As Lewis reported yesterday, the US tour ended in disappointment with a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.
I didn’t want to watch the Bournemouth-United friendly because of the time difference, but I figured it might be worthwhile to watch it after a few drinks with friends on Thursday night. Anyway, I sat on the sofa with my laptop and watched the team coming out of the tunnel, and quickly fell into a deep sleep. By the time I put on my shoes, sat up straight, and woke up we were down 2-1 and the game was almost over, so I turned off my computer and went to bed.
Overall, it was a bit of a failure…
“Obviously we can improve,” Arteta said. Cut evaluation It’s about team performance. I’d like to take that to heart.
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard, who had six months of pre-season training, put things a little differently.
He said arsenal.com: “I think it’s been a really good week and a half. We’re getting fitter and sharper. I think we’re ready. It’s not our moment to be at our best, but if we time it right, we’ll be ready when the games start.
“I think it’s a good moment. Of course, we have to prepare physically, but we also have to become one as a team. We’ve spent a lot of time together, so I think it’s been good to become one, get to know each other better, and become more united as a group.”
I am sure that the young players in particular had a great time. Also, all the players who experienced airplanes, star jumps, and hotel elevators for 10 days A threatening blogger who wants to test his physical abilities.It will be great to return to London Colney for hugs with Win and high fives with Bukayo.
So what comes next?
Well, apart from Saka, David Raya, William Saliba, Declan Rice and Aaron Ramsdale will bolster the ranks. It is not yet known what will happen to the latter, but adding the first four names will bring some much-needed stability to proceedings.
It would be reasonable to let them settle in, but they will have to run hard as there are some tough games ahead. Expect him to start on the bench for the visit of Leverkusen next week, and he will definitely feature against Lyon on August 11. I wonder if there will be another friendly behind closed doors in the meantime.
Considering that the signing of Riccardo Calafiori was made with the following perception: We can’t expect Saliba and Gabriel to continue playing more than 50 games a season. In a rolling manner Mikel Merino’s arrival is expected It makes you wonder what we think of Saka, given his versatile back-up role in midfield.
With or without Reiss Nelson, the options are limited on the right flank. Yes, Fabio Vieira has featured in pre-season but lacks Saka’s explosive pace and brings a different skill set to the game. Gabriel Jesus is another option but he will be hoping to get more chances to lead the line now that he is fully fit. Tim commented on the Brazilian’s situation. In his recent column:As always, it will only take you 5 minutes of your time.
Who knows, maybe we have a surprise transfer in store? I don’t believe it now, but maybe we should trust Edu and Arteta more. They seem to be very systematic in the transfer market.
On that note, I don’t want to repeat the lines of the last few days, but Eddie Nketiah looks to be getting close to the exit door and could be the next to follow Emile Smith Rowe out the door. I have no idea why it took Fulham so long to announce his arrival. There has been silence for 24 hours since he was pictured coming out of his medical, and I have more than once daydreamed about a miraculous comeback where he scores the winner for us in the Champions League final.
Finally, today I have to report that Evan Gershkovich has been released after being held in Russia for 491 days.
I’m happy for his friends, his family, his colleagues, and I just wish him the best as he comes to terms with his whole life being turned upside down. The picture of him hugging his mother on the runway in Maryland…oh my, oh my… something caught my eye…
If you were one of the many Arsenal fans who showed their support to a fellow Gunner during a difficult time, we would like to thank you.
Evan wondered whether Gabriel Jesus’ return from injury would help Arsenal win the league just before his arrest.
If he’s looking for a familiar place, he can at least return to chatting with his friends over a beer before heading to the Emirates.
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Okay, that’s it for the blog cover. I think Tim will be visiting you all weekend and Blogs will be back at his desk on Monday. Thanks for having me.
