Morning all, as I begin penning this it’s 5.45 am in London.
On the opposite aspect of the world, Arsenal have simply overwhelmed Bournemouth 5-4 on penalties having drawn 1-1 after 90 minutes. I’ve not watched any of it, so cue the doorbell music whereas I work out what occurred…
*half-hour later*
Proper, I’ve received the gist of issues through the membership’s match report and a few bitty highlights from a number of the Arsenal aggregators on Twitter.
Right here goes…
The lineup
Having predicted yesterday that we’d go robust from the outset, Arteta chosen extra of a mix-and-match outfit. Karl Hein began in aim, the defence featured Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ayden Heaven, Ben White and Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey anchored midfield. Ethan Nwaneri and Salah-Eddine performed in entrance of the Ghanaian whereas Reiss Nelson and Fabio Vieira supported captain Eddie Nketiah up prime.
As anticipated, there have been loads of subs as the sport went on. Odegaard changed Salah-Eddine on the break earlier than a raft of adjustments on the hour-mark noticed Jorginho, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Omar Rekik, Jakub Kiwior, Leandro Trossard, Charles Sagoe Jr and Gabriel Jesus come on. White and Nwaneri made method later to permit Jimi Gower and Josh Nichols late runouts. Three keepers, Michal Rosiak and Emile Smith Rowe (extra on him later) have been stored in reserve.
It’s value mentioning that Bournemouth, coached by Arteta’s boyhood pal Andoni Iraola, performed a really robust aspect.
The objectives
Arsenal took the lead on 17 minutes. Nwaneri swept a cross out to the left flank for Nelson who labored his method to the byline with a stepover and alter of tempo earlier than dinking a cross to the again publish the place Vieira hammered residence a left foot volley. It was a really aesthetically pleasing end from a participant who must hit the bottom working given final season’s lukewarm marketing campaign. His celebration was befitting of the event, very understated.
The equaliser got here on 73 minutes. Omar Rekik, attempting to dribble out of defence, was dispossessed by Bournemouth substitute Antoine Semenyo who drove into the field and fired a low effort that looped up off Ben White and over a helpless Hein. When the digital camera minimize to the keeper he seemed completely f*cked off. I believe that may be the final time we see Rekik, who’s now 22, in an Arsenal shirt.
The penalty shootout
It was determined upfront of the sport {that a} penalty shootout would occur regardless of the consequence. It’s one thing we noticed this time final yr after friendlies with Manchester United and Monaco and serves to provide the gamers expertise of a stress state of affairs that may’t be replicated in coaching. Odegaard, Zinchenko, Jorginho and Jesus all netted for the Gunners whereas Hein saved Trossard’s blushes – the Belgian hit the publish – by denying Phillip Billing and Ryan Christie. Jakub Kiwior stepped up in sudden dying to seal the win.
Star performers
Clearly that is tough for me to reply however judging by the response on social media, Karl Hein’s heroics each in regular time and within the penalty shootout received the hearts and minds of followers. Whereas scrolling I noticed one man remarking Hein may save something, even his relationship. I believe that may be essentially the most miserable praise I’ve ever seen an Arsenal participant obtain.
BBC Sport singled out Ayden Heaven for reward claiming he seemed ‘composed’ regardless of a troublesome opponent in Dominic Solanke and, for what it’s value, Blogs gave Ethan Nwaneri three thumbs-up emojis in his solely Twitter publish of the night.
Response
Little question the academy prospects who performed could have loved their style of the large time. Whereas this was a comparatively low-key affair – the 27,000-capacity Dignity Well being Sports activities Park wasn’t a sellout – it ought to stand them in good stead forward of sterner checks in opposition to Manchester United and Liverpool.
Afterwards, Arteta mentioned: “I believe we had a very robust efficiency in opposition to a aspect that may be a bit forward of us of their schedule. They’d a full first-team obtainable, so I’m actually pleased with them, each the younger children and the senior ones as a result of they’ve fulfilled their roles in a very spectacular method.
“We seemed actually linked and as a supervisor, it was only a pleasure to see the faces of these children making their debut, taking part, and the thrill confirmed, and as properly to see our senior gamers put themselves of their footwear and provides them the assist and be the function fashions that we would like.”
