Good morning, comfortable Friday to you all.
We start at present with the Champions League draw which occurred final night time. Arsenal have drawn Sevilla, PSV, and Lens. On paper it seems to be a really ‘Europa League’ group, and earlier than anybody begins, I’m not complaining about that. It may have been rather more troublesome, and the very fact Bayern Munich should wait till the knock-out rounds – if we get there – is a aid at this level.
Now we have some current historical past with PSV, they beat us final season, however I believe we’re a bit completely different now, they usually’ve actually misplaced a few gamers who have been crucial to them. Our historical past with Sevilla goes again to the Champions League in 200-08 after we misplaced 3-1 away, however gained 3-0 at dwelling due to targets from Cesc, van Persie and Eduardo. And with Lens, we confronted them in consecutive seasons within the Champions League (98-99 – is that after we wore that blue equipment with yellow socks?!), after which within the UEFA Cup the next yr.
Like I mentioned, this might have been a a lot trickier draw, and I believe we should always really feel assured about going by way of from this group. Which isn’t to take something with no consideration, our European report underneath Mikel Arteta hasn’t been nice, and that is a facet of this season which is so attention-grabbing. Competing on two vital fronts is difficult, however we must must the squad depth and high quality to return by way of this. So, let’s see the way it goes.
Now this.
Switch Deadline Day
The window closes at 11pm this night, and it appears extra probably that Arsenal’s enterprise will likely be outgoing reasonably than incoming at present. There are gamers who want to maneuver on, and we’ll wait and see what occurs with Rob Holding, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nicolas Pepe and Cedric.
It seems to be as if Nuno Tavares’ mortgage to Nottingham Forest has been sorted out, and also you’d anticipate that to undergo at present, however the others are nonetheless pending. I believe that is significantly vital for Holding and Sambi, due to their ages and profiles. The truth is that after the window closes, Arsenal must submit a squad checklist and the chances are neither of them are going to be on it, leaving them in a sort of limbo which isn’t any good for them or the membership.
I exclude Pepe from this as a result of I ponder if the truth that Saudi Arabian window doesn’t shut till September twentieth may give him extra choices, and I believe it’s simpler to see him there than the opposite two. As for Cedric, he’s nonetheless on huge cash from his Bosman and with a yr to go and nearly zero curiosity so far as we all know, he may/ought to get a carriage clock, a bag of cash, and a one-way bus ticket to wherever else.
As for incomings, it doesn’t look as if there’s something stirring, but when I used to be Mikel Arteta I’d be asking fairly loudly for a defender. Even when it’s only a mortgage deal – and I recognize the issue of discovering the appropriate participant in that market – I’d be extra comfy with the squad depth if we did that. Assuming Holding goes, with Tavares mainly gone, and Cedric primarily ineffective to this group anyway, it leaves him with six first group defenders: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel (over whom there are some questions because it stands), Jakub Kiwior, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Given the damage points the final two gamers have suffered, and considering Saliba suffered a severe again damage not that way back, I’d undoubtedly really feel rather a lot higher if we had one other physique in there. I do know there’s an honest quantity of versatility in that group, and if push involves shove each Thomas Partey and Declan Rice can play within the again 4, however that’s a situation you’d prefer to keep away from given how a lot they contribute in midfield. Perhaps, and it’s a giant perhaps, you may dip into the Academy for somebody like Reuell Walters, nevertheless it’s unclear simply how prepared he’s at this second in time.
Whether or not it occurs or not, I don’t know. We simply really feel slightly gentle on the again for my liking, and I hope we’re open to the chance to make an addition. By which I imply, we’re actively looking for somebody, however let’s see.
As ever, you may comply with the day’s tales on our Switch Deadline Day Dwell Weblog, we’ll be there till 11pm with information of any Arsenal associated stuff, and the large tales from elsewhere too.
Proper, let’s go away it there for now. Catch you all through the day.
