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Morning all.
For all of the complaints about how Mikel Arteta didn’t use some younger gamers in our ultimate group recreation within the Champions League, let’s not lose sight of the truth that this was solely a difficulty as a result of we had already received our group. Folks’s mileage will differ on what he did or didn’t do with a few of his subs in opposition to PSV, however the necessary half in all that is the actual fact we’re within the draw for the knock-out phases which takes place on Monday lunchtime.
Not like Manchester United, as we already know, and likewise not like Newcastle United who went out final night time after dropping 2-1 to AC Milan. The successful purpose in that recreation was scored by Samuel Chukwueze, who was set to affix Arsenal in 2016 after impressing for Nigeria within the U17 World Cup. That deal didn’t undergo due to some issues on the ultimate phases, he was in London and about to signal a deal, however Arsenal couldn’t discover settlement along with his Academy facet (which sounds a bit like some brokers requested for extra proper on the dying and had been instructed the place to go).
He then went to Spain to play for Villarreal, and featured in each semi-finals of the Europa League in 2021 after we misplaced out to Unai Emery’s facet. Final summer time he joined Milan, and final night time he popped up within the 84th minute to score the goal that condemned Newcastle United to the underside of their Champions League group.
Arsene Wenger has finished it once more.
To be sincere, it’s a little bit of a disgrace they don’t should proceed within the Europa League, their squad stretched by the Thursday/Sunday routine even after they do some shenanigans within the January market after they take some gamers from Saudi Arabian golf equipment, however with out the inevitability of Sevilla in that competitors this season, a very good previous exit is fairly humorous. You’d hate to see them go on and win the the Europa League, or have enjoyable in any method, form, or kind.
I used to be watching Match of the Day final weekend, and the West Ham followers had been signing ‘Champions of Europe, we all know what we’re’ after successful the Convention League. The very last thing any soccer fan wants is to listen to Newcastle followers, with their tops off and their pendulous furry moobs swaying backward and forward to love half-dead jellyfish in a Tesco bag, singing one thing comparable – even whether it is nonsense. West Ham are not any extra champions of Europe than I’m, and whereas I’m all for creative licence, that is an excessive amount of.
I suppose although we must always spare a thought for Bruno Guimaraes who should now deal with having fewer matches through which to commit violent assaults on opponents. Nonetheless, the Premier League have been very accommodating, demonstrating on a couple of event that whacking somebody within the head is just not a crimson card, and with a recreation in opposition to Chelsea on the horizon, maybe he may take out a few of his frustration there.
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With January on the horizon, and it’s not too far-off now, we are able to count on loads of chatter round Arsenal and squad strengthening. There’s been loads of speak about bringing in a striker, however once I take a look at the squad, I believe our wants are extra urgent additional again. I wouldn’t be in opposition to including a ahead, however I fear quite a bit about midfield depth as a result of lack of availability round Thomas Partey, and on the again the place accidents to Takehiro Tomiyasu and the continued absence of Jurrien Timber go away us mild.
It’s why I believe the return of Emile Smith Rowe is doubtlessly crucial for us. I realise that after virtually a season and a half the place accidents have impacted him, it’s probably naive to suppose he could possibly be a key determine, however while you take a look at the profiles of participant we have now, he simply has one thing a bit completely different about him. He jogs my memory a bit of of Tomas Rosicky, partially due to the ‘if solely’ round him and his health, but additionally his capability to seek out area between the strains within the opposition half. His sharpness of motion may assist us in opposition to groups who sit deep, and after we analysed the Villa recreation and spoke about beating their offside entice, he may have been very helpful there too.
It’s all in regards to the health although, so maintain every little thing crossed he can get again to his actual degree – one which noticed the membership hand him the quantity 10 shirt. Only a quantity, in fact, however at most golf equipment it signifies one thing else, and that’s very true at Arsenal.
By way of rumours, these of you who fancy a little bit of Victor Osimhen in North London, look away now:
🚨🔵 Napoli attain an settlement in principlenwith Victor Osimhen on new contract with launch clause included!
It is going to be legitimate till June 2026, yet another 12 months.
↪️🇳🇬 Remaining worth of the clause, TDB — could possibly be round €130m as per Sky.
Official announcement anticipated quickly. pic.twitter.com/nVPhOQDwzM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 13, 2023
That positively precludes a January transfer, if that was ever on the playing cards within the first place. I’ve additionally seen recommendations of Ivan Toney on mortgage, however I can’t perceive for a second why Brentford would do this, even when we dedicated to an enormous charge in the summertime. I suppose you by no means know, however that appears unlikely. Simply a few weeks till the window opens although, and all of the insanity begins to occur.
Proper, let’s go away it there for now. Have a very good one.
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