Morning all.
The lads are out in Dubai, having fun with the sunshine. I noticed some video footage yesterday of Mohamed Elneny turning as much as have a chat together with his previous mates, and the Arsenal gamers had been doing their work – thumping dance tunes taking part in within the background – and seemingly having a really good time.
A few of this, I think, is the presence of that sphere of fireside within the sky, often known as the solar. It’s not one thing I’ve seen a lot of within the final whereas. The opposite day right here in Dublin, it went from night time to type of lighter gray to darker gray to a gray no human has ever witnessed earlier than because of the rain that got here with it, then again to night-time once more. I’ll admit I’m a type of individuals who suffers a little bit with winter, it’s known as SAD for a purpose, and I a lot favor the longer days and climate which doesn’t make me really feel like I’m the principle character in The Highway. So, on the very least, the gamers may have a little bit of that going for them earlier than they return to England to tackle Leicester on Saturday.
There was additionally a sight of Bukayo Saka stepping up his rehab and restoration, with eagle-eyed of us noting what appears to be like like a really critical scar on his hamstring – presumably from the surgical procedure he had. Is it worrying that it appears to be like like he was attended to by a Victorian medication man who used a rusty noticed to open up his leg earlier than making use of a tincture made out of nettles and acorns he places collectively in his personal apothecary? Certain, however let’s hope for one of the best.
Within the meantime although, I actually am excited to see extra of Ethan Nwaneri on the fitting of the entrance three. That feels pretty inevitable as choices are so restricted, however I’m curious to see how he can ship over a run of video games. What’s been so spectacular about Myles Lewis-Skelly this season isn’t simply the usual to which he has performed, however the consistency with which he has performed it.
It’s clearly a little bit totally different for attacking gamers, as a result of they’re so closely judged on finish product. Did they actually play properly in the event that they didn’t get a aim or an help? After all they will do this, however when it comes proper right down to it, that’s how the first evaluation is made. To this point this season, Nwaneri has 23 appearances in all competitions, and seven targets to his title. However when you think about these 7 targets have are available in simply 700 minutes of taking part in time, it turns into a way more spectacular tally.
Compared, Leandro Trossard has 5 targets (and 6 assists) from 2101 minutes (36 appearances), and Gabriel Martinelli has 7 targets (and 5 assists) from 2378 minutes (35 appearances). It’s not a positive factor that Nwaneri will hold scoring at that fee, however I don’t assume it’s unreasonable to assume he may get properly into double figures between now and the top of Could – and for a participant of his age that’s a hell of an achievement in your first season as a senior participant.
Even final week, Mikel Arteta revealed he can’t even get modified within the first workforce dressing room but, and he and Lewis-Skelly are nonetheless listed within the Academy part on the official web site. So, to have that type of affect so younger actually is thrilling, and till such time as Saka is again and 100% once more, he’s received an enormous half to play in what stays of this season.
In the meantime, I had switched off from soccer a lot, I didn’t realise the Champions League knock-out rounds had been on this week. There are some fascinating video games in there with Man Metropolis taking over Actual Madrid the plain decide of the bunch. Arsenal followers must also be maintaining a tally of Feyenoord v AC Milan and PSV v Juventus, as our knock-out spherical opponent will come from these ties.
For some additional studying this morning, right here’s our pal Philippe Auclair in The Guardian writing concerning the new Champions League format and the place all that extra cash goes: trace – it’s UEFA taking care of the massive boys. Which isn’t in any respect unsurprising, however typical of how soccer – and the world – works today.
Proper, I’ll depart it there for this morning. If you happen to haven’t had an opportunity to pay attention but there’s a model new Arsecast Further beneath, and there’s an Arsenal Girls Arsecast on the principle feed as properly. Have a superb one of us, keep out of the gray.
