Morning all.
Spain are European champions after a 2-1 win over England in Berlin final evening. The primary half is barely value speaking about, so little occurred, however the second started with a flourish. Lamine Yamal acquired away from Luke Shaw, and performed a ball throughout the field to the bubbling Nico Williams (pls Edu, get the BBQmobile on the highway to Bilbao), the primary time end together with his left foot left Jordan Pickford stranded and it was 1-0.
The aim got here minutes after Spain emerged for the second half with out Rodri, one thing which must have given England a lift, however as he has been all through this event, Harry Kane’s presence up prime was a extra important handicap than the opposition dropping the perfect defensive midfielder on the planet. I took a variety of stick on Twitter this week after I advised Ollie Watkins ought to begin the ultimate in Kane’s place, and it’s not that I give a fish’s tit about salty Sp*rs followers in my mentions, however England wanted Gareth Southgate to be courageous together with his staff choice and he wasn’t.
When the Aston Villa man got here on, he made a distinction. Kane was turgid, gradual, previous, in all probability unfit – and the proof of that was apparent to anybody with eyes all through this event. I perceive loyalty, I perceive his stature and repute and historical past, however these issues are good to speak about in books after a profession is completed. They don’t enable you win matches at main tournaments when it’s clear a participant just isn’t on the required stage.
Spain might have scored extra, Pickford made a few good saves, however then Bukayo Saka burst down the appropriate, he discovered Jude Bellingham whose layoff to substitute Cole Palmer was pretty, and the end unerring. Swiftly it was 1-1, and recreation on once more. It regarded as if we have been heading for extra-time however Kyle Walker was too gradual once more (how Trent Alexander-Arnold barely acquired a look-in at right-back is astonishing to me), Marc Cucurella put in a wonderful ball from the left hand aspect, and Mikel Oyarzabal (on for Alvaro Morata) utilized the end – preserving himself onside by the tightest of margins.
Declan Rice pressured Unai Simon right into a save which Marc Guehi adopted up with a header that was cleared off the road, however there was no late drama this time. No second of magic or particular person inspiration to rescue England. I feel it’s honest to say that Spain have been the perfect staff at Euro 2024, wining all seven matches, and so they have been the perfect aspect final evening too. They deserved to win it.
As for England, little question there can be loads of evaluation, however whenever you have a look at the pool of expertise Gareth Southgate had at his disposal, there need to be questions requested concerning the total stage of performances. That 45 minutes towards the Netherlands apart, there wasn’t a lot to put in writing residence about. Bellingham did an excellent factor, Saka did an excellent factor, these issues saved England, and whereas getting to a different last is clearly commendable, Southgate’s security first method doesn’t get the perfect out of the standard he has, and leans too closely into gamers who’re within the staff due to their identify, relatively than on advantage.
From an Arsenal perspective, it was unhappy to see Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice on the last whistle. A protracted, gruelling event ends with extra ache and heartache, so as to add to then lengthy, gruelling season they’d with Arsenal which additionally ended with disappointment. Pipped to the title by Man Metropolis, pipped to the Euros by a late Spain aim. They’re going to really feel each minute they performed, all these onerous yards they put in, and I feel Mikel Arteta goes to need to assume very fastidiously about what they now want.
A break, a vacation, a while off to reset and recuperate: that’s apparent. No one expects them again anytime quickly, however after they do return, how do they go into a brand new season with out feeling the consequences of 11 months of usually excellent performances with nothing to point out for it by way of silverware? It could be a motivating issue, to be honest, however they regarded shattered on the finish final evening, and it’s onerous to not fear a bit. Let’s hope they, and Aaron Ramsdale, get the remainder they want and take just a few weeks away from the general public gaze to unwind correctly.
So, all in all, I feel it’s been a reasonably satisfying event. It feels prefer it all started a long-time in the past, but it surely’s achieved and dusted now. Let’s hope the Arsenal information picks up over the approaching days, and that the wheels begin turning within the switch window.
Stand by for an Arsecast Additional a bit of later this morning. Maintain an eye fixed out for the decision for questions on Twitter @gunnerblog and @arseblog on Twitter with the hashtag #arsecastextra – or in the event you’re an Arseblog Member on Patreon, go away your query within the #arsecast-extra-questions channel on our Discord server.
Pod ought to be out by lunchtime. For now, have a superb one.
