked team playing against lower competition and his decline was sharper than Alexis Sanchez. Apparently he waited for an offer from Arsenal that never came and Klopp flat out turned him down. We dodged a bullet with Emiliano Buendia from Norwich too in the summer, remember it was him or Odegaard. Villa paid 35m for him, and they are replacing him with Coutinho… bad business.
No idea why that happened Cicero, sorry.
Morning to you, Geoff and all.
I’m on the fence re Coutinho, but I’m hopeful we’ll sign someone.
They shouldn’t be able to Geoff
No worries Rico.
A feast of televised Arsenal Football tomorrow, 1.30pm -Sky Sports Main Event Arsenal Women take on Birmingham in the WSL. Followed at 4.20 pm on Itv by the FA Cup tie away to Nottingham Forest.
Arteta has ruled out re-signing Jack.
Morning Window Shoppers, morning Rico, yes Cicero you didn’t get your man! I suspect that much of the Coutinho to Arsenal talk was generated by his agent, crafty toad that he is…
Yeah Rico, the cookie monsters seemed to have changed their pop up, it’s probably impossible to avoid all the crap they send us but such is life, I do my best…
If we let Bissouma join Aston Villa then we’ll spend a long time regretting that decision.
Morning all!
Bissouma makes fouls to the most serious ones… In Arsenal it would be a 2nd Xhaka for the worse.
That’s my day sorted then Cicero. Lol
Morning Kev, I like a cookie. 😂
Seriously though, I don’t get the cookie stuff come up but that might be because I’m logged into WordPress.
Really Jm, I’ve not noticed that side of his game.
New post up now