Morning.
Let’s begin with Champions League motion from final evening, and Arsenal Ladies hammered Juventus 4-0 away from dwelling. The targets got here from Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Mariona Caldentey and Caitlin Foord. It’s one other win for interim head coach Renee Slegers, and Arsenal are unbeaten in 5 video games since she took over after Jonas Eidevall’s departure.
You’ll be able to see the targets within the report here, and get the response from Renee Slegers with questions from Tim here. Subsequent up for the ladies, a North London derby away from dwelling on Saturday, and hopefully one other good consequence within the offing there.
In the meantime, Martin Odegaard went to Norway, had a chat with the nationwide workforce, and it was determined he’d be greatest served persevering with his restoration in London quite than taking part in towards Slovenia and Kazakhstan. The Norway workforce physician stated:
This has been an advanced ankle damage. With only a few coaching periods with the workforce within the final 9 weeks, it’s pure that the physique just isn’t 100% at this stage. In session with him, we’ve got agreed that it’s higher for him to return dwelling to London to proceed his rehabilitation.
Odegaard, for his half, says he has to hearken to his physique, and to me that is essentially the most wise strategy. Did he really want to go all that method for them to return to this conclusion? It’s arduous to know how this resolution couldn’t have been reached over the cellphone, however it’s what it’s. The principle factor is that he can proceed to recuperate again at base, to talk.
It doesn’t imply that’s a zero threat surroundings, but it surely’s a lot much less dangerous than taking part in aggressive video games. There are a few different gamers who we hope to have again after the Interlull. Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu have gotten their comebacks to handle, and we’ll have to attend and see what occurs with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice who withdrew from England obligation.
As for the remaining, we hold every part crossed they arrive by means of their worldwide duties with none points. The gamers to regulate are: William Saliba (France), Kai Havertz (Germany), Leandro Trossard (Belgium), Jurrien Timber (Netherlands), Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil), Jakub Kiwior (Poland), Mikel Merino and David Raya (Spain), and Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine).
Simply going again to Odegaard for a second, it’s been attention-grabbing to see how a lot of the discourse in his absence revolved round Ethan Nwaneri. I feel we will all perceive why, he’s an distinctive expertise with tons of potential, and there’s one thing basically romantic in regards to the concept of a child from the Academy stepping as much as the fill the hole. Would I’ve favored to see extra of him? For certain, however I do suppose the deal with him obscures the truth that there are inquiries to be requested about your squad constructing when a 17 yr outdated is the one actual possibility you will have within the absence of the captain.
Arsenal let each Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira depart this summer season, and whereas there is perhaps good causes for each these departures, we left ourselves mild. Maybe the Odegaard absence wouldn’t have been felt fairly so keenly if Mikel Merino’s introduction hadn’t been delayed by damage, and his pre-season principally occurred in his first few video games for the membership. That’s not best, however whereas I assumed there have been encouraging indicators from his efficiency towards Chelsea on Sunday, he’s clearly a really completely different type of participant from Odegaard.
I feel it’s clear Mikel Arteta and the recruitment workforce have a very good eye for defenders. Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu all look the half, even when the latter has been sadly stricken by accidents. It’s additional ahead the place I feel we have to see the following constructive wave of arrivals. Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard have been good signings, and I feel the previous might go on to be a really profitable buy as a result of years he has forward of him.
However Gabriel Jesus hasn’t labored out the best way we’d have favored, and in 5 years right here Arteta hasn’t but purchased an out and out centre-forward. He inherited Saka and Martinelli (which isn’t a criticism, simply an remark), and it’s ignored in our present funk simply what number of targets we scored final season. However is there room for enchancment, each when it comes to creativity and effectivity in entrance of objective? 100%, and that’s what I’m on the lookout for as we head in direction of the following switch window.
I’m getting forward of myself a bit, I do know, but it surely’s the Interlull, and if we will’t let our minds wander now, then when? Proper, I’ll depart it there for this morning. Have a very good one.
