Photo from Arsenal.com
Morning all.
The boys are back in training, nearly all of them I mean. Kai Havertz, Jorginho, Declan Rice – who were expected to miss this Sunday’s final home fixture of the season, were involved in the clubs open training session. Leandro Trossard was snapped in his kit which hopefully means he’ll be available for selection too.
Arsenal.com
I so want us to beat Newcastle Utd because it’s something we haven’t managed for a while. Plus, second place and the few extra million pounds which goes with it is on offer. Arsenal need all the pennies they can get this summer because we need a few players through the door.
Arsenal.com
This weekend is the final opportunity for Neto, Sterling, Tierney, Jorginho and possibly Partey to say their goodbyes to the home fans. I think it’s fair to say that not many tears will be shed over the first two. Both Partey and Tierney have suffered with injuries throughout their time at the club but for Partey, this current season has probably been his best. He’s had his “off” moments but in the main, I think he’s been a crucial cog in our midfield wheel. Replacing the best version of him will be difficult but with someone different, who knows, we as a team might be different. Better even.
Photo from Arsenal.com
Then there’s Jorginho, who comes into the squad in his place? Perhaps that’s why the club are reported to be trying to tie Partey down for another season or two.
Lokonga, Vieira, Tavares, Nelson and Marquinhos are likely to be up for sale this summer. Hein too perhaps. I guess we could see one or two more from the first team/squad be sold along with the usual flurry of academy departures.
As well as expecting 3/4 signings this summer, I’m sure many Arsenal fans are hoping to see one or two of the academy players make the step up into the first team squad.
The under 21’s have a busy pre-season schedule:
v Boreham Wood at Meadow Park at 3pm on Saturday, July 12
v St Albans City at Clarence Park at 7pm on Tuesday, July 15
v Young Violets Austria Wein in Vienna at 2pm on Saturday, July 26
v Enfield Town at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium at 7pm on Tuesday, July 29
v Chelmsford City at Melbourne Stadium at 3pm on Saturday, August 2
v AS Monaco B at AS Monaco Performance Centre at 4pm on Saturday, August 9
Around about the same time the above fixtures take place, the senior squad will be going through their own pre-season training and fixtures too and I think it’s then we’ll get an idea of who might be considered for the first team squad next season. There will be a number of current under 21 players who will be hoping to play in the two domestic cups, especially the League Cup. If we get a ‘friendly’ first few round opponents, hopefully Mikel Arteta will actually use them. Not all obviously as that would be crazy but a good mix of experience and youth. Give them a reason to believe their career is at Arsenal rather than elsewhere.
Lastly, Arsenal have released next season’s new home kit which Gabriel, Timber and Saliba are modelling in the photos above. The players will be wearing it on Sunday. Maybe this one will bring us much better fortune….
Catch up in the comments.