Everything I despise about international football mid-season, and maybe even more broadly, was put on display in the England game.
Tuchel put his team out against Uruguay, a notoriously aggro team (great choice, FA). Madueke was clattered with a midriff challenge as he tried to take a shot from distance. He crunched to the floor and had to be taken off. He was seen exiting the stadium in a knee brace.
We then move on to Ben White. He exited the Qatar World Cup because he was disrespected on a personal level by a nobody, and he wasn’t going to have it. Tuchel wants him in the squad, because he’s a very excellent defender. White gets brought on, at Wembley, and a section of the fan base booed him. Jordan Henderson, a man who is not a fan of the media, had this to say:
“They listen to what is being said in the media, and a lot of the time what the media says isn’t true.
“Not many people know the ins and outs of what happened in Qatar and it is for us to deal with internally. Ben has been good since he came back in and we will support him as team-mates.
“A few of us have been there, it is difficult when it is you, but you have to try not to take it too personally.
“The media can spin things in certain ways, which isn’t always the truth and then fans can pick up on that and think it is the truth.
“It is really difficult when that happens, so it is important for us to make sure he is OK, which I am sure he is.”
What is wrong with people? The English mentality, when it comes to international sport, is so, so wrong.
Ben White scored a goal, which was nice. Then gave away a penalty, that was harsh. Regardless, booing your own players because you’ve got an ill-informed opinion on something that happened four years ago is League One fan mentality.
I honestly can’t stand the table banging, THREE LIONS OR DIE, mentality that goes with the international game. People falling over themselves to showcase how patriotic they are… to the point they do the most unpatriotic thing by booing one of their own during a game that is 0-0.
I’m also seeing people kicking off online about Djed Spence chewing gum through the national anthem. Is that really what people care about? Unbelievable nonsense. I’m not a fan of Djed, but please, give it a rest.
So… we’re potentially without Madueke for the run-in, and Ethan is in Marseille scoring goals, so that kind of means the back-up right winger for Bukayo is Max Dowman.
I know… so annoying we might have to see more of the most exciting young player ever to grace The Emirates.
There are hot and spicy rumours coming out of Spain that Arsenal are tracking Brahim Díaz this summer. The 26-year-old Spanish/Moroccan is available for £39m, though many believe Arsenal would do a deal at £29m. I have to say, I’m a fan of the ex-Man City player. He’s fun to watch, highly technical, and he’d add depth to our forward line.
Buuuuuut… It is a bit of an odd move considering that 1) we are quite clogged on the right wing, the position he mostly plays, and 2) he’s not very prolific. He made 56 appearances last season, with only 6 goals and 8 assists to his name. Those appearances were mostly as an impactor, he clocked 2,300 minutes. So not really sure what he’s answering for us outside of being a good squad option… or Arteta seeing Madueke moving over to the left to back up KVARA THE KING.
This could also just be his agent cooking up stories to alert Europe that he’s exiting this summer. Though you do have to say, this does feel like the sort of move Berta would make. 26 years old, readymade, loads of experience.
One to watch, especially at the price point.
On the exit front, my big fear this summer is Arsenal are going to sell some players we have heart for. I start every summer pitching to you the idea that the world’s elite will come in for our deadwood at a princely sum.
It never happens. If me and you don’t like a player, guess what, we have great taste, and so do clubs with deep data on players. We’re not getting £30m for Trossard, and dreams of £90m for Martinelli are not happening.
That means players like Calafiori might come onto the market. The player, who I love, is not very robust. He is also very conscious of his body after that massive injury. It would not shock me if he was the target of a big Italian club or one of the mega Spanish teams. Moving to a less intense league reduces the chance of injury, it gives you a good quality of life, and at 23, he really would be very appealing to many teams. He’s a franchise kind of name.
Arsenal might look at the lack of availability and see a sale as the chance to upgrade to a player with a little bit more ruggedness. Just like we have done with Ben White, and really, with Hincapie last summer.
Kai Havertz, another player with a fragile body, has moved hard on rumours he’s out this summer.
“No, to be honest, I have not heard anything about that.
“I have not read anything about it either. I feel right at home at Arsenal. I think everyone there is also very, very happy with me.
“Sure, it was not an easy season for me. However, I definitely see my future at Arsenal and in London.”
Not sure where those rumours came from, I assumed he’ll be at Arsenal moving forward. It feels much more likely the other two forwards would be more on the chopping block than Kai. My main worry is that Kai now lives under the category of injury-prone, and it’s hard to imagine that with that huge frame of his, it’ll get any better.
Ok, that’s me done. About to drop by some major religious institutions and beg for their prayers for our Arsenal players. Wish me luck. x
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