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 along 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 believe, is the presence of that sphere of fireside within the sky, generally 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 evening to kind of lighter gray to darker gray to a gray no human has ever witnessed earlier than as a result of rain that got here with it, then again to night-time once more. I’ll admit I’m a kind of individuals who suffers somewhat with winter, it’s known as SAD for a motive, and I a lot desire the longer days and climate which doesn’t make me really feel like I’m the primary character in The Highway. So, on the very least, the gamers can 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 people noting what appears like a really critical scar on his hamstring – presumably from the surgical procedure he had. Is it worrying that it appears 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 constructed from nettles and acorns he places collectively in his personal apothecary? Positive, however let’s hope for the most effective.
Within the meantime although, I actually am excited to see extra of Ethan Nwaneri on the correct 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 somewhat completely different for attacking gamers, as a result of they’re so closely judged on finish product. Did they actually play nicely in the event that they didn’t get a aim or an help? After all they’ll try this, however when it comes proper right down to it, that’s how the first evaluation is made. To date this season, Nwaneri has 23 appearances in all competitions, and seven objectives to his identify. However when you think about these 7 objectives have are available simply 700 minutes of taking part in time, it turns into a way more spectacular tally.
As compared, Leandro Trossard has 5 objectives (and 6 assists) from 2101 minutes (36 appearances), and Gabriel Martinelli has 7 objectives (and 5 assists) from 2378 minutes (35 appearances). It’s not a certain factor that Nwaneri will preserve scoring at that price, however I don’t suppose it’s unreasonable to suppose he may get nicely into double figures between now and the tip of Might – 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 staff dressing room but, and he and Lewis-Skelly are nonetheless listed within the Academy part on the official web site. So, to have that form of influence 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 apparent choose of the bunch. Arsenal followers also needs to be keeping track 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 buddy 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 large boys. Which isn’t in any respect unsurprising, however typical of how soccer – and the world – works today.
Proper, I’ll go away it there for this morning. When you haven’t had an opportunity to pay attention but there’s a model new Arsecast Further under, and there’s an Arsenal Girls Arsecast on the primary feed as nicely. Have one people, keep out of the gray.
