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Arsenal.com
Morning all.
Renee Slegers is probably enjoying life at Arsenal. Last season, the Champions League trophy and yesterday, she and her players added another trophy to their cabinet last night by beating Corinthians 3-2 in the FIFA Women’s Championship Cup Final.
Olivia Smith gave us an early lead in the first half, but six minutes later, it was 1-1. Fifteen minutes into the second half and Renee Slegers side regained the lead through Lotte Wubben-Moy’s superb header but as the game went into added time, Corinthians were awarded a penalty after a VAR review. Caitlin Foord was the hero in the end after a well taken shot found the back of the net.
It wasn’t all good news on the night though as goalkeeper Anneke Borbe left the pitch on a stretcher having collided with Wubben-Moy. Just hope she’s ok.
Mikel Merino has broken a bone in his right foot which requires surgery. He’s going to be out for quite a while it seems. How long is anyone’s guess but hopefully he’ll be back before the season ends. He’ll be missed that’s for sure. David Ornstein suggested Arsenal might try to get a player in on loan today but I’m not sure there’s a player out there who can do what our Spaniard does.
There’s been no official update on Bukayo Saka as yet but perhaps Mikel Arteta will tell all later today.
His late replacement on Saturday, Noni Madueke though has been awarded the goal which was originally given as an own goal. Rightly so in my opinion because his corner was on target.
Both Man City and Aston Villa dropped points yesterday. Emery’s team were beaten by Brentford who had a player sent off in the first half and City dropped two points against Totts. There’s a little song oft sung by fans “two nil and you f\*\*\*\*d it up…..” Well, that was City yesterday.
So, we have a six point gap at the top which isn’t bad in February with 14 fixtures to go. Still, a long way to go yet and a lot of opponents to face, all of whom will want to beat us. I think two things potentially stand in our way and that’s injuries and a lack of self belief.
Whatever Mikel Arteta said to the players after the home defeat to Man Utd, he needs to be repeating it week in, week out for the rest of the season. Mix it up a bit of course otherwise it becomes white noise.
Tomorrow we face Chelsea in the League Cup. We’re 3-2 up going into the second leg at The Emirates. Rosenior decided to rest a number of his usual first eleven players against West Ham but his decision nearly backfired. 2-0 down at halftime and quite frankly, being battered, he had to make changes. West Ham will be kicking themselves because they had enough opportunities to take Chelsea to the cleaners but instead, ended up losing.
Anyway, it’s transfer deadline day today but despite what Ornstein said, I can’t see Arsenal signing anyone on loan today. Not with the squad depth we have.
Catch up in the comments.