Lyon preview: A first look at Calafiori?

Howdy, a really fast Sunday weblog for you.

We’ve our remaining pleasant of pre-season later this afternoon after we tackle Lyon within the Emirates Cup. It’s a recreation Mikel Arteta will take severely, as it’s the final likelihood to organize his group in a aggressive method earlier than our first Premier League recreation subsequent weekend.

Issues I’m inquisitive about embody Riccardo Calafiori, and whether or not or not we get to see the Italian right this moment. The supervisor hinted at his inclusion after the win over Bayer Leverkusen, and it’d be good for him and the followers to see him get some minutes right this moment. He seems to have been totally concerned in coaching, not less than based mostly on the photographs, so let’s hope we get our first take a look at him afterward. My guess is a second half sub to play at left-back, however let’s see.

I’m additionally to see what occurs in midfield, and whether or not we’d see a Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard triumvirate. Proper now, I believe that’s the trio that can begin the Wolves recreation, with Gabriel Jesus up entrance, and as that is the final pre-season recreation, it wouldn’t shock me if that’s what Arteta went with right this moment.

Leandro Trossard was superb towards Leverkusen, however a part of me was a bit shocked we solely noticed Gabriel Martinelli for a brief cameo in direction of the tip. It may simply be a health factor, they’re easing him again into motion, however I’d anticipate/hope to see a bit extra from the Brazilian right this moment when it comes to minutes. He’s a participant who I believe we will get extra from this season, and whereas I do know it’s not as thrilling to consider that as a substitute of a shiny new attacking signing, extra output from Martinelli can solely be a great factor.

Past that, I’m unsure what else we’ll see that’s out of the atypical, however I’m open to a shock. Will we see Ethan Nwaneri get some minutes once more? The left-back place and the necessity to introduce Calafiori most likely makes it a bit of tougher for Myles Lewis-Skelly to characteristic, however Nwaneri has had minutes in each pre-season recreation, and his presence in midfield – with Fabio Vieira used out large – has been fairly attention-grabbing, so let’s see what occurs.

There doesn’t seem like a lot else happening, the rumour-mill is a bit quiet this Sunday, however may choose up once more early subsequent week. I can’t think about Arteta goes to present something away when he speaks after the sport, however let’s see. Anyway, we’ll have a report and a few post-game stuff on Arseblog News a bit afterward.

For now, have an awesome Sunday.