Last nights opening fixture of the World Cup knockout stage saw Brazil go up against Japan. As a neutral, I wanted Japan to win but with my Arsenal hat on, I wanted Gabriel and Gabriel Martinelli to go through to the next round. Japan took the lead thanks to an inch perfect strike from distance but in the second half, Brazil equalised. Gabriel with the cross, Casemiro, who’d been awful in the first half, with the header. Honestly, I’d literally just said out loud, “not seen Martinelli play yet this summer” when he appeared on the sidelines, ready to get on the pitch. The rest as they say, is history.
The ball was played into his feet, he took a touch and then tucked his shot inside the far post, skimming the woodwork on the way. It was a joy to watch from the then Brazilian striker. Yep, he was slotted into the middle and it paid off. Who’d have thought eh?
Martinelli is one of our players who could be for sale this summer and whilst I’m all for sentiment not playing a part in Arsenal’s decision making, I hope Martinelli stays because just like for Brazil last night, he can be an excellent squad player for us. He is already really as Mikel Arteta seems to favour Leandro Trossard when everyone is fit. But, if Martinelli is to go, his goal last night might just have added a few pounds to his valuation.
Being a sucker for punishment, I watched the Germany game and just like Brazil, the Germans went a goal down against Paraguay courtesy of an inch perfect shot which beat Neuer. A lovely strike. Germany struck back through Havertz and thought they’d scored the winner but VAR intervened for an infringement on the Paraguay keeper. An infringement which made the challenge on David Raya against West Ham look like a brutal assault. Anyway, after extra time, the game went to penalties. Germany are on their way home and they have only themselves to blame but there’s something quite cathartic about seeing Germany losing a penalty shootout for once.
The Netherlands are on the way home too. I watched the highlights this morning and it looked like it was a cracking game. Netherlands took the lead early in the second half before Morocco equalised very late. Neither side could get a winner in extra time so penalties were again required. After what can only be described as an awful set of spot kicks, Saibari clinched it for Morocco.
Tonight’s fixtures sees the Ivory Coast face Norway and France go up against Sweden. Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Viktor Gyokeres will be in action so at least one Arsenal player will see his World Cup run come to an end.
According to the Telegraph, Aston Villa are expecting somewhere in the region of £130 million for Morgan Rogers this summer. In their dreams in my opinion, in their dreams.
Catch up in the comments.