What’s subsequent
Arsenal will spend the subsequent couple of days coaching earlier than taking up Manchester United at SoFi Stadium on Sunday/Monday. Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz are anticipated to affix up with their teammates right now and an Italian lad with flowing locks may comply with quickly after. These additions can be a fine addition though it does sound like a few guys are additionally on the way in which out.
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Yep, issues are getting attention-grabbing on the switch entrance…
After the drip, drip, drip updates about Riccardo Calafiori’s transfer from Bologna, David Ornstein turned on the faucet yesterday claiming last agreements are in place and the participant will now bear a medical Stateside earlier than becoming a member of his new teammates in Los Angeles. Hopefully, there are not any nasty surprises once we put him by means of his paces within the remedy room. Clearly, he had a horrible knee damage as a youngster and it’d be a disgrace if we came upon the joint was held collectively by Play-Doh or suchlike.
I’m additionally curious as as to whether Calafiori speaks English. Since Arteta took over, virtually all his signings have been proficient on this entrance. Off the highest of my head, the one exceptions have been Huge Gabi, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Jakub Kiwior. I’m not saying a scarcity of language abilities can be a blocker to him getting minutes, however judging by feedback made by the supervisor a few years in the past, he’ll be anticipated to sharpen up rapidly.
“I all the time put plenty of emphasis on gamers after they arrive – the very first thing is it’s important to be taught the language. You might have to have the ability to talk.
“That’s whether or not you might be coming from the academy or not it doesn’t matter – you could have to have the ability to discuss along with your teammates. It’s one thing we speak about as a result of in my view it’s a key to success.”
For what it’s value, once I requested Twitter about Calafiori’s English capacity, somebody did share a clip of him saying (unprompted) in an Italian interview, “I broke every little thing.” So learn into that what you’ll…
Elsewhere it appears as if Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe are each edging in the direction of Arsenal departures.
Fabrizio Romano broke the information yesterday that Leicester Metropolis are eager to take Nelson on mortgage for the season earlier than shopping for him outright subsequent summer time.
I can see how the transfer would enchantment to Nelson. Not solely will he fancy his probabilities of taking part in extra soccer, he additionally has an oven-ready relationship with new Leicester boss Steve Cooper who managed him for a yr at England under-19 degree. All of us thought Nelson was going to be a world-beater again then in order that, coupled with a few objectives in opposition to Cooper’s Nottingham Forest in 2022 could properly have left an enduring impression.
These “strive now, (obliged to) purchase later” offers have gotten an everyday incidence within the age of PSR. David Raya’s transfer from Brentford is a major instance, so we will’t precisely get snooty about them. Given we’ve already allowed Lazio and Sevilla to recruit Nuno Tavares and Sambi Lokonga similarly (albeit solely an possibility to purchase clause for the latter), the membership should really feel our funds are in an honest sufficient form to deal with our deliberate summer time expenditure.
It definitely helps that Fulham are able to spend £35 million on Smith Rowe. In his second huge story of the night, Ornstein reported that the Gunners are on the verge of a sale that will match Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s club-record transfer to Liverpool in 2017. I’ve to say once I learn the information this morning, my first response was disappointment.
Whereas Nelson gave us *that* aim in opposition to Bournemouth, Smith Rowe’s influence on the primary workforce was extra sustained. His introduction to the workforce in December 2020 (and subsequent performances) galvanised the fanbase when perception in Arteta’s mission was rocking. I recognise he’s barely performed within the final couple of years and that there are long-standing query marks over his health, however on his day, he actually is a beautiful participant to look at. The marauding dribbles. The late runs into the field. The tidy ending. I hope he finds his kind once more at Craven Cottage.
Having opted in opposition to fielding Smith Rowe in LA, Arteta hinted at a deal being shut:
“Yeah, there are issues occurring within the background in the intervening time and we determined one of the best factor to do was to maintain him away from the sport right now.”
Truthfully, I believe I would like extra time to digest the information of his impending exit earlier than committing phrases to paper. Like I mentioned, I’m unhappy, nevertheless it’s a deal that’s in all probability too good for Arsenal and the participant to show down.
Proper, that’s your lot from me right now. Lewis will see you thru Friday and the weekend and I’ll be again on Monday. Have an excellent’un.
