Good morning! It’s Lewis right here on weblog obligation immediately, following one other evening of being too drained to look at fairly as a lot of the World Cup as I’d have preferred.
There was a time that I’d have relished this schedule however that was way back, with far fewer duties and a sleeping sample that wasn’t conducive to a very productive life-style!
I did handle to look at Spain, and from early on it felt clear that they wouldn’t have any points in any respect in opposition to Austria. They’d a objective disallowed earlier than scoring the opener and it was maybe the softest ‘foul’ we’ve seen awarded at a nook this event. Pau Cubarsi jumped alongside the goalkeeper, was a bit later to begin his leap, and there was a traditional quantity of contact between the pair with them leaping for the ball in shut proximity. There was no actual jostling, there was no holding, no flailing arm.
For me that was simply iffy goalkeeping – unhealthy timing, too weak – reasonably than a goalkeeper being impeded. I hope Nico Jover is having fun with his holidays as a result of he may need to work tougher than ever for these objective bonuses subsequent season.
Mikel Merino received on for the ultimate 20 minutes with Spain already two up and looking out snug. Subsequent up for Spain will probably be Portugal, who prevailed after an extremely eventful second half in opposition to Croatia, which noticed three precise objectives and an additional 4 disallowed, earlier than Switzerland eased previous Algeria. Johan Manzambi delivered a beautiful help because the Swiss took an early lead and looks like an amazing shout for Younger Participant of the Event.
Throughout Spain’s win, the information broke that Manchester Metropolis have been rivalling Arsenal’s curiosity in Jeremy Monga … after which the information broke that Arsenal had pulled out of the operating completely, with Metropolis set to pay Leicester Metropolis £10m for the 16-year-old. Arsenal had been in talks with Leicester however hadn’t reached an settlement over a payment, and it seems they thought £10m was too far to go. We don’t know what the full bundle is price however it’s a must to draw the road someplace in any negotiation.
Monga is clearly an enormous expertise, and Arsenal are pushing to usher in prime younger gamers, however that’s no insignificant sum of cash when there’s plenty of extra pressing work to be finished this summer time. Let’s not overlook the membership have additionally been linked with one other teenage left-winger, so it’s doable they anticipated tough talks with Leicester and already had another goal on their radar with that in thoughts.
Yesterday, Andrew wrote about how he retains writing about Declan Rice and considerations about his health. Tim additionally mused on the potential bodily influence the World Cup (on prime of such an intense season) might have in his column yesterday, and Phil shared this on Bluesky:
What are we doing right here
— Phil Costa (@philcosta.bsky.social) 2026-07-02T20:39:23.214Z
Identical to everybody else with an affiliation with arseblog, I’m spending a number of hours a day fearful about Declan Rice and the way the hell he’s going to proceed to play common soccer with out his physique merely giving up in some unspecified time in the future.
Rice is, clearly, an nearly uniquely gifted athlete and has the psychological capability to push himself by way of unimaginable limits … however he’s additionally human, and it’s arduous to see Thomas Tuchel say one thing like that and nonetheless consider Rice will have the ability to begin 40+ video games for Arsenal once more subsequent season. He wants a break.
And he’s not the one one.
Saka’s minutes are being managed (which suggests Noni Madueke is enjoying loads) and Eze is with England as effectively; Saliba might reportedly require work finished on his again; Gabriel is vital on the again for Brazil and Gabriel Martinelli might anticipate extra minutes now too after his heroics in opposition to Japan; Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard are beginning often; it appears to be like like, even when they aren’t enjoying a lot, David Raya, Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino should wait some time longer earlier than holidaying.
That’s lots of gamers who, after a gruelling season each bodily and mentally, are both not going to be again for the beginning of the season or should not going to get an actual break.
Accidents meant Jurrien Timber and Ben White didn’t even make it to the World Cup, and it’s presently unclear the place they’re of their recoveries.
When Arsenal look to thrash out offers for summer time signings the standard (and qualities) of the participant must be the primary query, however having gamers with us as quickly as doable can be a bonus. It’s another excuse {that a} participant like rumoured goal Christos Tzolis might make sense: it could be an actual bonus if signings can be found to play loads of pre-season and be raring to go within the opening weeks of the marketing campaign.
Different gamers strongly linked with the membership (Bradley Barcola, Morgan Rogers, Bruno Guimaraes, Julian Alvarez and lots of extra) are nonetheless in North/Central America and could possibly be there for some time but. As issues stand, if at the very least one Jurrien Timber or Ben White might have an actual pre-season, a well-rested opening day group would look one thing like this:
Raya (he’ll be advantageous – proper?); Timber/White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Hincapie; Norgaard, Lewis-Skelly; Dowman/Nwaneri, Havertz, Jesus; Gyokeres.
A few of the gamers there are very more likely to transfer on, as are the likes of Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira. That gained’t be the group in opposition to Coventry however that does imply somebody will come into the facet having not had a lot of a break, and that off the again of placing in a mighty effort final season.
No less than one among Brazil/Norway may have their event ended over the weekend, then if England make it previous Mexico, they’ll face the winner of that sport. Relaxation assured, some additional Arsenal gamers may have their ft up a great 10 (or so) days earlier than the ultimate on 19 July. The Merino shouldn’t have an excessive amount of fatigue, having simply come again from harm, and Zubimendi at the very least isn’t enjoying hundreds.
Nonetheless, I’d undoubtedly see sense in at the very least a few of our signings being obtainable to hitch and have a wholesome stint with the membership earlier than issues get severe. With Aston Villa away as our second sport of the season and Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea visiting north London early in September, there gained’t be a lot time to seek out our ft.
The World Cup options its last spherical of 32 video games this night however there’s no Arsenal involvement once more till William Saliba and France are in motion tomorrow. Wishing you all a beautiful Friday and an amazing begin to your weekend!
One last item earlier than I head off: Andrew was joined by Artwork de Roche on the newest Arsecast. One thing in your ears forward of the weekend in case you haven’t listened already. Cheers all, have a great one!
